Abstract: An information tag holder for use on a stem or a limb of a growing plant, bush or tree has a spiral gripping portion which is used to embrace the stem or limb and securely retain the holder thereon. The spiral nature of the structure accommodates increase in diameter of the limb or stem as the article grows so that the tag holder is retained on the stem or limb during such growth.

Abstract: A two-loop strap restraint for law enforcement is lightweight, strong, inexpensive, disposable, and can be formed entirely of recyclable polymeric material, and is easy to apply and carry. This restraint has a pair of apertures in its central bridging portion for curling into a compact four-loop configuration for easily carrying several of them in an unobtrusive, concealed manner in a pocket. The restraint fits all size wrists, ankles for use in a wide variety of law enforcement situations. It has the general form of a single non-metal elongated strap of polymeric material having a pair of symmetrically positioned latching socket bosses of polymeric material located near the center of the strap with a resilient latching pawl formed of polymeric material positioned in each socket. A flexible ratchet portion of the restraint extends outwardly from each socket boss with a narrow tip pull extending outwardly from the ratchet portion to a rounded tip. In use, a tip pull is inserted through a socket opening.

Abstract: A cable-securing device having a locking head and a flexible strap extending therefrom in the form of a ladder having cross bars extending between parallel side members. The cross bars are larger than the separation of the side members so that they are bent as they lie in the plane of the side members. The device has a projecting locking peg which forms a cable-securing loop when a cross bar is engaged by the locking peg.

Abstract: A stretched cable tie has a head connected to a strap having teeth on both sides of the strap. A moveable pawl is positioned on a ledge inside the head and urges the strap into engagement with a fixed tooth within the head so that teeth on both sides of the strap are engaged by the pawl and fixed tooth respectively. A sharp corner is provided more than a multiple of the spacing between the strap teeth below the fixed tooth so as to allow the corner to penetrate the strap and engage the adjacent tooth to aid in providing a withdrawal force. A portion of the wall of the head behind the fixed tooth is removed to facilitate cooling and eliminate shrinkage in the area of the fixed tooth.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device that suspends decorative designs, logos or jewelry from zipper apertures. The device consists of a band that has ridges along its surface and a slide that is adjustable along the band. The slide has attachment means for selectively engaging the ridges of the band, thus locking the slide into place. The band is placed through a zipper aperture, until a stop at the end of the band comes to rest against the aperture. The resulting portion of the band being suspended from the zipper aperture may be passed through the slide, and the slide may then be arbitrarily locked into position by the attachment means. The slide contains a decorative design that can be either two or three dimensional. The suspended slide can be easily unlocked from the band and readjusted or removed without harming the band or the slide. Once removed, the decorative design-containing slide can be replaced with any other slide with other designs.

Abstract: A bundling strap, such as used for bundling a group of wires, includes a spring device for grasping a thin rib or the like thereby avoiding the need for drilling a hole according to the customary practice.

Abstract: A combined releasable holder and lock for electrical connections and cables comprises a pair of identical, strip-like flexible members. Each has a first narrow end or tongue (16), a second wide end or head portion (18), and an intermediate portion with serrations (12 and 14) on its opposite sides. The longitudinal axis of the member has a longitudinal slot (30) which is long enough to pull a cord (39 or 41) with a standard electrical plug (32) or receptacle (34) therethrough. The head portion (18) has a transverse slot (20) formed therein. The member has, on both sides of the transverse slot, two side slots (22 and 24) which converge in a direction opposite to the tongue (16). The end of the long slot (30) nearest the transverse slot (20) terminates in a hole (28). The slots (20, 22, and 24) in the head portion form bendable flaps (23 and 25).

Abstract: A cable tie including a belt member and a buckle member connected to one end of the belt member. The buckle member has a grooved supporting portion integrally formed thereon and having a pair of upper surfaces. The buckle member is also formed with a pair of receiving surfaces which cross to the upper surfaces of the supporting portion at an obtuse angle, respectively. The supporting portion is formed with an engagement leg at a lower surface thereof.

Abstract: A tamper-proof seal for sealing a bag or the like is provided. The seal includes a housing having a strap engagement device, and a strap coupled to the housing. The strap engagement device includes a locking member that lockingly engages a surface of the strap when the strap is inserted into the housing. The locking device is movable towards the strap upon an attempt to disengage the strap from the locking means. The strap includes a pair of adjacent protuberances located near the housing. When the strap is tightened about a bag, the protuberances clench the bag material while providing a convenient slot in which a knife can be inserted. A loop member may be coupled to the housing. The loop member includes an opening through which the strap is inserted prior to inserting it within the housing.

Abstract: A suture device comprises a loop member formed on one side with an aperture and an access channel extending from the aperture to an opening defined by the loop. A thread connected to loop is provided along a portion of its length with a series of tapered projections. Protuberances are provided on the loop member along the access channel between the opening and the aperture for preventing a return of the thread through the channel upon a passing of the thread through the loop and subsequently through the channel into the aperture.

Abstract: A high strength, low strap insertion force cable tie having a locking head that locks the distal ends of a strap in two strap positioning channels in the head with two metal barbs each carried by a pawl hingedly mounted to a side wall of the head.

Abstract: A tying band cluster consists of a plurality of tying bands connected in series, end to end, in longitudinal direction. Each of the tying bands has a head portion, a projecting piece formed at one end of the head portion, and a major portion of a band body formed at the other end of the head portion. When a tying band is formed, the projecting piece of the current tying band is fused with the free end of the major portion of the previous tying band. Because the major portion of the previous tying band is left in the molding dies when the next tying band is formed, the major portion of the previous tying band is kept heated and can therefore be fused completely with the projecting piece of the tying band currently being formed. This ensures a solid connection between the tying bands.

Abstract: The bait fish bridle positioning and attachment device disclosed herein includes a locking device having two flexible locking sections, each having a series of conically shaped knob sections, and having two openings in the locking device into which the flexible knob sections are drawn after embracing the bait fish and the hook shank. After tightening the flexible sections onto the bait fish and the hook shank, the sections are prevented from moving in reverse direction by the locking knobs on the flexible sections. The device may be made of nylon or similar composite material.

Abstract: A seal is provided for joining a pair of overlapping plastic strap portions. The seal includes a body of sheet material having a strap engaging surface which engages the strap portions when the seal is closed about the strap portions. The body has a plurality of teeth projecting from the strap-engaging surface. Each tooth is formed of material displaced outwardly from the strap-engaging surface to define a recess therein. Each tooth has a solid configuration defined by converging side surfaces and truncated along a top surface.

Abstract: A fire protective insulating device adapted to be placed about articles to be protected from fire. The device comprises at least one layer of resilient and compressible insulative material having a plurality of compressive fastener means for mechanically compressing the insulative material to a high density, at least a portion of the fastening material being substantially less resistive to high temperature than the insulative material. A scrim means may be wrapped about the outside of the compressed insulative material for retaining the compressed insulative material. At least a portion of the scrim means is also preferably constructed of a material which is substantially less resistive to high temperature than is the insulative material. Upon contact with high temperature, the structural integrity of the fastening means is decreased allowing the compressed insulative material to mechanically expand.

Abstract: A selectively coated cable tie is only coated along the lateral edges of the strap of the cable tie leaving an uncoated longitudinally extending medial strip portion of the strap for engagement with a locking mechanism in the head of the tie whereby the selectively coated cable tie provides a cable tie with smooth non-abrasive lateral edges while not significantly degrading the effectiveness of the locking mechanism of the tie.

Abstract: An improved cable or bundle tie arrangement includes a plastic tie strap and a tie head. The tie head includes a housing having a pair of spaced apart slots extending therein forming a pair of strap-receiving passageways. Each passageway has an entrance opening and at least one of the passageways has an exit opening. A pawl-receiving channel extends through the housing intermediate the passageways having at least one channel opening disposed substantially normal to the entrance openings. An intermediate portion of the channel intersects each of the passageways. A pawl member is mounted in the channel through the channel opening. The pawl includes a base portion and a pair of arms extending from opposed sides of the base. Each pawl arm has a free end with a blade section.

Abstract: A clip is provided for holding an elongated flexible element. A typical elongated flexible element is an electrical power cord. The clip has a body member having two parallel projections. The power cord may be inserted in the slit between the projections. A power cord in the slit is pinched between the projections. The body member has sockets near each of its ends and a beaded cord has enlargements that fit in the sockets, respectively. The beaded cord can be stretched as it encircles a bundle of wire. When the enlargements on the beaded cord are inserted in the sockets the bundle of wire is held in place.

Abstract: A tamper-proof bracelet is disclosed, which comprises an elongated band having at least one opening at one end, and a fastener at the other end. This fastener is in the shape of a housing having circumscribing walls, two of which are transverse to the band, a top wall and a bottom wall. At least one of the transverse walls is formed, close to the bottom wall, with a through aperture size to allow snug insertion of the one end of the band into the housing. Above the aperture and solid with the transverse wall is a locking tongue extending lengthwisely in the housing and gradualy tapering down into a thin edge, the tongue being resilient at least in the area of the thin edge and having a length sufficient to engage the opening in the one end of the band when the same is pushed into the housing through the aperture.

Abstract: A restraining method employs apparatus that has a body portion and two, laterally-spaced, downwardly extending flexible straps that can be looped around in opposite directions to be lockingly received by a toothed ratcheting mechanism in corresponding laterally-spaced openings of the body portion. An upwardly extending tab has an opening through which a rope can be strung to link together several restrained prisoners. Strap teeth and tab are located in limb noncontacting positions. The straps bend double about self-hinges with free ends fitting within non-ratcheted loops for pocket storage.

Abstract: A wrapping device in the form of an elastic strip of material varying in length and width, yet sufficient for wrapping around objects. Fastener portions which are pressure sensitive and adapted for releasable engagement are attached at the ends of the opposite sides of the material and sometimes near the center which enables the device to be adjustably secured around objects of varying sizes. The fastener portions are such that forces applied by the objects tending to separate them place interacting parts of the fastener portion in shear or tension, rather than peel. A release loop is attached to the exposed end of the strip of material to aid in disengagement of the fastener portions. A loop tab may be attached near the center of the exposed side of the strip of material to allow the wrapping device to be placed in a hanging position.

Abstract: A fastening assembly for elongate articles comprising an annular member and a nondeformable flexible strap, the strap being adapted for passage through the channel of the annular member so that the articles are received upon, and resiliently opposed by, seating members provided along each marginal edge of the annular member. A pair of movable sidewall members resiliently opposite the respective portions of the strap passing through the channel. Lateral vibrations between the articles are damped and crimping, chafing, and longitudinal slippage of the articles is resisted.

Abstract: The present invention is a suction hose clip for connecting an accessory hose, an accessory cable or the like to the suction hose of a vacuum cleaning device. The clip is generally ring-shaped with an open side defining two opposing ends. The clip has an accessory receiving area positioned generally opposite to the open side. Oppositely facing hook portions are provided at the two opposing ends and engage with each other to provide a hook over hook closure to close the clip around a suction hose. A rib projects from the inner wall of the clip to engage the corrugated surface of a suction hose and keep the clip from sliding along the length of the suction hose.

Abstract: A bundling tie is disclosed which is useful for the bundling of stacked articles, such as used newspapers for recycling. The bundling tie is a molded plastic article with a plurality of legs, the legs having a coiled region of sinusoidal planar coils so that the bundling tie is a flat and compact article as provided to the user. The coiled region of the legs may be deformed by the user by stretching to ultimately extend around the bundle of articles. The legs also include fasteners to fasten the ends of the legs together to secure the bundle. The bundling tie may be provided as a kit including a stacking fixture intended to further facilitate the use of the bundling tie.

Abstract: A strap device for retaining in coiled condition of a coiled length of slender flexible material, such as an electrical extension cord, and for hanging it for storage, comprises a length of flexible strap material attached to a buckle formed to receive opposite end portions of the strap such that a relatively large loop can be provided by one of the end portions of the strap to encircle the coiled length and a relatively small loop can be provided at a doubled back-on-itself part of the other of the end portions of the strap to receive and retain an end portion of the coiled length, a cinch slide member being variously provided for closing the loop tightly about such received end portion of the coiled length, and a suspension-hook-receiving member being provided in preferably the end portion of the strap that provides the relatively small loop.

Abstract: A sealing and fastening system secures a pair of adjoining panels to a frame structure of a greenhouse. The system includes a coupling having a generally "H" shape and forming a pair of transversely spaced pockets, one edge of each panel being disposed in a corresponding pocket. A fastener operatively engages the coupling and has a wrap adapted to be disposed about a member of the frame structure to secure the coupling to the frame structure.

Abstract: A uni-directional lock having a body portion having two passageways extending therethrough and each having an internal indentation, an entrance portion and an exit portion and a link portion having an enlarged head portion and two integral leg portions each having a flexible portion having a hook projecting outwardly therefrom wherein the hook and the exit portion are dimensioned to prevent entry of the hook through the exit portion into the body portion or the flexible portion comprises two separate sections or the flexible portion is provided with structure so that it is frangible to form two separate sections.

Abstract: A clip for holding elongated devices such as wire, rope, tools such as screwdrivers, is provided. The clip is in two pieces. One piece is a flexible elastic elongated member with a series of spaced-apart beads near one end. The other piece is a molded plastic device having a base that has provision for attaching the base to a wall, post or pipe. Four side walls project from the base. Two opposed side walls have V-shaped cavities in them for receiving the elongated device. The beaded elongated member extends between the other two walls. The spaced beads enable the elongated member to be placed under tension as it crosses over the elongated device. The elongated member presses the elongated device toward the base and toward the walls of the V-shaped cavities. Thus the elongated device is held firmly in the clip.

Abstract: An automotive power plant has an electrically controlled transmission 12 which is connected to control modules by a wiring harness. The end of the wiring harness is attached to the transmission by an electrical connector which has a spring like thermoplastic cover which is secured to the insulator body of the electrical connector by a bayonet slot arrangement and which has an integral cable strap for securing an end of a convoluted conduit forming part of the wiring harness.

Abstract: A keeper for coiled items such as electrical cord, garden hose or the like, having a first smaller loop to receive a single strand to secure the keeper thereto and a second larger loop to extend around all of the coiled strands to keep them together when the electrical cord, garden hose or the like is rolled up into a coil. The keeper comprises a single flexible strap having cooperative loops and hooks on opposite sides throughout to form the second larger loop and a slot near one end to receive the opposite end through to form the first smaller loop.

Abstract: A tool for applying a flexible, one-piece plastics tie around a bundle of cables drives the tie tail-first from the tool where it is guided around the bundle so that upon completion of this step, the free end of the tail is spaced from but aligned with and directed towards an aperture through a head at the other end of the tail. A pushing element of the tool is then displaced to engage in a notch in an edge of the tail, to push the free end of the tail through the head, where it interlocks.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp for holding and/or carrying selected articles comprising an elongate handle member defining a first channel therethrough extending generally in the lengthwise direction thereof and a second channel which perpendicularly intersects the first channel. A flexible strap having an aperture at the first end and a plurality of ridges along a portion of the length of the second end thereof is slidably inserted second end first through the second channel and bent back upon itself and slidably inserted through the first channel of the handle member with the ridges thereof facing the top of the handle member and then inserted through the aperture in the first end of the flexible strap positioned in the handle member first channel.

Abstract: A connector for electrical cords which includes (i) a longitudinal length of material having first and second longitudinal ends, (i) a first pair of laterally extending appendages extending as lateral mirror-images from the first longitudinal end of the longitudinal length of material with [-] a first of the appendages having a pair of male snap halves spaced along the length of the appendage, and [-] a second of the appendages having a male snap half and a female snap half spaced along the length of the appendage, (c) a second pair of laterally extending appendages extending as lateral mirror-images from the second longitudinal end of the longitudinal length of material with [-] a first of the appendages substantially diametrically opposed to the second of the appendages in the first appendage pair and having a pair of female snap halves spaced along the length of the appendage, and [-] a second of the appendages substantially diametrically opposed to the first of the appendages in the first appendage pair a

Abstract: A one-piece tamper-proof bundling strap comprised of a head-end portion defining an aperture therethrough, the head-end portion being integrally connected to an elongated narrow body portion, the aperture in the head-end portion corresponding generally to the cross-sectional configuration of the body portion. The head-end portion and the body portion have a locking means integrally associated therewith for preventing reverse movement of the body portion relative to the head-end portion when the body portion is looped upon itself and disposed within the aperture of the head-end portion. The locking means is comprised of a plurality of serrations oriented along a portion of the length of the body portion and a plurality of projecting teeth members disposed within said through-aperture adapted to lock against the serrations when the body portion is looped upon itself and drawn through the aperture in the head-end portion.

Abstract: An improved cord restraint device is disclosed characterized by use of an elongate strap formed of an elastomeric material such as rubber capable of being readily stretched. Three apertures are formed in the strap with a slot extending between a pair of the apertures located adjacent one end. In operation, the strap is positioned about one end of the cord by insertion of the end of the cord through the single aperture which maintains the strap permanently upon the cord. The cord may then be coiled about the appliance, and the strap may subsequently be stretched such that the elongate slot is inserted over the end of the appliance to maintain the cord wrapped thereabout. The cord can be immediately removed from the appliance merely by restretching the strap such that the slot can be subsequently removed from engagement with the end of the appliance.

Abstract: A strap for removably attaching a snorkel to a diving mask having a ring and a T-shaped strap defined by a pair of arms and a leg perpendicular to the arms with the outer end of the leg coupled to the ring. A coupling device mounted upon the arms is used to removably couple the arms together at the outer ends thereof so as to form an additional ring.

Abstract: A band strap element for wrapping around and binding and holding an object, comprises a bearing zone 1 for the object to be held including a support part 2 and a strap-form binding element 3, with an engaging or gripping part 4, which can be joined detachably to a catch element 5. A fastening zone 6 joins the support zone 1 and serves for the fastening of the strip element to a support. The support part 2 is arched and is connected through a guide stay 7 with an outer shell 8. The outer shell 8 has an outer wall carrying the catch element 5, which is comprised of several saw-tooth profiles 9. The engaging element 4 is a catch projection 10 at the front end of the strap-form binding element 3. In the mounted condition, a partial zone of the binding part 3 is laid into the interspace 11 formed by the guide stay 7 which extends transversely between the support part 2 and the outer shell 8.

Abstract: A user authorization tag for the wearer thereof is rendered tamper resistant by forming the tag as an integral unit having a flat panel portion and a flexible loop portion extending from the panel portion. The loop is dimensioned for threading through a clothing opening, for example through a zipper pull, a button hole, or the like. Once the loop is threaded through the clothing opening, the panel is passed through the loop, to thereby secure the loop to the clothint opening. A relatively large ticket, carrying user authorization information such as bar code data, is then nonremovably secured to the panel. The size of the ticket is such that the panel with its attached ticket cannot pass back through the loop if an attempt is later made to remove the tag from the clothing.

Abstract: A band for wrapping tightly about an object in self-fastened relationship thereto. The band comprises a flat strip of elastic material having a tail end and an arrow shaped head end terminating in a neck portion. A hole is provided adjacent the tail end of a size to enable the arrow shaped head to be extended therethrough when said tail end is stretched longitudinally.

Abstract: A reusable retaining strap (30) for holding a clutch release bearing (12) and actuator (11) together in a contracted position during shipment and installation. In one embodiment, a pair of elongated arms (48) are connected to opposite sides of a central ring (46) which is secured to a piston (38) of the actuator (11). In a second embodiment, the elongate arms (48) are separate members fixed at one end to the piston (38). In each case, the arms (48) include anchoring lugs (50) on their distal ends (51). The anchoring lugs (50) extend transversely relative to the length of the arms (48) and are releasably secured to a receptacle (53) formed on the housing (32) of the actuator (11).

Abstract: A container with an opening and having two flexible stretchable cords attached to the upper edges of the container. The central areas of the cords may be releasably attached together over the opening by means of a fastener. When the cords are not attached together, each cord may be stretched over a corner holding means located at or near the corner of the container that is between the ends of that cord.

Abstract: An improved cable or bundle tie arrangement includes a plastic tie strap and a tie head. The tie head includes a housing having a pair of spaced apart slots extending therein forming a pair of strap-receiving passageways. Each passageway has an entrance opening and at least one of the passageways has an exit opening. A pawl-receiving channel extends through the housing intermediate the passageways having at least one channel opening disposed substantially normal to the entrance openings. An intermediate portion of the channel intersects each of the passageways. A pawl member is mounted in the channel through the channel opening. The pawl includes a base portion and a pair of arms extending from opposed sides of the base. Each pawl arm has a free end with a blade section.

Abstract: An improved cord tie device is provided for use in wrapping and storing a coiled electrical power cord or the like. The cord tie device has a substantially unitary construction to include an elongated tie strap having a plurality of resilient strap segments interconnected by a plurality of enlarged and relatively stiff locking disks at spaced intervals along the strap length, and a slotted head forming a lock clasp at one end of the tie strap. The strap is adapted to loop snugly about a coiled electrical cord or the like, with one of the locking disks seated within and engaging the slotted head to retain the electrical cord in a neat stored configuration.

Abstract: A marker for locating an underground object such as a utility line. The marker is attached to a line by wrapping a portion of the marker about the line and inserting an end of the marker through an aperture located between the ends of the marker. A collapsible tongue forming the end of the marker enables the marker to release from the object that it encircles when a tugging force of a certain magnitude is imparted to the marker.

Abstract: An anti-slip locking device employs an elongated member having first and second opposite ends and an external surface extending between its ends. The member has a bore extending between its ends in the direction of elongation and a least one slot in its outer surface which extends between the ends of the member and is parallel to the bore. The slot has a first cross-sectional area. An elastic cord has first and second opposite ends and has a second cross-sectional area which is larger than said first area when the cord is free of tension. The cord has a third cross-sectional area smaller than the first area when the cord is subjected to tension. The third area decreases in size as the tension increases. The cord extends slidably through the bore with its first end disposed outside of the member adjacent the first member end. The second end of the cord is disposed outside of the member adjacent the second member end and forms a loop adjustable in size.

Abstract: A bundling strap, such as used for bundling a group of wires, includes a spring device for grasping a thin rib or the like thereby avoiding the need for drilling a hole according to the customary practice.

Abstract: A tying device includes a belt-like annular member which is diametrically deformable due to its resiliency and a parallel arrangement of receiving and engaging hooks provided on each of both divided ends of the annular member. The receiving hook includes a lower member and an upper member bifurcated therefrom and having a knob, and the engaging hook provided on one end serves as a member to prevent transverse slipping of the engaging hook provided at the opposite end, which is located in between the lower and upper members of the receiving hook adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A reusable tie-all or bundle fastener, which comprises a single strap, made of plastic material with a socket having a passageway therethrough at one end of the tie, and a tongue with ratchet teeth on the other end adapted to slip through the passageway in the socket. There is a locking pawl in the socket which is pivoted to the socket and which has a lever so that it can be raised to release the pawl from between the strap teeth when a loop is formed from the tie-all so as to release the tie. Two or more ties can be used in combination to form an enlarged loop.

Abstract: An elongate plastic bag clamp or cable tie defined by a main strap portion, said strap having a plurality of teeth at a tip end thereof and a low profile strap engaging and locking head integrally formed at the other end thereof. The teeth are evenly spaced and oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the strap. Further, the teeth are contoured, having a greater height along the center region thereof, to facilitate camming and locking engagement with the head. The head includes a pair of sidewalls extending from the strap and a plurality of semi-flexible retention bars rigidly affixed to, and spanning between, the sidewalls. Each retention bar is deformable in its center region under the camming influence of the strap teeth thereby to permit the passage and locking thereof.

Abstract: A suture device comprises a body member formed with an aperture and an access channel extending from the aperture to an opening defined by a loop attached to one side of the body member. A thread connected to a side of the body member opposite the loop is provided along a portion of its length with a series of tapered projections. Protuberances are provided on the body member along the access channel for preventing a return of the thread through the channel upon a passing of the thread through the loop and subsequently through the channel into the aperture. The loop and the thread are cut at the body member upon the tightening of the thread about a blood vessel, other tubular duct or a cut in a body tissue or organ.