Abstract: Two spaced bodily tissues are approximated with a surgical tensioning device comprising a resilient member and a pressure locking device. The method comprises a step of routing one end of a length of suture through both spaced bodily tissues and inserting the suture end into and through the pressure locking device. The suture is then tensioned by pulling on the suture end passing through the pressure locking device. Responsive to tension changes in the suture, the pressure locking device is actuated by moving at least one surface in the pressure locking device to clamp the suture in position.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of fasteners used with flexible strapping to secure cargo. In embodiments of the invention, a wire buckle fastener includes a retention tab coupled to an inside shoulder of the buckle. The retention tab prevents the inside shoulder from being pulled through a base of the buckle when the buckle is in use. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the retention tab may be configured as a loop or an open curve.

Abstract: A buckle provided with a detachable whistle. The buckle includes: a buckle body coupled to an end of a belt; and a whistle that is detachably mounted on a sliding part provided at one side of the buckle body.

Abstract: An interchangeable window treatment system has a plurality of independent fabric components including, but not limited to, a base drape panel, a valance, strap members and at least one overlay drape panel. The strap members are positioned at spaced intervals along a top of the base drape panel, forming loops to support the window treatment system on a horizontal rod. In one embodiment, the valance, one or more overlay panels and strap members are removably secured to the base drape panel with dumbbell shaped button links having enlarged button heads on opposite ends that fit through openings in the fabric (eyelets, buttonholes, etc.) on each of the attached fabric components. Any of the fabric components can be removed, reversed, interchanged and replaced to change the overall appearance of the window treatment system according to a desired style, color scheme, or theme. Medallions or other decorative elements are removably attachable at spaced intervals along the valance, button links or strap members.

Abstract: A retractable accessory hook assembly for a vehicle. A housing has a cavity with an opening. A hook is pivotably coupled to the housing and is movable between a stowed position substantially within the cavity and a deployed position at least partially extending from the opening of the cavity. A cover is also pivotably coupled to the housing and is configured to selectably close off at least a portion of the opening of the cavity. The cover is movable from a closed position proximate the housing to an open position away from the housing while the hook is being moved to a stowed or deployed position. The cover is also movable from the open position to the closed position to retain the hook in either the stowed or deployed positions.

Abstract: The invention provides a buckle arrangement for a backpack comprising at least 4 interlocking buckle components, each of the components being respectively attached to a strap attached to the backpack, wherein each of the buckle components is provided with means for at least indirect interlocking independent releasable engagement with at least two other buckle components, the arrangement being such that a first component is provided with means for at least indirect independent interlocking releasable engagement with a second component wherein the first and second components are respectively attached to a pair of spaced apart straps, which straps in turn are attached to a same first side of the backpack, and the first component is further provided with means for at least indirect independent interlocking releasable engagement with a fourth component, wherein the fourth component is attached to a strap which in turn is attached to a second side of the backpack, at a point diagonally removed from the attachment p

Abstract: A quick release buckle of the type having a male portion which cooperates with and fits into a female portion of the buckle wherein the male portion of the buckle is provided with a pair of spring arms and a central guide which are receivable in the female portion of the buckle, the center guide being receivable in a center channel in the female portion of the buckle and the spring arms being received in and expandable into release openings in the female portion of the buckle when the two are interfitted and wherein a shoulder on each spring arm will lock against an inner rim on the release openings, the improvement which comprises a drawstring connected to the outer end of the central guide on the male portion of the buckle through the center channel of the female portion of the buckle, the drawstring, when pulled being capable of pulling the center guide into the center channel of the female portion of the buckle whereby the spring arms will lock into the release openings, the center guide on the male porti

Abstract: A pair of cam-buckles properly disposed in a back-to-back manner may be slid along an anchoring strap passed through it and yet reliably kept in place to accommodate loads depending from it regardless of the direction the load is tethered from without danger of slippage along the strap. While this arrangement may be used in a general way for various tasks, it has particularly beneficial application for tethered physical exercise activities. With it, the anchoring strap may be vertically secured around a door and the paired buckles may be moved to any point-high or low-upon the strap, thereby providing variation in tethering direction.

Abstract: A buckle device for a skate comprises an adjustable receptor fixed to a side of an upper of a boot of a skate, a strap, and a tensioning/releasing mechanism. The tensioning/releasing mechanism comprises a base and a release arm. The base is fixed to another side of the upper of the boot and includes a pivotal seat on an end thereof. The release arm has a first end and a second end pivotally engaged with the pivotal seat. The strap has an end pivoted to the release arm. The release arm is movable between a tensioning position in which the release arm is retained in place relative to the base and the strap is tensioned and a detaching position in which the strap is not tensioned. The second end of the release arm is detachable from the pivotal seat when the release arm is in the detaching position.

Abstract: A coat hook assembly (10) includes a hook member (80) for connection with a structure (12). The hook member (80) is supported for pivotal movement from an opening (40) and from a stored position to an operative position. The hook member (80) has a hook portion (82) adapted to support a garment. The hook member (80) has a closure portion (84) fixed for pivotal movement with the hook portion (82), and blocking the opening (40) when the hook member is in the stored position. A latch mechanism (120) releasably hold the hook member (80) in the stored position. The latch mechanism (120) is responsive to a pushing force on the hook member (80) when in the stored position to release the hook member for pivotal movement from the stored position to the operative position.

Abstract: A vehicle coat hook assembly is provided with a closeout panel coupled to the coat hook. When the coat hook is moved from a retracted position within a bezel or housing, to an extended use position, the closeout panel moves into and fills the opening in the bezel or housing to provide a finished appearance to the vehicle interior. The closeout panel is rotatably coupled to the coat hook and rotates relative to the hook as the hook is rotated between the retracted position and the extended use position. A guide is also operatively associated with the housing and the closeout panel to guide rotation of the closeout panel as the hook is rotated.

Abstract: A harness clip, for use on a child restraint system, which is easily slidable along the harness straps to facilitate positioning of the harness over a child's head, but which can be effectively secured into place relative to the straps when properly positioned near the child's chest. The clip generally comprises a base member for maintaining the two shoulder straps in lateral positioning relative to each other. In addition, the base member is movable relative to at least one of the shoulder straps. The clip further includes a securing device for releasably securing the base member to at least one of the two shoulder straps, to thereby inhibit relative sliding movement between the base member and at least one of the two straps. A method for securing a child in a child restraint system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A belt is fastened to a clasp on one end and locked with its other end in various positions in the clasp. The clasp defines a gap between two parallel walls into which one end of the belt is inserted and is fastened or locked in the gap by at least one screw which presses the belt against a wall of the gap which is opposite to the screw.

Abstract: A buckle for securement of one or more belts or webbings is shown, the buckle including a mount having first and second independently operable belt or webbing clamping members pivotably mounted thereon along a common axis over a belt receiving path defined across the mount.

Abstract: A connecting device for connecting straps in a shoulder harness for carrying a handgun is a flat plate with a slot for forming a flat fold in a first strap, and first and second pairs of slots arranged in a triangular pattern with the fold forming slot for retaining portions of the strap on opposite sides of the fold flat against the plate. The plate has an additional opening for connection to another strap, for example to fasten the folded strap to a wearer's belt below the arm to avoid chafing, or to pivotally secure the plate to a second, identical plate to form a pivotal connection between opposite arm straps. In the first case, the plate has an additional slot parallel to the fold forming slot for receiving an additional strap threaded through the additional slot. Preferably, the plate also has an opening for optionally receiving a pivotal connector extending through a corresponding opening in another identical plate to pivotally secure the plates together.

Abstract: A suspender loop buckle which has a latch for adjustment of the size of the loop and a clamp for secure attachment of the suspender strap to the buckle. The latch and clamp mechanisms both consist of a pivoting plate attached to the frame of the buckle and operate under similar principles. In the open position a plate is perpendicular to the frame and the strap can move freely between the plate and the frame. In the closed position a plate is parallel to frame and the strap is secured by pressure against a serrated flange. Whereas the latch can be easily opened by pressure on the edge of the latch in the direction of the frame, the clamp cannot be opened in this manner. The strap can be quickly and easily secured to the buckle without the use of special tools. The strap can also be easily disengaged from the buckle.

Abstract: A buckle for a straining device, having a direction-changing bar adapted for the straining device, the bar extending over an area of an unobstructed space and arranged to permit the straining device to be passed through in a doubled-over form and a clamping stop interacting with the straining device, wherein the bar is formed from a plate which is bent over so that the direction-changing bar on the plate and supported by it is supported above the unobstruced space in the buckle. Among other things, the buckle is made from few parts and which function effectively. Extending between the direction-changing bar and the plate are uprights which are arranged to maintain associated direction-changing bars supported at all times at a level above the unobtstructed space in the buckle so that a part of the straining device can be passed freely around the bar in question.

Abstract: A buckle comprises a base plate, a locking hook, and a retainer which are simultaneously molded of polymeric organic synthetis resin. The base plate includes a pair of spaced support members having respective bearing holes and respective ridges on inner surfaces thereof. Similarly, the retainer includes a pair of spaced support members having respective bearing holes and respective ridges on inner surfaces thereof. The locking hook has pairs of support shafts on opposite ends thereof which are angularly movably fitted in the bearing holes of the base plate and the retainer. The locking hook also has a pair of legs on the opposite ends thereof, the legs having respective successions of teeth at their respective distal edges and opposite ends engageable with the ridges on the support members of the base plate and the retainer.

Abstract: A clasp includes first and second clasp members which are coupled and uncoupled by complementary pairs of latch members, one of which pairs of latch members is mounted for pivotal movement in response to engagement with the other pair of latch members upon coupling of the clasp members and in response to the selective rotation of an operator for disengagement of the complementary latch members upon uncoupling of the clasp members.

Abstract: A pair of identical fastener elements are arranged in superposed, face-to-face relation to cooperatively define a plurality of elongated, peripherally enclosed channels for passage of end portions of strips of material which are thereby joined by the fastening arrangement. Each element has a plurality of arms extending from a connection at one end with a central body portion to a free end, with opposing, spaced edges of the arms and body portions forming slots closed at one end and open at the other. Placing two of the elements in face-to-face, superposed relation with the arms of each element overlying the opposite end of the arms of the other element provides the peripherally enclosed channels. The fastening elements are disclosed in a number of configurations.

Abstract: A helmet retention system for a forwardly facing helmet includes:(a) a clip having first, second and third attachment structures which are integrally interconnected,(b) the first attachment structure including generally forwardly extending parallel slots in which a left or right retention strap section is threadable for strap length adjustment,(c) the second attachment structure including a generally upwardly extending additional slot to receive one of two rear strap sections, and(d) the third attachment structure including a hook below the level of said first attachment structure to removably support a connector operatively connected to the other of the left and right retention strap sections, and a cantilevered retainer adapted to be deflected when the connection is applied to the hook or removed therefrom, and which otherwise retains the connector against removal from the hook.