Abstract: A headliner pinning assembly for repairing or providing supplemental decoration to the headliner of a vehicle. The headliner pinning assembly includes a first pin member having a head portion and a spike portion extending outwardly from the head portion, a second pin member having a coiled medial portion and a pair of opposite ends extending outwardly from the coiled medial portion, and a washer.

Abstract: A wire tightening device including a clip and a leverage-generating tool therefor. The clip includes a tensioning arm, with an outer end having an upwardly-extending crook, and a retaining arm joined together, and held in axial alignment, by a laterally-extending, winding portion. The winding portion has a pair of legs projecting from the inner ends of the arms and an open loop joining the legs in a spaced-apart relationship. The open loop has an outer diameter greater than the distance between the inner ends of the arms. The leverage-generating tool, on the other hand, includes a handle having a tine and a key at one end thereof for engaging the clip. The key has a vertical member adapted for positioning snugly between the legs of the clip when the tine is inserted into the center of the open loop.

Abstract: A center pivot irrigation system is provided with longitudinally spaced drop tubes including flexible lower end portions for dragging upon the ground and an elongated low height tension member is tensioned between adjacent towers with structure by which the lower end portions of the drops may be clamped to the tension member.

Abstract: A tightener for tightening a line which extends between two points is provided herein. The tightener includes a housing, a retainer, and a deflector. The housing is movable between a first position and a second position to tighten the line. The retainer is adapted for selectively retaining a selected portion of an extra length of line between the two points. The deflector moves with the housing and is adapted for deflecting the line during movement of the housing to the second position. The tightener is particularly useful with devices that require an adjustable line, such as a portable carrying device, a tie-down device or a tent.

Abstract: Bending elements for the triggering indicator of a belt tensioner.The triggering indicator for belt tensioners in motor vehicles includes a helical bending element made of a thermoplastic material such as polyamide, polyester or polyacetal.

Abstract: A fastener for attaching a button or the like to a garment or piece of fabric is provided, the button having an outer surface and two or more holes. The fastener comprises a U-shaped filament, a first foot at one end of the filament, and a second foot at the opposite end of the filament. The fastener is constructed of plastic except for the filament or at least a portion thereof which is made of thread. The first foot and the second foot are appropriately dimensioned so as to be insertable through two holes in the button as well as through the garment in such a way as to be retained by the underside of the garment. The length of the portion of the filament made of thread is sized so that when the first and second feet of the fastener are inserted through the button holes and the garment, only thread is visible over the outer surface of the button so as to give the illusion that the button has been attached to the garment or piece of material using only thread.

Abstract: A tool for tensioning a fence wire winds the fence wire around a wire tightening device that remains in the fence after the tool has been removed. The wire tightening device includes at least 3 wire engaging elements which are attached to a substantially rigid planar base. The device introduces tension by threading the wire around the wire engaging elements which takes up the slack therein. The tool manipulates the device by bringing it in to contact with the wire and rotating it around the wire. The tool then disengages from the device which becomes a permanent part of the fence.

Abstract: An assemblage for shaping and maintaining the position of skirts and covers on seating and upholstered furniture comprises an elongated band having a band adjusting member to form the band into a closed loop and to adjust the length of the closed loop; a pleating member capable of being affixed to the band and including a plurality of clips for gathering material of a furniture cover; and a skirt clip capable of being affixed to the band and including a pair of fingers to permit a skirt to be affixed to the elongated band. The above elements can each be used alone or in combination with other elements for securing fabric to furniture.

Abstract: A tie-down device for securing cargo bindings. The device includes a housing unit with a hollow cavity therein. A threaded screw extending through the bore of the cavity and projecting through an opening in a closed end of the housing unit and secured to a threaded fastener. The invention further includes a threaded nut and capture assembly fixedly attached to the opposing end of the threaded screw that is able to extend and retract through an open end of the housing unit. The threaded screw can be turned to a first position projecting the capture assembly through the open end to either capture or loosen bindings. The threaded screw can be turned to a second position causing the secured bindings to be retracted into the housing unit facilitating their tightening.

Abstract: A fastener for use in attaching a button to a garment or a piece of fabric and a fastener clip including one or more of said fasteners. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener comprises a U-shaped flexible filament and a pair of transverse feet, the transverse feet being disposed at opposite ends of the U-shaped flexible filament. The U-shaped flexible filament is generally rectangular in cross-section. The width of the filament is substantially uniform over its length whereas the thickness of the filament is greatest in its arcuate region (to maximize the strength of the fastener) and least towards the feet. Because of its U-shape, the filament is permitted to extend between adjacent button holes, thereby creating the appearance of thread.

Abstract: A shoelace tightening device which is an elongated, flat rigid plastic body with passages or holes in each end running parallel to the flat plane. The first passage is located near one end. The other passage is more elongated and located near the opposite end. The device is used by loosely threading the shoelaces through the passages, tying the ends of the shoelaces in a secure knot, pulling the shoe lacer up and away from the foot, rotating the top end of the shoe lacer up and over until the shoe lacer has been rotated 180 degrees, and centering the shoe lacer over the remaining laces. This effectively tightens the laces by increasing the distance the lace must travel. This allows a user to secure or release his/her foot from the shoe without tying or untying the lace.

Abstract: A line holding storage device is provided for storing or displaying articles on a line in random locations along the line. The line holding storage device comprises a support housing having a first side and a second side. A channel is formed in the first side of the support housing and receives the line. A securing mechanism is positioned on the first side of the support housing and cooperates with the channel for releasably securing the line holding storage device to the line. A catch mechanism is mounted on the support housing to receive and hold articles which are to be stored or displayed with the catch mechanism being positioned such that the mass of the held article cooperates with the securing mechanism to augment the securement of the line holding storage device to the line.

Abstract: A cinching device for tightening a rope being restrained at opposite ends includes an elongated rigid rod-like member and first, second and third elements mounted on and spaced along the elongated rod-like member. The elongated rod-like member has a handle defined at one end. The first element defines a first surface portion around which to extend a flexible rope in a first direction. The second element defines a second surface portion around which to extend the flexible rope in a second direction being generally opposite to the first direction so as to form a section of the flexible rope into a substantially serpentine-shaped configuration thereby reducing the rope in length and taking up any slack in the rope so as to place the rope in a tightened condition. The third element defines a third surface portion around which to extend the flexible rope so as to retain the flexible rope section in the substantially serpentine-shaped configuration and thereby retain the rope in the tightened condition.

Abstract: A fastener clip having a plurality of fasteners for use in attaching a button to a garment or a piece of fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener clip comprises a plurality of fasteners, each fastener being a flexible U-shaped filament having a foot at each end. The filament portion of the fastener is preferably rectangular in cross-section and has a non-uniform thickness, i.e., being thinner at the ends and thicker in the arcuate region, to maximize the strength of the fastener. The feet are appropriately dimensioned so that they may be inserted into a desired garment through a pair of button holes of conventional size and thereafter be retained by the underside of the garment. Each foot has rounded ends, a flat top surface and a compact size to minimize irritation with a person's skin. The fastener clip also comprises a pair of runner bars, each fastener being connected to the pair of runner bars by a pair of severable connector posts.

Abstract: A tensioning apparatus for tensioning the limbs of a compound bow to enable the bow string to be removed from and installed onto the compound bow cable and/or to replace the bow cable and work on the bow comprises an elongate, flexible, non-extensible tensioning cable; retainers for detachably connecting end regions of the tensioning cable to distal ends of the limbs of a compound bow so that the tensioning cable extends therebetween, and a screwjack and three cable guides for forming an open loop of variable size in the tensioning cable.

Abstract: A flexible retainer which may be used to attach papers and the like to a wall, bulletin board, etc. includes a body formed from flexible material with a spacer section and at least two finger grips extending outwardly away from the spacer section, and at least two pins extending from the body away from the finger grips, the pins normally disposed in a non-parallel configuration so as to define an angle therebetween. The body is deformable to temporarily align the pins in a substantially parallel configuration for insertion thereof into a wall or other surface.

Abstract: A tuning device includes a tuner housing extending from a string instrument, such as a guitar, with an integral orthogonal threaded mounting portion mounted in a peg head aperture. A tuner rod extends concentrically through the tuner housing and has a distal end with a transverse interior passageway extending at the end of the housing. A loose clamping pin or screw extends concentrically in the tuning rod to the transverse passageway. After a string end is pushed through the passageway and drawn taut a lock knob or the hex-headed screw at the tuner rod opposite end is threaded into the tuner rod forcing a separate or integral clamping pin against the taut end of the string and to clamp the string in the transverse passageway. An internally threaded tuning knob adjacent to lock knob or hex-headed screw is rotatable on outer threads of the tuner rod at its proximal end to move the tuner rod longitudinally inward in the tuner housing pulling with it the clamped string.

Abstract: A combination clip and hanger is used to suspend articles from walls, especially fabric-covered soft-core partitions. In one embodiment, the clip-hanger is formed of a single strand of stiff but bendable wire. The wire defines three components of the hanger, namely, a clip, a hook, and a prong. The clip is formed by two or more segments of wire, oriented in a generally longitudinal direction, and located in approximately the same plane. The hook is a generally transverse loop of wire, connecting two of the clip-forming segments, and protruding from the plane of the clip. One or both of the free ends of the wire can be formed into a prong. In another embodiment, the wire is inserted through a generally flat backer. The backer tends to prevent injury due to the prong; it also tends to protect the fabric of the partition. When the clip-hanger of either embodiment is inserted into a fabric-covered partition, the prong separates the fibers of the fabric, generally without piercing the fibers.

Abstract: A flexible retainer which may be used to attach papers and the like to a wall, bulletin board, etc. includes a body formed from flexible material with a spacer section and at least two finger grips extending outwardly away from the spacer section, and at least two pins extending from the body away from the finger grips, the pins normally disposed in a non-parallel configuration so as to define an angle therebetween. The body is deformable to temporarily align the pins in a substantially parallel configuration for insertion thereof into a wall or other surface.

Abstract: A device for use in reducing the effective length of an endless strap, such as on a pocketbook, consists of a body having a number of pairs of aligned stub elements along opposite sides of a cavity defined therewithin. The strap is inserted through slots formed in end portions of the body, to lie within channels extending therethrough, and is threaded about and affixed upon the crosspiece structures provided.

Abstract: The device includes a box-like body associated with a ski boot, an actuating knob rotatably associated with the body and acting on two winding spools adapted to wind traction elements, such as cables. The knob univocally controls the spools through mechanical reduction means. Means being furthermore provided to finely adjust the tensioning of at least one cable independently.

Abstract: A compound bow employing an adjustable anchor for securing a tension cable to the bow is disclosed. The adjustable anchor preferably includes a body adapted for receiving a tension cable. A portion of the anchor is secured relative to the bow and slidably received relative to the body. An adjustment assembly is provided for selectively varying the position of the portion and body relative to one another for adjusting the tension in the tension cable.

Abstract: A retention suture apparatus for maintaining a wound closed with a retention suture. The apparatus includes a relatively flat and stiff bridging member adapted to be placed across the wound. One end of the bridging member is adapted to have one end of the suture coupled thereto with the suture extending through the skin on one side of the wound, passing transversely to the wound under the skin and tissue and exiting from the skin on the other side of the wound such that its free end may engage the other end of the bridging member. A plurality of apertures are formed through the bridging member. The apparatus also includes a fastening member having a main body and a band. The main body has a hook fixed at one end and a wrapping projection extending transversely from its upper side. A channel extends longitudinally outward from the central portion of the main body to the other end of the main body where the channel forms an opening.

Abstract: A constant force self adjusting cable control device comprising a first member and a second member pivoted to one another about a pivot point, a tension spring connected to the first and second members and yieldingly urging the first and second members in a direction to cause movement about the pivot point and a cable attached to each of the first and second members. The cables are axially aligned such that the axis of the tension spring and the axis of the cables are substantially parallel. The angular displacement between the points of attachment of the spring and the cable and the pivot point on one member forms an angle equal to the angle of the point of attachment of the spring and the cable of the other member and the pivot point whereby substantially constant tension is provided on each of the cables.

Abstract: The retention suture apparatus is employed for maintaining a wound closed with a retention suture. The apparatus includes a relatively flat and stiff bridging member adapted to be placed across the wound. One end of the bridging member is adapted to have one end of the suture coupled thereto with the suture extending through the skin on one side of the wound, passing transversely to the wound under the skin and tissue and exiting from the skin on the other side of the wound such that its free end may engage the other end of the bridging member. A plurality of apertures are formed through the bridging member on each side of a central portion. The apparatus also includes a bowed resilient fastening member having hooks at its two ends and a wrapping projection extending transversely from its convex side. The free end of the suture is wrapped around the projection and then tied to the fastening member.

Abstract: Device for the adjustment of ball game rackets which is intended to bring about the desired tension in a racket surface through adjustment of the tension in the strings and which consists of a triangular holder provided with a groove for the string and with an adjustment screw whose tip is directed towards the apex of the holder, the screw tightening a string to the desired result by pressure.

Abstract: Winding device for adjusting the length and tension of the braces on a rear entry ski boot for tightening the skier's foot and closing the boot shank on the skier's leg. The device comprises a control button turnably mounted on the boot and having an axle offset with respect to its rotation axis, a toothed pinion turnably mounted on the offset axle, and a toothed ring coaxial with the control button and having one tooth more than the pinion. The pinion turns inside the ring. The braces cooperate with winding grooves via anchoring devices carried by the pinion and ring, respectively.

Abstract: A strap tightener is disclosed. The tightener includes a base member having edges for guiding a pair of threaded members. A drive member is mounted between the threaded members and a keeper is located adjacent the base for maintaining the base generally parallel to the length of strap during tightening.

Abstract: A lockout safety device used in combination with a conveyor pullcord syst The device is used to tension and then lock the conveyor system's pullcord in the tensioned position which action renders the conveyor inoperative. Several embodiments are disclosed each of which is portable, simple in structure, inexpensive, compact in size, and useable anywhere along the length of the pullcord. Each functions to cam its surface against and thereby tension the pullcord which then allows it to be locked in that position. In the preferred embodiment, two sets of parallel members are pivotably joined together with each set having a pin to engage the pullcord on one side while the pivot engages it on the other side.

Abstract: The closure device comprises a box-like body associated with one of the ski boot flaps to be brought together and provided with a knob for actuating a spool whereon at least one small cable associated with the other of the flaps to be brought together is wound. Also provided is a ratchet gear mechanism driven by the knob to lock the spool at any selected position as the knob is turned in one direction, and to release the spool as the knob is rotated in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A system for tensioning a line of flexible material such as a cord, rope, cable or web, including a body provided with a pair of spaced sheave means each having a central rod around which the line may pass, the axes of the rods being parallel. A bracket projects from the body in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the rod axes, and includes a pivotal attachment point spaced from the plane. A swing arm may be pivotally attached at one end to said point and at its other end to the line to be tensioned, and means are provided for selectively locking said arm against swinging movement when the arm is parallel to the plane of the rod axes.

Abstract: A device for increasing the tension in a taut rope segment by increasing the path length which the rope must travel. The path length is increased by first engaging an essentially straight line segment of rope at two points spaced apart on the rope segment and physically restricting the ability of the rope to move in one transverse direction at these points. The path length of the rope is then increased by deflecting the rope outward, away from the straight line pathway at a point between the two points of restricted motion.

Abstract: A quickly tensioned divider line for swimming pools is provided, comprising, in combination, a first divider line adapted for attachment to a first fixed location in a swimming pool; and a tensioning toggle attached to the line, and adapted for attachment to a second fixed location in a swimming pool, optionally, via a second divider line, the first and any second line thereby being located with the toggle in a divider line position in the pool; the toggle having first and second toggle arms, the first toggle arm being pivotably mounted on the second toggle arm, and movable between retracted and extended positions, in the retracted position being axially coextensive over at least a part of its length with respect to the second arm, and in the second position being axially extended over at least a part of its length with respect to the second arm; attaching means pivotably mounted on the first toggle arm, for movement therewith between its retracted and extended positions; and attaching means on the second tog