Abstract: Apparatuses are disclosed where in a lever binder may include an adjuster that when manipulated adjusts the binding length of the lever binder. In various embodiments, a lever binder is disclosed including an automatic latching mechanism to help resist undesired movement of a lever from a binding position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a cargo guard that is readily coupled to and/or removed from a binding strap, and further readily adapted to be repositioned with respect to the strap. The cargo guard may include one or more segments and/or one or more retainers.

Abstract: A load binder including a clamp mechanism for clamping onto container members such side boards of a shipping container. The clamp mechanism includes arms having connecting members adapted to couple to a binding strap, as well as gripping members and a gripping pad adapted to clamp against the container member in response to an urging of connecting members towards one another. The arms and the gripping pad may be pivotal about a common axis. Further enhanced binding action may be achieved via a cam buckle provided with double lining.

Abstract: Stabilizing devices having elongate telescoping tube segments and end clamps. The end clamps of certain of the devices are clamped onto side rails of a cargo bed for segmenting a cargo bed length way. The end clamps of other of the devices are clamped to the tube segments of the first devices for segmenting a cargo bed width way. Thus providing stabilization of segmented loads having length and/or width dimensions less than the length and/or width of the cargo bed.

Abstract: A cargo bar for retaining loads in a cargo container having opposing side walls. The cargo bar includes telescoping sections and end devices at the opposed ends of the cargo bar. The end devices are elastameric and absorb excessive forces that induce pressure grip extension of the telescoping sections.

Abstract: A tool for binding and securing the binding of a load, said binding including a tube having left and right hand threads at opposed ends and sides and threaded shafts mated to the threads whereby turning of the tube relative to the shafts produces common insertion or extension of the shafts relative to the tube. A gear secured to the tube and a pivotal housing with handle surrounding the gear. A pawl carried by the housing and moveable into and out of engagement with the gear in either rotative direction whereby handle movement either contracts or extends the shafts simultaneously from the tube. A centered position of the pawl and a detent in said pawl engaged by a spring biased pinion that retains the pawl as desired out of engagement with the gear for free turning of the tube.

Abstract: A flexible system for winter traction products that allows for component repairability, interchangeability, customization and resizing, all without requiring tools. The key to this system is the provision of connectors which provide interconnection of multiple components whereby at least three points of connection on three components can be interconnected by the connectors. The interconnection of the points of connection by the connectors enable components to be interchanged within the assembly for establishing a desired style and fit of the tire chain to a variety of tire sizes and tire chain types.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire chain designed to retain the strength characteristics of a prior tire chain but reducing the dimension of the tire chain components to be located at the inner wall of the tire so as to reduce the likelihood of interfering engagement with components that are closely positioned relative to the tire.

Abstract: A tool for binding and securing the binding of a load, said binding including a tube having a pawl disposed in a housing adapted to engage a gear that may be coupled to a tube, wherein rotation of the gear can cause extension and contraction of shafts with respect to the tube. The pawl having more than one operation configuration, such as a load tightening, load loosening and a free spin position. An indicator coupled to the pawl and adapted to move relative to the housing to indicate the operational configuration by pointing to corresponding markings disposed on the housing.

Abstract: A tool for binding and securing the binding of a load, said binding including a tube having left and right hand threads at opposed ends and sides and threaded shafts mated to the threads whereby turning of the tube relative to the shafts produces common insertion or extension of the shafts relative to the tube. A gear secured to the tube and a pivotal housing with handle surrounding the gear. A pawl carried by the housing and moveable into and out of engagement with the gear in either rotative direction whereby handle movement either contracts or extends the shafts simultaneously from the tube. A centered position of the pawl and a detent in said pawl engaged by a spring biased pinion that retains the pawl as desired out of engagement with the gear for free turning of the tube.

Abstract: A cargo bar having reduced costs due in part to being constructed from square tubes and due to being collapsible to a length that fits a 4 foot pallet so as to facilitate shipping and storage. Pressure induced extension of the cargo bar against opposed truck walls is provided by a rack and pinion gear arrangement, the rack teeth provided on a first tube wall and the pinion teeth provided on a pivotal lever mounted to a second tube. The bar ends have pressure pads that will conform to side walls of a truck or van and the tube interior is alternately fitted with retractable track pins that extend through the pads and retract behind the pads to accommodate different cargo bar systems.

Abstract: A traction device for a dual wheel set. The traction device includes side-members and cross-members, the side-members fitted to the inner side of an inside wheel and the outer side of an outside wheel. A cinch line extended around the dual wheel set at the juncture between the wheels and provided with engaging ends configured to draw the ends together in a cinching action to draw the cross-members into the juncture and thereby tighten the traction device on the dual wheel set.

Abstract: A tire chain for adding traction to a vehicle tire riding on snow and/or ice. The tire chain includes side members encircling the sides of the tires and cross members that extend across the tread from side member to side member. Securement devices secure the cross members to the side members. The securement devices include a hook shape defining an enclosure and an opening to the enclosure and a biasing member that spans the opening. The securement device is secured to one of the members and is snap locked onto the other member to enable manual removal of a selected one of the cross members for replacement.

Abstract: A cable-type tire chain for the tires of dual wheels comprises a pair of side members and a plurality of cross members extending between and connected to the side members and supporting traction elements. The tire chain includes a center member that extends circumferentially over the cross members of the installed tire chain and that draws center portions of the cross members into the space between the tires. The center member comprises a core surrounded by a helical spring. The core includes a cable wrapped helically with wire, and the inner diameter of the spring is greater than the outer diameter of the core so that the spring can move on the core.

Abstract: A tire chain cross member assembly comprises a flexible cable on which is tightly wrapped a helical wire sheath. The sheath is surrounded by a first layer of helical wire sleeves that are free to move axially and circumferentially on the sheath. Sleeves of the first layer are surrounded by a second layer of helical wire sleeves that are free to move axially and circumferentially and that form traction elements. A tire chain comprises a pair of elongated side members and a plurality of the cross member assemblies.

Abstract: A rechargeable flashlight has a plug unit supported in the flashlight housing for rotation between a non-charging position, in which blades of the plug unit are retracted into the housing, and a charging position, in which the blades are projected from the housing for insertion in an AC outlet. The plug unit cooperates with a switch unit in the housing for connecting a rechargeable battery to a bulb circuit and disconnecting the battery from a charging and indicating circuit when the plug unit is in the non-charging position, and for disconnecting the battery from the bulb circuit and connecting the battery to the charging and indicating circuit when the plug unit is in the charging position. The charging and indicating circuit has a visual indicator that is energized repetitively when the plug unit is turned from the non-charging position but with the blades not inserted in a live AC outlet, and which is energized continuously when the blades are inserted in a live AC outlet.