Abstract: A fastener for securing together articles, such as pull-tabs of a zipper, includes a gate arranged to slide in a channel in a body between a closed position, in which the gate closes the mouth of a recess in the body, and an open position, in which the mouth is open. A fixture at one end of the gate is provided for connecting a tether. A latch member prevents the gate from sliding from the closed position when in the locked position and is resiliently urged to the locked position and configured so that, in use, the latch member is pressed and moved to the unlocked position when a user grasps the body and, in the unlocked position with a tether connected to the fixture, tension in the tether tends to slide the gate to the open position.

Abstract: A clasp system includes a first clasp element that is carried by a first article of a baggage item. The first clasp element includes a rim and an elongated aperture is defined within the rim. The clasp system further includes a second clasp element that is carried by a second article of the baggage item. The second clasp element includes a base, a shaft, and a handle. The handle is movable through the aperture. The first clasp element and the second clasp element are reconfigurable from an unclasped configuration to a clasped configuration and vice versa. In the unclasped configuration the first clasp element and the second clasp element are disposed apart from each other. In the clasped configuration the base is disposed on a first side of the rim, the shaft extends through the aperture, and the handle is disposed on a second side of the rim.

Abstract: A zip fastener may include a first slider disposed to slide lengthwise along a pair of stringers, and which includes one of a male part and a complementary female part. The other of the male part and the female part is formed on either a member, which may be a fixture fixed to the stringers, or a second slider. The male coupling part includes a neck adjacent an enlarged head, and the female coupling part includes a transverse slot with broad and narrow sections. In a two-handed operation, the male and female parts are mutually engaged to connect the first slider and the member by relative transverse movement, to pass the male part through a mouth of the transverse slot. When latched is closed in this way, axial separation of the first slider from the member is precluded.

Abstract: A flexible reinforced strap for use with baggage as a level of security against theft includes a plurality of warp threads, one or more flexible reinforcing members, and a weft thread. The flexible reinforced strap is of a multi-layered construction, including an intermediate layer situated between a top and a bottom layer. The plurality of warp threads and the one or more flexible reinforcing members are arranged within the plurality of layers, and a weft thread is interwoven to form the flexible reinforced strap.

Abstract: A buckle includes a male coupler including a bar portion with an external surface, a first flange protruding from the external surface, the first flange being adapted for connection of a strap thereto; a female coupler with a hollow body having an opening therein, the opening including an end part at a first axial end of the hollow body and a slot part extending generally axially from the end part of the opening, the slot part having opposing lips extending along the slot, the hollow body having an internal surface complementary to the external surface of the bar portion; a detent for releasably holding the bar portion in the hollow body; and wherein the lips extend reentrantly and each lip is adjacent a respective inwardly-extending face in the bar portion.

Abstract: A zip fastener includes two sliders for connecting elongate stringers, each slider having a pull tab. For improved security of the zip fastener the pull tabs can be interlocked with one another by a slide-and-turn action, turning one pull tab relative to the other about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the stringers. A luggage item includes a fastening device for locking the pull tabs together.

Abstract: A wire mesh safety net for enclosing an overhead device fabricated from a wire strand formed into a bag and having a closed bottom and an open mouth with a line engaging the open mouth for opening and closing the bag around the device and having wire mesh extending and retracting structure for increasing and decreasing the extent of the wire mesh bag.

Abstract: A carry-strap assembly for supporting a bag is reinforced, as by elongate members such as wire cables for security. An elongate recess with a mouth is integrally formed within a textile strap adjacent a longitudinal edge of the strap. Adjacent strips of the strap are fastened to close the elongate recess within which the elongate reinforcing member is received.

Abstract: A safety tether is able to secure a wide variety of different hand-held articles directly to a user, particularly for overhead work. A resilient bag holds the article and is formed by joining portions of a wire at nodes such that the bag is biased to a collapsed state to form a mesh. Mouth loops of the mesh are circumferentially spaced around a mouth of the bag. A hook fastener includes a hook onto which the mouth loops are inserted to draw the mouth closed and a gate for closing the hook to retain the mouth loops. The hook fastener is connected to one end of a retractable leash, the opposing end of which is attached to the user's apparel. The bag may also have a clip by which it may be hung from a user's apparel.

Abstract: A safety tether is able to secure a wide variety of different hand-held articles directly to a user, particularly for overhead work. A resilient bag holds the article and is formed by joining portions of a wire at nodes such that the bag is biased to a collapsed state to form a mesh. Mouth loops of the mesh are circumferentially spaced around a mouth of the bag. A hook fastener includes a hook onto which the mouth loops are inserted to draw the mouth closed and a gate for closing the hook to retain the mouth loops. The hook fastener is connected to one end of a retractable leash, the opposing end of which is attached to the user's apparel. The beg may also have a clip by which it may be hung from a user's apparel.

Abstract: A fall arrest safety net assembly has the form of a bag constructed of wire mesh, with a closed end and an opposing open mouth about which a plurality of eyes are spaced. An elongate line has opposing first and second ends, first and second line portions of the line being disposed adjacent the first and second ends respectively, an intermediate portion of the line located between the first and second line portions. A choker fitting has two faces between which a plurality of openings extend, and an end fixture on the choker fitting. The first portion of the line is connected in a ring by the choker fitting, the first end being fixed to the end fixture, the first portion extending through the eyes for drawing the mouth closed, and the intermediate portion extending through the openings in the choker fitting.

Abstract: A zip fastener includes two sliders for connecting elongate stringers, each slider having a pull tab. For improved security of the zip fastener the pull tabs can be interlocked with one another by a slide-and-turn action, turning one pull tab relative to the other about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the stringers. A luggage item includes a fastening device for locking the pull tabs together.