Abstract: Self-tightening snow chain for attachment to a vehicle wheel to provide traction. The preferred self-tightening snow chain includes a traction cable and a tensioning device including a housing having a top including a set of housing teeth, a bottom and at least one aperture; a lever interconnected to the housing; a ratchet spool within the housing having a set of ratchet teeth that mate with the housing teeth and a channel between upper and under surfaces to receive a cord that is interconnected with the ratchet spool; a tension spring that places a bias on the ratchet spool toward a wind-up direction; and a wave spring. A preferred tensioning device includes a cord sub-unit having two knobs, one on each end, and a grommet encircling the cord. A method of assembling the tensioning device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety hook (12, 12?) having a wire spring latch (26, 26?). The wire spring latch (26, 26?) is a wire loop pawl. The safety hook (12, 12?) is made of a heavy gauge wire form material, which is preferably bent only to form first and second ends (14, 14?, 16, 16?), a chain link securing end (14, 14?) and a hook opening end (16, 16?), respectively. The wire loop pawl (26, 26?) is preferably a rod of elastically deformable material, bent to form an open loop (28, 28?) and bent-over ends (32, 32?, 34, 34?) about which the pawl (26, 26?) pivots with respect to the body (12, 12?) of the safety hook (10, 10?) when the latch (26, 26?) is deformed and forced away from a distal end (38, 38?) of the hook opening end (16, 16?) of the safety hook (10, 10?). The bent over ends (32, 32?, 34, 34?) of the wire loop pawl (26, 26?) are not coaxial.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display apparatus and method for displaying and dispensing elongated product such as chain. The present invention includes identical side plates interconnected by two V-shaped members which are in turn telescopically interconnected to each other so as to provide for variable adjustment of the length of the display apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container with a chain retaining opening. The container includes a side wall which defines an enclosed chamber for receiving a length of chain. An opening provides access to the enclosed chamber from an exterior of the container. The opening is sized to permit the free passage of the chain from the enclosed chamber to dispense the chain from the container. The opening includes structure for retaining the chain from free passage from the enclosed chamber when dispensing of the chain is not desired. The retaining structure includes at least one narrowed passage which defines a cross-sectional opening smaller than the widest part of the chain and larger than the smallest portion of the chain. When the chain is positioned in the narrowed passage, the chain cannot be dispensed from the container. A sloped surface provides a gravity feed from the opening to the narrowed passage.

Abstract: A traction cable is provided for use on a vehicle tire to increase traction in snow and ice. The traction cable comprises a pair of elongated flexible side members having first and second ends, a plurality of flexible cross members interconnecting the side members, a transverse connector mechanism for transversely connecting the ends of the cross members to the side members, and a releasable connector mechanism for releasably connecting the first and second ends of each of the side members. The cross members have ends and each of the cross members includes a cable having a plurality of traction elements slidably and rotatably mounted thereon. Each of the traction elements define a plurality of edges. The releasable connector mechanism includes first and second metal stampings which are preferably identical, a metal ring, and a flexible strap having first and second ends.

Abstract: A traction cable is provided for use on a vehicle tire to increase traction in snow and ice. The traction cable comprises a pair of elongated flexible side members having first and second ends, a plurality of flexible cross members interconnecting the side members, a transverse connector mechanism for transversely connecting the ends of the cross members to the side members, and a releasable connector mechanism for releasably connecting the first and second ends of each of the side members. The cross members have ends and each of the cross members includes a cable having a plurality of traction elements slidably and rotatably mounted thereon. Each of the traction elements define a plurality of edges. The releasable connector mechanism includes first and second metal stampings which are preferably identical, a metal ring, and a flexible strap having first and second ends.

Abstract: A merchandise hanger assembly is provided for attachment to an upright, apertured merchandise display panel. The merchandise hanger assembly comprises a base portion and a merchandise display hanger. The base portion includes an integrally molded, plastic body having recesses for engaging the hanger, and rearwardly and upwardly projecting L-shaped lugs for mounting on the apertured merchandise display panel. The merchandise display hanger includes upper and lower elements being spaced apart and having inner ends, and a cross bar member being located on a top side of the upper element and extending transversely thereof. The upper and lower elements extend outward from the inner ends and are interconnected to the inner ends by a diagonally extending stabilizing element. The cross bar member is receivable in a rearwardly opening recess, and the upper element is receivable in a downwardly opening recess in an outwardly extending portion of the body.