Abstract: An adjustable tie-down stretch cord comprising an elastic rope and a pair of slidably-mounted hooks. The hooks have a cylindrical tubular member and an S-shaped hook member. The tubular member is provided with a specially-shaped bore and flared slot in the wall. The inner bore at a throat end has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the elastic rope and increases to a flared end. The flared slot extends from near the throat end to the flared end, increasing in width in a curved manner. The hook member has a hook portion and a rib portion. The elastic rope is formed of a plurality of elastic strands or sheets wrapped in a woven or braided, polypropylene, nylon, polyester, or cotton jacket. The hooks are retained on the rope by knobs formed by folding over and crimping each end of the rope using a hog ring.

Abstract: A versatile adjustable fastener system for securing loads of widely varying geometries, sizes and weights to a variety of objects is disclosed. The system essentially includes an elastic rope of a given diameter and length and four accessories, preferably injection formed of a hard plastic. The first accessory features a double hook configuration. The other three accessories feature a tubular member provided with a specially-shaped flared opening and a second member integrally formed therewith selected from one of the group including another tubular member, a hook member and an anchoring member. In the double-tubular configuration, the use of the rope allows for three different ways to employ the same to fit specific attachments.

Abstract: A kicker wheel roller assembly for an automatic bowling ball return mechanism comprising a permanent hub member and a replaceable contact surface member frictionally mounted thereof. The contact surface member is formed of an elastomeric resilient friction material, e.g. polyurethane, and has a non-circular opening, e.g. square, splined, etc., therethrough which is received on a matching non-circular driving portion of the hub member. The conformed non-circular mating surfaces provide a positive driving connection between the hub and contact surface members. The contact surface member is held on the hub only by its resiliency and can be easily positioned onto and removed from the hub which, in turn, is reuseable.