Abstract: A bracelet clasp including a securing member provided with an adjustment device for adjusting the useful length of the bracelet, this adjustment device including a base plate secured to the second end of the first strip, a cap pivotally hinged to the base plate, the first strand passing between the base plate and the cap and being held by a holding device, second device for locking the cap in the closed position on the base plate. The second locking device include a push-piece arranged to be moved between a first rest position in which the cap is locked in a closed position on the base plate, and a second pushed-in position in which the cap is unlocked from the base plate.

Abstract: A flange alignment tool is used to align a flange to a pipe before welding. The flange alignment tool includes an inelastic ball which may be clipped over a hole of a flange to secure the flange alignment tool to the flange. The flange alignment tool includes a ring which is clips over the other end of a flange hole. A torsion spring is connected between the inelastic ball and the ring and applies the force necessary to secure the flange alignment tool to a flange. The inelastic ball is mounted to a first load leg of the torsion spring and the ring is mounted to a second load leg of the torsion spring. The torsion spring allows the flange alignment tool to flex about a rotation axis of the torsion spring. When the flange alignment tool is flexed, the inelastic ball and the ring follow a circular deflection path.

Abstract: Described is a tightening device for automatically tightening a lace. The tightening device includes a housing with a power source and a pair of motors. A pair of planetary gear boxes are connected with the motors. A pair of spools are connected with the gear boxes. Laces are wound around the spools such that activation of the motors causes rotation of the spools. The housing can be attached with or otherwise incorporated into the tongue of a shoe, such that the laces are operable as shoe laces. Thus, when a user activates the motors, the laces are wound around the spools to automatically tighten the shoe laces.

Abstract: A self-locking device with continuous locking positions includes a housing with an internal cavity, a wall of the cavity including a first frictional contact face and a fourth frictional contact face; a locking member with a second frictional contact face and a third frictional contact face, which is movable in the cavity, with the second and third frictional contact faces facing the first and fourth frictional contact faces, respectively; and a first lock block and a second lock block, with the first lock block being arranged between and contacting with the first and second frictional contact faces, and the second lock block being arranged between and contacting with the third and fourth frictional contact faces. The first and second lock blocks allow the locking member to be movable with respect to the housing in a first direction but locked in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: One embodiment of a flat, round magnet (1) inserted into a non-magnetic metal “cup” (2) and enclosed entirely within a square, thin laminate covering (3). The flat, round magnet (1) is inserted such that one flat surface of the magnet is exposed and the opposite flat surface of the magnet is set against the inner surface of the non-magnetic metal cup (2). The non-magnetic metal cup (2) serves to block or reduce the magnetic force of the surface of the flat, round magnet (1) set against the inner surface of the cup. Such magnet, cup and laminate assemblies with exposed magnet surfaces of opposing polarities can be sewn or stitched on opposing sides of garment or clothing openings and used close or fasten the garment or clothing utilizing magnetic force. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A conventional zipper is the preferred means for closure of many jackets and other outerwear. Conventional zippers are prone to jamming and snagging due to the introduction of the liner into the slider body as the zipper is opened and closed. Embodiments herein provide modified slider bodies with one or more features such as an elongated spring cap, a protrusion on the bottom plate and/or plate coupler of the slider body, and/or vertically offset side rails. These features may minimize introduction of loose fabric, such as the lining of a lined garment, into the tape slot of the slider body, thereby help reduce jamming of the slider body during operation of the slide fastener.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the size of a bracelet are disclosed. In one embodiment, the bracelet includes a first end with a plurality of size adjustment openings and a second end having a hook. The hook is configured to latch on to one of the plurality of size adjustment openings to adjust the diameter of the bracelet.

Abstract: There is provided a locking arrangement that includes an entry element and a housing element, the entry element having a portion that is selectively disposable in the housing element via a movement of the portion of the entry element and the housing element relatively toward one another in an insertion direction, the entry element and the housing element being in a releasably secured disposition when the portion of the entry element has been disposed in the housing element via a movement of the portion of the entry element and the housing element relatively toward one another in the insertion direction and the entry element and the housing element being releasable from their releasably secured disposition via a movement in a release direction that is other than a direction opposite to the insertion direction.

Abstract: A customizable bracelet or belt that has a matrix of evenly spaced holes all around the article. Inserts such as pegs, rhinestones, and charms are configured to be inserted through any of the holes and will be snugly secured inside the hole. In this way, a very large number of configurations can be designed by a user by using different combinations of the inserts. The configurations can be in a particular pattern, spell words, etc.

Abstract: An improved clamp that will keep the bath towels in place on a towel rack. The clamp consists of a pair of clamping pieces, each with a retractable lever, a clamping jaw, and two lugs. The clamping pieces are connected by a pivot pin through holes in the paired lugs. A torsion spring is mounted around the pivot pin to provide clamping force on the jaws to hold the towel on the rack. A rubber cylinder is mounted around the pivot pin and torsion spring to provide additional force. The ability to extend the retractable levers gives the user additional leverage to open the clamping jaws, and therefore to use the clamp. Conversely, the ability to retract the levers protects the user, as the retracted levers present a much lower risk of injury to the user's eyes and face.

Abstract: In a fastener chain, at least some warps constituting a woven fastener tape are provided with a flame retardant phosphorus-copolymerized polyester fiber and wefts constituting the same fastener tape are provided with a synthetic fiber that is not phosphorus-copolymerized and that has a higher degree of tensile strength than the flame retardant polyester fiber. With this configuration, superior flame retardancy can be stably obtained and there is no variance in the flame retardancy of the fastener chains. In the fastener chain, the heat contraction of the warp is used to improve the chain horizontal pull force, and by increasing the frictional resistance between the warp and the weft, shifting of the weave pattern of the fastener tape can be prevented. Further, the fastener chain can be provided at a low cost because of the small amount of flame retardant polyester fiber used.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement comprises a first fastening member connected to a first strap and a second fastening member connected to a second strap. The first fastening member includes a first surface comprising at least one first interlocking member. The second fastening member includes a channel positioned between a second surface and a biasing member. The channel is configured to receive the first fastening member with the first surface facing the second surface. The second surface includes at least one second interlocking member configured to engage the first interlocking member in a manner that blocks the first interlocking member from moving relative to the second interlocking member in at least one direction. The biasing member is configured to urge the first interlocking member into engagement with the second interlocking member when the first fastening member is inserted into the channel of the second fastening member.

Abstract: A fastening structure of jewelry has a chain, and a locking seat and a locking assembly respectively mounted on two ends of the chain. The locking seat has an insertion recess with two stop protrusions. The locking assembly has a V-shaped resilient locking element and a resilient supporting element. The resilient locking element has a connecting end and a locking end with a pressing protrusion. The resilient supporting element is mounted between the connecting end and the pressing protrusion. The fastening structure has a simplified structure and compact size. Moreover, when the resilient locking element is inserted into the insertion recess of the locking seat, an end edge on the locking end of the resilient locking element securely abuts against the stop protrusions of the locking seat. Accordingly, the jewelry with the fastening structure does not drop off and does not get lost.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for winding and locking a lace comprising a fixed support, a rotatable spool, a user-operable knob for driving the spool, and elements for blocking the spool. The blocking elements comprise at least one pawl having a retaining portion engaging at least one complementary projection of the support in the absence of a rotational force exerted by the user on the knob, a base rotationally driven when the knob rotates during loosening, a first bar carrying the retaining portion and being elastically deformable, an actuating portion carried by a second bar and away from the retaining portion, the pawl being configured so that, during loosening, the knob, via the actuating portion, disengages the retaining portion.

Abstract: Reclosable fastener includes a first track having a first engagement profile and a first retention feature extending therefrom, the first retention feature disposed substantially level with or above a bottom of the first engagement profile and having a first outward extension and a first upward extension extending upwardly from the first outward extension; a second track having a second engagement profile and a second retention feature extending therefrom, the second retention feature disposed substantially level with or above a bottom of the second engagement profile and having a second outward extension and a second upward extension extending upwardly from the second outward extension; and a slider disposed on the first and second tracks and interlocking the first and second engagement profiles together when moved from an open position toward a closed position along the first and second tracks. A method of forming a reclosable fastener is also provided.

Abstract: A releasable fastening features a first fastening strip including an elongated, flexible base carrying an array of discrete fastener elements arranged in rows and columns, and a second fastening strip configured to releasably engage with the first fastening strip. The first fastening strip also includes a longitudinally continuous rib supported by the upper surface of the base of the first fastening strip, the rib extending sufficiently far from the base of the first fastening strip to engage a sealing portion of the second fastening strip, and of a bending strength sufficiently low that the rib is placed in an elastically bent state, when the first and second fastening strips are in the engaged state, thereby forming with the sealing portion of the second fastening strip a non-interlocking barrier to resist flow across the fastening with the first and second fastening strips in the engaged state.

Abstract: A bracelet clasp including three strips, and a cover hinged to one of the strips. The clasp is provided with first and second push-pieces and with a safety device preventing lateral movement of the cover causing the clasp to unlock when pressure is simultaneously exerted on the push-pieces. The safety device includes a spacer being received between the cover flaps, the ends of the spacer abutting against the cover flaps so as to prevent lateral movement of the cover causing the clasp to unlock when pressure is simultaneously exerted both on a push-piece and on a flap of the cover opposite the push-piece.

Abstract: A wristband has a clasp that includes a clasp latch and a clasp leg having an inner end and an outer end, wherein the inner end of the clasp leg is pivotally connected to a first end of the clasp latch. The wristband also includes a set of links having an end pivotally connected to the outer end of the clasp leg, wherein an inside face of at least one link of the set of links is recessed to form a recession that is shaped to cradle the clasp leg and at least a portion of the clasp latch when the clasp is closed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clamp with a cam, and with a removable pivot-pin, wherein the bias spring is integrated in a housing of the cam by means of a securing cassette configured to position the spring in a pre-stressed state. The cassette is provided with clip-fastening means designed to be fitted in the housing of the lever.

Abstract: A fastening system for mounting detachable covering components, like panels, on other components (17), like carriage parts (19), has at least one spacer (1) with a spacer body (3). One spacer body side can be attached to the covering component. The opposite side has an adhesive closure part (7) detachably engaged with a corresponding adhesive closure part (16) attached to the other component (17). At least on one border of the side of the spacer body (3) connected to the covering component, a flat mesh (21) abuts to enlarge the connection area between the covering component and the spacer (1).