Abstract: A top stop made of a flexible material and that cooperates with at least a portion of a slider body. The top stop includes a body having a fin that extends upwardly from the body and that includes a contour that generally conforms to a leading edge of the slider body. In some versions, the top stop has two extensions that project from the body and that form a gap that is configured to snugly receive a connecting neck of the slider body in such a way that water is prevented from penetrating the slider body.

Abstract: A ratchet belt system includes a belt having a notch strip extending along a portion of the length thereof. The notch strip is formed of a plurality of adjacent notches, each being configured to engage a ratcheting tab of an associated buckle. In an embodiment, the tab is coupled to a release lever that is oriented toward a receptacle portion of the buckle for ergonomically improving the release mechanics and preventing accidental release of the engaged tab a user is leaned forward in a seated position. In another embodiment the belt includes a first notch strip about a first surface of the belt and a second notch strip about a second surface of the belt opposite of the first surface, thereby providing a reversible ratcheting belt. Other improvements include accessories configured to engage with the ratchet belt system for display and storage thereof.

Abstract: A fastening device for ski boots. The device has a control means, an adjustment means and a strap assembly. The control means is operatable by a user and drives the adjustment means, which is coupled to the strap assembly. The adjustment means includes a gear set and a threaded rod, which allows for a very fine adjustment of the strap assembly and as a result a very fine adjustment of the fit of the boot on a skier's foot. Magnets may also be provided in the control means in a manner that allows the control means to maintain its position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a clamping collar which includes a belt made up of two belt portions, each of which has a first end provided with a tightening tab and a second end provided with an assembly member. The assembly members are suitable for co-operating to assemble the second ends together in a releasable manner. The collar also includes tightening means suitable for co-operating with the tightening tabs so as to move the tabs relative to each other once the second ends are assembled together, in such a manner as to tighten the collar.

Abstract: An elongated strap can include of a series of ratchet teeth along a portion of the length of the strap. The strap can include a first and second end. A releasable head of the first end can include a fastening mechanism (FM) and a release mechanism (RM). The head can include an opening having the FM for temporarily engaging a portion of the series of ratchet teeth when the second end of the elongated strap is inserted into the head forming a loop. The RM can be configured to non-destructively release the second end. A non-releasable head of the first end can include a cavity which can have a pawl for securely engaging a portion of the series of ratchet teeth when the second end of the elongated strap is inserted into the releasable head forming a loop. The pawl can disallow non-destructive disengaging of the end from the head.

Abstract: An open hose clamp with a tightening mechanism in the form of a so-called Oetiker ear. The tightened condition is locked by toothed portions which mutually engage outside the area of the ear on the side of the ear remote from the outer clamping band end. In the locked tightened condition, the ear is free of forces so that the hose clamp retains its clamping function even if the outward projecting ear is damaged.

Abstract: A clamp assembly including a curved resilient band terminating in a radial direction in two clamp members and in an axial direction in two end faces that are bent radially inwards, the resilient band being adapted to receive therein an elastomeric seal that contacts an outer contour of a pipe, wherein the end faces are formed with a plurality of notches, each of the notches having an open end facing radially inwards and a closed end opposite to the open end, the closed end being wider than the open end.

Abstract: An easy access tab integrated into a hook closure forming a portion of overlapping hook and loop engaging surfaces of an adjustable garment. An edge extending tab is reverse folded over and against a forward and central most subset area of the hook surface and is subsequently sonically heat bonded to create a crushed or otherwise smoothed subset surface area maintaining a low profile and without any significant weight addition. The crushed area enables a user to insert one or more digits between the opposing hook and loop configured surfaces of the closure elements to facilitate easier opening and without damaging the closure elements. A corresponding method is also disclosed for sonically heat bonding the reverse, folded tab applied against the hook surface utilizing the above structure.

Abstract: A buckle, in particular a belt buckle, having at least one hook part (2) and at least one eye part (3), wherein the hook part (2) includes a hook part base body (4) and a hook (5) fixedly connected thereto, and in a connected state of the buckle (1), the eye part (3) is hooked into the hook (5) of the hook part (2), and in a separated state of the buckle (1), the eye part (3) is unhooked from the hook (5) of the hook part (2), wherein the buckle (1) has a securing device for securing the connected state, and the securing device has at least one spring tongue (6).

Abstract: An adjustable belt buckle is convenient to assembly and makes a binding belt easy to be adjusted. It uses the axial section of the top wall of the main body to further press and limit the pressing member and enhance the engagement between the first teeth portion and the second teeth portion to prevent the second teeth portion from being damaged and increase its life time.

Abstract: The slide fastener includes a pair of stringers, each including a flexible tape having first and second sides facing in opposite directions, and outer and inner longitudinal edges, and coupling elements attached to the first side of the tape, for engagement with corresponding coupling elements of the tape of the other stringer. In the disengaged condition of the coupling elements, inner longitudinal edge portions of the stringers project beyond the respective coupling elements toward the other stringer, to an extent such that when the coupling elements are engaged with each other, the inner longitudinal edge portions of the stringers are engaged with one another in a substantially overlapped condition.

Abstract: A lock assembly for retaining a chain binder handle in a locked position includes a grip that has a first end and a second end. The second end of the grip insertably receives the chain binder handle. The first end of the grip curves toward the second end of the grip. A groove is defined between the first end of the grip and a body of the grip. A chain of the chain binder is positionable within the groove. A ring is operationally coupled to the grip. The ring is resiliently positionable over the chain after the chain is positioned within the groove. The chain is retained in the groove. The chain binder handle is retained in the locked position when the chain is positioned within the groove.

Abstract: An attachment for strap detachable from a strap mount includes a plate having a strap hole formed portion, a strap mount connecting portion, and a cranked portion connecting the strap hole formed portion with the strap mount connecting portion, and a rotating member that has an extension portion and that is rotatably supported by the strap hole formed portion. Each of the strap mount connecting portion and the cranked portion is provided with a connecting hole so as to attach the strap mount. And the rotating member is rotatable between a first position where the extension portion passing through the connecting hole abuts against the strap mount so as to set the attachment for strap to be in a locked state and a second position where the extension portion is removed from the connecting hole so as to set the attachment for strap in an unlocked state.

Abstract: Method(s) and device(s) are presented for accurately positioning and fastening a surface cover to the surface. A surface cover can be provided with a cover snap member that has a drill guide through which a hole can be drilled into the surface. The hole can be used to fasten a surface snap member, which snaps together with the cover snap member. The surface snap member can be attached to the surface through a separate screw. Alternatively, the surface snap member can have an integral screw that provides for self-attachment. The surface snap member can have a bore which aligns with the drill guide when the surface snap member and the cover snap member are snapped together. The user can snap the cover snap member and surface snap member and drill a hole into the surface through the channel formed by the aligned drill guide and bore.

Abstract: An end guide for a cord attachment device includes a cloth. The cloth is configured to fold over, unto, and overlap itself. The cloth has three portions. The first and second portions are longer than a third portion. The cloth is folded axially about a central longitudinal axis. The central longitudinal axis spans from the proximal end to the distal end of the cloth. The folding causes the first and second portions to overlap. A plurality of flutes are configured in the cloth by a plurality of stitch lines running parallel to each other and extending through first and second sides (the front and back) of the cloth and extending through the overlap of the first and second portions. At least one of the plurality of stitch lines are located between each of the flutes. The flutes span to both the proximal and distal ends of the cloth.

Abstract: The clamping collar comprises a metal belt (10), two tightening lugs (12, 14), and a bridging plate (20) for bridging the gap between the lugs. The belt includes an overlap portion (22) that has its inside face provided with a setback (24) into which a first end (20A) of the plate penetrates during tightening of the collar. The setback is defined by a first joggle (26) having an end wall that forms two surfaces on either side of the longitudinal midline of the belt, which surfaces are disposed substantially symmetrically about said midline, and are inclined both relative to the longitudinal direction and relative to the transverse direction of the belt, and each of which surfaces extends over a substantial fraction of the half-width of the belt.

Abstract: A latch has a hook, with a free end and a gate end; a gate; a latch opening; a release; a retaining magnet; and a repulse. The release is activated to move the latch into a disengaged position. The repulse may act to maintain the latch in an engaged position. The retaining magnet is captured in the hook. The latch opening is a void between the free end and the gate end. The gate is retractably attached to the gate end. The gate extends across the latch opening when in the engaged position. The gate is retracted toward the gate end when in the disengaged position.

Abstract: An elastic cord having at least one tapered protruding portion along its length, wherein the extent of protrusion is reduced when the cord is axially stretched, and returns to its original size when the cord is relaxed, is described. One embodiment includes an elastic core about which a flexible sheath is fitted, wherein chosen axially spaced-apart portions of the sheath form tapered isolates or knots in accordance with selected patterns for protrusions therein when the elastic core is in its relaxed state. Such knots are formed when the sheath is cause to bunch up at these axial locations. Sheath patterns may be achieved by employing a woven structure for the sheath. The protruding portions or knots reversibly resist movement of the elastic cord through an opening having a chosen size, such as an eyelet of a shoe.

Abstract: A system of attachment surface structures that find their best use in the form of repeatedly removable straps and bands for securing one object to another. The surfaces are preferably constructed of narrow sheets of flexible polymer plastic materials having generally high tensile strength. A first embodiment includes shaped parallel ridges on one surface that interlock with mating parallel ridges on an opposing surface. These parallel ridges may be double sided (interlocking on both sides of each shaped ridge with the next shaped ridge on either side) or single sided (interlocking with a single ridge oriented 180 degrees from the first). Further embodiments include an array of shaped posts of various regular geometric shapes that interlock with an opposing array of identical posts. Further embodiments include parallel ridge pairs that interlock with parallel post-type ridges that lend themselves to extrusion manufacturing.

Abstract: A hose clamp includes a band and a worm drive mechanism. The band has a set of slots located between a first and second circumferential end of the band. The worm drive mechanism is connected to the band and causes radial contraction of the band to tighten the band. The worm drive mechanism includes a screw that engages the set of slots for radial contraction of the band. A clamping-pressure-restoring construction is provided in order to maintain a seal between the hose clamp and an underlying hose during use of the hose clamp and when the underlying hose experiences size expansion and contraction due to, for example, temperature fluctuations.