Abstract: A buckle fastener system and method for releasably fastening together two straps of an article utilizes a buckle attached to the free end of the first strap and a clasp member attached to the free end of the second strap of the article. The clasp member has a hook portion which slides onto the first strap adjacent to one end of the buckle and the clasp is positioned beneath the buckle such that the buckle is captured by the clasp to releasably fasten the first and second straps together. To unfasten the straps, the process is reversed.

Abstract: A clip for holding an object, such as a literature booklet, comprises first (23) and second (25) resilient parts, the first part adapted to hold an object having a first thickness and the second part adapted to hold an object having a second thickness, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness. Consequently, the clip can hold a range of thickness of literature booklets or other objects. The clip may be part of an article, such as a container for compact discs or DVD's.

Abstract: Multi pivot latch assemblies for releasably engaging anchors and other attach points in vehicles are disclosed herein. A latch assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a latch and an actuator, each of which is movably coupled to a frame. In operation, movement of the actuator from a locked position toward an unlocked position causes the latch to rotate from a first position to a second position about a first pivot point, and from the second position toward the third position about a second pivot point to open the latch assembly and release the anchor.

Abstract: A clamp for an oil well line is disclosed, the clamp having a casing, typically a pair of wedge members defining a line receiving recess between them and wherein the wedge member are movable within a channel in the casing to move together and grip the line when axial force is applied to the line. The radially outermost faces of the wedge members are typically shaped to match the taper of the channel in the casing, and so are pressed together as they move axially down the tapered channel. One wall of the channel is typically movable to disengage from the wedge member when the gripping force is to be removed. The line-receiving recess can be in the form of an arc or a dog leg, and can be lined with a high friction material or a softer material to minimize damage to the line by the clamping force.

Abstract: An assembled structure comprising: a housing; a plate-shaped elastic member attached in the interior portion of the housing; and a confirming portion for confirming a state of attachment of the plate-shaped elastic member, wherein the confirming portion is provided in an elastic member attachment portion where the plate-shaped elastic member is attached in the housing, and is formed so as to confirm that the plate-shaped elastic member is properly attached in the housing with a predetermined positional relation between an attachment region of the plate-shaped elastic member attached to the housing and the confirming portion, is provided.

Abstract: A controlled-release fastening device including a toothed strap with pitched toothing, a base on which is mounted at least one main hook pivotal with respect to the base between a retaining position, in which the hook is selectively engaged between contiguous teeth of the toothing in order to hold the strap in one direction with respect to the base, and a release position, in which at least one hook is disengaged from the strap, allowing the sliding thereof relative to the base. A ratchet is mounted on the base for the gradual release of the strap by one or more teeth at a time. The ratchet including a first and a second hook mutually spaced by a non-integral multiple of the toothing pitch and capable of alternately engaging the toothing during controlled release of the strap.

Abstract: A ratcheting tie-down device is provided that includes a main body portion, a hub rotatable relative to the main body portion about an axis, a webbing windable about the hub, and means for attaching at least one end of the webbing to an object. The device further includes means for biasing winding of webbing, a ratchet wheel having a plurality of ratchet teeth, a lock member resiliently biased into locking engagement with at least one ratchet tooth to inhibit unwinding of the webbing about the hub, and a lever arm rotatable about the axis for moving the ratchet wheel and wind the webbing. In one example, the device a rotational support element is provided to maintain orientation of the hub such that it can freely rotate. In another example, means for braking is provided to inhibit winding of at least some portion of the webbing about the hub.

Abstract: When an operation wall of an inner member is inserted into an insertion portion of an outer member and an engagement piece does not receive a cam operation due to a slanted cam portion, contact pieces of the outer member do not correspond to a positioning hole of the inner member and are located in a position so as not to be inserted into the positioning hole. When the outer member is inserted into an attachment hole of an attachment receiving member with maintaining a state where the engagement piece does not receive the cam operation due to the slanted cam portion, the contact pieces are elastically deformed inwardly and located in a position so as to be inserted into the positioning hole.

Abstract: The disclosure provides embodiments for elasticized members used as closures for garments, such as diapers, jacket cuffs, and similar articles, the elasticized member having an elastic body having an attachment region adapted for attachment of the elastic body to a garment and a fastener positioned on a distal portion of the elastic body, wherein the elastic body is structured to reduce curl along longitudinal edges and corners of the elastic body upon application of tension to the fastener.

Abstract: A wedge for retaining a tendon in an anchor has first, second, third, and fourth portions. The portions each have a channel. The first portion has a constant thickness from a first end to a second end. The second portion has a first end adjacent to the second end of the first portion and tapers from the first end of the second portion to a second end thereof. The third portion has a first end adjacent to the second end of the second portion and tapers from the first end of the third portion to a second end thereof. The fourth portion has a first end adjacent to the second end of the third portion and tapers from the first end of the fourth portion to a second end thereof. The channels of each of the portions have ribs.

Abstract: A one-piece cable tie includes a tail which is configured with a plurality of slits or notches therein. These slits are in alignment with the recesses in the tail and extend no deeper than the depth of the recesses. Such slits are designed to aid the use in removing the excess tail from the cable tie once the tie has been tensioned around a bundle. The user first bends the tail so as to close the slits in one side of the tie and then twists the tie about its longitudinal axis so as to separate the excess tail from the tie.

Abstract: A spring wire retention device for a chair that includes a spring network with spring wires bridging an opening that defines a seat is disclosed. The spring wire retention device includes a retainer body with an abutment formed therein for preventing movement of the spring wire bridging the opening. A stop member is oppositely disposed from the abutment. Between the abutment and the stop member, a cavity is formed in the retainer body. A resilient member protrudes from within the cavity. The resilient member constantly urges the spring wire against the abutment. The invention may be cast in the form of a ring with a plurality of retainer bodies circumscribing the ring and supporting a spring network.

Abstract: A clip for use in a cable tensioning system, comprising (i) a base plate comprising a generally flat base member having a top surface having a plurality of surface irregularities, a bottom surface, a front edge and a rear edge, and a pair of opposing tensioning arms extending from the top surface; and, (ii) a top plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge and a rear edge, a lip protruding from a top surface thereof having a channel defined therein, wherein the top plate is adapted to secure an edge of a substantially flat medium between the base plate and the top plate when the top plate and the bottom plate are in an engaged relationship, and wherein the channel can receive a portion of a cable.

Abstract: The amount of fastening caused by clamping an ear part 4 is confirmed with a simple structure. A boot band consists comprises: a band 1 that is wound—on a member to be fastened to another member—in such a ring shape that the band's overlapping part 2 overlaps the band's overlapped part 6; an ear part 4 that rises on the overlapping part 2 so as to fasten the band 1 by causing plastic deformation in the longitudinal direction of the band 1; a visual-monitoring means 13 for making it possible to monitor the overlapped part 6 from the outside of the overlapping part 2; and a marker means 14 and 15, which are provided on the overlapping part 2 and the overlapped part 6 so as to correspond to the visual-monitoring means 13 so as to monitor the amount of fastening of the band 1 based on the deformation of the ear part 4.

Abstract: Devices for holding paper, cards, and/or wallets. The devices generally have a non-metallic (e.g., plastic) clip to which two non-metallic (e.g., plastic) arms are pivotally coupled. Embodiments of the devices are relatively light-weight and can pass freely through metal detectors.

Abstract: A retainer employs a flexible arm with an internal rib. In another aspect of the present invention, a retainer has at least one generally triangularly shaped projection laterally extending from an arm. A further aspect of the present invention retainer provides a laterally enlarged member, a trim panel-retaining head and stem, a central post, one or more flexible wings flexibly spanning between a tip of the post and the laterally enlarged member, and an internal rib and/or at least a pair of generally angular extensions flexibly extending from each arm.

Abstract: A substantially flat clip element is provided for clamping onto the side edge of an object, such as a stack of papers or documents. Application of the clip element can be effected individually and manually, or a stack of the clip elements can be included within an application device, e.g., in the form of a hand-held and/or desktop device. In another alternative, the clip stack can be provided in a paper processing device, e.g., a finishing station, such that successive groups of papers/documents are clipped together in automatic fashion.

Abstract: Two wedges extended from the first arm and the second arm of the waist-strap fastener respectively are utilized to engage with the waist-strap button. With inclined surfaces that face with each other on the first arm and the second arm, the mounting section of the waist-strap button is capable of squeezing through the gap between the first arm and the second arm. With the surfaces on the other side of the wedges respectively, the mounting section of the waist-strap button is securely held by the surfaces such that the waist-strap button is secured in the waist-strap fastener.

Abstract: The inner bottom (222b) of a female-like projection (22b) is provided with an elastic viscous material (4) continuous along the longitudinal direction so as to bulge into a space defined between hooks (221b, 221b) of the female-like projection (22b). When a female-like projection (21a) is fitted in the female-like projection (21b), the elastic viscous material (4) is pressed against the head (221a) of the male-like projection (22a) so as to be abutted against the head (221a) of the male-like projection (22a) while undergoing elastic deformation, and is in intimate contact with the surface of the front end side of the head (221a) by the adhesive force and elastic force, whereby the airtightness of the zipper-equipped bag can be secured.

Abstract: A buckle device includes a switch having a Hall element which outputs a signal in accordance with a magnitude of a magnetic flux density, a magnet which applies a magnetic field to the Hall element, and a shielding plate which is attached to an ejector so as to change the magnitude of the magnetic flux density transmitted from the magnet to the Hall element in accordance with a position of the ejector. The Hall element and the magnet are magnetically shielded by at least a frame and a latch member which are formed of a magnetic material.