Abstract: According to a first aspect, load-bearing systems can have one or more serpentine tensioners. According to another aspect, load-bearing systems can have one or more repositionable load-bearing members. Load-bearing systems having serpentine tensioners and load-bearing systems having repositionable load-bearing members are not mutually exclusive of each other. Accordingly, some disclosed load-bearing systems have a serpentine tensioner in combination with a repositionable load-bearing member. To facilitate disclosure of such principles, wearable packs incorporating one or more aspects of innovative load-bearing systems are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a supporting structure for a roof mounted bike carrier having a wheel tray. The supporting structure includes a first attachment part and a second attachment part which is separable from the first attachment part. The supporting structure includes a bike supporting device having a coupling section coupled to the first attachment part and adapted to support a bike with a supporting section thereof. The first attachment part and the second attachment part are structured so as to be invertedly couplable for providing respective reversed positions of the bike supporting device with respect to the second attachment part.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods to improve safety and efficiency in an operating room comprise providing a suture package that holds new suture needles and needle receptacles for storing used needles. The devices can be safely worn for the surgeon to self-dispense new suture needles in the near surgical field and to secure the used needles into a needle trap or a needle retainer located on his extremity, on his operative instruments or on the surgical drapes. The device may provide automated and/or simplified needle counting both during use and after removal from the surgical field. The device may be configured for ergonomic and efficient use so as to minimize the actions and motions of the surgeon to dispense and secure the needle.

Abstract: A carrying assembly for providing hands free transportation of an object includes a T-shaped mount that may be positioned on a user's back. An upper strap is coupled to the T-shaped mount. The upper strap may be positioned over the user's shoulders. The upper strap retains the T-shaped mount on the user's back. A rod is coupled to the T-shaped mount. A free end of the rod may be selectively coupled to the object to be carried. A support strap is coupled between the T-shaped mount and the rod. The support strap supports the rod.

Abstract: In one series of embodiments, a carrier system includes a rack mountable on a vehicle to transport material. The rack includes a frame having one or more suction cups attached to the rear side of the frame, e.g., for attachment to a surface such as the side of the vehicle. A support bar mates with the frame. The support bar and the frame may include attachment configurations which mate with one another to selectively and securely attach the bar to the front side of the frame with the bar extending in a direction away from the one or more cups. With the rack comprising a plurality of suction cups, the frame may be configured as a plate or may comprise a series of arms or connected braces which extend away from a center position to the suction cups.

Abstract: A trunk mounted storage rack for sport utility vehicles (SUV) securely restrains grocery bags and prevents damage to fragile items contained therein. The trunk mounted storage rack includes a top shelf, a center shelf, a bottom shelf, an upper support frame, a center support frame, a lower support frame, a safety net, and a top-level barrier. The top shelf, the center shelf, and the bottom shelf are sized to closely fit in the trunk of the SUV. The center support frame suspends the top shelf over the center shelf. Similarly, the lower support frame suspends the center shelf and the top shelf over the bottom shelf. The upper support frame allows the top-level barrier and the safety net to mount onto the top shelf. The safety net prevents grocery bags from falling out of the back of the top shelf, the center shelf, and the bottom shelf.

Abstract: A spare tire storage cover assembly a spare tire and a wheel cover. The spare tire has a tire and a metal wheel. The metal wheel defines a central attachment portion encircled by an outer rim with a wheel retaining member of a retraction device is inserted through an opening in the central attachment portion. The wheel cover has a disk portion with a first surface and a second surface, and a cylindrical portion extending from a central area of the first surface of the disk portion. The first surface has a plurality of alignment fins that extend in a radial outward direction from the cylindrical portion with distal edges thereof being dimensioned such that with the cylindrical portion inserted into the metal wheel, contact between the alignment fins and an inner circumferential surface of the outer rim centers the wheel cover relative to the metal wheel.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for connecting a rooftop cargo carrying system to a vehicle may include a coupler body. The coupler body may include a crossbar clamp configured to be coupled to a crossbar, the crossbar oriented transverse to a direction of vehicle travel. The coupling assembly may include a base connected to the coupler body configured to sit on a flush rail of a vehicle roof. The flush rail may be oriented generally parallel to the direction of vehicle travel. The coupling assembly may include a clip retention and adjustment mechanism connected to the coupler body with the clip retention and adjustment mechanism having an adjustment member. The clip retention and adjustment mechanism may be configured to interchangeably receive an inner clip and interchangeably receive an outer clip.

Abstract: A storage container assembly for connecting to a frame of a vehicle has a mounting bracket defining at least one aperture adapted to receive at least one first anchor of the vehicle therein, a storage container mounted to the mounting bracket and having a cover, the cover having an open position providing access to an interior of the storage container and a closed position preventing access to the interior of the storage container, a sliding member translatable between a retracted position and an extended position, the sliding member being adapted to engage a second anchor of the vehicle, and an actuator for translating the sliding member from the retracted position to the extended position. The actuator is disposed at least in part in the interior of the storage container and is accessible when the cover is in the open position. A vehicle having the assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A band is disclosed which attaches to a portable electronic device. The band includes a flexible length of material which forms a loop into which a pin is inserted. In one embodiment, the loop has an insert with a protrusion therein. The protrusion frictionally contacts the pin. In another embodiment the pin includes an elastomeric surface. The elastomeric surface may include O-rings between two pin portions such that the amount of the elastomeric surface extending beyond the pin may be adjusted. In another embodiment, the elastomeric surface includes a sleeve on the pin.

Abstract: A wearable band formed from two or more pieces of material is disclosed. The wearable band may include a first material having a thinned portion formed on an inner surface and adjacent an end of the first material, and a second material positioned adjacent to the first material. The second material may include a thinned portion formed on an inner surface and adjacent an end of the second material. The wearable band may also include a coupling component configured to couple the first material to the second material. The thinned portion of the first material may be folded onto itself, and the thinned portion of the second material may be folded onto itself.

Abstract: A portable device attachment includes an attachment pad, a strap, a stopping boss, and a strap guide. The strap is disposed on a side of the attachment pad, which is opposite to the attachment surface, to extend vertically and an upper end of the strap is fixed to an upper side of the attachment pad. The strap guide includes a pocket member fixed to the side of the attachment pad, a guide hole formed in the pocket member to guide upward and downward movement of the stopping boss, a lower stopping hole formed at a lower end of the guide hole to stop the stopping boss while the strap is unfolded, and an upper stopping hole formed at an upper end of the guide hole to strop the stopping boss while a central portion of the strap is bent after the lower side of the strap is pushed upwards.

Abstract: The hood-mounted stretcher for use with a vehicle is an apparatus that is adapted for use with vehicles. The hood-mounted stretcher for use with a vehicle is further adapted for use with a stretcher. The hood-mounted stretcher for use with a vehicle is intended for use by emergency personnel to allow a stretcher to be secured to the hood of a vehicle such that a person can be transported by stretcher using the vehicle. The hood-mounted stretcher for use with a vehicle comprises a stretcher, a container, a lid, a plurality of anchors, a plurality of webbings, and a plurality of strain devices.

Abstract: A stapler having hook includes a main body, a striking mechanism, and a hook. The main body has a first end and a second end. The main body has a receiving portion at the second end. The receiving portion has a positioning portion. The striking mechanism is disposed on the first end of the main body to strike at least one nail out. The hook includes a pivot portion and a hook portion. The pivot portion is pivotally connected to the receiving portion so that the hook is slidable between a first position and a second position. The hook portion is received in the receiving portion when the hook is located at the first position. The hook portion is exposed out of the receiving portion for hanging when the hook is located at the second position.

Abstract: A chain retention device includes a track member configured to be mounted on an external surface of a vehicle. The track member includes at least two guide surfaces which extend along the track member and a first set of rollers mounted on the track member between the at least two guide surfaces. The chain retention device also includes an elongated arm including a second set of rollers and one or more chain support surfaces. The elongated arm is positioned between the at least two guide surfaces such that the second set of rollers is in contact with the track member, and the first set of rollers is in contact with the elongated arm.

Abstract: A tethering attachment assembly is provided for attachment to an apparatus to facilitate connection of a lanyard to the apparatus. The tethering attachment assembly includes a pair of posts and a coil element including metallic material that substantially resiliently retains its state with application of force up to a limit, and is permanently plastically deformable upon application of force exceeding the limit. The coil element has two ends attached to the elongated posts and adapted to form a substantially U-shaped hook when the elongated posts are attached to the apparatus. A sleeve is tubularly disposed around the coil element to substantially cover the coil element.

Abstract: Described is a shopping cart bagging station. The shopping cart bagging station is a bagging station that couples to a shopping cart. The shopping cart bagging station described is used by customers to bag their purchases as they shop, or by employees bagging items for a customer. The shopping cart bagging station is designed to be heavy-duty so that it can be used in pick-up areas and other areas that require a bagging station that can withstand temperatures and handle heavy loads. The shopping cart bagging station includes a support structure and three shopping cart coupling hooks. The shopping cart coupling hooks couple the bagging station to a shopping cart, and they hold and dispense the shopping bags. The support structure and the three shopping cart coupling hooks are formed of metal rod that can withstand extremes in temperature and hold heavy loads.

Abstract: Described is a shopping cart basket for affixing to a shopping cart. The shopping cart basket can be used to carry tools, accessories, or other items that an individual wants to carry with, but keep separate from, items in the shopping cart. The shopping cart basket includes a basket body with a pair of hooks on arms that hook the shopping cart basket to the shopping cart. The shopping cart basket can be hung from many different locations on a shopping cart, including the front or back, the sides, the inside, or the outside. The shopping cart basket can be hung from any type of shopping cart, including basket types of shopping carts or flatbed carts. The shopping cart basket includes elements that hold and secure tools commonly used by employees performing tasks with a shopping cart.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved sleeping bag convertible into a backpack with reduced complexity and greater ease of use. The sleeping bag includes (1) an elongated flexible bag; (2) a flexible pouch attached to the bag at or near the bag's lower end; (3) left and right shoulder straps, each having a lower section attached to the bag at the bag's lower end and an upper section attached to the bag at a location spaced from the bag's lower end; and (4) a side attachment assembly for releasably attaching the left side edge of the bag to the right side of the bag, adjacent to the pouch. The bag is configured to be storable within the pouch by (a) folding the bag along a central longitudinal axis, (b) folding the bag lengthwise into the pouch via the pouch's open upper end, and (c) attaching the side attachment assembly, after which the sleeping bag can be worn as a backpack on a person's shoulders.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to load carrier systems and associated manufacturing methods. In one embodiment, a load carrier system can include a unitary piece of material. The unitary piece of material can include a body portion comprising a first face side, an opposing face side, a first peripheral edge and an opposing second peripheral edge; and one or more straps comprising a respective extended end, wherein the straps are an integral part of the body portion; wherein the one or more straps are folded over onto the first face side adjacent to the first peripheral edge; and wherein at least one respective end of the one or more straps is fastened to the opposing second peripheral edge.