Abstract: A hose clamp for forming an air tight seal between a hose and a connector projecting from a housing of an air cooler of a vehicle. The hose clamp including a band which encircles the hose at a location where the hose and the connector overlap and has an adjustable diameter. The hose clamp positioned by a wrap-around hose clamp positioner. The wrap-around hose clamp positioner including flat portions, which contact the outer surface of the hose, and a raised portion where the band passes through a space of the raised portion. The wrap-around hose clamp positioner further including a wrap-around portion and a crimp tab, the wrap-around portion extending over a lip edge of the hose such that the crimp tab pierces through at least the inner surface of the hose.

Abstract: A blind pull for a blind cord, such as is used on window blinds of various types, is disclosed. A weight has a central bore therethrough and is adapted for receiving the blind cord. A pair of mating shells is adapted to enclose the weight and a portion of the blind cord. Each shell has a recessed portion for receiving one-half of the weight therein. Each shell has a groove adapted for receiving one-half of the portion of blind cord. Each shell further includes mechanical fasteners such that the pair of shells may be held onto the weight thereby. In use, with the blind cord captured by the central bore of the weight, the pair of shells may be fitted around the weight and the blind cord and held thereto with the attachment means. The blind pull may then be pulled to actuate the blinds in a normal fashion. The shells may be interchanged with alternate shells, for example, alternate shells that take the form of a holiday theme, or the like.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations, tension is applied to a motion transmission element with periodic features by causing that element to mesh with a device that has a pitch slightly greater than the pitch of the motion transmission element. The motion transmission element with periodic features may include, for example: a belt with teeth, or a chain. Further, the motion transmission element may comprise either an open or a closed loop. In exemplary implementations, the width of the teeth of the motion transmission element is greater than the width of the teeth in the rack. This allows room for the teeth of the rack to both fit and move within the gap between the teeth in the motion transmission element. This extra width of the element's teeth is not necessary if the element is sufficiently elastic.

Abstract: A securing device including a body being coupled to a first portion of a restraint. The body includes a receiving portion which is able to receive therethrough a second portion of the restraint. In one form, the restraint may be a dog leash or similar.

Abstract: An article of jewelry with interchangeable ornaments has an elongated support or a strand that has a proximal end that is permanently affixed to a first ring cap mad a distal end that is removably affixed to a second ring cap. The second cap has female threads that threadably engage/disengage with a male threaded plug defined on the distal end of the strand to facilitate slidable insertions/removal of ornaments and smart beads. The first ring cap includes a clasp that is attachable to a loop of the second ring cap to define a closed position of the article. The first and second ring caps may include magnets that magnetically attach to each other that define an inbuilt clasp for the article.

Abstract: A semi-automatic slider assembly having a slider body, a lock pin, and a pull tab. When the pull tab is in a first orientation, the lock pin engages with elements of the tape and the slider assembly is in a locked configuration that prevents the slider assembly from moving along the tape. When the pull tab is in a second orientation, the lock pin does not engage with the elements of the tape and the slider assembly is in an unlocked configuration so that the assembly is permitted to move along the tape. The slider body has a recess for receiving a portion of the lock pin, and the lock pin has an opening that reduces interference when the pull tab is in the second orientation.

Abstract: A two-member assembling structure in which a clip mounted to a pedestal of an attachment member is inserted into a clip hole of a mating member, the clip includes a pedestal coupling portion coupled to a rib of the pedestal, an engaging arm adapted to pass through the clip hole while undergoing elastic deformation when the clip is inserted into or removed of the clip hole, an engaging surface formed on an outer side surface of the engaging arm and capable of engaging with a hole edge of the clip hole, a stable portion extending from the engaging surface and opposed to the rib of the pedestal so as to be capable of contacting therewith, and a regulating portion protruding toward the rib of the pedestal from a position in the vicinity of the stable portion. As the pedestal of the attachment member, there are prepared at least three kinds of pedestals for low retention, medium retention, and high retention.

Abstract: Fasteners including male and female assemblies. At least one of the male or female assembly may have a flexible base that flexes to conform to a non-planar mounting surface. The flexible base is bonded to the stud and/or the socket using techniques that provide a high degree of strength to withstand repeated engagement and disengagement of the fastener. Moreover, in certain embodiments the bonding techniques eliminate the need for mechanical means (for example, threads) to secure the stud to the flexible base. Mechanical tests show that the male assembly according to certain embodiments has 62% more strength than known male assemblies.

Abstract: A security zipper is provided, which includes a consumer side zipper pair and a product side zipper pair, where each zipper pair is capable of secure mating. Between the zipper pairs is an intermediate flange pair which is layered with an adhesive as well as an adhesive enhancer to securely connect the intermediate flange pair. A slider is provided over the consumer side zipper pair, the product side zipper pair and the intermediate flange pair which mates the zipper pairs and connects the intermediate flanges so that the zipper is securely closed. A bag is also disclosed, which includes the security zipper and a connected product side pouch. In addition, a method for manufacturing the bag is disclosed.

Abstract: A lockable snap-clip fastener with two spring-biased jaw members and a slidable locking bar. The locking bar is held in position by the same spring that biases the jaws. As the bar is held in either the locked or unlocked position, it must be positively actuated in order to transition from one configuration to the other.

Abstract: A two-piece cable tie for bundling a plurality of objects, such as cables or wires, includes a front portion that is insert-molded onto a connective segment of a flexible strap, the front portion being constructed out of a higher tensile strength plastic than the strap to maximize the load rating of the tie without significantly increasing material costs. In one embodiment, the connective segment of the strap is shaped to include a pair of opposing semi-circular cutouts in its side rails to enhance the strength of mechanical bonding achieved by the front portion around the strap. In addition, the connective segment is shaped to include a circular hole that is offset longitudinally from the opposing cutouts, the diameter of the circular opening not exceeding 40% of the maximum width of the strap to ensure the integrity and strength of the strap along the entirety of its length.

Abstract: A releasable tie includes a locking head and a strap body. The locking head includes a base plate, a pair of first side walls, a second side wall, and an operating rod. The operating rod is disposed above a window of the base plate, has a first top surface, and is bilaterally connected to the first side walls via connecting members. At least one first engaging tooth is provided at a predetermined depth extending vertically downward from the first top surface. The first engaging tooth has a second top surface which defines a first tooth depth. The operating rod includes an arm extending toward the strap body. The strap body has a bottom surface formed with plural second engaging teeth engageable with the first engaging tooth. The second engaging teeth have a predetermined tooth pitch smaller than the predetermined depth and a second tooth depth smaller than the first tooth depth.

Abstract: A functionally decorative fastening system includes first and second fastener portions, each fixable to an article, so as to selectively allow for the articles to be secured together purposes such as transit, storage or laundering. Complementary mating surfaces of each fastener portion include decorative features, such as artwork, logos, trademarks, or the like. The decorative mating surfaces serve functionally to selectively lock the two fastener portions together when aligned and pushed together. Such integrated fastening is accomplished via mechanical interaction between the decorative mating surfaces.

Abstract: Arrangement with one or more buckles, wherein each buckle has at least two buckle parts that are detachably connectable with each other, at least one release mechanism, actuatable by means of pressure for detaching the buckle parts from each other, and at least one pressure accumulator connected via at least one pressure line with the buckle(s) for actuating the release mechanism of the buckle, and with at least one release valve for opening a pressure connection guided via the pressure line between the pressure accumulator and the buckle or the buckles, and with at least one trigger for actuating the release valve, wherein the arrangement has a pump for the build-up of pressure in the pressure accumulator.

Abstract: A three point buckle release buckle includes male and female components establishing releasable latch connections at opposite sides of the buckle and a center latch. The center latch is formed by a fixed catch point in the female component and a deflectable bar of the male component. A release button is depressed against the deflectable bar to release the center latch.

Abstract: A flexible strap fastener includes a head portion having a passage and a locking pawl disposed within the passage. The flexible strap fastener further includes a strap portion connected to the head portion. The strap portion includes a first surface and a plurality of locking ridges disposed on the first surface. Additionally, cushioning material is disposed adjacent the plurality of locking ridges on the first surface.

Abstract: A connector with two magnets with like poles facing towards each other. A first magnet of the two magnets is fixedly attached to a support base and female receptacle situated above the same pole of the first magnet. The second magnet is fixedly attached to a male flange adapted for passage through the female receptacle. The male flange and second magnet are further fixedly attached to a length of material which is longer than the female receptacle, such that the male flange remains within the female receptacle in an assembled condition due to a magnetic force pushing each magnet away from the other. Another embodiment includes a method of use, including lining up the male flange into the female receptacle for locking and pushing down and slightly transversely on the male flange to unlock.

Abstract: An improved seat belt buckle assembly (10) for use with a tongue (2) of a seat belt during use, locking the latch (20) and control lever (40) in the unlatched position, but when the buckle is latched and exposed to a rapid deceleration a mass (60) slides compressing a lower spring (52) into the frame (12) moving the mass (60) to occupy the space directly under stop surfaces (45) of control lever arms (42, 43) of a control lever (40) blocking downward movement and preventing a locking bar (18) from leaving a horizontal portion of L-shaped slots (9) preventing movement of the latch (20) into the unlatched position. The mass (60) is preferably attached to an ejector (30), the ejector (30) fits into a slot (62) in the mass (60) and extends into a pair of horizontal slots (31) on the frame, one horizontal slot (31) being on each vertical side (6, 7) of the frame (12). The ejector (30) secures the mass (60) in the frame (12) limiting the mass (60) to horizontal forward and rearward sliding movements.

Abstract: A cord lock assembly is configured to selectively tighten and loosen a draw cord of an article. The cord lock assembly may include a shell, a piston and a spring member. The shell defines an interior chamber and includes aligned shell cord passages. The piston is slidably retained within the interior chamber. The piston includes a piston cord passage formed therethrough. The spring member exerts a force into the piston within the shell so that the piston cord passage is misaligned with respect to the shell cord passages in a locked position. A cord may be operatively secured to the piston and may be configured to be pulled to move the piston to align the piston cord passage with the shell cord passages in an unlocked position so that a draw cord may freely pass therethrough.

Abstract: A fastener for ornaments includes a housing 12 having a pin passing hole 16 and an opening portion 19. A guide 22 has a small diameter portion 23a at the pin passing hole 16 side. A movable operating body 32 has a grip member 34 protruded to an exterior from the opening portion 19 at one end 33a of a column portion 33 and having, at another end 33b, a small ball holder portion 35, with which in a latched state, a surface at a small ball 46 side of its outer peripheral surface 37 closely contacts an inner peripheral surface 24 of the guide 22. A coil spring 52 pressingly urges the movable operating body 35 in a pin clamping direction. A plurality of small balls 46 disposed in the movable operating body clamp an inserted pin (P).