Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper defining an interior void and a first cable movable in a tightening direction to move the upper into a tightened state and movable in a loosening direction to move the upper into a loosened state. The article of footwear also includes a tightening grip operable to be moved away from the upper in a first direction to move the first cable in the tightening direction and a cable lock operable in a locked state to restrict movement of the first cable in the loosening direction and operable in an unlocked state to permit movement of the first cable in the loosening direction. A release grip is operable to be moved away from the upper in a second direction to move the cable lock from the locked state to the unlocked state, whereby the release grip is separate from the tightening grip.

Abstract: An end cap clip lock provides improved alignment of first and second vehicle trim components to a vehicle. The end clip lock includes a clip dimensioned for receipt between the first vehicle trim component or applique and the vehicle, such as the vehicle door. The clip includes a nose portion configured for receipt in the first vehicle trim component or reveal and a second, snap portion that interconnects with the second vehicle trim component or applique. The clip is joined to the vehicle door panel to hold the clip and the second associated vehicle trim component or applique thereto. Preferably, the end cap clip lock is installed into the reveal to form a subassembly, the subassembly is installed on the vehicle, and then the applique is installed on the subassembly/vehicle.

Abstract: An attachment device for use with a hand tool having a handle portion with a distal end includes a connection member having a connection point, and a receiver coupled to and extending axially from the connection member to define a central channel having an open end. The receiver is configured to receive at least a portion of the handle portion within the central channel via the open end. The receiver is configured to permit the insertion of the handle portion into the central channel while restricting the removal of the handle portion therefrom.

Abstract: The invention is a new stabilized racking system for solar cell panels on a surface through a novel use of ballast weights and a wind optimized design. The system is further optimized to fit a range of sizes and thicknesses of modules through a combination of self adjusting end clamps, adjustable tilt legs, and unique wind screen design. The system can include an array of individual solar panel systems that are reinforced in both lateral directions to reduce the amount of ballast weight required.

Abstract: A device and system that can be used to assist actuation of a buckle release is disclosed. A device can comprise a first arm and a second arm joined by a U-shaped connecting portion. The device can also comprise a button contact feature. The device can be inserted over a buckle with the button contact feature over a buckle release button, and the device used to assist engagement of the buckle release button by a person operating the device. A system can comprise a device and various additional features or accessories.

Abstract: The object of the invention is an elastic shoelace with an eye and a ring. The elastic shoelace of the invention can easily be passed through holes (B) in a shoe (A) and by increasing or decreasing the tightening of an elastic string (1) a ring (5) is hooked onto a threaded pin (4) thus achieving favorable shoe tying.

Abstract: A vehicle clip includes: a clip body including an attachment section that has a pair of retention members for gripping a first exterior, and an insertion hole; and a pin member including an insertion portion that is anchored to the clip body in an inserted state of the insertion portion into the insertion hole and a through hole formed in a second exterior component, a head portion that is formed with a larger diameter than the insertion hole and that retains the second exterior component between the head portion and the clip body, and a pressing portion that extends out from the head portion toward the attachment section side, and that, through one of the retention members, presses the first exterior component toward the side of the other retention member in a state in which the insertion portion is anchored to the clip body.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a closure for a reclosable package wherein the product side flanges include opposing air pockets thereby allowing a user to more easily grab the product side flanges or the package walls. In a second embodiment of the disclosure, the opposing air pockets are adjacent to the interlocking elements of the closure. In a further aspect of the disclosure, a closure includes a small sack or air or other fluid adjacent to the closure profiles. When closed, the closure creates a leak resistant configuration. By pressing the air sack, the user separates the closure profiles.

Abstract: In a locking tongue (10) for a seat belt comprising an inserting portion (12) adapted to be inserted in a belt buckle and a deflecting portion (14) for webbing, wherein the deflecting portion (14) includes a webbing passage (20) as well as a clamping element (22) for the webbing and the clamping element (22) is movable between a home position in which the webbing is freely movable and a blocking position in which the clamping element is moved against a wall of the webbing passage so that the webbing is clamped between the clamping element (22) and the wall of the webbing passage (20), and wherein at least one spring element (34) is provided for forcing the clamping element (22) into the home position, it is provided that the spring element (34) is formed integrally on the deflecting portion (14).

Abstract: A clasp includes a hook component and a catch component, which may be used to releasably attach two ends of an article. Among other elements, the hook component may include a stem (for manually operating the clasp) and a cantilevered lip suspended above the stem to form a slot for receiving a part of the catch component. In addition, the catch component may include a slot-engaging portion that is coupled between the stem and the cantilevered lip.

Abstract: Provided is a molding hook and loop fastener, in which a barrier erected near left and right side edges of a substrate includes at least two rows of vertical wall arrays, and the vertical wall array positioned on the outermost side includes a plurality of gaps provided at a predetermined pitch in a length direction. At least two of the gaps are provided on the vertical wall array positioned on the outermost side with respect to a region between the engaging elements adjacent in the length direction of the substrate. Due to this, in the molding hook and loop fastener, an outer side and an inner side of the barrier can be divided by the vertical wall array, and flexibility of the molding hook and loop fastener can be improved.

Abstract: A strap connection member is disclosed. The strap connection member includes a pair of ring-shaped strap hangers provided at one side of a base and integrally formed so as to be spaced apart from each other. Therefore, the strap connection member may simply fix straps or connect straps such that the lengths of the straps are adjustable, and simultaneously connect two or more straps in different directions.

Abstract: A safety clutch for releasable securing of a post for a body piercing is disclosed. The post is guided through a hole in a plate to be secured (but removable) between a pair of cantilever spring elements bent from the edges of the plate into position on the back side of the plate. A dome shield is also secured to the edge of plate to cover the cantilever spring elements on back side of the clutch, the dome shield including one or more ventilation holes for reducing moisture accumulation within the dome shield. The dome shield blocks an end of the post extending between the cantilever spring elements from contacting the user and possibly puncturing skin. The plate, dome shield and cantilever spring elements can be efficiently manufactured by forming and stamping from a single piece of material.

Abstract: A sleeve for use in an assembly for coupling a wristworn device to a first end of a strap. The sleeve has a first end dimensioned to be received in the recess in the inner face of the first lug of a wristworn device, an inner cavity dimensioned to receive therein the first end of a conventional spring bar, and a retractor coupled to the sleeve for urging the first end of the spring bar towards the second end of the spring bar. The second end of the spring bar is coupled to the second lug, the spring bar is coupled to the strap, the first end of the spring bar is positioned in the inner cavity of the sleeve and the first end of the sleeve is coupled to the first lug. A removable retractor for use with a spring bar, which allows for the use of a plurality of spring bars and therefore, lends itself to widespread use and retrofitting of an assembly that couples a strap to a wristworn device, is also provided.

Abstract: A snap button includes a female snap body and a socket ring. The female snap body includes a bottom portion and a side wall rising from a peripheral edge of the bottom portion, the side wall provided with a holding portion for holding the socket ring. The socket ring includes a flange portion arranged radially outward and held by the holding portion and an engaging portion arranged radially inside the flange portion. The engaging portion protrudes downwardly toward the bottom portion side of the female snap body and below the flange portion, in the axial direction of the socket ring. An inner diameter of the socket ring may be gradually increased from an intermediate point in the axial direction of the engaging portion to one end and other end in the axial direction of the engaging portion. The engaging portion of the socket ring may be provided with a plurality of slits along the radial direction in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A device and system that can be used to assist actuation of a buckle release is disclosed. A device can include a first arm and a second arm joined by a U-shaped connecting portion. The device can also include a button contact feature. The device can be inserted over a buckle with the button contact feature over a buckle release button, and the device used to assist engagement of the buckle release button by a person operating the device. A system can include a device and various additional features or accessories.

Abstract: A structure for attaching a shoelace winding apparatus in which a shoelace winding apparatus can be attached to a shoe is provided. The structure includes a reel that winds a shoelace by being rotated by an operation handle, a ratchet pawl that limits rotation of the reel, and a base member including a substantially cylindrical body that accommodates the reel. The base member includes an annular gear with teeth that engages with the ratchet pawl. The structure includes a base-member attachment cover and a flange portion. The cover includes a substantially cylindrical cover portion with a closed end. The cover portion secures the base member such that the base member is directly attachable and detachable from an outside of an upper section and held in the cover portion. The flange portion protrudes from the circumference of the cover portion and conforms to the shape of the shoe.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a device for tightening an article includes a housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, a knob operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the housing, and a stop mechanism. The device is configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within the housing that incrementally tensions a tension member and thereby tightens the article. The device is also configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a second direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool that incrementally loosens the tension member's tension. The stop mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction when the tension member's tension achieves or falls below a tension threshold.

Abstract: A load (22, 26, 27, 28, 29) is restrained against movement by passing a tape or chain (21, 31, 39) around the load (22, 26, 27, 28, 29) and passing the tape or chain (21, 31, 39) through a slot (17, 44) in a plate or the like (14, 41).

Abstract: There is provided an element for a fastener chain. The element includes a body portion fixed on a core portion of a tape, a neck portion, a pair of shoulder portions, an engaging head portion, and a pair of groove portions. As viewed in the width direction, at least one of the pair of shoulder portions and the pair of groove portions is configured to be inclined with respect to a reference direction, which is an extending direction of the core portion on which the body portion is fixed.