Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for convenient tightening and loosening of strings such as those found in shoelaces of footwear. The apparatus includes a rotating portion within a base portion. A cover portion, when operated in a first position, provides a ratchet movement that allows rotation in a tightening direction while preventing movement in a loosening direction. When the cover is moved to a second position, the ratchet mechanism disengages, and the strings can then be easily loosened.

Abstract: A hook device makes it easy to return a hook from a raised state to a stored state. This hook device has a holding member and a hook member, the holding member has an integrally formed elastic piece, the hook member has a rotating shaft and a hanger, the outer periphery of the rotating shaft is provided with an arcuately formed rotating surface and a holding surface formed so as to be close to the rotating shaft center, and the elastic piece abuts against the rotating surface of the rotating shaft in a flexural state when the hook member is raised, and abuts against the holding surface of the rotating shaft when the hook member is stored.

Abstract: A magnetic closure device has two complementary magnetic closure elements. Each of the two complementary magnetic closure elements includes an elongated magnet carrier having a single direction of main extension, and a plurality of permanent magnets supported by the magnet carrier in defined positions along the direction of main extension. Each of the permanent magnets is permanently magnetized either longitudinally or diametrically with regard to the direction of main extension. The permanent magnets following to each other in the direction of main extension are arranged in a closure alignment pattern having a magnetic non-repetition length extending over three or more of the permanent magnets. The magnet carrier is bendable in at least one direction orthogonal to the direction of main extension.

Abstract: A holder for a feather has a coil portion. The coil portion has a center axis, an exterior, and an interior. The interior of the coil portion is configured to receive a shaft of the feather inserted into the coil portion along the center axis. The holder has a socket cup connector portion extending from the coil portion. The socket cup connector portion has an inner leg having a first region extending axially relative to the coil portion, and a second region extending in a direction away from the inner leg first region and away from the exterior of the coil portion. The inner leg first region is spaced from the exterior of the coil portion at a distance such that the inner leg first region and the exterior of the coil portion are resiliently engageable with a wall of a socket cup when the holder is releasably attached to the socket cup.

Abstract: There is provided a string stopper including: a plug including: a plug base portion which includes plate-shaped portions and connection portion connecting the plate-shaped portions; a leg portion which includes a protruding portion; and a plug opening which is formed from the connection portion to both sides of the leg portion; and a socket including: a socket base portion; and a socket opening which is formed of a hole having an inclined surface, and which is configured to accommodate a tip end of the protruding portion. When a string-shaped member is installed, the string-shaped member passes between the protruding portion and the inclined surface, the string-shaped member passing through the plug opening, exiting from the plug through a side of the leg portion, passing through the socket opening and exiting from the socket.

Abstract: A clasp with a mechanism to lock one or more keys is provided. The key can be affixed to an end of an ornamental item such as a chain, pendant, or charm. The clasp can include an inlet port for inserting a key and one or more channels for guiding the key towards one or more locking pockets. A compressible material can resist movement of the key along the channel and can prevent unwanted removal of the key at the locking pocket.

Abstract: A mount secures an object to sheets of material with one or more material thicknesses. The mount includes an inner plate and an outer plate. The outer plate includes a coupler for the object and one or more contact surfaces associated with one or more material thicknesses. The inner plate includes a retention structure to engage a contact surface of the outer plate. A mounting system includes a mount and a coupler integrated with the object to be secured to a sheet of material. The object may be a camera and the mount may be a camera mount.

Abstract: A fastener tape includes a mounting part for mounting a fastener element and a sewing part for sewing a fabric. The mutually adjoining sides of the mounting part and sewing part are integrally connected to each other. Another side of the mounting part which is spaced distantly from the sewing part provides a fastener element mounting side for mounting the fastener element. The sewing part is constituted of a plain weave texture.

Abstract: Rotatable multipositional fasteners, devices, systems and methods having fastener receivers attachable and detachable by male and female parts. Each receiver can receive plural ends of straps, such as zip ties, having greater versatility than existing fastening systems. The multi-positional disposition of adjacent rotatable receivers facilitates the reception by the receivers of straps from multiple angles, elevations, and directions. Greater possibilities of proximity between the straps and the receivers can be due to the multiple possible orientations and flexible movement of the receivers. Proximal positioning creates a more aligned, linear connection between corresponding receivers and straps, resulting in reduced stress on the straps. Each receiver can have a plural openings where the insertion ends of the straps are inserted and fastened. A fastening mechanism in the openings of the housing locks with a strap end to form the fastened closure.

Abstract: A metallic watch strap, including a first metallic strap half and a second metallic strap half. The first metallic strap half extending along a longitudinal direction and having an upper side and a lower side. The second metallic strap half having a folding clasp with a first fastening structure equipped to be fastened to the first strap half and with a second fastening structure equipped to be fastened to the second strap half. The first fastening structure has a slide, which, in a first state, is displaceable relative to the first strap half in a guided manner, and including a fixation element, which, in a second state, abuts on the first strap half. The first strap half has fixation indentations and the fixation element has at least one fixation projection fitting into the fixation indentations. In the second state, the fixation projection engages into one of the fixation indentations.

Abstract: A dual locking assembly for straps, which has a lock assembly having first and second strap passages positioned opposite each other, and a strap assembly having a strap. The lock assembly and the strap assembly are reusable. The lock assembly is rectangular in shape. The first and second strap passages have first and second locking tabs respectively. The first and second locking tabs are specularly positioned. The strap has first and second ends, and first and second faces, whereby the first face has serrations. The strap assembly is inserted through the lock assembly, whereby a first section of the strap is used to secure an item or a plurality of items while a second section of the strap is cut to be reused. When the strap assembly is inserted through the lock assembly, the serrations are at the outer side of the strap.

Abstract: Implementations of a garment length adjuster are provided. In some implementations, the garment length adjuster comprises a frame defining an interior opening and a plurality of elongated projections having a gap between adjacent projection or a projection and side where each projection extends from a first side toward second opposite side within the interior opening. In some implementations, the garment length adjuster is used to adjust the length of a garment by routing one or more straps of the garment over thought one or more gaps and one or more projections of the garment length adjuster.

Abstract: A buckle has a main body, a strap retaining bar connected to the main body, two locking legs formed as separate pieces from the main body and pivotably connected to the main body; and a spring formed of two L-shaped sections disposed between the two locking legs. The spring is attached to both of the locking legs, and exerts a force against the locking legs when they are pressed inward toward each other. The spring keeps the locking legs in an outwardly tensioned position, but does not let the legs flex outwardly in an unlimited manner, since the spring is directly connected to the legs. The spring allows the main body and locking legs to be formed of an inflexible material, such as metal. The locking legs are separate pieces from the main body and are connected to the main body via a pivot pin or other hinged mechanism.

Abstract: A u-shaped metal portion and a u-shaped plastic portion can be coupled together to define an interior rib receiving cavity between both the metal sides and the plastic sides. The u-shaped metal portion can include a first metal rib retention barb extending interiorly of the plastic portion in the interior rib receiving cavity and can be designed to engage the rib to couple the dual material U-base fastener to a first component rib with the rib received within the interior rib receiving cavity. The u-shaped plastic portion can include a first plastic aperture retention wing extending exteriorly of the metal portion and designed to engage a second component aperture to couple the dual material U-base fastener to the aperture with the inner plastic and outer metal insertion ends extending through the aperture.

Abstract: A tether clip for interconnecting an anchor structure and an accessory comprises an upper clamping member, a lower clamping member, and a biasing member. The lower clamping member is pivotally connected to the upper clamping member, and the biasing member biases the upper clamping member and the lower clamping member in a closed position. A lower lanyard receiving end and an upper lanyard receiving end are adapted to receive a lanyard connected to the accessory. When the lanyard is under a tensile load, a lateral force is exerted on the lower lanyard receiving end and the upper lanyard receiving end, which translates to a torsional load on the upper clamping end and the lower clamping end to place a stronger clamping force on the anchor structure in the closed position.

Abstract: A rotary closure with a latching system that latches together the components of the rotary closure in a snap-fit engagement is disclosed. The latching system includes a latching extension defining first and second legs each defining a respective tang configured for coupling the latching extension to the distal-most keyway for assembling the components of the rotary closure together.

Abstract: An improved strap tie-down device that includes two primary components, namely a base frame and a lever arm, and further includes a cam and a locking mechanism.

Abstract: A strap end manager holds a loose cargo strap end against a tight portion of the strap. The manage fits over an end of a loose strap, and the loose strap is wound around the manager. Top and bottom, right and left wings, fold around the strap and around the tight portion, and secure the wound loose end. The wings may include hook and loop material to retain the wings around the wound loose end. The strap end manager may further be used to facilitate storing cargo straps in the same manner as for holding loose cargo strap ends.

Abstract: A buckle with a first buckle part and at least one second buckle part. The first buckle part has a first buckle main body and a receptacle which is hook-shaped, seen in at least one section, and formed rigidly on the first buckle main body. The second buckle part has a second buckle main body with an inherently rigid hook-in part for hooking into the receptacle of the first buckle part, and the first buckle part additionally has at least one bolt. The hook-in part has a central web and two side parts protruding on mutually opposite sides from the central web, and each of the side parts is delimited by a respective front edge, and the front edges of the side parts are oriented extending obliquely away from each other at least regionally from a direction of the central web, preferably running at least regionally in a V-shape relative to each other.

Abstract: Cable gripper jaws and cable gripper jaw members having at least one removable, cable gripping surface insert. The gripper jaw member has a recess for receiving the insert and the insert can engage with the gripper member by means of a fixative and/or a mechanical engaging means, including mechanical interlocking means. The insert and gripper member can be of different materials, including metals of differing hardness ratings. The cable gripper jaws have utility in the cable gripping fields, including in the drilling and horizontal directional drilling industries, and as part of a method for pulling cable through space, including pulling cable through space in the pipe bursting and trenchless pipe replacement industries.