Abstract: A tool for tightening a plurality of wire lengths that extend between a first bracing location on a first fence support and a second bracing location on a second fence support, the wire lengths defining an axis extending generally parallel to their lengths. The tool includes a body adapted to be transversely inserted between the wire lengths so that the wire lengths pass around the body. The body has at least one seating portion formed on its outer surface for retaining at least one of the wire lengths generally between the ends of the body when the body is inserted between the wire lengths. The body is adapted so that, when inserted between the wire lengths, the body can be selectively rotated about the axis to twist the wire lengths around one another and thereby exert a contracting force on the fence supports.

Abstract: A cuff link includes a magnetic arrangement for ready substitution of alternative decorative elements. One or more links of the cuff link comprises a frame member that is magnetically engageable to a removable element having a decorative exterior surface. The frame and the removable element include mating semi-cylindrical internal surfaces that receive disk-shaped pluralities of magnets. The disk-shaped magnets are arranged so that, when the frame is engaged to the replaceable element, they are aligned along a common axis whereby lines of magnetic flux are axially-directed therethrough to provide a strong bond. An edge of the removable element is bevelled to assist the wearer in ready substitution of replaceable elements.

Abstract: A clamp for closing a polymer bag, including a pair of opposed clamp members wherein said clamp members are movable between a closed and an opened condition, each one of said pair of clamp members having a long axis and an inner and an outer surface. A hinge attaches the pair of clamp members and biases the clamp members into a closed condition. In holding a bag in a closed condition, a blade disposed on the inner surface of one of the clamp members is urged by the hinge against and an opposed recessed anvil, disposed on the inner surface of the other clamp member. In addition, a plurality of ribs disposed parallel to the clamp member long axis and located on the inner surface of each one of said pair of clamp members aid in gripping the bag within the clamp by intercalation of the ribs of one clamp with those of the other clamp. During the bag opening process, the ribs stretch the bag material for effective cutting when the material is moved past the blade.

Abstract: An improved hook latch mechanism, for use with cordage loops, used for leashes, cables, ropes, rigging or like restraining devices having a center body hook with a sliding outer sleeve to cover and uncover the hook opening. A spring loaded ball locking device is employed to lock the sliding sleeve in position to cover the hook opening to thus prevent the cordage loops from slipping off the hook, depressing the ball inwardly against a spring and sliding the sleeve upwardly to uncover the hook opening, permitting the removal of the cordage loop. A swiveling bail link at the other end of hook prevents twisting of the cordage loop.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a safety release break-away buckle designed for but not limited to pet collars and large animal halters, to separate at a predetermined magnitude of tension based upon a fraction of the animal's weight or strength, should the animal's collar or halter become entangled on a protrusion as to endanger the animal's health of life, as by strangulation, injury or entrapment. The release is obtained by pulling a lug through a restrictive pair of jaws. The safety release break-away buckle can also be the primary coupling device in a collar or halter.

Abstract: A spring clip for releasably holding the door of a vehicle in an ajar position is provided. The spring clip is adapted to be removably attached to a vehicle body during the manufacturing process. The spring clip is comprised of a base member and a spring finger. The base member includes a pillar tab having a retainer that affixes the spring clip to the body of the vehicle. The door tab of the base member is adapted to slide into an opening in the door. The spring finger is coupled to a base opening that is defined by the base member. The spring finger extends in a cantilever fashion from the base opening into engagement with the vehicle door such that the door is held ajar.

Abstract: A cantilever latch mechanism includes a base and a pair of arms extending from the base. The arms are spaced a distanced apart and selectively positionable between an open orientation wherein an opening is formed between the arms, and a closed orientation where the arms are positioned in a closer relation. Each of the arms may include a jaw extending inwardly into the opening. Preferably, the jaws are positioned on different vertical planes on each arm such that they overlap when the arms are in the closed orientation.

Abstract: A buckle which is used to removably fasten two pieces of webbing, strap or the like together requires two distinct actions for its opening and thus is “double locking.” A latch member is pivotally supported on a frame by means of a support shaft. A first strap end is fixedly attached to one end of the frame. A second strap end to be attached to the first strap end is removably attached to one end of an adjuster member. The other end of the adjuster member is T-shaped. The frame has a pair of opposing ledge portions which extend opposite the base portion of the frame, opposing slots being formed between these portions. The top of the “T” of the adjuster member fits into the slots to retain the adjuster member to the frame when tension is placed on the second strap end portion thereby providing a first locking action. The latch member has a detent formed thereon which engages a detent on the end of the ledge portion of the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a lockable element (16) and a buckle (12). The buckle (12) includes a base (28) that defines a passage (32) into which the lockable element (16) is insertable, and a latch (42) movable to lock the lockable element against movement in the passage. The buckle (12) also includes a sensor (60) and a magnet (62). The magnet (62) is movable from a first position to a second position when the lockable element (16) is inserted into the passage (32). The magnet (62) creates a magnetic field of a first flux density acting on the sensor (60) to cause the sensor to provide a first output when the magnet is in the first position. The magnet (62) creates a magnetic field of a second flux density, different than the first flux density, acting on the sensor (60) to cause the sensor to provide a second output, different than the first output, when the magnet is in the second position. The magnet (62) has an interference fit with one of the lockable element (16) and the buckle (12).

Abstract: A plug of a twist latch is comprised of a main body, knob body and fixing plate. The main body has a shaft-bearing portion provided on a base, whose outer shape is an ellipse and having a circular hole portion inside. An upper portion of the shaft-bearing portion is a contracted diameter portion while a lower portion thereof is an expanded diameter portion. Several protruded ridge portions are provided on the expanded diameter portion to form an engaging portion. The knob body has a knob portion of an ellipse-trapezoidal shape having a shaft portion extended from a bottom face thereof. The shaft portion is divided along an axis thereof. This shaft portion is rotatably fit into the shaft-bearing portion. The fixing plate has a hole portion in which the shaft-bearing portion can be inserted, and is formed with fitting portions that can be fit onto an engaging portion, on the periphery of the hole portion. When this plug is mounted on a cloth, the shaft-bearing portion is inserted from a back side of the cloth.

Abstract: A hook fastener member having rows of molded hook-shaped fastener elements that lie in planes aligned with the rows, with generally planar plate portions at the outermost ends of at least some of the fastener elements, the plate portions lying generally parallel to the base of the fastener member. The plate portions can enhance engagement of the hook fastener members with mating loop fastener members, particularly with low loft non-woven loop fastener members. A method of making fastener members is provided. Molten resin is extruded and applied to a molding roller, creating preforms. The outermost portions of at least some of the preforms are flattened, thereby forming generally plate shaped portions. Disposable absorbent garments advantageously incorporate the hook fastener members.

Abstract: A device for securing and carrying currency, having a strap having a first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, a length, a width and a thickness; a fastening mechanism having a first element and a second element, the first element being located on the second side of the strap proximal to the second end of the strap, and the second element being located on the first side of the strap proximal to the first end of the strap; and a thumb tab secured to the strap at or near the first end of the strap and extending outwardly from the strap in the width direction and normal to the length.

Abstract: A device for holding a patch for holding a patch stationary with respect to a fabric so that the patch may be easily sewn to the fabric. The device for holding a patch includes a female plate having central wall with a top surface and a bottom surface. A male plate having a central wall with a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one bore in the female plate. An upstanding member, for insertion into the bore is fixedly coupled to the bottom surface of the male plate. The upstanding member has a pointed free end. A retainer retains the upstanding member in the female plate.

Abstract: A conduit stress relief strap, which provides improved weight and tension relief along with being an adjustable, flexible, easy to attach and detach strap. This invention is particularly adapted to provide relief to hoses, cables, and other like flexible conduit. The combination of hook and loop fasteners and strap loop devices provides greatly improved flexibility and adjustment while maintaining stress relief at the point of connection between two conduits.

Abstract: A snap fastener having a detachment directionality. The fastener includes a portion for minimizing the gap between the male and female snaps (1, 4). The portion is, for example, a small protrusion (17) established on the side of the neck (13) opposite the engagement edge (16),or a protrusion (47) established on the side of the female snap.

Abstract: A spur comprises a U-shaped heel section and a neck. The heel section shows a basis, at which the neck is fitted to and which heel section shows two lateral legs starting from the basis. Also, the heel section is cut to size out of a sheet metal and is bent in a U-shape. The heel section is also embossed so that the legs have a profile deviating from a rectangular cross-section shape of the blank.

Abstract: An apparatus is used to mount a spirit level on an elongate support such as a pipe, length of wood or the like so that the effective “levelling line” is greatly lengthened. The apparatus includes an elastic band having first and second ends and a body member to engage the level, preferably by bridging a rib on the level or by fitting to an aperture formed in the level. The body member has first and second hooks extending from it to receive the first and second band ends, respectively. In highly preferred embodiments, there are two elastic bands and two body members, each with a pair of hooks for engaging and retaining a respective one of the bands.

Abstract: An item of jewelry having an having an essentially linear construction made of swivel elements linked together to produce a closed loop by connecting first and second end pieces belonging to opposite ends, wherein a clasp thereof includes a pin attached to the first end piece and passes through a hole belonging to the second end piece, at least one end of the pin having a swelling (enlarged end) suited to snapping into a safety clip provided with intrinsic elasticity and rotatably coupled to the first or to the second end piece.

Abstract: A rivet tie for coupling together two or more objects. In one embodiment, the tie includes a cable tie shank and a pawl nut which are integrally connected together by a break-away attachment member of reduced strength. The cable tie shank includes a tail having a first end, a second end, a top surface, a plurality of ratchet teeth formed on the top surface and an enlarged button end integrally formed onto the second end. The pawl nut can be separated from the cable tie shank and includes a top surface, a bottom surface, an elongated central opening and a flexible pawl disposed to project into the elongated central opening. In use, two or more objects are disposed on the tail of the cable tie shank. The pawl nut is then slidably mounted onto the tail so as to effectively sandwich the objects between the enlarged button end and the pawl nut, the pawl sequentially engaging the plurality of ratchet teeth on the strap to secure the coupling of the objects together.

Abstract: A dual action buckle (20) which employs a cable tightening action and a strap tensioning action to tighten two separate portions of a boot, notably a snowboard boot (10). Thus, the boot (10) may be tightened around the foot and/or particular functionalities of the boot (10) may be engaged to a preset condition with one simple buckle closing action. During rest periods when the applied tightening and/or functionalities are not needed, they may be deactivated with one simple buckle opening action, giving relief to the foot, greater ease of walking, etc. The invention includes a primary lever (26), a secondary lever pivotally connected to the primary lever (26) and a pulley (42). The pulley (42) acts to double the cable retraction action of the secondary lever (32). This allows the dual action buckle (20) to be made much smaller than would otherwise be the case.