Abstract: A reel based closure device includes a housing, a spool positioned within the interior region of the housing, a knob that is operably coupled with the spool and with the housing, and a rotation control component that is operably coupled with the knob. The knob is rotatable in a tightening direction to cause the spool to rotate within the housing and thereby wind the tension member about the spool. The knob is also rotatable in a loosening direction to cause the spool to rotate in an opposite direction within the housing and thereby unwind the tension member from about the spool. The rotation control component is configured to prevent accidental loosening of the tension member by inhibiting rotation of the knob in the loosening direction until a sufficient rotational force is exerted on the knob in the loosening direction.

Abstract: A reel based closure device includes a housing, a spool positioned within the interior region of the housing, a knob that is operably coupled with the spool and with the housing, and a rotation control component that is operably coupled with the knob. The knob is rotatable in a tightening direction to cause the spool to rotate within the housing and thereby wind the tension member about the spool. The knob is also rotatable in a loosening direction to cause the spool to rotate in an opposite direction within the housing and thereby unwind the tension member from about the spool. The rotation control component is configured to prevent accidental loosening of the tension member by inhibiting rotation of the knob in the loosening direction until a sufficient rotational force is exerted on the knob in the loosening direction.

Abstract: A reel based closure device includes a housing, a spool positioned within the interior region of the housing, a knob that is operably coupled with the spool and with the housing, and a rotation control component that is operably coupled with the knob. The knob is rotatable in a tightening direction to cause the spool to rotate within the housing and thereby wind the tension member about the spool. The knob is also rotatable in a loosening direction to cause the spool to rotate in an opposite direction within the housing and thereby unwind the tension member from about the spool. The rotation control component is configured to prevent accidental loosening of the tension member by inhibiting rotation of the knob in the loosening direction until a sufficient rotational force is exerted on the knob in the loosening direction.

Abstract: A reel based closure device includes a housing, a spool positioned within the interior region of the housing, a knob that is operably coupled with the spool and with the housing, and a rotation control component that is operably coupled with the knob. The knob is rotatable in a tightening direction to cause the spool to rotate within the housing and thereby wind the tension member about the spool. The knob is also rotatable in a loosening direction to cause the spool to rotate in an opposite direction within the housing and thereby unwind the tension member from about the spool. The rotation control component is configured to prevent accidental loosening of the tension member by inhibiting rotation of the knob in the loosening direction until a sufficient rotational force is exerted on the knob in the loosening direction.

Abstract: An hydraulic jet mill is disclosed in which a high pressure line and a low pressure line are introduced into at least one jet (or nozzle). The jet is configured such that there is an orifice at the forward end of the jet and the cross sectional area of the interior of the rearward portion of the jet is significantly greater than the cross sectional area of the interior of the forward portion of the jet. There is an incompressible liquid such as water in the high pressure line and a material to be milled in a slurry with an incompressible liquid such as water in the low pressure line. The high pressure line is introduced into the rearward portion of the jet and the low pressure line is introduced through a venturi into the forward portion of the jet. The contents of the high pressure line and the low pressure line mix and are forced out of the orifice at high velocity. The material is milled when it strikes either an impingement plate or an opposed second jet.

Abstract: Embodiments of an hydraulic opposed jet mill are disclosed which may be used to crush various minerals, including mica, or other materials to sub-micron size. At least one positive displacement pump forces an incompressible liquid, such as water, through a pair of opposed jets such that the two streams of water collide between the jets. A slurry of an incompressible liquid, such as water, and the mineral to be crushed is introduced into the jets at a point near the outlet end of the jets. The entrained mineral particles are forced out of the jets with great energy which causes multiple collisions and pulverization. In a second embodiment of the instant invention the slurry strikes an impingement plate rather than an opposed slurry stream.