Abstract: A cord stopper for moving along a length of cord and releasably engaging the cord includes a body delimiting a channel for passing the cord through the body. The channel defines a first path and a second path for the cord, with the paths being selectable by rotating the body relative to the cord. A cord engagement portion provided along the first path is configured to engage the cord such that movement of the cord stopper along the cord is restricted when the first path is selected. A cord passing portion in the channel is configured to permit the cord stopper to move along the length of the cord when the second path is selected. Further provided are a cord stopper assembly including the cord stopper and the cord, and methods. Methods of using and manufacturing the cord stopper.

Abstract: A binding system is provided for attaching a first object to a second object and/or for bundling a plurality of objects. The binding system includes a locking work piece having a first channel and a second channel, the first channel having a channel opening on a first side of the locking work piece, the second channel having a channel opening at an opposite side of the locking work piece.

Abstract: A tree stick mount attachment assembly includes a tree stick body. A panel has a front side, a back side, and a perimeter edge extending between the front and back sides. The backs side faces and is attached to the tree stick body. The perimeter edge has a plurality of slots therein and each of the slots extends through the front and back sides. The slots removably receive a tether extending around the tree to retain the tree stick body on the tree. The tether is attached to the tree stick body and extended around the tree. Thereafter, the tether is then extended into the slots to secure the tree stick body to the tree.

Abstract: A utility garment has a front garment portion adapted for positioning at a wearer's chest, a rear garment portion adapted for positioning at a wearer's back, the front portion and rear portion being removably detachable at a plurality of attachment facilities, each attachment facility including a front facility portion connected to the front garment portion and a rear facility portion connected to the rear garment portion, at least a first one of the front facility portion and the rear facility portion comprising first and second bodies, the first body defining a first cable passage and the second body defining a second cable passage, the first cable passage and the second cable passage being registered with each other and adapted to receive a single cable, and the first body and second body being spaced apart from each other to define a latch receptacle space.

Abstract: A lace guide for an article of footwear comprises a base, a body protruding from the base, and an enlarged head at a distal end of the body. The body, the base, and the enlarged head define an external channel that extends at least partially around the body to receive and retain a lace. The base may be a heel counter, and the lace guide and the heel counter may be an integral, one-piece component. Alternatively, the base of the lace guide may be a wing extending along a side of the upper, or may be secured to a footwear upper.

Abstract: One exemplary aspect relates to a system for tying and stabilizing a plastic cover film for agricultural crops such as soft fruit covers. Cultivation in covered areas has been particularly developed in recent decades. The state of the art includes glass panes, greenhouses, and special plastic coverings for soft fruit. With the prior art, the placement, fastening and fixing of the plastic film is achieved with ropes or with elastic cords or with soft PVC tubing. However, the cost of binding the plastic film is significant as skilled staff and considerable amounts of man hours are required to tie the plastic film to the supporting structure. Tying the film, in most cases, is carried out by employing knots on simple eyelets or grommets, that the plastic films bear and, respectively, with knots on the wire ropes of the structure.

Abstract: A tensioning arrangement for a bearing ring, which introduces a compressive force towards a rotational centre of the bearing ring, to prevent the bearing ring distorting as a shaft supported by the bearing turns. The tensioner arrangement includes a strap and a tensioner. The strap has a connector at each end, and tensioner has an element for connecting to the connectors. The tensioner also has an element for applying tension to the strap. In use, the strap is arranged around the bearing ring and a circumferential length of the strap in contact with the bearing ring is reduced, thereby applying compressive force to the bearing ring.

Abstract: A narrow channel created by one or more channel walls. The channel is engineered with narrow dimensions so as to carry out its function of supporting small bags filled with waste. The channel may be formed as a single body, attached to another body, or formed or incorporated into another body or device, such as, but not limited to, animal leashes, retractable animal leashes, pet waste bag dispensers, pet harnesses, and pooper scoopers. Bags containing animal waste may be inserted into the channel. The bags may be supported by the channel. Additional small bodies including but not limited to rings or cord loops may be inserted into and supported by the channel.

Abstract: A securement device for catheter tubes and polymer coated cables includes a base mounted on a support surface, and male and female straps, the male straps having locking members that mate with corresponding apertures in the female straps. The male and female straps connect to a base via fixed ends of the respective male and female straps, and each of the fixed ends comprises a curved portion configured to orient the corresponding unsecured strap substantially parallel to the base. Each of the fixed ends of the male straps mate with a recess in the fixed ends of the corresponding female strap, thereby forming a crease for seating the tube or cable being secured.

Abstract: A gripping device for retaining a cable includes a base, two opposed gripping arms projecting from the base towards respective end portions along an insertion direction and mutually spaced apart along a transversal direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. The gripping arms include retaining portions configured to receive the cable therebetween and insertion portions configured to allow insertion of the cable towards the retaining portions. The gripping device includes first protrusions projecting from the retaining portions, extending along a first direction angled with respect to the insertion direction and configured to act on the cable to retain the cable between the retaining portions. The gripping device includes second protrusions projecting from the insertion portions and extending along a second direction angled with respect to the insertion direction, where each of the second protrusions being tapered along the insertion direction towards the respective end portion.

Abstract: A cord and webbing fastener is provided. The fastener includes a body, an elongated, oval-shaped passageway extending there through from lateral sides thereof and between a mid-bar and a bottom bar, and a jawed passageway extending there through from lateral sides thereof and between the mid-bar and the first jaw and the second jaw. The fastener is used assembled with cord and webbing to adjustably secure a hammock or other load to a support or anchor point.

Abstract: A removable form tie system and methods of construction using same are disclosed. The removable form tie system may comprise first and second brackets for respectively mounting to a first and second forms spaced apart from one another. A wire runs from the first bracket to the second bracket. Each bracket preferably comprises a fastening wall and a channel adapted to receive one end of the wire. Each bracket may further comprise a holder for receiving the wire at a substantially orthogonal angle after being received by the channel. The holder may comprise a portion of a stiffening wall extending substantially orthogonally away from the fastening wall, as well as a detent extending substantially orthogonally away from the first stiffening wall. In the alternative, the holder may be an extension from the fastening wall, wherein the holder extends substantially orthogonally away from the first fastening wall and then bends back to be generally parallel to the first fastening wall.

Abstract: A frame for tying a shoelace comprises one or more protrusions and one or more apertures. At least one of the one or more apertures of the frame comprises a diameter operable to receive a first end of the shoelace. The one or more protrusions of the frame are positioned about the at least one of the one or more apertures of the frame and the one or more protrusions of the frame are operable to engage the shoelace and resist movement of the shoelace within the at least one aperture of the frame.

Abstract: A fastening element for a shoe of a boot comprising a disk-shaped single or multi-part main part, comprising a base side for fastening to the shoe, a cover side lying opposite the base side, and two grooves molded into a casing between the base side and the cover side for receiving and guiding a respective end of a shoelace. The grooves have an entrance angle at which shoelaces are to enter into the fastening element when laced in the pulling direction and an exit angle at which shoelaces are to exit the fastening element when pulled in the pulling direction, and wherein the entrance angle is greater than or equal to the exit angle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anchoring assembly for fastening an element to the ground, the element including an orifice. The invention is characterized by the fact that anchoring assembly comprises: an anchoring part; a flexible line having a first end that is fastened to the anchoring part, the flexible line being designed to pass through the orifice; and a blocking device including an opening, the flexible line extending through the opening, and blocking means for blocking sliding of the flexible line in the opening, the blocking device being suitable for taking up a first position in which the flexible line can slide in the opening in such a manner as to adjust the distance between the blocking device and the anchoring part, and a second position in which the flexible line is blocked in the blocking device in such a manner as to prevent the blocking device from moving relative to the anchoring part.

Abstract: An auxiliary rope knotter includes an interior formed with a first through hole, a second through hole, a first locking groove and a second locking groove which are parallel with each other. In the cross-sectional face of the auxiliary rope knotter, the first center connecting line formed by the first through hole and the second through hole intersects the second center connecting line formed by the first locking groove and the second locking groove, such that the rope is easily knotted by the auxiliary rope knotter.

Abstract: A clasp or clamp secures a string or rope, such as made from stretch wrap, to an object such as in securing an object to a pallet for shipping. The clasp or clamping device readily secures one end of the string and allows for tightening of the string through pulling a second end of the string through a second portion of the clasp or clamping device. The second end of the string can be tied off or secured on the second portion of the clasp or claiming device. The clasp or clamping device further includes at least two protrusions extending from one of the first end and the second end, the at least two protrusions defining a space there-between. The space between the at least two protrusions includes a narrow portion to impede slippage of the string.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an anti-rotation device (ARD) including a cylindrical ring extending along a longitudinal axis, the ring including proximal and distal faces. In an illustrative example, the ring may include proximal coupling members extending from the proximal face insertably engaging with mating recesses within a connector-disk. The ring may include distal coupling members extending from the distal face insertably engaging with mating recesses within a body-assembly, for example. The coupling members may extend, for example, parallel to the longitudinal axis. The ARD may be captured between the connector-disk and the body-assembly and may be retained by a proximal twist-lock cap screwably engaged with the body-assembly, such that relative rotational motion between the connector-disk and the body-assembly is substantially restricted, for example.

Abstract: A securement device for catheter tubes and polymer coated cables includes a base mounted on a support surface, and male and female straps, the male straps having locking members that mate with corresponding apertures in the female straps. The male and female straps connect to a base via fixed ends of the respective male and female straps, and each of the fixed ends comprises a curved portion configured to orient the corresponding unsecured strap substantially parallel to the base. Each of the fixed ends of the male straps mate with a recess in the fixed ends of the corresponding female strap, thereby forming a crease for seating the tube or cable being secured.

Abstract: A removable form tie system and methods of construction using same are disclosed. The removable form tie system may comprise first and second brackets for respectively mounting to a first and second forms spaced apart from one another. A wire runs from the first bracket to the second bracket. Each bracket preferably comprises a fastening wall and a channel adapted to receive one end of the wire. Each bracket may further comprise a holder for receiving the wire at a substantially orthogonal angle after being received by the channel. The holder may comprise a portion of a stiffening wall extending substantially orthogonally away from the fastening wall, as well as a detent extending substantially orthogonally away from the first stiffening wall. In the alternative, the holder may be an extension from the fastening wall, wherein the holder extends substantially orthogonally away from the first fastening wall and then bends back to be generally parallel to the first fastening wall.

Abstract: The rope tightening and fastening device of the invention is a flat, elongated device having at one end a forward-opening, V-shaped mouth including opposing surfaces and at the other end a rear-facing back edge with a knob extending rearward therefrom. Rear and cinching apertures are disposed between the mouth and knob, the rear aperture having a forward-facing engagement surface and the cinching aperture having a rear-facing engagement surface, the forward-facing engagement surface configured to engage the beginning of one leg of a rear loop of rope that is passed through the rear aperture and fastened around the knob, the rear-facing engagement surface configured to engage the end of a return leg of a forward loop of rope extending from the rear aperture, and the opposing surfaces of the mouth having gripping members for securing a portion of rope under tension in the mouth.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping flexible tubing is disclosed. The clamp includes a body having a first portion, a second portion, a first passage through the first portion, and a second passage through the second portion. The first passage is configured to compress a first length of the flexible tubing. The second passage is configured to compress a second length of the flexible tubing that does not overlap the first length.

Abstract: A line tensioner and methods of tensioning a line, the line tensioner with a first attachment portion for releasably fixing to a line. The first attachment portion has a slot with two opposing surfaces extending in a first direction from a throat towards a mouth. The line is receivable via the mouth into releasable gripping engagement with the two opposing surfaces. The line tensioner also has a bearing portion, with the line being slidably engagable with the bearing portion for tensioning the line. The line tensioner has a second attachment portion for releasably fixing to the line. The second attachment portion has a slot with two opposing surfaces extending in a second direction from a throat towards a mouth. The line is receivable via the mouth into releasable gripping engagement with the two opposing surfaces. The second direction is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anchoring assembly for fastening an element (20) to the ground, the element including an orifice (22). The invention is characterized by the fact that anchoring assembly comprises: an anchoring part (40); a flexible line (60) having a first end that is fastened to the anchoring part, the flexible line being designed to pass through the orifice; and a blocking device (80) including an opening, the flexible line extending through the opening, and blocking means (86) for blocking sliding of the flexible line in the opening, the blocking device being suitable for taking up a first position in which the flexible line can slide in the opening in such a manner as to adjust the distance between the blocking device and the anchoring part, and a second position in which the flexible line is blocked in the blocking device in such a manner as to prevent the blocking device from moving relative to the anchoring part.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device that allows the collection of urine samples in patients who are not self-sufficient, providing a simple method to operate both for the patient and for the health personnel. The device is equipped with a primary collection system and a secondary collection system, which allows to obtain a complete sample of urine that can be transported for further analysis in the laboratory.

Abstract: A rope fixture 11 fixes a closing rope 12 for binding a bag opening of a flexible container bag 20A as a bag body, and includes a plate-shaped body in which a through-hole and a slit are formed, wherein a through-hole 13 allows the closing rope 12 to pass therethrough and a slit 14 nips and locks the closing rope 12 and has an insertion opening 17 provided at one end located at a lateral side of the plate-shaped body 15 and has a rope locking portion 18 allowing the closing rope 12 to pass therethrough and locks the closing rope 12 provided at the other end.

Abstract: A stopper for securing an end of a lace in an article having at least one eyelet, such as a shoe, without having to form an exposed knot. A thin, rigid body includes a series of openings arranged in a row, including a first, middle opening through which the lace is routed from the eyelet, a second opening proximate one end through which the lace is routed from the middle opening, and a third opening proximate an opposite through which the lace is routed from the second opening via the first end of the body, the third opening having a slot-shaped configuration. When tension is applied to the lace, as by a foot being inserted into a shoe, a locking engagement is formed between the lace and stopper and the stopper reacts against the eyelet. The stopper may be hidden from view behind the eyelet stay of a shoe.

Abstract: A device for interconnecting two tethers. The device comprises a body arranged to secure a first tether thereto and has an aperture therein for receiving a second tether. An arm extends from the body and away from the aperture. In use, the second tether is arranged to form a loop, passed through the aperture and around the arm, thereby allowing the device to interconnect the first and second tethers.

Abstract: An attachment system for securing footwear to a wearer, the attachment system including a buckle assembly and a receiver. The buckle assembly may include a clasp adapted to be coupled to a first portion of a footwear upper. The clasp may have an elongated portion with a first pivotable surface. The receiver may be adapted to be coupled to a second portion of the footwear upper. The receiver may have an elongated recess adapted to slideably receive the elongated portion, and the receiver may have a second pivotable surface that is sufficiently complementary shaped to the first surface so that the surfaces pivotably engage each other in a transverse direction of the attachment system when the buckle assembly is locked in the receiver.

Abstract: A device for fixing a segment of tubing in the form of a loop, for an apparatus by which a fluid is fed to or out from a patient via tubing, in particular for monitoring vascular access in extra-corporeal blood treatment, and a tubing and an arrangement for monitoring, each having the device for fixing the segment, are also described. The fixing of the segment includes a guiding piece and a securing piece. The guiding piece fixes intersecting portions of the segment which forms an eye, thereby forming a loop which contracts under a tractive stress. The securing piece fixes a portion of the segment forming the eye such that when the loop tightens, that portion of the segment does not slip through the guiding piece. Alternatively, intersecting portions of the segment are fixed in a loop only by a guiding piece formed as an annular body.

Abstract: Provided herein is a Mooring Line Restrainer capable of withstanding the whiplash from the impact of a snapped mooring line, and including a contoured Restraining Member shaped to engage and restrain snapped mooring lines and incorporating a single or multi-turn spring, mounted on a framework attached to one or more support bases. At least one of the support bases is a magnetic holding device adequate for different sizes of mooring lines, for securely and strongly fixing the Mooring Line Restrainers on the deck of a ship at appropriate positions along and on either sides of the mooring lines as per a mooring layout plan. The support bases have provisions for interlinking the plurality of adjacent or alternate Mooring Line Restrainers for forming a strong structure around the mooring lines for confining and restraining any snapped mooring lines within a narrow zone around their pre-snapped positions on the ship's deck.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an archery bow axle comprises a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is configured for fixed attachment to said first portion in one of a plurality of positions. The axle will have a different length in each of the positions. In some embodiments, an axle comprises a shaft and an end cap having a cavity, wherein a portion of the shaft is received in the cavity.

Abstract: A breakaway rope holder having a loop and a body. The loop having a first end and a second end. The body having a rope bore. The rope bore selectively receives a first end of a rope. The first end of the loop attaches to the body. The second end of the loop releaseably attaches to the body.

Abstract: Stackable anchors for use in sand, snow and the like including dead man plates, a unitary cord providing means for anchoring devices and for retrieval of the dead man plate from its buried location. In addition, an optional feature of the dead man plate includes means for receiving the unitary cord wrapped about a plurality of dead man plates to retain the anchors in stacked, adjacent relationship for compact storage.

Abstract: A line lock includes a body at least partially bounding two passageways that cooperate to receive a locking portion of a line such as a suture in such a manner that the locking portion can only be drawn through the passageways along one direction. A second suture locking portion may also be received by the passageways, or by one of the two passageways in combination with a third passageway. The body may have an elongated, compact shape that is easily implantable in the body.

Abstract: A device for tying a shoelace includes a planar-shaped body member including a first opening, a second opening, a third opening, and a fourth opening. Each of the openings is configured to allow the shoelace to be inserted there through. The first, second, third and fourth openings may be arranged in a two-by-two array, wherein the first and second openings form a first row of the array, and wherein the third and fourth openings form a second row of the array. The first and fourth openings may be coupled to one another by a first slit, and the second and third openings may be coupled to one another by a second slit.

Abstract: An apparatus for positive retention of wood connects to and retains wood for transport and handling, the apparatus comprising a drive handle connected to a support member, the support member connected a main shank, and the main shank adapted to positively penetrate wood through one or more of impact and rotation, wherein the main shank forms a connection to the wood after such positive penetration is achieved.

Abstract: A cord connector, methods of connecting cords using a cord connector, an article including cord connections and a method of making an article with cord connections is provided.

Abstract: Cable adjusting devices are presented including: a base plate; a pair of walls connected with the base plate along a top surface, where each of the pair of walls includes an outer surface and an inner surface, where the inner surfaces of the pair of walls form a v-groove, and where the inner surfaces include, a number of gripping ridge pairs, and a locking ridge pair disposed alongside one end of the number of gripping ridge pairs at the distal end of the base plate; a keeper bar extending between the pair of walls at the proximal end of the base plate; and an attachment point disposed along the bottom surface of the base plate along at least the distal end or the proximal end.

Abstract: A fall arrest safety net assembly has the form of a bag constructed of wire mesh, with a closed end and an opposing open mouth about which a plurality of eyes are spaced. An elongate line has opposing first and second ends, first and second line portions of the line being disposed adjacent the first and second ends respectively, an intermediate portion of the line located between the first and second line portions. A choker fitting has two faces between which a plurality of openings extend, and an end fixture on the choker fitting. The first portion of the line is connected in a ring by the choker fitting, the first end being fixed to the end fixture, the first portion extending through the eyes for drawing the mouth closed, and the intermediate portion extending through the openings in the choker fitting.

Abstract: Drawstrings or cords of clothing or non-clothing items such as carrying apparatuses are prevented from receding and being lost in the item by providing a flexible string covering apparatus through which strings or cords are passed. A central body region of a string covering apparatus is adorned with a team logo, company emblem, or the like, and aperture regions are arranged on opposite ends of the central body region in which to thread the string or cord. The thermoplastic composition material and the shape of apertures within the aperture regions prevent the string covering apparatus from sliding, allowing the user or maker of the string covering apparatus to display a desired image unobstructed by the string or cord.

Abstract: A portable cleat of a generally two dimensional flat shape with a predetermined thickness having two arms (12) and (12A) projecting at opposite slight angles from a near central point. The arms form an ancient standard cleat shape for winding an elongated tension member (30) in multiple figure eights and finishing with an inverted loop to refrain from tying a knot. The main body (10) has a rear portion containing two apertures (18) and (20) of different sizes to adapt to various anchoring devices. The overall shape of the cleat considers the action-reaction law of physics and is specifically designed to enhance its use under kinetic tension forces. The main body also contains a plurality of holes (22) and (22A) allowing multiple cleats to be fastened together in modular fashion in order to multiply the overall strength yet maintain the designed functionality.

Abstract: A tool for replacing rake tines, having inner and outer ends, of a rake wheel which includes a central disc-shaped support plate means and a peripheral rim spaced outwardly of the support plate means with the peripheral rim having a plurality of spaced-apart openings formed therein which receive the rake tines extending therethrough so that the outer ends of the rake tines are positioned outwardly of the peripheral rim, and means removably securing the inner ends of the rake tines to the support plate means. The tool comprises a plurality of spaced-apart body members adapted to be secured to tines not needing replacement and to replacement tines to maintain the replacement tines to be secured to the rake wheel.

Abstract: A grommet locking device, which combines the advantages of both a grommet and a cord lock in a single unitary device. The grommet locking device allows a user to tighten a cord with one hand. The grommet locking device includes a front piece having a locking mechanism and a back piece that are attached together with a piece of fabric therebetween. A cord is moveable within the locking mechanism between a first locked position and second unlocked position in order to tighten or loosen a portion of the garment, such as a hood of a jacket.

Abstract: An accessory for belaying and/or rappelling on a single or double rope. This accessory is a one piece component having a first through hole of a shape allowing a carabiner to be passed through it, a second through hole situated in a central position to the component the said first hole, the second hole allowing at least two strands of the rope to be passed through it, and a slot forming a notch communicating at its top, widest end with the second hole to allow the strand of rope from the second hole to be inserted into and locked in the slot. The accessory also includes between the first hole and the bottom, narrowest end of said slot, a boss extending transversely to the surface of the one-piece component and locally increasing the thickness of the component by at least as much as the diameter of the strand of rope. This boss forms on the surface of the one piece component a rope return element that makes it easier to manually release a strand of rope jammed in the slot.

Abstract: Fishing line stops are disclosed. Fishing line stops illustratively include a lid and a main body. The lid has inner and outer walls. The lid outer wall forms a portion of an outer surface of the fishing line stop. The lid inner wall has first and second surfaces. The lid inner wall first and second surfaces are separated from each other by a lid offset that runs perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis. The main body has inner and outer walls. The main body inner wall forms another portion of the outer surface of the fishing line stop. The main body inner wall has first and second surfaces. The main body inner wall first and second surfaces are separated from each other by a main body offset that runs perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A sleeve for storing a Y-shaped cord without tangling and a method of managing a Y-shaped cord by grouping a plurality of the cord loose ends in the sleeve, each into a separate portion, forming a closed loop. The sleeve is triangular-shaped, having a conical sidewall with an open top end and an open bottom end. Inside the sleeve, the ends of the cord are separated by at least one fastener. The closed loop makes it less likely that the cord will tangle with other objects or with itself. If the cord does tangle when in the closed loop, the topology of the closed loop makes untangling the cord simpler and quicker than if the ends were loose. When using the Y-cord, the sleeve remains on the cord, not interfering with the cord functioning and not easily lost.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive device for a reliable tie down tensioning which device enables the tie-down to be quickly and easily applied and the flexible element tensioned and just as quickly and easily removed.

Abstract: Cleats configured to retain objects secured with a packaging tie in association with packaging material.

Abstract: A suture lock according to the present invention sufficiently secures a suture thread in place in a quick and efficient manner. It eliminates the need for a laparoscopic surgeon to tie complex or multi-step knots. The suture lock generally comprises a suture lock body having a suture channel that allows a suture thread to be drawn into the suture lock body. A plurality of teeth extends into an opening of the suture channel in such a manner that an inserted suture thread will be locked in place. In addition, a guide portion eases insertion of a suture thread free end by simplifying relative rotational adjustment of the lock. An embodiment of the suture lock may be fabricated from a material or materials that naturally dissolve within the human body.