Abstract: An apparatus for fastening an end of a strap is provided. The apparatus comprises a workpiece, a first slit at a proximity of an edge of a first rectangle of the workpiece, a second slit at a proximity of an edge of a second rectangle of the workpiece opposite to first rectangle, a first fastening member affixed to a third rectangle of the workpiece perpendicular to the first and second rectangles, and a second fastening member affixed to a fourth rectangle of the workpiece opposite of the third rectangle. The fourth rectangle adapted to fold over so that the first fastening member and the second fastening member may engage to lock the strap. The strap may be inserted through the first slit and the second slit and its end held in position when the fastening members are engaged. In an embodiment, the strap is of a phylactery.

Abstract: A watch includes a case having a dial, a first strap attached to a first end of the case, the first strap having a plurality of adjustment holes, a second strap attached to a second end of the case, the second strap having a buckle for mating with at least one of the adjustment holes, an adjustable loop disposed over the second strap and having a base portion and a top plate coupled to the base portion and defining a gap therebetween, the adjustable loop being transitionable between a first condition where the base portion and the top plate are relatively far from one another and the gap has a first length, and a second condition where the base portion and the top plate are relatively close to one another and the gap has a second length, the second length being less than the first length.

Abstract: Balance spring stud including, around a housing receiving a balance spring of reference thickness, a one-piece component made of a shape memory alloy and including two lugs, each arranged to rest on one of the surfaces of the balance spring, and wherein, in the free state, the minimum width of the air gap of the lugs is greater than the maximum value of the reference thickness when the component is in an open position corresponding to a martensitic structure, and wherein the maximum width of the air gap is less than the minimum value of the reference thickness when the component is in a closed position corresponding to an austenitic structure, and the balance spring includes an area of lesser thickness having a minimum thickness equal to the reference thickness, surrounded by areas of large thickness having a minimum thickness greater than the reference thickness.

Abstract: A secure adjustable orthotic device having multiple brace portions and one or more locking mechanisms. One locking mechanism is a level moving buckle including a top member, a locking member and a base member. The locking member is adapted to engage and disengage an inserted strap in response to the longitudinal movement of the top member relative to the base member. The level moving buckle inhibits accidental longitudinal movement of the inserted strap when the top member is in a locked position.

Abstract: A harness apparatus including a first adjustable harness strap, a second adjustable harness strap, and a retainer apparatus. The retainer apparatus includes a first retainer portion slidably attached to the first harness strap, a second retainer portion slidably attached to the second harness strap, and a braking mechanism configured to prevent the first retainer portion and the second retainer portion from moving along the first harness strap and the second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The braking mechanism includes a braking device configured to apply resistance to the first harness strap and/or the second harness strap and to hold the retainer apparatus in a stationary position along the first harness strap and the second harness strap.

Abstract: A seat belt system includes a belt having an upper end mounted adjacent the occupant shoulder and a lower end mounted adjacent the occupant lap. A latch plate assembly is carried by the belt for engagement with a buckle and includes a housing having a base wall with a tongue for latching engagement by the buckle and a pair of flanges extending at a lateral spacing greater than the width of the belt. A lock bar is pivotally mounted on the flanges. The lock bar has a clamping surface moving toward and away from the base wall upon pivoting of the lock bar to clamp and unclamp the belt against the base wall to prevent transference of the belt through the latch plate assembly. A detent mechanism between the lock bar and the housing locks the lock bar at a pivotal position clamping the belt against the housing.

Abstract: An attachment buckle for fitting and adjusting a strap, composed of a pair of superposed rings of different dimensions and a transverse slot for the strap to pass through. The second ring is articulated on the first ring by means of a connecting spring designed to press the second ring against the first ring and to urge said second ring slidingly to the blocking position.

Abstract: A child-restraint system is adapted for use with a juvenile vehicle seat. The child-restraint system includes a frame configured to be mounted on the juvenile vehicle seat and a web clamp coupled to the frame. The web clamp is configured to clamp a web passing under the web clamp and through a web-receiving channel formed in the frame.

Abstract: A buckle for a belt is provided including a fixation device to fix the buckle to a first end of the belt, and a guiding member configured to guide a belt part along the first belt end during use, for example to form a loop wherein the guiding member includes an operable clamping device having a releasing position to release the belt, and an engagement position to clamp a belt part to the guiding member, wherein the clamping device is configured such that when the clamping device is in the engagement position, the clamping device can be brought to its releasing position by pressing on a belt part.

Abstract: A child-restraint system is adapted for use with a juvenile vehicle seat. The child-restraint system includes a frame configured to be mounted on the juvenile vehicle seat and a web clamp coupled to the frame. The web clamp is configured to clamp a web passing under the web clamp and through a web-receiving channel formed in the frame.

Abstract: A shoe releasing assembly for use with an orthotic bar or splint is disclosed. The shoe releasing assembly comprises a bar attachment member securable to a bar or splint, a shoe attachment member securable to the sole of a shoe, and latching means to secure the bar and shoe members. The bar attachment member comprises a base, a wall section at least partially surrounding the base. The shoe attachment member comprises a shoe attachment base, a shoe attachment wall section at least partially surrounding the shoe attachment base. When one of the attachment members comprises a wall section defining a recess, the corresponding member comprises a wall section having a shape conforming to the recess for vertically inclined insertion. Latching means are provided for receiving, securing, and disengaging the shoe attachment member to the bar attachment member. Methods of treating foot disorders using the assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lightweight, secure, and low profile adjustable locking buckle has a first steel loop which overlies a second steel loop with a rear member spaced from a front member by two side members. The first loop front member has a forward projection which extends frontwardly and is dimensioned to fit within a central opening in the second loop. Each side member of the second loop has a ramped portion, such that the front member is spaced upwardly from the rear member. A fixed strap encircles the rear portions of the first loop and the second loop and is fixed to a supporting element. An adjustable strap extends beneath the first loop front portion and the second loop front portion, turns over the first loop forward projection and beneath the second loop front portion to be releasably secured to itself. Side tabs may be formed on the loops to facilitate adjustment.

Abstract: A buckle for connecting a wrist strap to the handgrip of a pole for sporting activities such as skiing, trekking and the like includes a body consisting of an outer jaw and an inner jaw between which it is possible to identify locking means suited to cooperate with a tape forming part of the strap and arranged in different positions between the outer jaw and the inner jaw in order to retain the strap at different distances from the handgrip.

Abstract: A strap adjusting device includes a buckle having two through-holes spaced by a partitioning wall. A pressing member is slideably and rotatably received in each through-hole. The pressing members are movable relative to the buckle to adjust a distance between each pressing member and a pressing edge in each through-hole. At least one resilient strap is mounted to a body of a pair of swimming goggles and includes two ends each of which is wound around one of the pressing members. The strap is pullable to adjust tightness of the strap when the pair of swimming goggles is worn on the head of the user. The pulling force acting on the strap urges each pressing member to move toward one of the pressing edges to tightly clamp the strap and to fix a length of the strap.

Abstract: A first member (10) provided with pins (12), (15) that penetrate through a seat belt webbing (30), and a second member (20) provided with holes (22), (25) to which the pins (12), (15), which have penetrated through the seat belt webbing (30), penetrate are provided, and a plurality of the pins (12), (15) are penetrated through a plurality of the respectively corresponding holes (22), (25), and the seat belt webbing (30) is sandwiched by the first member (10) and the second member (20) from both sides.

Abstract: A headband adjustment device includes a base, an adjustable seat, at least a press piece, a resilient adjustment plate and two band shafts. The base provides a base through hole. The adjustable seat is joined to the base an has a wing plate at two opposite lateral sides and an adjustment frame at two ends. The press piece is disposed beside the respective wing plate with two ends extending a press slant end. The adjustment plate is fiat with a middle protrusion top and at both lateral sides of the protrusion top having a fixing projection respectively, at a bottom near both ends having a lift guide groove with a plate slant extending toward the two ends respectively to interfere with ratchet gears on the headband. The band shafts each have an end projection and the headband encloses the respective band shaft and extends outward inversely.

Abstract: A headband adjustment device includes a base, an adjustable seat, at least a press piece, a resilient adjustment plate and two band shafts. The base provides a base through hole. The adjustable seat is joined to the base and has a wing plate at two opposite lateral sides thereof and a adjustment frame at two ends thereof. The press piece is disposed beside the respective wing plate with two ends thereof extending a press slant end. The adjustment plate is flat with a middle protrusion top and at both lateral sides of the protrusion top having a fixing projection respectively, at a bottom near both ends thereof having a lift guide groove with a plate slant extending toward the two ends respectively to interfere with ratchet gears on the headband. The band shafts each have an end projection and the headband encloses the respective band shaft and extends outward inversely via the adjustment frame so as to be held in place with the ratchet teeth engaging with the adjustment plate.

Abstract: A system for positioning occupant restraints in a vehicle includes a pair of cooperative embodiments. A first embodiment comprises a clamp removably securable about an occupant restraint belt (preferably the shoulder strap, but the device may be applied to the lap belt, as well). The device includes a lateral slide bearing upon a pressure plate for applying clamping pressure to the belt. The clamp is particularly useful in securing to a shoulder harness, to preclude retraction of the strap through the “B” pillar guide for allowing some slack in the strap for occupant comfort. The second embodiment comprises two mating components hinged together at one end, with a series of mating slots therein. A shoulder harness slot and latch mechanism is provided opposite the hinge. The device is opened and secured about the support rods of an adjustable height headrest, with the shoulder strap passing through the shoulder strap guide.

Abstract: A reusable fastener for a strap of a carry bag, dog collar, shoe, necklace, watch strap, belt, or the like includes a plate member having a threaded opening, a generally flat retainer member attached to the rear of the plate member, and a connector having an enlarged head and a threaded post portion. A free end of the strap passes through the retainer member. The threaded opening receives the connector post portion. The remote end of the threaded post member is engageable with the strap to hold the strap in place against an abutment portion of the retainer member without damaging the strap.

Abstract: The present invention provides a belt connecting device which can be applied to various uses, has an excellent design property, and can be safely and easily operated even by elderly people and infants. The belt connecting device comprises a belt connecting member fixed to one portion of an article and a belt including one end portion fixed to another portion of the article. A female surface fastener is sewn on the other end portion of the belt to constitute an engaging portion to be engaged with the belt connecting member. The belt connecting member has at one end thereof an inserting hole through and to which the portion of the article is inserted and fixed, at the other end an engaged portion of a male surface fastener and with which the engaging portion of the belt detachably engages, and between the inserting hole and the engaged portion a belt threading portion comprising an elongated hole which is slightly longer than a width of the belt.

Abstract: An actuation device for a lock of a multi-point safety belt to be placed in a position of use against a body of a user of the safety belt includes a rotatable cup-shaped locking head, wherein at least one recess in provided in the circumference of the locking head in a downwardly directed circumferential portion in the position of use of the locking head, and wherein the recess in configured as a finger recess. The locking head further may include a circumferential portion located diametrically opposite the finger recess and facing upwardly in the position of use, wherein the at least flattened finger depression has a radius greater than the radius of the finger recess.

Abstract: A connecting device for a pair of swimming goggles includes a first end securely attached to a frame of the swimming goggles and a second end including a first part and a second part releasably engaged with the first part. The strap is movable between the first part and the second part to adjust a length of a strap when the first part and the second part are disengaged from each other. The strap is retained in position between the first part and the second part when the first part and the second part are engaged with each other.

Abstract: Improved seat belt gripping devices are provided for clamping and locking the shoulder portion and lap portion of a seat belt together in order to adequately secure a child safety seat in place on a car seat. The devices disclosed herein are tamper-resistant so that children and infants will not be able to remove the devices while in use and further the devices disclosed herein are easy to use. The safety devices of the present invention eliminate the need for removing slack from the shoulder portion of the seat belt in order to ensure that the child safety seat will not move in a forward direction during a sudden stop, collision or normal traffic maneuver.

Abstract: A tongue assembly (10) includes a metal plate member (34) having a first portion (36) with a buckle latch receiving first opening (42) and a second portion (46) offset from the first portion. The metal plate member (34) has a second opening (60) between the first and second portions (36 and 46) through which seat belt webbing (16) extends. The first portion (36) of the metal plate member (34) is positionable on one side of the belt webbing (16). The second portion (46) of the metal plate member (34) is positionable on the other side of the belt webbing (16). A seat belt webbing cinch bar (130) is attached to the metal plate member (34) and located on the other side of the belt webbing (16). The cinch bar (130) has a first position in which the belt webbing (16) is located between the first portion (36) of the metal plate member (34) and the cinch bar (130).

Abstract: A belt is fastened to a clasp on one end and locked with its other end in various positions in the clasp. The clasp defines a gap between two parallel walls into which one end of the belt is inserted and is fastened or locked in the gap by at least one screw which presses the belt against a wall of the gap which is opposite to the screw.

Abstract: A belt buckle for use in line dancing that includes a body section having thumb grips located on the top edge of the body section and finger grips located on the bottom edge thereof. The grips are provided with contoured seats so that the thumb and forefinger on each of the wearers hands can close over the buckle to firmly grasp the buckle while performing a line dance routine.

Abstract: A strap divider for diverging a pair of straps which are disposed one on top of the other into a Y configuration which may be used for the chin straps of a bicycle helmet. The strap divider includes a main body which receives the pair of straps therethrough, and a rotatable clamping member which can be rotated from a position where the straps are clamped in place to an open position where the straps may be adjusted. In one embodiment, the rotatable member includes a cam around its circumference which cooperates with a projection in the main body for adjusting the clamping member between the open position and the locked position as the clamping member is rotated.

Abstract: A device and system for releasably securing a watchband to a watch casing. Specifically, a watchband connector pin is formed of a shape memory material, preferably a shape memory alloy. The watchband may be readily released and reattached from a watch casing to facilitate repairs of the watch, for aesthetic considerations, or when the watch band is damaged or worn. The connector pin is durable due to the one piece design, easy to operate, flexible, and economical to produce.

Abstract: A belt assembly has a belt with a retroreflective front side and one or more pairs of clip components snap-fitted thereon to grip the belt. Each clip component presents an integral leaf spring for fitting over a section of the belt.

Abstract: A load spreading belt includes a buckle closure and an elongated flexible strap having a pair of ends. A pad of locking catches is mounted on one end of the strap and a pad of catch receivers is mounted on another end of the strap. When the strap encircles a load to be retained in position, the ends of the strap overlap such that the locking catches and catch receivers are in mating engagement. The buckle includes a top and a base. A rear plate and a pair of posts spaced from the rear plate, extend between the top and the base and define a passage therebetween. One end of the strap extends through the passage with the locking catches extending outwardly on either side of each post to removably retain the buckle on the strap. In one embodiment a door is hingedly attached to the base of the buckle and closes around the strap ends when the locking catches and catch receivers are in mating engagement.

Abstract: A molded metal member has an opening to receive the end of a leather belt. The front face may be embossed or engraved decoratively, and the rear face is formed with a V-shaped slot oriented to achieve a locking action with the leather belt when upset inwardly at assembly with the belt.

Abstract: A belt buckle which screws down to engage a belt end necessarily requiring two degrees of movement, namely rotation and vertical descent, in which the belt-engaging member is confined to just the vertical descent incident to engagement of the belt surface being engaged so that this surface is not abraded or marred.

Abstract: A device for ligaturing parts of the body comprises a flat strap (15) of elastic material in the form of a loop (35) and a buckle attached to the latter comprising a clamping part (1) and a releasing part (2). The clamping part comprises a basic element (29) which forms a basic supporting and guiding surface (39) in the longitudinal direction of the strap (15) and has lateral faces between which the strap passes and which have locking elements ensuring a releasable connection between the clamping part (1) and the releasing party (2). The latter is connected to one end (22) of the strap, has locking elements which releasably connect it to the clamping part (1) and a clamping region (3) at the end opposite the loop (35) whose distance from the surface (39) is located in the region of the thickness of the released strap (15) when the strap buckle is assembled. When the strap buckle is assembled, the locking elements form a pivoting joint.

Abstract: An article carrier for use with a strap secured to an article and an article moving device comprising a base member and a plate with a first and second inverted V-shaped member defining a flexible proximal leg and flexible distal leg extending from an apex of the inverted V-shaped member. The V-shaped members are axially spaced apart on the base member to enable the plate to be slidably received between the proximal and distal leg of each of the inverted V-shaped members. A handle with a first and second end is releasably secured to the apex of the first and second inverted V-shaped member thereby extending between each inverted V-shaped member.

Abstract: Detachable slotted outer and inner hooking buckle members are mounted on opposite ends of a belt for hooking the belt ends together. One side of each slot is manually settably adjustable to vary the width of the slots of the outer member to accommodate belts of various thicknesses passing through the slots while at the same time providing frictional engagement between sides of the slot and the belt.