Abstract: A release mechanism is provided for releasably joining two objects such as straps, cables, ropes, or the like as well as two rigid members such as pipes, tubing, beams, columns, or the like. The mechanism is usable for releasing loads which are under tension and, in certain embodiments, also transmit compression and torsional forces. One mechanism includes a pair of pivoting plates connected to the ends of a bifurcated strap. The plates engage elongated surfaces on a root member connected to an opposite strap. An indexing arrangement is provided to prevent relative sliding movement. The plates are biased for outward movement. Outward movement is prevented by releasable securement links or straps. An alternative form of securement is provided in the form of a sliding enclosure. An alternative embodiment for flexible or rigid members is provided in the form of a central root surrounded by outwardly pivoting leaves. Pivoting members connected to the leaves engage projections on the root member.

Abstract: An elongate fastener assembly comprising a flexible polymeric backing strip from which project a multiplicity of headed stems adapted to engage loops on materials pressed against the heads, and an open porous permanent attachment layer attached to the surface of the backing strip opposite the stems which has sufficient open area to receive foam to permanently attach the fastener assembly to a foamed article. The fastener assembly has a temporary attachment layer comprising granular ferromagnetic material in a polymeric binder sandwiched between the backing strip and the permanent attachment layer which is adapted to be attracted by magnets to temporarily hold the fastener assembly in position during a foaming process, and has a heat shrinkable film cover means overlaying the heads attached to the edges of the backing strip that will shrink transversely to expose the heads upon the application of heat below 125.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to an improvement for tying devices which can be secured to laces particularly on shoes for holding the shoelace knot in place. The device disclosed employs a mechanism for securing a portion of the device to the shoe and enabling the device to be reused for securing a knot in place each and every time the laces are tied. In the embodiment disclosed, the invention also incorporates elastic or semi-rigid means for engaging the shoelace knot from opposed sides to impede the knot from becoming untied while simultaneously exposing the knot for view and maintaining the normal appearance of the bow.

Abstract: A hooked fabric fastener tape has on one surface of a foundation structure a number of material engaging hooks which have been produced from and by cutting one of loops of synthetic resin threads woven into the foundation structure. One of the hooks is larger in height than the other hook so as to provide a large opening between the respective end portions thereof for easy reception of cooperating loops of mating looped fabric fastener tape. The hooks of different height are reliably engageable with any of the cooperating loops fanned apart on the looped fabric fastener tape.

Abstract: In combination, a support belt and a buckle having a frame with a pair of opposed forward and rearward transverse members, the latter being secured to one end of the belt. The other end of the belt is adapted to pass through the frame and has means thereon for engagement with the outside of the belt after such passage. The frame has a slidably, rotatable tubular member movable towards and away from the forward transverse member and the tubular member has a pair of opposed planar faces joined by a pair of opposed curved faces, said faces providing a pair of opposed, relatively sharp edges.

Abstract: An automobile seat belt includes a latch tongue fixed to one belt segment and having a latching aperture, and a latch housing fixed to the other belt segment, having a recess and opening at its distal end to receive the latch tongue. The tongue is automatically latched within the housing by insertion; and the tongue is released by depressing a release button through an opening in the top face of the latch housing. To render the seat belt child proof, one form of safety cover is a sleeve slipped over the latch housing, the sleeve having one end partially closed to pass the latch tongue and the sleeve having a limited access opening in one face to overlie the release button. The sleeve is retained in enclosing position on the housing by the latch tongue. The limited access opening may be a small opening only large enough to pass the tip of the ignition key to depress the release button and unfasten the belt.

Abstract: A system and method for forming flat temporary seams between two sections of synthetic turf are disclosed. The synthetic turf includes a synthetic turf material having a polymeric backing thereon. A strip of the polymeric backing is removed along a first edge of a first section of synthetic turf and a first web of mated surface fastener material is fastened to the underside of the synthetic turf material along that edge. A strip of synthetic turf material is removed from the polymeric backing along a second edge of a second section of synthetic turf and a thickness of polymeric backing substantially equal to two mated webs of mated surface fastener material is removed from the exposed lip of polymeric backing. A second web of mated surface fastener material is then fastened to the exposed lip of polymeric backing along the second edge. A flat temporary seam may then be formed by overlapping and mating the first and second web of mated surface fastener material.

Abstract: The method of making a foam plastic cushion or structural part with a plurality of fastening assemblies thereon comprising the steps of applying a moisture proof barrier sheet of plastic to a strip of porous backing material; applying a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive to the barrier sheet; applying a strip of hook or loop material having a backing to the adhesive coating extending laterally outward of the strip of backing material, barrier sheet and adhesive coating extending laterally outward of the strip of hook or loop material; bonding the backing of the strip of hook or loop material to the barrier sheet upon the strip of backing material; successively mounting upon a mold surface of a pair of mold bodies defining a mold cavity a plurality of spaced bonded backing and hook or loop assemblies, with the hook or loop material facing the mold surface; adhering peripheral portions of the strip of backing material and adhesive coating to the mold surface for sealing the fastening assemblies thereon; and

Abstract: An elevator cab is constructed of thin, somewhat semirigid skeleton. Panels, made of expanded core plastic, or honeycomb paper, are attached to the skeleton, thereby forming a very light and rigid cab. These panels are attached by means of releasable hook-like fasteners, thus permitting selective removal of the panels from the skeleton. Due to strategic location of the fasteners on the skeleton, the panels, when attached to the skeleton, create a rigid cab.

Abstract: In an elongate strip material which can be severed into lengths to form at least a part of a fastener. The strip material comprises a backing and a multiplicity of lengths of polymeric monofilament having cross sections defining a plurality of radially projecting lobes, each length including a central bight portion secured in the backing, and two stem portions extending from opposite ends of the bight portion and projecting away from the backing. Enlarged heads are formed by heat at the ends of the stem portions opposite the backings, and the heads include hook-like portions spaced from the stem portions and projecting along the stem portions toward the backing that result from heating the ends of the monofilaments because of their lobed cross sections.

Abstract: An elevator cab is constructed of a thin, somewhat semirigid skeleton. Expanded core plastic panels are attached to the skeleton, thereby forming a very light and rigid cab. These panels are attached by means of releasable hook-like fasteners, thus permitting selective removal of the panels from the skeleton. Due to strategic location of the fasteners on the skeleton, the panels, when attached to the skeleton, create a rigid cab.

Abstract: The invention concerns extruded sealing strips of a resilient material with a center core or reinforcement in the form of gripping means. Such sealing strips are typically used around automobile doors or door frames. The body of the sealing strip has at least a partial fabric covering which is of a light and economical structure. This material is coated with a vinyl plastisol which advantageously is microporous. The coated material is then embossed and finally adhesively bonded, with an adhesive based on saturated polyurethane, which is not reactive in solution. Flocking may be applied prior to or after the bonding to further improve the esthetic appearance of the assembly.

Abstract: A removable towel means for mounting on the belt, pants, or accessories worn by or in the possession of the user. The towel means includes a support member and a length of toweling which are quickly and easily attached to each other by manual pressure and separated from each other by manual pulling. The support member is made of solid material in the form of a clip and has a gripping means including a strip of fabric with projecting hooking elements affixed thereto. The length of toweling forms an integral pocket and has a receiving means including a strip of fabric with exposed loop elements affixed thereto for removably receiving the hook elements of the gripping means on the support member.

Abstract: A firearm sling keeper comprises a channel member which completely encloses a small segment of the doubled sling strap and is fixed to the stock of the arm by means of conventional sling swivels at the toe of the butt stock and toward the muzzle end of the stock forearm. The sling strap is free to move longitudinally through the channel member in response to a shift of the center of gravity of the slung firearm. The exterior surface of the channel member opposite to and facing the stock forearm has a large number of small plastic hooks, comprising one-half of a Velcro-type fastener. The mating eye portion of the Velcro-type fastener is located on a fabric and/or plastic patch which is detachably mounted to the user's garment by means of a lockable pin device or fastener secured firmly to, or incorporated into, the patch.

Abstract: A hanging rack device for hanging articles such as neck ties and belts having a base on which is disposed an attachment means such as the hooked material of a hook and burr-type fastener and one or more hanging means for holding said article which can be secured at any position on said attachment means by virtue of a pile material on the surface thereof which is cooperative with said hooked material thus allowing the articles to be hung in any convenient configuration desired.

Abstract: A device having special utility for holding medically-related conduits in a hospital setting is disclosed. The device comprises a generally flat, flexible pad having a gripper at one end thereof. The gripper is configured so as to selectively join the pad to a bedsheet, hospital gown or the like. A tape is disposed on the pad and extends across one surface thereof. The tape is configured such that the conduits can be secured between the tape and the pad. One surface of the tape is made of a material which selectively engages the surface of the pad such that the tape may be easily removed from and secured to the pad.

Abstract: A shoe having a variable opening and tongue utilizing an adjustable and flexible closure assembly which includes separable fastening members having coacting, flexible gripping elements, such as hook and loop Velcro type fastening means, a fastener strap, and an anchor means with an opening to engage the free end of the fastener strap permitting the wearer to easily adjust and secure the closure assembly to the precise tautness desired, using only one hand.

Abstract: A shoe having a heel restraint secured by an adjustable and flexible closure assembly utilizing separable fastening members having coacting, flexible gripping elements, such as hook and loop fastening means and operating separately from the fastening means to fasten the shoe. The closure assembly includes an anchor strap having an opening adapted to receive a fastener strap which makes it easy to adjust for and maintain the precise tension desired at the wearer's heel by providing a sturdy, adjustable heel restraint and stabilizer to independently control the tension on the heel section of the shoe.

Abstract: Disclosed is a monk style shoe having an adjustable and flexible closure assembly utilizing separable fastening members having separable fastening members having coacting, flexible gripping elements, such as hook and loop Velcro type fastening means, including a fastener strap attached to one side of the shoe and one of the shoe quarters on the opposite side of the shoe elongated and having an opening through which the fastener strap passes. This improvement permits the wearer, using only one hand, to easily pull the shoe uppers simultaneously to the precise desired tautness and fasten the shoe.

Abstract: Various attachments are disclosed employing hook and loop fasteners which are confined in a manner to permit engagement and disengagement only in a shear direction.

Abstract: A shoe having an adjustable and flexible closure assembly utilizing separable fastening members having coacting, flexible gripping elements, such as hook and loop Velcro type fastening means in combination with an elastic instep-gore or elastic side-gores. The closure assembly includes an anchor strap having an opening to engage a fastener strap permitting the wearer to easily pull the uppers of the shoe inwardly and simultaneously to the precise desired tautness and fasten the shoe, using only one hand.