Abstract: The present invention relates generally to first aid articles and more specifically tourniquets suitable for one handed application. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a tourniquet having a base defining first and second ends. A constricting band is attached to and extends from the first end of the base. A windlass handle is engaged with the constricting band. The constricting band is threaded through a self cinching stepped buckle. A buckle connector includes a hook member that engages the stepped buckle and is partly held in place through urging against a loop of the constriction band.

Abstract: A fixturing apparatus that includes a planar member having a first end, a second end, a front surface, and a rear surface, wherein the planar member is formed to include an aperture extending therethrough, a handle attached to the front surface adjacent the second end and extending outwardly therefrom, and a plurality of locking teeth disposed on the rear surface adjacent the second end.

Abstract: A sternal closure clamp device for securing and retaining longitudinally divided halves of a sternum, the device having four laterally extending engagement members that are positioned in inter-rib spaces on both sides of the sternum. The engagement members are connected to a centralized main body in a manner that allows the engagement members to be shortened or contracted such that the sternal halves may be pressed together and held in abutting relation. Each of the engagement members contracts in a direction non-perpendicular to the sternal incision, and the engagement members on a given side are non-parallel to each other such that device has a generally X-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A retractable leash assembly (10, 22, 30, 38) for tethered to the animal includes a flexible member for forming safety band (20, 26, 34, 39) wrapped around a user wrist and for forming a tethering element (22, 28, 36, 39) for tethered the safety band to a gripping handle (42) of a retractable leash housing (40). The flexible member comprises a round cord, rectangular strap or combination thereof. In addition a cord lock element (66) or adjustable loop (88) may be used to adjust the diameter of the safety band around a user wrist. In addition and adjustable length leash extension allows two animals to be tethered by different length leash extensions.

Abstract: An improved strap tensioner that allows a user to manually shorten the strap by applying greater tension on the strap and easily lengthening the strap after being tightened. The tensioner includes a tension lever, an intermediate member, and a brake lever all pivotally mounted on a rigid base. The tension lever and brake member are longitudinally aligned on opposite sides of the rigid base. Formed on the tension lever is a transversely aligned clamping flange that extends under the strap when longitudinally extended through the rigid base. Formed on the intermediate member and disposed above the clamping flange is a first cam surface that forms a slot for the strap to extend through. The brake lever includes a second cam surface that is spaced above the front flange member to form a second slot. During operation, the brake lever is rotated to press the second cam surface against the front flange member to temporarily hold the strap inside the rigid base.

Abstract: A buckle for receiving a strap member and for snap-fitting to a snap stud located on a helmet, the buckle including a metal member having opposite ends and opposite first and second substantially planar surfaces, with an aperture located between the ends and a slit on either side of the aperture, each of the slits including a plurality of rugous surfaces suitable for frictionally engaging a strap member positionable there through. A metal snap configured to be matingly engagable with the snap stud of the helmet is affixed adjacent to the first surface of the metal member by a fastener connectingly associated with the metal snap and the aperture of the metal member. A plastic material substantially encases the metal member except that at least a portion of the rugous surfaces and a portion of the first surface of the metal member adjacent the metal snap are not encased by the plastic material and remain exposed.

Abstract: A bakery dough flour applicator 10 for applying flour 12 to a dough piece 22 as the dough piece 22 travels along a processing path 134 includes a hopper 32 for supplying flour 12 and a transfer assembly 54 for providing flour 12 from the hopper 32 to an aerator 34 which creates an airborne flow of flour 40. The airborne flow of flour 40 is delivered to the interior of an enclosure 130 disposed about the dough processing path 134 through a plurality of spray nozzles 44 which direct the airborne flow of flour 40 to a dough piece 22 travelling through the enclosure 130 along the processing path 134 so that flour 12 from the airborne flow 40 adheres to the exterior surface of the dough piece 22. Flour 12 that does not adhere to a dough piece 22 is collected and filtered and provided back to the hopper 32 for later use.

Abstract: A buckle for securement of one or more belts or webbings is shown, the buckle including a mount having first and second independently operable belt or webbing clamping members pivotably mounted thereon along a common axis over a belt receiving path defined across the mount.

Abstract: A belt buckle includes: a main plate having a bracket for passing a belt through the bracket, and a fastening member pivotally secured on the bracket of the main plate and having a clamping arm portion cut with a secant notch on the clamping arm portion for deeply engaging a free end portion of the belt with the secant notch on the clamping arm portion for firmly fastening the belt on the main plate, whereby due to the forming of the secant notch on the clamping arm portion, the thickness of the buckle may become thinner and slim for enhancing esthetic or ornamental effect of the buckle.

Abstract: A strap locking device for binding freight, or goods loaded on a truck is provided. The locking device includes a plurality of strap length adjustment devices, or strap adjustment devices mixed with a simple strap hanger. Straps of adjustable length are combined with each strap adjustment device to be clamped and thereby stably bind freight loaded on a truck. A hook is secured to a distal end of each strap for engagement with a respective hook of the truck.

Abstract: A strap locking device is provided. The strap locking device includes a strap locker having a plate body with a plurality outward projecting ends spaced apart and extending in different directions. Each of the outward projecting ends is formed with a buckle for locking a strap of adjustable length. Each strap has its outer end bound to a hook for engagement with a hook of a truck or other support for freight. A strap stopper may be substituted for the buckle, the strap stopper having both ends formed flat to loosely fit within two slots provided in two opposing side walls formed in the plural ends of the plate body. The strap stopper has a round intermediate portion to clamp a strap and make it immovable when the strap is pulled taut. One of the ends of the plate body may be provided with only a strap slot for coupling to a strap of predetermined length.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the length of a band or the like which comprises a first and a second component member. The first component member comprises an annular body having a passage of substantially rectangular cross section for a portion of the band to be passed through and a bearing slot or recess formed in the bottom wall of the body. The second component member comprises a plate having an upstanding end portion the upper edge of which is preferably serrated and a depending tongue adjacent to the end portion thereof. When the first and second component members are connected, the tongue of the second component member engages the bearing slot or recess of the first component member to securely fasten said portion of the band between the upper edge of the upstanding end portion of the second component member and the inner surface of the top wall of the first component member.

Abstract: A fastening device is structured so that one half thereof is symmetrical with the other and includes a casing, with a pair of inwardly folded portions, and a pair of symmetrical block-members, each having a bar-member and accommodated within the casing such that one end of each block-member is respectively outwardly biased toward the lateral open ends of the casing. Respective end portions of strings or the like are wound around the respective bar-member and respectively abut the respective folded portions as long as the respective ends of the block-members remain outwardly biased and are not pushed inwardly by a user.

Abstract: A coil toop type cable tie of one-piece molded plastic construction having a flexible strap and a fastening head at one end thereof. The fastening has a passageway running parallel to the strap and a hinged pawl extending into the passageway and having at least one tooth adapted to mesh with ratchet teeth on one side of the strap. The hinged pawl is connected to the fastening head by hinge which defines the closed end of a notch separating the hinged pawl from the rest of the fastening head. The notch opens onto a surface of the hinged pawl opposite to the surface on which its tooth or teeth are formed and preferably angles from its closed end to its open end generally toward the strap.