Abstract: A trampoline includes a jumping mat, a supporting frame, and a plurality of levers. The supporting frame is located proximal a jumping periphery of the jumping mat. The plurality of levers circumextend the jumping periphery. Each of the plurality of levers includes a rigid element connected to the supporting frame. The rigid element includes a jump mat end and a frame end. The rigid element pivots about a fulcrum connected to and supported by the supporting frame. The jump mat end is connected to the jumping mat at a jumping mat connection located proximal the jumping periphery. A tensioner is connected between the lever at a tensioner attachment and the supporting frame. Each lever and tensioner is configured to apply tension to the jumping mat in the form of a force applied against the jumping periphery of the jumping mat in a direction away from the jumping mat.

Abstract: A bridle for a riding animal, particularly for a riding horse, includes at least one martingale, which is guided below the neck of the riding animal and is fastened on a girth. The fastening of the martingale takes place by way, of at least one pull-latch lock, which includes a lock body fixedly arranged on the girth and a tie rod, which can be removed from the same by way of the action of a transverse force and is in operative connection with the martingale. Falls due to the entanglement preferably of forelegs and martingales of the bridle can be prevented when using this bridle.

Abstract: A combination clip and hook (clip) for use generally in suspending articles, which is rotatably movable about a rotary joint between a first position in which two opposing, rotatably joined portions of the overall clip structure are oriented together to form a continuous, enclosed shape that can be secured around another, and a second position in which the two portions of the structure are rotated out of the enclosed shape, and into, for example, a S shaped hook where one portion of the structure supports the item and the other portion can be applied to another supporting member. The joint between the two portions can define a spring-loaded rotating pivot assembly with at least two indexing positions opposed by 180 degrees. The rotary joint can be constructed with a pair of confronting male and female wedge and detent inserts that are biased toward each other by an embedded spring assembly.

Abstract: A connecting/disconnecting mechanism able to connect and disconnect two units easily, as well as a composite apparatus having such a connecting/disconnecting mechanism, can be provided.

Abstract: A survival hook consisting of a pair of hooks rotationally attached to a plate which is itself provided with fastening means to retain the plate over clothing, typically over the forearm of a user. The plate can be of a strap-on type by way of fastening means or can be sown as part of the clothing or alternatively, it can be fixedly attached to the clothing by mechanical fastening means, adhesive means or combination thereof. The hands are always free and unencumbered and the moving elements are simple enough that it is unlikely that jamming through frost or packed snow or ice can occur and hinder proper operation of the invention. The pair of hooks are normally folded against the plate so as not show their pointy ends, and are folded out only when needed.

Abstract: A coupling device has a shackle, a hook connected to the shackle, and a safety clamp device surrounding the shackle. The safety clamp device has a central reinforced rib, a flap bar, a slot, a plurality of clamp teeth, and a flexible plate. The flexible plate has a curved portion and a guide recess. The flap bar is inserted in the slot of the safety clamp device.

Abstract: The present invention is used to fasten a cover around an external faucet. The cover protects the faucet. The cover is thermally insulated and has a cavity that is structured and arranged to receive the faucet. The cover has a wall, which wall has an opening therein. The wall has a first side and a second side, with the first side being located in the cavity. There is a coupler that has an anchor and a shank. The shank is received by the wall opening and extends out therefrom. The anchor is located inside of the cavity. The anchor is structured and arranged to be coupled to the faucet. There is a stop located on the shank at a position that is outside of the cavity. A spring is located on the shank so as to be interposed between the stop and the cover wall. The spring provides resiliency between the stop and the cover wall so as to allow the coupler to be pressed in towards the faucet without moving the stop.

Abstract: A multi-purpose restraining strap is operative both as a general purpose leash and a washing restraint for pets. The strap is made of a weather-proof and washable synthetic plastic web or cord having a releasable buckle at one end for forming a loop which may be noosed over the neck of the pet as a collar. A quick release latch hook is provided at the other end of the strap for securing the strap to another object or a support. A generally inverted V-shaped bracket is provided, which may be removably attached to the quick release latch hook and to the drain of a bath tub such that the strap may serve as a restraint to confine the pet within a bath tub for washing purposes.

Abstract: A decorating system enables decorative articles to be hung from high places with safety. The decorating system comprises a dual hook and an adapter. The dual hook has a ring, a first hook, and a second hook. The decorative article is held by the second hook. The adapter is attached to the end of a pole. The adapter has a finger that is insertable into the dual hook ring. A person manipulates the pole to locate the dual hook first hook over a selected support member. The dual hook is lowered slightly to rest the first hook thereof on the support member. Then the adapter finger is removed from the dual hook ring. To take down the decorative article, the adapter finger is reinserted into the dual hook ring, and the pole is manipulated to lift the dual hook off the support member and return the dual hook and decorative article to the ground.

Abstract: A leash is provided for securing tools to a relatively fixed member to ensure against free fall of the tools in the event that they are dropped by a workman. Spring clips at the ends of the leash have arms that interlock, and respectively are receivable within an aperture in a tool and in clamping engagement around the periphery of a pole, tool, or other member, in order to tether the tool to a member capable of retaining the tool in the event of free fall of the tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides a double ended key ring that includes a pair of key holders for retaining a set of keys. The key holders are movably connected to a central housing and are biased to retract into a pair of seats located at the ends of the housing to prevent the removal of the keys from the key holders. When the key holders are pulled away from the housing, the keys may then be removed from the key holders.The biasing mechanism for the key holders is located entirely within the housing. To this end the housing includes a central passageway that has a narrow bore, at one end, to preferably slidably receive a spring loaded lock pin that projects through the bore and is connected to one of the key holders. In order to permit the spring loaded lock pin and key holder to be assembled, the other end of the bore remains open until closed by a bushing. The bushing includes a tubular sidewall and an endwall having another narrow bore.

Abstract: An elastic reinforced tie-down strap includes a core of nonstretchable reinforcing filament formed in a series of closed loops, and a casing of resilient stretchable material encasing the core and having a plurality of spaced anchor holes defined therein through the centers of the respective closed loops. The strap is fabricated using a method which provides the casing in an elongated strip-like form with the filament core extending longitudinally through the casing. The strap together with several S-shaped anchor hooks having ends adapted to be inserted through the anchor holes of the strap provide a tie-down strapping device. The closed loops of the filament are tied together so as to provide tear resistance in the casing around the anchor holes.

Abstract: An elastic tie down comprises an elastic tube that carries a slack rope inside thereof. The tube is tightly crimped directly to the rope, so that pulling the rope ends stretches the tube and imparts elastic qualities to the tie down. In a modified embodiment, an annular insert is placed into the ends of the tube, and the rope passes through the insert. The tube and insert are clamped, causing the insert to collapse to grip the rope. The present invention also includes abutments crimped to the rope for cooperating with bushings placed within the tube ends. The bushings are split and have inwardly converging surfaces that terminate in grooves. Tension applied to the rope ends causes the abutments to contact the bushing converging surfaces and force the bushings apart and into a tight grip with the tube and with solid rings surrounding the tube over the respective bushings. The invention further includes split sleeves held in place in the tubing ends with wedges. A passage through the sleeves receives the rope.

Abstract: An elastic tie-down comprises as inelastic rope having enlargements thereon that are captured by an elastic sleeve. The elastic sleeve is shorter than the spacing between the rope enlargements. Pulling the rope ends causes the rope enlargements to bear against the sleeve ends and stretch the sleeve. The rope ends are provided with hooks. The length between the hooks is adjustable without affecting the elastic properties of the tie-down by a clip that slidably receives the standing end of one of the rope ends extending from the sleeve. The clip also secures the rope end, thereby creating an adjustable sized loop in the rope. A hook is slidably received over the rope in the loop. Sliding the clip along the rope standing end varies the size of the loop and thereby alters the length between the two hooks independently of the tension in the elastic sleeve.

Abstract: An elastic clamping apparatus utilizes an elongated rubber-like member, having a plurality of spaced apart notches disposed along the length of each opposed lateral surface. Imbedded within the length of the elastic member is a fabric-like reinforcement member which is not extensible from the tortuous path in which it occupies when the resilient elastic member is unstretched. When stretched, the reinforcement member and the elastic member both extend in length. The end of the elastic member are fitted with a plate having a hook-like end whose outer most surface is covered with a resilient rubber-like material.

Abstract: A snap shackle has a body formed on one side with an attachment such as a swivel eye and on the other side with a C-shaped arm having an outer end forming a pivot for a complementarily shaped pivotal arm whose free end in turn is engageable against the shackle body to form another eye. A latch constituted as a stirrup pivotal about an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the pivotal arm is mounted on the shackle body and has a bight that can engage in a holding position over the free end of the pivotal arm to hold it in a closed position. This arm can be springy in such a manner that it seeks the holding position, or can be biased by a spring into the holding position. A trip line attached to the stirrup can displace it into a freeing position in which it allows the pivotal arm to swing away from the body and open up the shackle.