Abstract: A shoelace and closure mechanism for lacing a shoe which includes a shoelace featuring a number of closure members near its ends. The outer directed portion of each of the closure members is connected to the lace while the other end is free of the shoelace. The shoe is equipped with a lace retaining member which is formed with a cutout dimensioned to allow passage an end of the shoelace when the shoelace is moved in one direction while causing one of the closure members to open and engage the cutout and thereby immobilize the shoelace when an attempt is made to move the shoelace in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A teaching aid to assist in teaching a young child or other person how to tie his or her own shoelaces by correlating the various steps of the shoelace-tying process to a story or other logical sequence of events that the child is familiar with or can quickly learn so that an adult can readily explain the steps of the process to the child and the child can more easily understand, learn and remember the process. A teaching aid according to the present invention is a special shoelace having distinguishable segments provided thereon which are arranged in a predetermined pattern and at predetermined positions on the shoelace so as to provide a guide for describing the manner in which the shoelace is to be manipulated during the tying process.

Abstract: A slip resistant shoe lace and a method to make same. A slip resistant shoe lace is provided by weaving strands having a conventional frictional coefficient with at least one strand having a higher frictional coefficiency, where the high-friction strands do not extend beyond the outer perimeter of the lace. The high-friction strands can be made by impregnating conventional strands with friction-enhancing substances such as resin or rubber, by using a unitary strand made of material such as rubber or soft plastic, or by using strands with grooves or serrations formed on its outside surface.

Abstract: A stair relief device is positioned around connecting plugs, splice or the like to relieve the contained plugs, splice or the like from any tension which is in the cord. It consists of a rigid hollow cylinder having two rigid circular flanges, extending outwardly at opposite ends of the cylinder. Each of these flanges has positioned therein two slots of appropriate size and shape to permit an electrical cord to pass through the slot. On each flange the two slots are positioned one hundred and eighty degrees (180.degree.) around the flange from each other. The slots in each flange are aligned directly opposite the slots in the other flange. The section of the cord to be protected is positioned within the cylindrical portion of the device. The cord at either end of the device is then positioned back through the slots in the flanges and turned at least one hundred and eighty degrees (180.degree.

Abstract: A securing apparatus for extending between a pair of generally opposing eyelets on a shoe, and a method of use thereof. The resilient member has a fixed gripping member attached to one end and an adjustable gripping apparatus engaged at some point along its length. The fixed gripping member has a terminal end which is permanently attached to the resilient member and a free end. The adjustable gripping mechanism is releasably engaged with the resilient member along the length thereof, whereby adjusting the position of the adjustable gripping mechanism relative to the fixed gripping member alters the operative length of the adjustable securing apparatus.

Abstract: A tensioning device is provided for applying a tensioning force on a cable or rope used to secure a load by fixing its free end to an anchoring device. The device includes a pair of outwardly-protruding horn-like projections interconnected by a generally serpentine body, with one of the horns having friction-enhancing capabilities to prevent slippage of the cable or rope thereon, while the other horn functions similar to a pulley or block to provide a mechanical advantage in combination with the anchoring device.

Abstract: A closure mechanism for use in securing the ends as well as other portions of a pair of interlocking straps, laces, filaments and the like is disclosed. In one embodiment, the closure mechanism is in the form of a generally cylindrical enclosure having a cross-sectional shape which includes flat upper and lower surfaces with semi-circular ends. The closure mechanism may be used to secure a pair of thin planar, elongated strips, each of which has a plurality of ribs positioned transversely along the length thereof. Each of such ribs has a planar side face positioned at an angle of about 45 to 75 degrees relative to the plane of the upper surface of the planar strip to which it is attached. For optimal ease of engagement of the ribs of one strip with those of a second strip, the rear top surfaces of the ribs should be rounded or slightly relieved. The closure device of the present invention provides a high strength mechanism having a quick release feature for easy disengagement of the interlocking members.

Abstract: A tool for tensioning a fence wire winds the fence wire around a barb-like article that remains in the fence after the tool has been removed. The barb-like article includes a first piece of wire that is substantially rigid and that extends parallel to but spaced from the fence wire, and further includes a second piece of wire that is joined to the first piece of wire and that has a U-shaped central portion that partially encircles the first piece of wire at its center and is bonded to it, the legs of the U-shaped central portion straddling the fence wire so that as the article is rotated by use of the tensioning tool, the fence wire is wound around the legs. One of the legs terminates in a crook which the user engages to the fence wire to prevent it from unwinding from the article, which thereby becomes a permanent part of the fence.

Abstract: A flexible strand holder is formed by an elongated base having a pair of arms projecting laterally from respective end portions of the base. Cooperating arms of each pair of arms project laterally from the base in diverging relation such that a flexible strand wound around the cooperating arms at each side of the base, normally retain the strand thereon when the base is disposed in an upright position, but which allows the strand to unwind by gravity when the base is supported with its longitudinal axis horizontal. When the flexible strand unwinds from the arms at one side of the base the unwinding action continues when the holder is angularly rotated 180.degree. about its longitudinal axis in a direction releasing the cross-over winding of the strand from one side of the holder to the other.

Abstract: A releasable fabric joining apparatus is disclosed, comprising a first piece of material which includes a planar body substrate and a planar loop substrate which has a first loop substrate secured coplanar with the planar body substrate. The planar loop substrate also includes a second loop substrate surface formed of woven fabric having plural loops of thread. A second piece of material forms another part of the apparatus, and has at least one surface with a grip face provided with plural, outwardly-extending filamentary hooks releasably received by the plural loops of thread. In a preferred embodiment, the first piece of material is woven fabric, and the second piece of material is loop-type Velcro. The present invention may be used in many different embodiments, such as in a non-slip shoelace, baby bib, and in other applications wherein a need exists to releasably secure to pieces of fabric while ensuring that the joined pieces have high resistance to shear stress.

Abstract: A cord retaining device is used for retaining at least one cord of an appliance therein to shorten lateral length. The cord retaining device comprises an elongated body shaped in a spiral form, and at least one groove formed in the elongated body. At least one cord of an appliance is situated and retained in the groove.

Abstract: This rope tightener is supported by or is engageable with a rope, line cord, or the like before it is manually tensioned and thereafter manipulated to draw the rope taut. The rope is stressed by threading the rope through a rectangular shaped loop in the device and then rotating the device in a plane parallel to the rope to twist the rope around a central body portion of the rectangular shaped loop in the device. After the first rotation of the device, the rope begins to wrap around itself. This lengthens the path of the rope and applies tension to the rope. The device is secured against reverse rotation by placing a reach of the rope under a reverse hook on the other end of the device. The device is a simple, one piece, rigid element, which is capable of giving a huge mechanical advantage in applying tension to a rope, line, cord or the like.

Abstract: Wire tightening apparatus includes a pair of pins extending outwardly from a base and a pair of hook lock elements at the outer ends of the pins for locking the wire after it is tightened.

Abstract: A cord winder for reducing cord length and for cord storage includes a body (1) having at each end thereof a cord receiving well (2) (3), and two spring hooks (4) (5). Two holes (6) (7) in the body in proximity to one of the wells are dimensioned to receive the cord when the winder is used to effectively shorten the length of one end of the cord thereof. Among the applications of the invention are putting curtain cords out of children's reach, storing halyards on boats and for winding electric extension cords.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for stretching wire. The apparatus comprises a pair of elongated handles attached to a connecting element. A cylindrical member having an open-sided slot therein is secured to the connecting element. In operation, the wire to be stretched is placed in the slot in the cylindrical member and the cylindrical member is placed with its outer peripheral surface against a side of the fence post remote from a preceding fence post. The operator of the tool then rotates the handles in a manner rotating the cylindrical member about its longitudinal axis to stretch and wrap the wire about the cylindrical member. At the same time, the cylindrical member "rides" upwardly or downwardly along the fence post against which it is placed. In this way, a single operator can both stretch the wire and attach the wire to the fence post.

Abstract: A line tightener wherein is provided a shank about which line can be wound for taking up, a transverse extension on one end of the shank, and a receiver on the distal end of the extension for receiving a region of the line spaced from the wound portion to resist unwinding of the line.

Abstract: A hook-like tool for opening and closing the clamps on ski boots, overshoes and the like, providing leverage which is not otherwise obtainable when using the fingers. The device includes a handle member and an elongated member, the principal axis of which extends at a substantial angle relative to that of the handle member and is of a length corresponding to that of an engaged clasp.

Abstract: This invention relates broadly to an apparatus for shortening wires, cables and the like without requiring the disconnection of such wires and cutting off the ends thereof to achieve the shortening. The apparatus consists generally of a sheet metal or the like shortening device which has a degree of flexibility therein by means of which the shortening function is accomplished. The wire or the like to be shortened is affixed to lugs or the like which are struck from the edge of one portion of the device and from this portion extends a tail which is bent towards the aforesaid portion and the wire is affixed to the bend which is made in this tail portion. The amount of shortening of the wire is determined by the place where the tail is bent.

Abstract: Interchangable line tensioning by bending or folding of a pre-strung line as well as a line having an accessible working end is taught by the method of this invention which advantageously uses apparatus embodied in a non-captive, unitary, passive line tensioning apparatus to shorten line by selectively engaging the line with three engaging members in a spaced-apart triangular array. The three engaging members are selected from a plurality of spaced-apart, selectively-engagable engaging members so as to provide a desired amount of tensioning when the engaged line forms a releasable sigmoid bend secured against accidental detensioning. A removably-captive embodiment of the line tensioner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wire tightening device particularly for use with barbed wire fences, with a link formed from a cylindrical rod and having one end portion bent at substantially 60.degree. relative to the main body portion and another end portion bent substantially 90.degree. relative to the main body portion and substantially 90.degree. counter clockwise from the plane containing the bend of the first end portion and also having a further bend of 20.degree. in this end portion in the same plane as and 90.degree. clockwise to, the 90.degree.

Abstract: A portable, releasable tie-down device and method for quickly and easily applying tension to a flexible elongated member such as a belt, strap, cable, rope or the like when the ends thereof are either free or tied down. The device enables an elongated member to be tensioned without the necessity of releasing the tied-down ends. Either the end portions of one or more flexible elongated members or a midportion of a single elongated member are wrapped into overlapping relationship, thereby tensioning the flexible elongated member. The flexible elongated member may be maintained under tension until it is desired to relieve such tension. Subsequently, the flexible elongated member may be quickly and easily relieved of tension and the device may be totally removed from engagement with the flexible elongated member.