Abstract: A knot removal device for removing knots. The knot removal device includes a plate. The plate has a facing side, a back side, a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of side edges. A rod is elongate and has a first end and a second end. The first end is integrally coupled to the top edge such that the rod extends upwardly away from the top edge. The rod has a bend therein. The bend is positioned nearer the second end such that the second end defines a hook portion.

Abstract: A unit is mounted directly on a tank of pressurized gas used to inflate a balloon and includes a supporting bracket having ribbon-accommodating holes defined through one end thereof and a support section on the other end. A ribbon supporting spool is rotatably mounted on the support section and ribbon drawn off the spool is threaded through the ribbon-accommodating holes to be captured in a knot formed in the neck of the balloon after that neck has been drawn around the supporting bracket and formed into a knot. A method of forming a knot in the balloon and capturing the ribbon therein is also disclosed.

Abstract: A soft connector link is disclosed for connecting a first item to a second item such as canopy suspension lines to a canopy riser. In a first embodiment, the soft link preferably includes a flexible body member having a first looped end and a second looped end. A tab member is preferably attached or secured to the second looped end. The soft link is preferably constructed from a rope-like material such as high strength fiber. In an alternative embodiment, the second end of the body member is tabbed or lumped, as opposed to being looped. Two attachment methods for using the soft link as a connector are also disclosed and illustrated.

Abstract: An automatic weaving process for the manufacture of rope hammock beds in which a bobbin of rope passes through loops of rope from the same bobbin resulting in a traditional weave (FIG. 1) from one continuous rope. The process and machine create a woven, open mesh pattern of rope or like materials for forming articles, such as hammocks. The means comprise a frame having a plural set of opposed reciprocal rods, each having a pulley-shaped or like structure mounted on their opposing ends. The frame also supports a means for attaching one end of the rope, and a set ofpulleys to each side centrally, but laterally movable to the rods.

Abstract: A method of applying a knotted lacing cord or yarn to an elongated bundle of electrical wires comprises the steps of forming a set of loosely knotted adjacent loops of larger diameter than the bundle from a continuous length of a lacing cord, passing the plurality of loops over a free end of the bundle, securing the first loop at an adjacent said free end by knotting or otherwise clamping it thereto followed by pulling on the free opposite end of the lacing cord to progressively tighten successive loops about the bundle, at spaced intervals along the length of the latter.

Abstract: An apparatus for high speed attachment of a cord to a piece of receiving material is characterized by one or more pins which engage the cord, pierce the receiving material and draw the cord through the receiving material from the first side to a second side thereof so that open loops are formed in the cord on the second side of the receiving material. The pins may be implemented as a push pin and spreader pin pairs movably mounted relative to each other and each of which are adapted to grasp the cord and penetrate the receiving material. The loop(s) are formed as the push pin and spreader pin move relative to each other. The apparatus further comprises a floating shuttle, not attached to the frame of the apparatus but supported by a series of gear assemblies. The pins move relative to the shuttle in a single direction causing the shuttle to engage an end portion of the cord, drawing the cord through the open loops so as to complete the lacing stitch of the cord through the receiving material.

Abstract: An apparatus for practicing knot tying (20) includes a base (22) to which is attached an inverted U-shaped member (24). A chain (44) is connected between the arms (40, 42) of the U-shaped member. A user then uses a rope (46) to practice tying knots about the U-shaped member and the chain. The chain can also be used to affix a rope for practicing the tying of bends. Knot-tying instruction cards (48) assist in the practice process.