Abstract: In one embodiment, a variable width twine disc assembly, comprising: a fixed assembly comprising a first disc (24) having notches spaced along a periphery of the first disc (24) and a shaft (28); and a second disc (22) having notches spaced along a periphery of the second disc (22) and configured to be moveably adjusted along the shaft (28).

Abstract: A knot tying device is provided. The knot typing device includes a support with a gripper element with one end of the gripper element rotatably connected to the support, and the other end capable of being pressed on and released from the support; a gripper mechanism to grip a free end of a strand of material and carry the strand of material to wrap around the support capable of rising and falling; and a stripping mechanism to separate the strand of material wrapped around the support from the support to form a knot.

Abstract: The invention is related in general to tools and accessories that help to tie knots for fishing. Specifically, the present invention provides a knot-tying device having a body, a controller, left and right terminal wheels that can securely hold fishing line, one or more clips, left and right apertures, and means for transferring rotational energy from the controller to the terminal wheels so that the terminal wheels rotate in a synchronized fashion when the controller is rotated. The device is capable of entwining line and thereby aids in the knot-forming process.

Abstract: An apparatus for tying inflated balloons having a wrapping member and a threading member. The threading member is configured to insert into a slot in the wrapping member. The apparatus is configured to aid in tying an inflated balloon by wrapping a neck of the inflated balloon around the wrapping member, securing a mouth of the inflated balloon in a gripping portion of the threading member, and removing the threaded member from the wrapping member to pull the mouth of the inflated balloon through the wrapped neck of the balloon. This results in an inflated balloon having a knot tied in the neck thereof.

Abstract: A knot tier and method for advancing, tightening and locking a sliding knot.

Abstract: An improved animal barrier material and an improved fastening system to simplify its knotting process are disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of multi-stranded metallic cables are joined together using parallel overhand knots. A pair of metallic cables may be taken together to form substantially adjacent portions which then form a loop. The pair of metallic cables passes around a portion of the loop and through the loop to form a overhand know. Such a knot minimizes stress and fatigue on the netting and makes the netting nearly invisible to the naked eye at a distance of more than a few feet.

Abstract: A method of fastening a line to an object to form a continually adjustable nonreturn knot to adjust the length and tension of the line. The line is passed from one side of an object to another through one or more holes in the object and one portion is tucked under another portion of itself, creating a nip, to pinch the one portion against a surface of the object. The friction added by the nip is sufficient to prevent the line from being pulled through the knot in one direction but is insufficient to prevent it from being pulled through in the opposite direction. In variations of the embodiments of the knot, a release line is also attached to the line proximate the nip to relieve the friction added by the nip sufficiently to allow the line to be pulled through the knot in either direction.

Abstract: A shoelace tying system, for use with shoelaces in sneakers or shoes having lace holes, including a pair of top lace holes. A first lace end and a second lace end extend from the top lace holes. The first lace end and second lace end are tied into a simple knot or a double simple knot. The first lace end and second lace end are then tied into a bow knot, forming a first loop and a second loop from the first lace end and second lace end, respectively. The first loop and second lace end are wrapped around the bow knot and pulled between the bow knot and simple knot. The first loop and second loop are grasped, and pulled tightly opposite each other to form a double bow knot. To untie the double bow knot, the first lace end and second lace end are grasped and pulled opposite each other.

Abstract: A partially tied surgical knot is disclosed. It has a proximal loop, first loop, plurality of knot loops, and a core loop received in a common loop core formed by the knot loops. The partially tied knot can be readily converted into a non-slip knot to provide enhanced suture knot security. The technique for deployment ensures the user that the conversion will be performed consistently each time, therefore providing a consistent knot security for multiple applications. Also disclosed is an assembly which features the partially tied knot in combination with a core tube to facilitate the conversion of the partially tied knot into the fully tied knot.

Abstract: A method of tying neckties is presented whereby users can avoid the common frustration of repeated tying to achieve the desired lengths of the two ends of the tie to ultimately position the tie at a desired distance from neck down. The method includes tying the tie initially to the wearer's satisfaction, then marking the desired lengths, first on the wide end by removing the wide end from the knot while holding the narrow end in place against the wearer's neck, and then on the narrow end after retying by reinserting the wide end through the knot. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes markers made of commercially available flexible double-sided adhesive to hold the two ends of the tie together thereby providing the additional benefit of preventing flapping.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for forming a fully tied knot to fasten bodily tissue is disclosed. The instrument has a handle assembly for actuating first and second actuators. The first actuator remotely effects movement of a grasping jaw from an open position to a closed position relative to a suture cartridge contained in a cartridge carrier at the distal end of the instrument. Accordingly, the first actuator is capable of causing the manipulation of bodily tissue or suture filament contained in the suture cartridge. The second actuator is operatively connected to the suture filament in the suture cartridge. A portion of the suture filament is configured into a partially tied knot, and when the second actuator is actuated, it causes the proximal end of the filament to be pulled for converting the partially tied knot into a fully formed knot.

Abstract: An improved animal barrier material and an improved fastening system to simplify its knotting process are disclosed. The animal barrier material comprises a see-through cable netting characterized by strong and secure knots. An improved fastening system may be employed to simplify knotting and produce superior cable connections. The improved fastening system requires only a single spool of cable to form grids for netting; its simplified knotting process does not require passing a spool of cable through any previously-tied portion of the net. The resulting cable netting provides a superior see-through netting for simultaneous containment and visual enjoyment of zoo animals.

Abstract: An improved method of forming a non-slip surgical knot for fastening tissue, and the knot prepared by the improved method, are disclosed. A partially tied knot which has a first loop and knot loops formed about the first loop to create a common loop core receiving the first loop is initially provided. The distal end of the suture filament from which the partially tied knot is made is passed through the tissue, and it is then fed through the first loop to form a tissue-fastening loop. The improvement involves pulling the first loop and a portion of the suture filament through the common loop core, thus eliminating the first loop and forming a distal loop positioned adjacent the common loop core. When this improved method is used to form the non-slip knot, a knot with a consistently high knot security can be formed without the need to provide a tension on the suture filament which exceeds the breaking strength of the suture.

Abstract: A necktie knot forming device is provided. The knot forming device is temporarily attached to the tie prior to forming the knot and retains the tie and the device in position during the knot formation process. Once the knot is substantially completely formed, the device is then removed from the tie and a neat, consistent, four-in-hand knot remains in the tie.

Abstract: A quick-release mechanical knot device for use in securing objects together having a novel means for quickly and safely releasing the mechanical knot device from the body of a rope or tether regardless of the amount of tension or load strain acting on the rope. The device comprises a semi-rigid elongated stock member having at least two circular orifices formed at opposing ends of a curvilinear intermediate portion. The first and second orifices are substantially perpendicular to the linear length of the stock member and formed with a substantially parallel and concentric axis to one another. A leading end of a rope is inserted through the first and second circular orifices of the stock member and wrapped around a stationary or movable object to form a hitch. The leading end of the rope is then placed between the curvilinear intermediate portion of the stock member and the portion of the rope passing between the first and second orifices to form a capture for the portion of the rope therebetween.

Abstract: A knot formed by providing a bight in a strand, then forming a lark's head in the bight so as to produce a pair of adjacent loops and a pair of free ends extending from the loops, then passing the free ends around the object and passing them through both said loops in series, and then tying at least one overhand hitch in the free ends to resist any forces tending to pull the free ends back through the loops.The knot is useful in orthopedic surgical procedures.

Abstract: A surgical, orthopaedic cable attachment apparatus and method for the surgical repair or fusion of orthopaedic anatomical structures is constructed from a length of flexible cable formed of a braided polymeric material having a first and second end portion. A first loop is formed in the first end portion of the cable with a second loop is formed, being placed around or through the bone parts to be tied. After the second loop is place around the selected bone parts, the free cable end is passed through the first loop and pulled tight to define a tightened position. The free cable end can have a needle. The free end is then secured to the cable by splicing for example, to hold the cable in the tightened position.

Abstract: The disclosure contemplates a method for using an endoscopic suturing apparatus to conveniently place various knots in suture such as a square knot, a modified fisherman's knot, a securing knot, an alternative square knot and a surgeon's knot. The knots are formed variously by placing the suture between the jaws or around one jaw and passing the needle from one jaw to the other to be able to draw the suture through loops formed in the suture.

Abstract: A pre-tied suturing knot for use with a surgical needle for endoscopic procedures and the method for making and using the pre-tied knot for tying the suture in situ. The pre-tied knot is tied from suturing thread and surrounds the shaft of a needle holder or grasper. A needle holder is placed on the U-shaped loop and the U-shaped loop or bight is pulled back upon itself to create a first loop, a second loop and two loopholes. The distal end of the suture thread is threaded over the proximal end and through the loopholes creating the nascent knot. The pre-tied knot is utilized after the tissue has been pierced with the needle. Thereafter, the needle holder is withdrawn from the suturing site, thereby pulling the suture thread against and through the tissue edges and moving the pre-tied knot along the shaft of the needle holder over the clamp and into position near the suturing site.

Abstract: A tonneau cargo net is fabricated of a single length of a low-friction rope formed into a knitted type of array having a substantially rectangular perimeter. The net consists of a multitude of non-jamming interlaced junctures having substantially the configuration of an overhand knot. The junctures are spaced apart by intervening portions of the rope and aligned in a series of parallel rows. The junctures in adjacent rows are staggered such that the adjacent junctures of three successive rows are disposed in a diamond-shaped locus.

Abstract: A method of attaching a line to a hooked item such as a fishing hook, plug, gig, lure or spoon. Each hooked item includes an elongated shank and an open-ended slot disposed contiguous with one end of the shank. Formed when the material from which the shank is fabricated is bent back upon itself, the slot is tapered, having a slight divergence toward the open end of the slot. For a particular slot, a line having a transverse cross-section with a radius approximately equal to the radius of curvature of the closed end of the slot is employed; but because of the tapered slot, each slot size can be used with a wide range of line sizes. To attach the line to the hooked item, one simply places an end of the line through the slot, runs a portion of the line past the slot along the shank, wraps the line extending beyond this portion around it and the shank, and finally pulls the free end of the line into the slot and towards the closed end thereof of the slot.

Abstract: The combination of a shock cord including a shock cord loop at an end thereof, a serving tightly disposed about the shock cord immediately adjacent to the shock cord loop, and a binding tightly disposed about the serving and connected to the serving and shock cord.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel use of the capstan knot as a suture knot in surgical procedures along with a simplified method for such knot's formation, an apparatus for forming a protoknot of the capstan knot, and a pre-formed suture system which provides a capstan knot protoknot mounted on a knot tightener having a channel passing therethrough. The protoknot, once formed, is transformed into a completed capstan knot by straight-line passage of the standing part of the filament, to which a surgical needle is initially attached, through a defined path through the protoknot after passage of the filament through the patient's tissue.

Abstract: A suturing device includes a shaft with a pair of axial passages extending through the shaft. A length of suture passes through the first axial passage, the suture having a surgical needle attached to its distal end, and a preformed knotted loop disposed at a distal end of the first axial passage. The second axial passage includes a gaseous seal and is configured to receive a surgical instrument for manipulating tissue to facilitate application of the suture. In the method of the invention, the suturing device is inserted through a cannula and a surgical instrument is introduced through the second axial passage. Tissue is manipulated using the surgical instrument to facilitate application of the suture. A needle holder introduced through a separate cannula is used to pass the needle through the wound and through the knotted loop. Tension is then applied to the suture to close the knot and bind the wound.

Abstract: A suture applier comprises a shaft having proximal and distal ends and carrying a length of suture along its axis. The suture has a surgical needle at its distal end and a knotted loop formed proximally of the needle. The knotted loop is carried at the distal end of the shaft, and a slidable handle is provided at the proximal end for applying axial tension on the suture. In this way, the needle may be used to suture a wound in tissue and may be tied by passing the needle through the knotted loop and closing the loop by pulling on the slidable handle.

Abstract: The problem of providing a medical face mask 10 that may be quickly, easily, securely and adjustably mounted to the head of a wearer 72 is solved in a medical face mask 10 of the type having a panel 12 for covering the nose and the mouth of a wearer 72 and at least one complimentary pair of spaced apart straps 30 and 32 attached to the panel 12 and extending therefrom by the straps 30 and 32 being joined by a slidable fastener 54 forming a loop 62 comprising the straps 30 and 32 and the top 16 of the panel 12, the slidable fastener 54 holding the straps 30 and 32 in a loop 62 of desired length until the slidable fastener 54 is forcibly slidably adjusted to increase or decrease the size of the loop 62.

Abstract: An adornment ribbon bow is held or arrested at a bunch point of the looped or bowed ribbon by a three element, resilient tie that is both decorative and functional. The resilient tie is made from a length of non-resilient ribbon in which is tied a collapse resistant, pyramid shaped knot. The collapse resistance in the knot is translated into a resilience in the tie. The pyramid shape and internal structure of the knot generates a resistance to a collapsing force applied to the knot while the pyramid shape of the knot becomes a decorative part of the adornment ribbon bow.

Abstract: A method of binding material with a knot including: drawing a continuous lace of binding material around the material to be bound so that two separate draw points are formed, tying the continuous lace of material initially in a half-knot with two equal subloops for bringing the two draw points together, additionally tying a double-loop bow-knot in the continuous lace of material wherein the midpoint of the continuous lace of material is located substantially in the center portion of the knot and the acme of each box loop is comprised substantially of the first and third quarter points of the original continuous loop.

Abstract: A slip knot wrist strap attachment for an item of equipment, such as a sport racquet, is fabricated from a single piece of tubular braid. One end of the braid is inserted through the core of the tubular braid from an insertion point thereof and fed through the inside of the tube to the other end of the tube to form an inner tube, an outer tube and a holding loop. The ends of the inner tube and outer tube are inserted through the formed holding loop and the outer tube is slid over the inner tube to close the holding loop, thereby forming a sliding loop from the insertion point. The sliding loop may fit around the wrist of the equipment user and the remote end may be tied to the item of equipment during use of the equipment.

Abstract: A device for knotting a tie comprising a C-shaped rotary member (18) for driving the tie and forming a turn or loop therein, together with a rod movable relative to said C-shaped rotary member that includes a clamp or hook at the end thereof.

Abstract: A knot or bend for use with single or multiple lengths of material and comprising an overhand knot entwined with a crossing knot. The resulting knot or bend is decorative and capable of being tied in a variety of different ways. The knot or bend has great security, but easily may be loosened and untied when desired.

Abstract: For sequentially dispensing individual closed loops of a narrow, easily tied, flexible material, such as dental floss, a chain having such closed loops as respective links thereof is made up by pressing a loop length of the flexible material into substantially rectilinear formation, loosely forming a knot in an end thereof, inserting a loop end of another so-pressed loop length into the loosely formed knot of the first loop length, tightening the knot to provide a slip-free-until-pulled-to-separate-loops joinder between the thus formed loop links and repeating this with additional loop lengths at either or both ends of the first-joined loop length until a chain of desired length is formed. Individual loop links are dispensed by grasping a terminal loop link of the chain and pulling it free of the chain while holding the knot that embraces the unknotted end of the next loop link of the chain.

Abstract: A lifting sling has end fittings for attachment to an invalid lifting device. The sling is of filled tubular form and comprises an outer sleeve of generally circular cross-section and a resilient filling, the resilience of which tends to maintain the normal cross-sectional shape of the sleeve. End tails extend from the fittings for attachment to the lifting device, and the sleeve is a woven tubular fabric of synthetic textile material.

Abstract: A mesh structure comprises intersecting elongate members with each node at which they intersect being on the boundaries of four apertures in the mesh structure. One of said members has a locus which first defines the boundary between a first of said apertures and a second of said apertures, then transits said node and defines the boundary between a third of said apertures and the fourth of said apertures. The other of said members has a locus which first defines the boundary between said second and said third apertures, then transits said node and defines the boundary between said fourth and said first apertures. Said loci or said one member and said other member while transiting said node have such configurations that said members are knotted together.

Abstract: A fishing line comprising a core line and a tubular outer line formed of synthetic fibers and sheathing the core line, the core line being withdrawable from the outer line. A conventional fishing line can be firmly connected to a leader with the outer line by withdrawing the core line from the outer line, then inserting one end of the fishing line and one of the leader into opposite ends of the outer line and tying each of the laps of the outer line over the fishing line and the leader into a single knot. The tied portions are as high as at least 90% in tensile strength ratio.

Abstract: A pre-tied bow having an outer loop which can be adjusted to fit around a package and the method for making the same. The bow is made from a single piece of flexible material and comprises (1) a bow portion having right and left bow loops, a center knot, an adjustable tail, and a stationary tail and (2) an adjustable loop portion. The method of fabricating the bow comprises (1) tying the bow portion, (2) bringing the adjustable tail into a loop centered on the bow portion, and (3) tying the stationary tail around the bow portion and adjustable tail to form the center knot. The size of the adjustable loop can be varied to fit securely around a package by pulling the adjustable tail through the center knot. The excess length of the adjustable tail can be cut to match the length of the stationary tail.

Abstract: Various nylon filamentary materials, including twine, rope and other cordages, are rendered resistant to knot and other interlacement slippage by treatment with certain latex compositions that form a tightly-adhering, blockage-promoting and -assisting surface film on the treated filamentary product so as to enhance physical knot strength propensities and characteristics of the treated-twine and equivalent product insofar as particularly relates to mechanical undoing of the knot under pulling stresses (as distinct from "knot strength" break-point tests indicative of the tensile strength of the filamentary nylon product, per se). Styrene (i.e., "St")/butadiene (i.e., "Bu") and like and analogous synthetic resinous latices--especially those of the carboxylated variety--are particularly good for achievement of the anti-slippage in knot formation enhancement of the nylon filamentary goods involved.

Abstract: A method and a workpiece is disclosed herein for adding three or more different bobbin cords into a desired pattern. The disclosure employs a background of a plurality of working cords arranged in spaced apart rows through which a main knot holding cord is threaded and tied in a multiplicity of double half hitches. A first bobbin cord of a different color than the other cords is introduced into the workpiece adjacent a pair of double half hitches on the next working cord and the bobbin cord passes through each half hitch of the double half hitch. The free length of the bobbin cord may be hidden behind subsequent work in the pattern for re-use by additional double half hitches. Additional bobbin cords of various colors may be introduced on other working cords by tying double half hitches thereon while permitting the main knot holding cord and the bobbin cord of different color to pass through each half hitch.

Abstract: A fishing net and a method for making the same. The net of the invention has a plurality of improved knots, each of which knots has four leg strings extending separately in four directions and one or both of the loops of warp and weft overlie each crotch formed of a pair of adjoining leg strings. Further, the knots are easily formed and tightened but hardly loosened or worn so that a well-ordered diamond pattern of the net is always formed when the net is spread.

Abstract: Skis or other articles having curved ends are suspended by means of an inter-looped strand which forms adjustable loops through which the curved ends extend. A slide is used to adjust the loops and lock the article in place.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for permitting variable adjustment of the float position for a bobber or other float device on a fishing line. The apparatus includes the combination of a friction coil attached to the line and movable thereon, and a bead having a hole diameter large enough for freely passing the line therethrough, but smaller than the size of the friction coil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a decorative ring link and to the resulting article. The method involves: placing a first piece of lacing and a second piece of lacing in substantially parallel alignment; bending the pieces of lacing so that each piece has a longer strand and a shorter strand; binding, e.g.

Abstract: This method of covering a joint of two rope ends includes use of a joint cover constructed of plastic tubing, included heat shrinkable plastic tubing, with methods to form a conical wedge shaped cover. The joint cover functions to help provide a smooth movement of the joint around obstacles. Also included is the use of "selected area shrinkage.

Abstract: A self-tightening knot for tying tubular casings such as sausage casings, cheese casings, or the like, comprises a doubled end portion of a flexible strand having a pair of substantially parallel strand segments and an end loop, a pair of overlapping bights in said end portion, and at least a pair of turns in said end portion between said bights. The end loop passes through said turns and holds the overlapping bights under at least one of said turns when the end loop is drawn taut and the knot is secured.

Abstract: A filamentary yarn knot is described for use in creeling and transfer tailing yarns in a process which involves draw texturing. The yarns being creeled are undrawn or only partially drawn which are knotted together utilizing a balance knot. The yarn ends are first drawn prior to knotting the yarn so that the knot diameter is reduced to a diameter smaller than the diameter of the undrawn yarn and not greater than twice that of the drawn yarn.