Abstract: A block, towing system, and a method for towing rail cars is provided. The block includes a first channel, a second channel, a third channel and a fourth channel. The first channel is located on a first side of the block. The second channel is located adjacent to the first channel on the first side of the block. The third channel is located on an opposite side of the block from the first channel. The fourth channel is located adjacent to the third channel on the opposite side of the block from the second channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for making knots in flexible element attached to a medical device and methods using said apparatus.

Abstract: With a first thread being held at its tail end, a first loop is made. The first thread is passed through the first loop and a second loop is made thereinto. A beginning end of a second thread is inserted into the second loop, and the second loop is pulled into the first loop, and the beginning end of the second thread is tied in the first loop of the first thread.

Abstract: A knot-tying machine, including a package support for holding a package having a supply of a strand material with an exposed free end wound onto an outer surface of the package, a strand gripper for releasably gripping and holding a length of the strand adjacent the exposed free end of the strand, a loop-forming assembly for forming a loop in the length of the strand adjacent the exposed free end of the strand and intermediate the gripper and the package, the package support and the loop-forming assembly mounted for rotational movement relative to each other for forming the loop in the strand, and a knot-forming assembly for forming a slip-knot in the loop of the strand formed by the loop-forming assembly adjacent the free end thereof, the slip-knot being adapted to be subsequently removed when desired by pulling on the free end of the strand.

Abstract: A thread exchange device for multisystem knitting machines includes a knot unit for knotting a new thread on a movable old thread. The knot unit has a winding finger on which a closed loop of the new thread is formed, a part for moving the new thread into engagement with the winding finger, a loop turning lever that engages the old thread to form an open loop thereof and lays the open loop of the old thread into the closed loop of the new thread during continuous movement of the old thread. The knot unit further includes a hook that engages an end of the new thread and pulls the end of the new thread through the open loop of the old thread. The exchange device further includes a brake located between an element for establishing a thread compensation path and the knot unit for tightening a knot. The method relates to forming knots of a new thread with a movable old thread during continuous movement of the old thread with the use of the thread exchange device.

Abstract: A yarn-selecting device of a knitting frame comprises a mechanism for joig the yarn being knitted to a selected yarn to be knitted, which mechanism comprises a swivelling finger for forming a closed loop of the yarn to be knitted. Two levers form an open loop of the yarn being knitted and insert it through the closed loop of the yarn to be knitted on the finger. A hooking lever is provided for pulling the yarn to be knitted through the open loop of the yarn being knitted, after which the open loop-forming lever is retracted thus removing the closed loop from the finger, and the yarn being knitted is cut by a knife while the end of the yarn to be knitted is released from a gripper.