Abstract: A piece of playground equipment is disclosed and includes a system for tensioning one or more cables. The system includes a cable retaining device having a cylindrical shaped body with threads disposed around an outer circumferential surface, the outer circumferential surface being interrupted in at least one location by one or more cable receiving channel. The system also includes a tightening sleeve into which the cable retaining device is configured to be threaded such that the cable retaining device moves as the tightening sleeve is rotated.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a rotating element including a cylindrical fitting portion having a pair of circumferential end portions forming an axial slit between the circumferential end portions, the cylindrical fitting portion being serration-fitted to a rotating shaft, includes: clamping the fitting portion by a clamp jig so that the fitting portion is elastically deformed in an elliptical shape; forming a female serration arranged in an elliptical shape by use of a tool having an elliptical section, the female serration being formed on an inner peripheral surface of the fitting portion elastically deformed in the elliptical shape; and releasing the clamping by the clamp jig so that the arrangement of the female serration is changed to a perfect-circle shape from the elliptical shape.

Abstract: A crimp-on single-use lanyard assembly which includes a cord portion and an elongated, hollow wire-accepting connector body connected to the cord portion utilizes a connector body which includes a window through which a user can visually determine whether the wire has been inserted endwise into the interior of the connector body by a predetermined distance or, more specifically, to a near fully-accepted position within the connector body. In addition, the hollow interior of the connector body has a coarse surface provided with a plurality of projections disposed thereacross so that when the connector body is crimped about the inserted wire, the projections of the coarse surface bite into the wire and thereby enhances the grip of the connector body about the inserted wire.

Abstract: A self-drilling bolt and nut assembly includes a nut which has a window to permit visual inspection of the fastener thread upon engagement with the nut. The nut also includes a protective cap or receives a protective cap so that upon threadably engaging the fastener with the nut, the drill tip of the fastener is automatically received in the cap. The nut also has at one end a plurality of projections to enhance the locking engagement. The self-drilling bolt may have an integral washer and employ a clamping plate engageable against the washer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one piece turnbuckle includes preparing a board of metal; deep drawing the board to form two protrusions and shaping the board into a form which has two opposite ends, with the opposite ends defined by the protrusions; deep drawing the board to reduce its thickness and to form a recess; punching the recess off so as to form a through opening; boring a hole through each of the protrusions; and tapping each hole to form a threaded section.

Abstract: A turnbuckle with a central link having internal right and left hand threads receives the ends of longitudinally split sections of a pair of shaft members which are threaded with complimentary right and left hand threads. The sections of the shafts are slidably engaged within the central link and a band of low friction material is placed between the opposing flat surfaces of the engaged shaft sections. The shafts can be sectioned into half sections, however, a preferred embodiment provides each of the shafts with a pair of quarter sections at 180-degree spacing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a turnbuckle mechanism in which a central link is provided with internal right and left hand compatible threads and which receives, at its opposite ends, one of a pair of longitudinally split, externally threaded shafts which are threaded in opposite directions. The split shaft members are manufactured from oppositely threaded cylindrical shafts which are machined along their threaded sections to split each cylindrical shaft into two symmetrical, longitudinally split shaft members, which are then paired with oppositely threaded split shaft members and secured together with the central link, preferably with a separation band of plastic or corrosion resistant metal between their opposing flat surfaces. The shaft members are also provided with distal clamps such as hooks, loops or full threads for attachment of cables, rods or similar members.