Abstract: A chain fastening assembly includes a fastener that has a first loop and a second loop. The first loop has a clevis that is attached to a chain being releasably fastened to the first loop. Additionally, the first loop has a diameter that is sufficient to have a chain link passed therethrough regardless of the orientation of the chain link. The second loop has an inside diameter being sufficient to have a chain link passed therethrough when the chain link is oriented to lie on a vertical plane. Thus, the chain link can be passed into the second loop. Moreover, the second loop has an inside diameter being insufficient to allow the chain link to pass therethrough when the chain link is oriented to lie on a horizontal plane. In this way the fastener retains the chain in a closed loop for towing or the like.

Abstract: A clasp having two opposing parallel hooks coupled together by a pivot joint. The shank of the first hook is disposed above the plane of rotation while the bend of the first hook is disposed below the plane, and the shank of the second hook is disposed below the plane while the bend of the second hook is disposed above the plane. A protrusion on the first shank engages with a depression on the second shank to latch the clasp in a “closed” configuration. The protrusion engages with an edge of the second shank to latch the clasp in a “crossed” configuration.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a vehicle hook includes a base configured to be coupled to a support structure of a vehicle and a rotatable hook rotatively coupled to the base having an open position and a closed position. The rotatable hook includes a hook arm having an end, wherein the end of the hook arm is vertically aligned with the base when the rotatable hook is rotated to the closed position and the end of the hook arm is angularly spaced from the base when the rotatable hook is rotated to the open position.

Abstract: An attachment thimble is disclosed for attaching a rope shackle to a vehicle for towing, pulling, or other tasks. In one embodiment, the attachment thimble has spaced apart flanges and a mid-portion with a diameter less than the dimensions of the flanges. A through-bore is formed through the thimble from one flange to the other flange. The thimble is sized to be slid into a hitch receiver or disposed between mounting dogs of a D-ring mount. In one application, a rope shackle is formed into a loop by pressing the knot on one end of the shackle through the eyelet on the other end. The thimble is then disposed in the loop and the knot, eyelet, and thimble are slid into the hitch receiver of a vehicle until its through-bore aligns with holes in the receiver. A securement pin is then slid through the receiver and through the thimble to secure the rope shackle to the hitch receiver for use.

Abstract: A self-locking hook includes an S shaped member having a first surface and a second surface, a first portion for receiving a support member and a second portion for supporting an object; a pivot pin extending through an opening in the S shaped member and extending from the first surface and the second surface; a first locking member held by the pivot pin to pivot against the first surface to defines an opening so that the first portion can engage the support member, to a position where the first locking member and the first portion form a closed loop to surround the support member; and a second locking member held by the pivot pin to pivot against the second surface to define an opening so that the second portion can receive an object to be supported, to a second position where the second locking member and the second portion form a closed loop.

Abstract: A method for applying a graphene coating to a substrate comprising iron or aluminium, the method comprising: providing a metallic layer on a surface of the substrate; and contacting said metallic layer with a source of carbon atoms to provide a graphene coating on the metallic layer. There is also described an iron- or aluminium-containing substrate, for example a component of a chain, with a metallic layer on a surface of the substrate and a graphene coating disposed on said metallic layer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a single-part zipper pull comprised of two rotatable halves secured together on a pin. On one end of the zipper pull is a handle by which fingers can grasp the pull. On the other end of the zipper pull are clasps to latch to the zipper slider. The complete clasp is made up of the two J hooks, one on each half. The handle is made complete by rotating the two halves of the zipper pull together. In the open position, the J hooks have a gap by which to engage the zipper slider crown. In the closed position, the clasps come together making a complete loop thereby securing to the zipper slider crown. Once the zipper pull tab is closed, a latch and receiver engage to prevent the two halves from rotating to an open position.

Abstract: Power transmission chains (10, 40, 60) which are suitable for automotive uses as well as other uses and which have a reduced susceptibility to wear and corrosion, in which such chains (10, 40, 60) are constructed to include a plurality of sets (12, 14) of links (11, 13) joined at overlapped ends (11a, 13a) thereof by a pivot (16) including at least one ceramic joint component (16), such as a pivot means (16). Such chains (10) also include means (18a, 18b) to drivingly engage sprocket teeth (37) of a sprocket drive (35).

Abstract: In the depicted embodiment, the jib shackle comprises a two-section body having converging arms extending therefrom. The sections of the body are relatively rotatable, about the axis of the body, to move the converging limbs into and out of proximity with each other. When the limbs are put into proximity, they define a closed loop with the body, and when moved out of proximity, open the loop. Ends of the body are apertured to receive therethrough a line (rope, hawser, etc.) which may be knotted, within the loop, to prevent its withdrawal from the shackle. Ends of the limbs which are remote from the body have complementary configurations which cause such ends mutually to nest with each other, upon being closed upon each other, to define the surfaces of the loop with substantially no discontinuities or abrupt edges. The novel shackle is formed of rigid plastic, hence on shipboard use it will not mar or otherwise abuse wooden or fiberglass boat surfaces.

Abstract: A chain link has two U-shaped portions designed to interfit to provide a complete link. An end of each of the portions is connected to that of the other portion by a twisting advance. The other end of each portion is designed to provide abutting faces which are juxtaposed after each twisting advance. Attaching means connect the abutting faces to prevent removal in the reverse pattern to such twisting advance.

Abstract: Links for steel sprocket chains are each formed of a pair of dodecagon shaped broadened portions joined by a web with parallel sides. When cut from a sheet metal plate the boundary edges of the broadened portions and web of one link are in contact with and at least partially congruent to adjacent links.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved coupling device or "link" for interconnecting separate lengths of chain and/or attachments thereto and/or for repairing broken chains and method of producing same; said coupling link comprising two half-link units each of which comprises a laminar assembly of two or more relatively nested and interfittingly configured strap-like members. These members are stamped out in generally U-shaped plan form from sheet or plate stock; the legs thereof then being twisted while the intermediate bow-shaped portions of the members remain flat-wise in the planes of the original stampings. Such half-link units may then be assembled and fabricated from only a minimized number (one or two) of differently configured strap-like members disposed in laminate relationship.