An apparatus for fastening an end of a strap is provided. The apparatus comprises a workpiece, a first slit at a proximity of an edge of a first rectangle of the workpiece, a second slit at a proximity of an edge of a second rectangle of the workpiece opposite to first rectangle, a first fastening member affixed to a third rectangle of the workpiece perpendicular to the first and second rectangles, and a second fastening member affixed to a fourth rectangle of the workpiece opposite of the third rectangle. The fourth rectangle adapted to fold over so that the first fastening member and the second fastening member may engage to lock the strap. The strap may be inserted through the first slit and the second slit and its end held in position when the fastening members are engaged. In an embodiment, the strap is of a phylactery.

A versatile smart device holder that secures the device to a user while offering enhanced protection during physical activity as compared to conventional device bands and holders. The device holder is suitable to wear in a number of locations, such as across the bicep, the forearm, leg, ankle, or the wrist. The device holder comprises a band made of flexible material and a frame permanently or removably embedded within or attached to the band that is capable of securely holding the electronic device in place.

An improved wrist band assembly is provided that mitigates against a potential loss of a device mounted to the assembly, particularly during intense physical activity. The assembly supports multiple different closing schemes for securing the assembly to a user's wrist.

A method of manufacturing an article may include loading a soluble bobbin thread into an embroidery machine and then driving a needle thread through a base sheet with a needle of the embroidery machine according to a programmed first pattern that provides a series of loops of the needle thread extending outward from a bobbin side of the base sheet. The method may further include bonding the needle thread to a needle side of the base sheet opposite from the bobbin side. A spacer layer may be disposed at the bobbin side of the base sheet, and may be removed after the needle thread is bonded to the base sheet. The loops may be loops of a hook-and-loop fastener or ball control features in various articles manufactured according to the method.

A versatile smart device holder that secures the device to a user while offering enhanced protection during physical activity as compared to conventional device bands and holders. The device holder is suitable to wear in a number of locations, such as across the bicep, the forearm, leg, ankle, or the wrist. The device holder comprises a band made of flexible material and a frame permanently or removably embedded within or attached to the band that is capable of securely holding the electronic device in place.

A reclosable fastener strip includes first and second strip halves each having a strip body and two hook units. Each hook unit has at least one pair of elongated hooks formed on a major surface of the strip body and cooperatively defining a recess therebetween. Each elongated hook is configured and dimensioned to permit being fitted securely in the recess of a corresponding pair of the elongated hooks so as to provide a suitable watertight seal.

An apparatus for fastening an end of a strap is provided. The apparatus comprises a workpiece, a first slit at a proximity of an edge of a first rectangle of the workpiece, a second slit at a proximity of an edge of a second rectangle of the workpiece opposite to first rectangle, a first fastening member affixed to a third rectangle of the workpiece perpendicular to the first and second rectangles, and a second fastening member affixed to a fourth rectangle of the workpiece opposite of the third rectangle. The fourth rectangle adapted to fold over so that the first fastening member and the second fastening member may engage to lock the strap. The strap may be inserted through the first slit and the second slit and its end held in position when the fastening members are engaged. In an embodiment, the strap is of a phylactery.

An apparatus and associated method are disclosed for releasably securing sections of fabric forming a belt around a user, and in particular a belt of the type used in martial arts and other combative activities. The apparatus has an elongate thin strip of material having a length substantially greater than a width, divided by a first section and a second section between its end, and thereby having four surface sections. The surface sections can be configured with fastening hooks or receiving loops, or be smooth, to provide fastening surfaces, receiving surfaces, and non-fastening/receiving surfaces. In use the strip of material is looped between and around layers of a belt tied with a knot such that a first fastening surface contacts and adheres to at least a portion of an opposing receiving surface to secure the strip of material in a loop around the layers of the belt in the area of the knot to prevent unraveling during an activity.

A watchband can comfortably secure an electronic device to a wrist of a user. The watchband can include a base having a contact surface opposite an engagement surface, contact loops on the contact surface for contacting a user, and engagement loops on the engagement surface for engaging hooks. The hooks can be provided on the engagement surface, opposite some of the contact loops. The base can include base threads, and the contact loops and engagement loops can be formed by contact threads and engagement threads woven about some of the base threads between the contact surface and the engagement surface. Between adjacent engagement loops, the engagement thread can be more securely attached to the base than is the contact thread between adjacent contact loops.

A reclosable fastener strip includes first and second strip halves each having a strip body and two hook units. Each hook unit has at least one pair of elongated hooks formed on a major surface of the strip body and cooperatively defining a recess therebetween. Each elongated hook is configured and dimensioned to permit being fitted securely in the recess of a corresponding pair of the elongated hooks so as to provide a suitable watertight seal.