A reel based closure device includes a housing, a tension member, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a tightening component that is positioned axially above the spool and that is operably coupled therewith so that an operation of the tightening component causes the spool to rotate within the housing to wind the tension member about the spool. The reel based closure device also includes a coupling component that is separate from the tension member and that frictionally engages with a distal end of the tension member so that the coupling component is removably fixed to the tension member. The spool component includes a coupling feature within which the coupling component is positioned to attach the tension member to the spool.

An improved button shackle (2) and method of making the same. The button shackle (2) generally comprises a single length of braided rope (3) noosed at one end by looping one end of the rope and running it back through itself, such that the end passes through the braids, to form a noose. The two ends of the rope are then woven together to form an eye, and a novel two-piece button (4) is inserted onto the eye. The two-piece button includes an inner disk (12) formed with opposing yokes (22, 24) for receiving the rope (3), and an outer collar (14) for holding the rope (3) captive once inserted into the yokes (22, 24).

A paint frame includes multiple frame segments, each frame segment having multiple frame branches, and each frame branch having a distal end releasably connected to the distal end of a frame branch of an adjacent frame segment, wherein the frame branches of the frame segments are connected to form a rectangular grid having a perimeter edge with a planar front surface. A kit for assembling the paint frame is also provided. The kit includes multiple frame segments, each frame segment having multiple frame branches, and each frame branch having a distal end releasably connectable to the distal end of a frame branch of an adjacent frame segment, wherein the frame branches of the frame segments are releasably connectable to form a rectangular grid having a perimeter edge with a planar front surface.

Provided is a wedge clamp for anchoring an end of a steel wire for further enhancement in workability upon use. A wedge clamp 1 for retaining a steel wire includes a first member 12 having a wedge shape and a second member 11 slidably fitting the first member 12 to restrain a steel wire by a pressure that generates based on the wedge shape of the first member 12, the wedge clamp 1 including an engaging portion (protrusion 124 and anchoring portion 113) enabling slidable fit between the first member 12 and the second member 11 while engaging the first member 12 and the second member 11.

Provided is a wedge clamp for anchoring an end of a steel wire for further enhancement in workability upon use. A wedge clamp 1 for retaining a steel wire includes a first member 12 having a wedge shape and a second member 11 slidably fitting the first member 12 to restrain a steel wire by a pressure that generates based on the wedge shape of the first member 12, the wedge clamp 1 including an engaging portion (protrusion 124 and anchoring portion 113) enabling slidable fit between the first member 12 and the second member 11 while engaging the first member 12 and the second member 11.

The connection device (1) comprises a coupling connector (5) in the form of an open ring (5a) with a closure finger (5b), which is rendered permanently integral, by means of an articulated connection or by means of a rigid connection, with a connection apparatus (4) which can ensure the selective connection to a rope (3). The manipulation of the connection device is thus facilitated, and the risks of incorrect relative positioning of the coupling connector (5) and the connection apparatus (4) are avoided.

The invention relates to a prestressing cable (1), in particular for static structures, said cable being provided with a longitudinal element (1′) and connection elements (2) at the end faces of said element. The longitudinal element (1′) has a plurality of stranded wires, the end faces of which are anchored into the connection elements (2). The prestressing cable (1) is composed of multiple approximately parallel strands (3a, 3b, 3c), each of which comprises multiple stranded wires (7). The wires (7) are spread apart at their end faces in the funnel-shaped opening (5) of the respective connection element (2) and anchored by a casting process, wherein the frustum-shaped funnel widens away from the strands (3a, 3b, 3c). The straight arrangement of multiple strands results in particular in the significant improvement of the properties relating to vibrational loads even with wires of high strength.

A method for creating a composite cable having at least one advanced termination on at least one end. An advanced termination is added to an end of a short synthetic tensile strength member. The strength of the tensile strength member and termination is then tested. Once tested satisfactorily, the short cable is spiced onto a long cable of the same type using prior art splicing techniques. The union of the short cable and the long cable creates a “composite” cable having a advanced termination on at least one end. In most applications it is preferable to set the length of the short cable so that the interwoven splice will exist at a desired location.

A connector is provided for tensioning a guy line and connecting the guy line to a ground anchor or a tower. The connector may include a first body and a second body connected together by two or more threaded rods. The first body is connected to the ground anchor or the tower. The second body has a tapered cavity extending therethrough. The guy line extends through the tapered cavity, and wedges with a first and second inner arcuate surface that are vertically offset from one another are pushed into the tapered cavity. The first arcuate inner surface and the second arcuate inner surface may grip the guy line after the wedges have been pushed into the tapered cavity, while the vertical offsetting of the second arcuate inner surface reduces that stress on the guy line at an end of wedges. The first and second bodies may be drawn toward each other to tension the guy line.

A connector is provided for tensioning a guy line and connecting the guy line to a ground anchor or a tower. The connector may include a first body and a second body connected together by two or more threaded rods. The first body is connected to the ground anchor or the tower. The second body has a tapered cavity extending therethrough. The guy line extends through the tapered cavity, and wedges with a first and second inner arcuate surface that are vertically offset from one another are pushed into the tapered cavity. The first arcuate inner surface and the second arcuate inner surface may grip the guy line after the wedges have been pushed into the tapered cavity, while the vertical offsetting of the second arcuate inner surface reduces that stress on the guy line at an end of wedges. The first and second bodies may be drawn toward each other to tension the guy line.