A buckle for fastening a load strap, comprising a buckle frame, a crossbar extending between side arms of the frame, and a pivotable cam arranged between the side arms. The crossbar forms part of a locking element, which is displaceable between a closed position, in which the crossbar extends between the side arms, and an open position, in which the crossbar is separated from at least one of the side arms, such that a load strap is laterally insertable between the cam and the crossbar. The displaceable locking element may provide great ease of access for laterally inserting a load strap. The integrity of the buckle frame is maintained, increasing the stiffness of the buckle and its ability to withstand tension from a load strap.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to adjustable closure devices. One embodiment has a strap, a connector attached to a strap end, a chafe mounted on the strap behind the connector, and a hinged handle on the chafe. The chafe has a two outer bars and a central bar, these bars defining strap through-paths. The strap end-region has path segments arranged, directionally from the strap's central region toward the strap end at the chafe, or, in embodiments that configure the strap as a pulley, at the connector. An adjustable length region of the strap spans between the chafe and the connector. An elevatable handle configuration allows a user to pull the chafe to which it is connected along the strap, away from connector. As the chafe moves along the strap, the strap can transition between a large circumference configuration and small circumference. Some embodiments have a strap friction-locking mechanism associated with the handle and the chafe.

Disclosed is a quick release tool belt for the waist of a user, which includes a support strap, a release band with belt teeth on a first end and a binding with a release mechanism on the second end and slidably coupled to the release band. The binding has a base, a release rotationally attached to the base with a tooth lock, a tooth coupling rotationally attached to the base and engaged with the release and the release band, and a lever rotationally attached to the release and engaged with the release band with a tightening tooth. When the release is in the engaged position the tooth coupling and the lever are engaged with the release band and when the release is in the release position, the tooth coupling is operably engaged with the release and the tooth coupling and the lever are disengaged with the release band.

A tool-operated adjustment device includes a housing supporting a rotatable spool that is operably coupled to a tension line. The spool is configured to rotate about a first axis in a first direction to wind the tension line, and to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction to unwind the tension line. The device includes a socket pivotally coupled to the housing and configured to rotate about a second axis. The socket is selectively coupled to the spool to drive rotation of the spool in the first direction. The socket is configured to removably connect and disconnect to a tool configured to rotate the socket about the second axis. The device includes a release mechanism that is configured to selectively release the spool such that the spool is free to rotate in either the first or second direction in response to manual forces applied to the release mechanism.

Disclosed is a quick release tool belt for the waist of a user, which includes a support strap, a release band with belt teeth on a first end and a binding with a release mechanism on the second end and slidably coupled to the release band. The binding has a base, a release rotationally attached to the base with a tooth lock, a tooth coupling rotationally attached to the base and engaged with the release and the release band, and a lever rotationally attached to the release and engaged with the release band with a tightening tooth. When the release is in the engaged position the tooth coupling and the lever are engaged with the release band and when the release is in the release position, the tooth coupling is operably engaged with the release and the tooth coupling and the lever are disengaged with the release band.

A buckle for fastening a load strap, comprising a buckle frame, a crossbar extending between side arms of the frame, and a pivotable cam arranged between the side arms. The crossbar forms part of a locking element, which is displaceable between a closed position, in which the crossbar extends between the side arms, and an open position, in which the crossbar is separated from at least one of the side arms, such that a load strap is laterally insertable between the cam and the crossbar.

The displaceable locking element may provide great ease of access for laterally inserting a load strap. The integrity of the buckle frame is maintained, increasing the stiffness of the buckle and its ability to withstand tension from a load strap.

The Lace Ratchet System (LRS) is a parallel configuration of two Lace Ratchet Devices (LRD) which facilitate two laces fastening. The LRD has two states: “active” and “inactive”. In the active state the device works as unidirectional lace ratchet allowing the lace to be pulled forwards but restricting any lace motion backwards. After fastening the lace remains fastened until the LRD is switched into inactive state by manually releasing a latch. Each LRD has a turning gate rotatably installed diagonally in a channel with a sharp metallic front end. A resilient plate serves as preloaded spring that keeps the LRD in active position when the spring is not released. The LRD's smooth front end side and smooth channels' floors minimize lace wear. The LRS can be coupled with a clamp which clamps the laces' front ends to prevent dangling. The entire LRS except the blades is made of plastic.

The Lace Ratchet System (LRS) is a parallel configuration of two Lace Ratchet Devices (LRD) which facilitate two laces fastening. The LRD has two states: “active” and “inactive”. In the active state the device works as unidirectional lace ratchet allowing the lace to be pulled forwards but restricting any lace motion backwards. After fastening the lace remains fastened until the LRD is switched into inactive state by manually releasing a latch. Each LRD has a turning gate rotatably installed diagonally in a channel with a sharp metallic front end. A resilient plate serves as preloaded spring that keeps the LRD in active position when the spring is not released. The LRD's smooth front end side and smooth channels' floors minimize lace wear. The LRS can be coupled with a clamp which clamps the laces' front ends to prevent dangling. The entire LRS except the blades is made of plastic.

The Hidden Blade Belt Ratcheting Device (HB-BRD) facilitates unidirectional belt fastening and fast release. The HB-BRD includes a turning gate rotatably installed diagonally in a channel. The turning gate has a hidden sharp blade front which operates below on the lower belt surface avoiding visible scratches. Attached at the rear is a resilient plate which acts as a spring. The HB-BRD has two states: “active” and “inactive”. In the active state the device works as a belt ratchet i.e. allowing the belt to be pulled forwards but restricting any belt motion backwards. In the inactive state the ratcheting is disabled and the belt is released. Usually, the BRD is kept in active state by a preloaded resilient plate. After fastening, the belt remains fastened until the HB-BRD is switched manually into inactive state by pulling a latch. The blade's smooth side and channel's smooth surfaces minimize belt wear.

A tie-down device for securing a load to another object has a buckle assembly that includes an outer housing having two parallel side walls, a bridge, and first and second end walls connected to the side walls. A pivoting member extends through the side walls. The buckle assembly further includes a cam-shaped locking button which is located on the pivoting member and is normally biased by a biasing member into a locked position, the locking button having a central bore formed therethrough and receiving the pivoting member. A row of serrated teeth is provided on the locking button and is biased downwardly by the biasing member into substantial engagement with the second end wall. A hook extends from the first end wall and has a bar that defines a space with the first end wall. The hook is provided in the same piece and same material as the outer housing.