A cable retention and release mechanism includes a cable gripping device including a cable passage. A cable extends through the cable passage. A cable gripping device collar is movably coupled around the cable gripping device. An outer cable gripping device surface is seated against a cable gripping device receiving inner surface preventing movement of the cable gripping device relative to the cable gripping device collar. The cable gripping device receiving inner surface clamps the cable gripping device on the cable and prevents sliding movement of the cable. A jack is movably coupled with the cable gripping device collar. In a first engaged position the jack is engaged against the cable gripping device proximal end. In a second engaged position the jack unseats the outer cable gripping device surface from the cable gripping device receiving inner surface and releases the clamping of the cable.

A holder for straps includes a base including a body portion and a tail portion, and a waist where the body portion and the tail portion join. The base defines first and second horizontally opposed recesses and a wrap area disposed therebetween. First embodiments of the holder include pegs disposed on opposing sides of the wrap area. The pegs can engage with S-hooks, D rings, snap hooks, carabiners and the like. Second embodiments of the holder include a base defining slots from edges of the body portion and disposed on opposing sides of the wrap area. The slots can engage with J-hooks, T-hooks, U-hooks, and the like. After securing the hook thereof, each strap is wrapped around the base through first and second recesses. Straps can be secured by disposing a loop such as a loop of bungee cord or a tie about the waist and tightening the cord or tie.

A cable retention and release mechanism includes a cable gripping device including a cable passage. A cable extends through the cable passage. A cable gripping device collar is movably coupled around the cable gripping device. An outer cable gripping device surface is seated against a cable gripping device receiving inner surface preventing movement of the cable gripping device relative to the cable gripping device collar. The cable gripping device receiving inner surface clamps the cable gripping device on the cable and prevents sliding movement of the cable. A jack is movably coupled with the cable gripping device collar. In a first engaged position the jack is engaged against the cable gripping device proximal end. In a second engaged position the jack unseats the outer cable gripping device surface from the cable gripping device receiving inner surface and releases the clamping of the cable.

A method of forming an electronic device includes forming a plurality of closed loops over a semiconductor substrate. Each closed loop has a first and a second polysilicon gate structure joined at first and second ends. Each closed loop includes an inner portion and an end portion. In the inner portion the first polysilicon gate structure runs about parallel to the second polysilicon gate structure. In the outer portion the first polysilicon gate structure converges with the second polysilicon gate structure. The method further includes forming a plurality of trench contacts. Each of the trench contacts is located between a respective pair of closed loops, passes through an epitaxial layer and contacts the substrate. The length of the trench contacts is no greater than the length of the inner portions.

The invention provides a device for winding a flexible tube, the device comprising two identical blades LA placed opposite ways round one against the other and pivotally secured to each other about their respective axes of axial symmetry, which together constitute a pivot axis PIV.

The device is remarkable in that: one of the blades presents in its left edge an upwardly open notch EC that is formed by a first circular arc ARC1 having its origin at a connection point PR situated on the right edge of the notch and on the longitudinal axis LG of the blade; a diameter of the first circular arc lying on the longitudinal axis; and the first circular arc presenting a central angle of not less than 180.

A headset cord holder comprising: a body configured to be coupled to at least one article from the group of articles consisting of a bag and an item of clothing, wherein the body is either part of a closure mechanism configured to releasably couple a first portion of the at least one article to a second portion of the at least one article, part of a slideable item capable of being translated along the at least one article, or part of an ornamental accessory having an aesthetic characteristic unrelated to its functional structure; and a groove built into the body, wherein the groove is configured to receive and releasably secure a headset cord.

A hair clamping device includes a clamping member and a stretching member. The clamping member is a flexible arcuate member including first and second engaging ends releasably engaged with each other. The clamping member is in an extended state when the first and second engaging ends disengage from each other. The clamping member is in a clamping state when the first and second ends engage with each other. The clamping member in the clamping state defines an annular through-hole in a central portion thereof. The stretching member has an outer diameter smaller than a diameter of the through-hole of the clamping member in the clamping state. The stretching member includes an outer surface connected to an inner face of the clamping member. A hair clamping slot is defined between the inner face of the clamping member and the outer surface of the stretching member in the clamping state.

A connector includes a cable tray configured to receive and retain a cable in a stable position and couple with a top cap configured to create an electrical connection with the cable as the top cap is manipulated in a predetermined manner while coupled with the cable tray. An upper surface of the cable tray is configured to receive the cable (e.g., while the cable is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cable tray). The cable tray also includes a finger extending beyond the first end for some distance longitudinally. The finger includes a protrusion that protrudes to some extent in a transverse direction so that a cable-accommodating gap is defined between the protrusion and the first end. The protrusion is configured to bear against the cable and retain the cable in the stable position when the cable is inserted between the protrusion and the first end (before, during and/or after an electrical connection is established).

A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.

A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.