Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for convenient tightening and loosening of strings such as those found in shoelaces of footwear. The apparatus includes a rotating portion within a base portion. A cover portion, when operated in a first position, provides a ratchet movement that allows rotation in a tightening direction while preventing movement in a loosening direction. When the cover is moved to a second position, the ratchet mechanism disengages, and the strings can then be easily loosened.

A spring casing of a starter device of an internal combustion engine has a base body provided with a spring receptacle. A cover plate is provided to cover at least partially the spring receptacle. A connecting device is provided that connects the cover plate and the base body to each other. The connecting device secures the cover plate against a movement relative to the base body in a direction of a center axis of the spring casing. The connecting device only has a first part that is a component of the base body and a second part that is a component of the cover plate and has no further parts. A starter device with such a spring casing is provided.

An illuminated strap assembly and a method for illuminating a strap assembly. The assembly includes a housing, a rotatable strap spool connected rotatably to the housing, a light emitting strap structure arranged to and fixed to the rotatable strap spool. The assembly includes a light source arranged to radiate light towards the rotatable strap spool and to illuminate the light emitting strap structure arranged to the rotatable strap spool.

A line-handling device is for letting out, winding up and locking a line. The line-handling device has: a first handle; a substantially flat reel which is rotatable relative to the first handle; a line-guiding part which is fixed relative to the first handle; a locking mechanism for locking the reel in a non-rotatable position; and an attachment element for a tautening device, the reel being displaceable relative to the first handle parallel to the rotational axis of the reel. A line-handling system is for suspending a line between two anchoring points and a method is for suspending a line between two anchoring points.

A weight retraction device for use with a waterfowl decoy includes a housing having a spool rotatably coupled thereto. A weight is attached to a line that is wound around the spool. Rotation of the spool in a first rotational direction causing an unwinding of the line from the spool to cause the weight to extend away from the housing while rotation of the spool in a second rotational direction causing a rewinding of the line back onto the spool to cause the weight to retract back towards the housing. A power spring is configured to urge the spool to rotate in the second rotational direction. A lock release mechanism is configured to normally be in a locked configuration for preventing an undesired rotation of the spool in the second rotational direction. A manual actuation of the lock release mechanism releases the locked configuration of the lock release mechanism.

A lanyard having a locking mechanism is provided. The lanyard locking mechanism actuates between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the lanyard spool is restricted from rotating, and in the unlocked position, the lanyard spool is permitted to rotate with reduced interference from the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes biasing components that bias the locking mechanism to remain stationary unless sufficient force is exerted.

A cable coiling system for coiling a cable into a cable coil includes a reel rotatable around a central axis of the reel, a gripper configured to grip a starting end of the cable, and a slide rail extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the reel. The cable is coilable around the reel to form the cable coil by rotating the reel in a state in which the gripper is coupled onto the reel and grips the starting end of the cable. The reel is slidably mounted on the slide rail. A length of the starting end of the cable coiled around the reel is adjustable by moving the reel along the slide rail and rotating the reel around the central axis in a state in which the gripper is separated from the reel and fixed at a predetermined position.

A bag on which a coiler may attach. A coiling device that allows for attachments to be affixed to it, whether or not the coiler is attached to a bag. Attachments comprising a brush clip comprising a quickdraw setter/remover, brush, and other useful items.

A faucet system includes a housing assembly configured to be coupled to a ceiling structure, wherein the housing includes a mixing valve disposed therein. The faucet system further includes a hose assembly coupled to the housing assembly. The hose assembly includes a flexible hose being fluidly coupled to the mixing valve and configured to hang below the housing assembly, a rotatable arm coupled to the housing assembly, and a control knob communicably coupled to the mixing valve. The rotatable arm is configured to facilitate rotation and adjustment of the hose and the control knob configured to control at least one of a temperature or a flow of water within the faucet system.

A method of spooling a crane rope (2) onto a crane drum through a crane rope spooling system (1) from a reel (31) under a predetermined back tension is described and includes the steps of: unspooling the crane rope (2) from a reel (31) and passing the crane rope through a tensioning system (10) comprising a primary back tensioner (12) and a secondary back tensioner (16); gripping the crane rope (2) within the secondary back tensioner (16) and thereby preloading the crane rope (2) with tension prior to the crane rope (2) passing through the primary back tensioner (12); and applying a predetermined back tension to the crane rope (2) with the primary back tensioner (12) as the crane rope (2) is being spooled onto the crane drum under the predetermined back tension. A crane rope spooling system (1) for spooling crane rope (2) onto a crane drum under a predetermined back tension is also described, said system (10) comprising a tensioning system (10) comprising at least a primary back tensioner (12) and a secondary back tensioner (16) and a reel (31).