A device for retaining unused portions of a tie-down strap comprises first and second hooks attached to opposing ends of an elastic cord. Each hook, oriented 180 degrees relative to one another, is for receiving selected portions of the tie-down strap. The hooks each include a first substantially flat member attached to the respective end of the cord, a second member disposed opposite the first member, and a crook connecting the first member and the second member. The second member is spaced-apart from, and resiliently flexible relative to, the first member. Disposing either hook onto the selected portion of the tie-down strap frictionally engages the hook. The device is disposable about the unused portions of the tie-down strap, wherein each hook disposes onto a portion of the strap, and the cord prevents the straps from coming undone.

A device for retaining unused portions of a tie-down strap comprises first and second hooks attached to opposing ends of an elastic cord. Each hook, oriented 180 degrees relative to one another, is for receiving selected portions of the tie-down strap. The hooks each include a first substantially flat member attached to the respective end of the cord, a second member disposed opposite the first member, and a crook connecting the first member and the second member. The second member is spaced-apart from, and resiliently flexible relative to, the first member. Disposing either hook onto the selected portion of the tie-down strap frictionally engages the hook. The device is disposable about the unused portions of the tie-down strap, wherein each hook disposes onto a portion of the strap, and the cord prevents the straps from coming undone.

Tie-down assemblies and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a tie-down assembly may include a buckle, a first strap, and a second strap. The buckle may include a frame, a handle pivotably attached to the frame and configured to pivot about a first axis between an open position and a closed position, and a drum rotatably attached to the handle and configured to rotate about a second axis, wherein the second axis is spaced apart from and extends parallel to the first axis. The first strap may be attached to the frame, and the second strap may be configured to removably attach to the drum.

Tie-down assemblies and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a tie-down assembly may include a buckle, a first strap, and a second strap. The buckle may include a frame, a handle pivotably attached to the frame and configured to pivot about a first axis between an open position and a closed position, and a drum rotatably attached to the handle and configured to rotate about a second axis, wherein the second axis is spaced apart from and extends parallel to the first axis. The first strap may be attached to the frame, and the second strap may be configured to removably attach to the drum.

An article for coupling bands, cords, straps and the like to bundle items. The coupling article comprises a body having at least two end sections each having a cutout and passage means formed therethrough to removably retain a portion of a tensile line. A user may use an end section of the coupling article to engage a first portion of a closed-loop tensile line, encircle one or more objects, and engage a remaining portion of the closed-loop tensile line with an opposing end section, thus holding the objects together. A user may also secure objects using the coupling article in combination with an open-loop tensile line by wrapping the tensile line around a first end section, within the cutout and securing with a knot. With the remaining open-loop tensile line, the user would encircle one or more objects, and then wrap the open-loop tensile line around a second end section, within the cutout and secure with a knot. The coupling article may be constructed of plastic, metal, or other rigid material to meet the needs of the application. The dimensions of the coupling article may be of varying size depending on the desired compressive force needed on the objects, and the size and strength of the tensile line.

An article for coupling bands, cords, straps and the like to bundle items. The coupling article comprises a body having at least two end sections each having a cutout and passage means formed therethrough to removably retain a portion of a tensile line. A user may use an end section of the coupling article to engage a first portion of a closed-loop tensile line, encircle one or more objects, and engage a remaining portion of the closed-loop tensile line with an opposing end section, thus holding the objects together. A user may also secure objects using the coupling article in combination with an open-loop tensile line by wrapping the tensile line around a first end section, within the cutout and securing with a knot. With the remaining open-loop tensile line, the user would encircle one or more objects, and then wrap the open-loop tensile line around a second end section, within the cutout and secure with a knot. The coupling article may be constructed of plastic, metal, or other rigid material to meet the needs of the application. The dimensions of the coupling article may be of varying size depending on the desired compressive force needed on the objects, and the size and strength of the tensile line.

A connector to be used with straps of variable lengths comprises a body and two locking blades. The connector comprises a first passage and a second passage distant from the first passage that extends throughout the body along a direction perpendicular to the first passage. The passages house the locking blades. The passages comprise an entrance and an abutment wall. The second passage also comprises an exit. The entrances are for the insertion of an extremity of a strap, with the sloped locking blades preventing exit of the extremities of the strap through the entrances by blocking a portion of the strap between themselves and an abutment wall. An extremity of the strap can exit out of the connector through the exit of the second passage to be pulled to tighten the strap. Kits comprising the herein connectors are also described.

A connector to be used with straps of variable lengths comprises a body and two locking blades. The connector comprises a first passage and a second passage distant from the first passage that extends throughout the body along a direction perpendicular to the first passage. The passages house the locking blades. The passages comprise an entrance and an abutment wall. The second passage also comprises an exit. The entrances are for the insertion of an extremity of a strap, with the sloped locking blades preventing exit of the extremities of the strap through the entrances by blocking a portion of the strap between themselves and an abutment wall. An extremity of the strap can exit out of the connector through the exit of the second passage to be pulled to tighten the strap. Kits comprising the herein connectors are also described.

The protective cover is sheet-shaped, extruded continuously in a longitudinal direction, and made of a soft synthetic resin. The male engaging part is formed in an arrow-shape and extruded integrally with one transverse-directional end of the protective cover. The female engaging part is formed in a U-shape having hooks for stopping and extruded integrally with the other transverse-directional end of the protective cover. The tab is sheet-shaped, extruded integrally with a vicinity of a tip of the female engaging part on an inner peripheral surface of the transverse-directional protective cover, and extended by a specific length L along the inner peripheral surface of the transverse-directional protective cover.