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.

An apparatus for convenient tightening and loosening of strings such as those found in shoelaces of footwear is provided. 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.

An apparatus enables 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 reel chock is disclosed according to various embodiments. The reel chock can include a chock body that has a width that extends along a pivot axis. The reel chock also can include a pivot plate attached to the chock body. The pivot plate can be transverse to the pivot axis. The reel chock also can include a pivot arm that is rotatably connected to the pivot plate such that the pivot arm rotates about the pivot axis. The pivot arm can include a fastener portion that extends at least partially over the chock body.

A reel chock is disclosed according to various embodiments. The reel chock can include a chock body that has a width that extends along a pivot axis. The reel chock also can include a pivot plate attached to the chock body. The pivot plate can be transverse to the pivot axis. The reel chock also can include a pivot arm that is rotatably connected to the pivot plate such that the pivot arm rotates about the pivot axis. The pivot arm can include a fastener portion that extends at least partially over the chock body.

An apparatus for convenient tightening and loosening of strings such as those found in shoelaces of footwear is provided. 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.

Even in case a rolled body is stored in a state of being suspended without containing it in a corrugated cardboard box and the like, a leg piece that is fixed in a manner protruded out of a plate-like member can stably keep a holding device for the rolled body relative to a surface of placement in an erected posture. The holding device can prevent the rolled body from easily getting out of position due to swinging and rolling movements. The rolled body can be stored in a corrugated cardboard box while a pair of holding devices remain mounted on the rolled body. In case corrugated cardboard boxes are stored by holding them in a stacked manner, or are transported, the corrugated cardboard boxes can be made harder to get damaged.

A holding device is adapted to hold in position a rolled body made up by winding a web. The holding device is attached to each of both longitudinal ends of the rolled body so as to hold a rolled body surface in a state suspended away from a surface of placement thereof. The holding device has: a plate-like member having a lower side in contact with the surface of placement of the rolled body; and at least one leg piece which is attached only to the lower side so as to protrude inward, in an elongated direction, of the rolled body.

A reel assembly includes a core, two flanges, and two end stands. The core defines a longitudinal axis and has two ends. Each of the flanges is coupled to one of the ends of the core, and at least one of the flanges includes a lock receiver. Each of the end stands is coupled to one flange, and at least one of the end stands includes a lock insert. The lock insert is configured to be inserted into the lock receiver in an axial direction. When the lock insert is within the lock receiver, contact between the lock insert and the lock receiver generates a frictional force against movement of the flanges relative to the end stands in a rotational direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

A reel chock is disclosed according to various embodiments. The reel chock can include a chock body that has a width that extends along a pivot axis. The reel chock also can include a pivot plate attached to the chock body. The pivot plate can be transverse to the pivot axis. The reel chock also can include a pivot arm that is rotatably connected to the pivot plate such that the pivot arm rotates about the pivot axis. The pivot arm can include a fastener portion that extends at least partially over the chock body.

A spool assembly comprising a housing structure, a spool rotatably retained in an interior region of the housing structure, and a sealed sheath encasing the housing structure to define a barrier for the encased housing structure and the rotatably retained spool. The spool assembly further comprises a locking arm disposed outside of the sealed sheath and configured to operably engage the spool through the sealed sheath and through the housing structure in a manner that does not penetrate the sealed sheath, where the locking arm prevents the spool from rotating relative to the housing mechanism when operably engaged with the spool. The locking arm may disengage from the spool in a hands-free manner when the spool assembly is loaded into a bay of an additive manufacturing system.