A device for winding a flexible tube, the device including 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. 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 α of not less than 180°.

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.

In one embodiment, an ornamental component is provided for use with jewelry (a bracelet or necklace). The ornamental component has a through hole allowing the ornamental component to be strung on an elongated member of the jewelry. The ornamental component includes a self-supporting housing and an insert assembly. The housing has a through hole with first and second openings at first and second sides, respectively, of the housing. The insert assembly is inserted in the through hole of the housing, and the insert assembly is assembled from a first tubular element and a gripping element. The first tubular element has a through hole that forms at least a part of the ornamental component through hole. The gripping element is configured to frictionally grip a part of the jewelry item. The first tubular element is configured to secure the gripping element inside the through hole of the ornamental component.

A stateless cord management device for storage and deployment of a cord, cable, or wire including a body having a sidewall with oppositely disposed open ends. A channel is at least partially defined by the sidewall and disposed therethrough between the oppositely disposed open ends. An access opening extends longitudinally along and through the sidewall between the oppositely disposed open ends of the sidewall. The access opening is at least partially defined by cooperatively disposed and abutting free ends of the sidewall, the free ends being at least partially separable from one another permitting access into the channel. A retention member extends into the channel along its width thereby at least partially defining a retention member recess for receipt and retention of at least a portion of a cord, cable, or wire therein.

A device which can slide up and down on a chain or cable, can be loosened to attach to the chain or cable, but does not have any parts that come free when the part is loosened. The device includes first and second pieces, each made of structural material, the first and second pieces fitting together at concave and convex surfaces, to form an interlock forms inner surfaces with a through hole of a first shape that can slide along either a cable or a chain.

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.

Applicant has disclosed a seismic fitting, and related method, to attach a cable to a structure (e.g., a concrete ceiling, wall or beam of a commercial building). In the preferred “apparatus” embodiment, the seismic fitting, when anchored, comprises: a base with a substantially circular footprint; a substantially circular inner channel, in the base, housing a midsection of cable (preferably wire rope); at least two cable exits in the inner channel, wherein the cable exits are chamfered to prevent and radially equidistant from one another; and a fastener (e.g., a concrete anchor), extending through the entire base, and having one end anchored in concrete; wherein opposite ends of the cable extend beyond the channel and fitting.

Metal straps used to tie or bundle one or more items are provided. The metal strap includes a length of cable and a ferrule. The ferrule is pre-attached adjacent one end of the cable, and the ferrule can receive a free end of the cable, and can secure the cable to the ferrule after the cable is wrapped around one or more items.

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.