Patent ID: 8840532

Claim:
An apparatus for attaching to a closed loop of a first strap and for providing a gripping force to a second strap having a free end, said apparatus comprising: a strap keeper to accept the second strap; a strap-length adjuster including a first element having a first opening and a second element having a second opening each sized for jointly accepting the closed loop, where said second element includes a third opening and a crossbar disposed between said second opening and said third opening, wherein said first element includes a tab and said crossbar includes at least one passageway; and a tether attached to said strap keeper, where said tether is attached to said crossbar using said at least one passageway, such that the free end can be wrapped through said first opening and said third opening to adjust the position of said second strap in said strap-length adjuster, such that the strap keeper can accept said second strap and the free end of said second strap, and such that the movement of said strap keeper is limited by said tether and said tab is adapted to be moved away from said second strap to permit the movement of said second strap through said first opening and said third opening.