Patent ID: 7717694

Claim:
A tensioning apparatus operable to tension material the tensioning apparatus comprising: a tensioning fork including: a first tapered leg having a wide end and a narrow end; a second tapered leg having a wide end and a narrow end, the second tapered leg being substantially parallel to the first tapered leg; and a joining arm spanning a distance between the first tapered leg and the second tapered leg and secured to the wide ends of the legs, the joining arm being pivotally secured to at least one of the tapered legs; a mold adjacent to at least a portion of an elongated section of the first tapered leg, wherein a material is disposed over at least a portion of the mold and the first tapered leg, with the second tapered leg positioned against an outer face of the material; and a force-exacting component positioned over the tensioning fork and configured for urging the second tapered leg toward said mold such that a portion of the material disposed between the first and second leg is pressed against the mold.