Patent ID: 8668696

Claim:
A tensioning device comprising: an elongate member; a frame having first and second sides, said elongate member having a first end that is attachable to the first side of said frame and a second end that is releasably securable to the second side of said frame; a movable clamping member on said frame which is adapted to secure the second end of said elongate member to the second side of said frame by cinching the second end of said elongate member between an engagement surface on the elongate member and a mating engagement surface on said second side of the frame; and a restraining member for restraining said clamping member to a first position spaced from said mating locking surface on said second side of the frame, when the restraining member is in a restraining orientation, said restraining member being movable out of said restraining orientation after said elongate member is tensioned to a predetermined level using said second end, the restraining member comprising a ribbon having a point of weakness designed therein which is adapted to break at said predetermined tension level; wherein when said elongate member is tensioned to said predetermined level and is secured to the second side of said frame, said elongate member establishes a path of tension along its length that extends linearly between the two ends of the elongate member.