Gripping device and method

A method for gripping articles comprising wrapping an article with an elongated flat strip of flexible, elastic material having at least 100% elasticity and having two ends, there being an enlargement relative to the lateral cross-sectional dimensions of said strip located near one end thereof, and there being an aperture in said strip located near the other end thereof, said aperture being just sufficiently large that said enlargement can be fitted therethrough, but being sufficiently small that once through said aperture, said enlargement cannot easily be pulled back through it;

• applying tension to said strip as it is wrapped about said article by stretching the same at least 100%, and inserting said enlargement through said aperture to hold said strip in place.

A method for tightening the grip of a gripping tool with two handles and gripping jaws, said method comprising:

• providing an elongated flat strip having at least 100% elasticity and having two ends with a first aperture at one end and a second aperture in said strip spaced from said first aperture and located near said other end of said strip, locating said gripping tool such that its gripping jaws are over an object to be gripped, followed by slipping said second aperture over one of said handles of said gripping tool and wrapping said strip around both said handles of said gripping tool by stretching the same at least 100% so as to draw them together, while applying tension to said strip, followed by slipping said first aperture over the other of said handles of said gripping tool.