Loop fastening device having an elasticized cord and a slideable lock element

A method of fastening at least two objects closely together, including the sequential steps of:

• providing an elongated and flexible elasticized cord having two ends;
• forming said cord into a free-standing loop having two cord runs wherein said two cord ends are generally end-aligned and extend parallel to each other;
• providing a manually releasable and slidable barrel-shaped fastener having an opening therein that encircles said two cord runs that comprise said free-standing loop;
• providing said opening somewhat larger than a cross sectional area of said two cord runs;
• providing said barrel-shaped fastener with a manually releasable plunger that is spring biased to reduce said opening to a size generally smaller than said cross sectional area of said two cord runs to thereby frictionally trap said two cord runs in said opening;
• said plunger being manually releasable to enable said barrel-shaped fastener to freely slide along said two cord runs;
• providing a tubular clamping member encircling and crimped to said two cord ends;
• said tubular clamping member operating to enlarge a cross sectional area of said two cord ends so that said cross sectional area of said two cord ends is larger than said size of said opening in said barrel-shaped fastener;
• encircling at least two objects with said free-standing loop;
• positioning said free-standing loop adjacent to said tubular clamping member;
• passing said tubular clamping member and said barrel-shaped fastener through said free-standing loop;
• releasing said barrel-shaped fastener from said two cord runs by operation of said plunger;
• moving said barrel-shaped fastener to a position along said two cord runs in a manner to stretch said free-standing loop about said at least two objects;
• and
• allowing said barrel-shaped fastener to frictionally trap said cord runs with said barrel-shaped fastener in said moved position.