Tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or devices and methods of using same

Abstract

Tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or devices, and methods of using same, are provided. The apparatuses or devices include a buttress element operating to hold and/or support at least a portion of a tie, thereby preventing the loosening, shifting, etc. of that portion of the tie. The apparatuses or devices may further include at least one of a body or flex frame and a cinch mechanism, which extend(s) from the buttress element, and that operate(s) to lock and unlock a portion of a tie therein, thereby preventing the shifting, changing, moving, etc. of the tie. The flex frame may be opened by pinching or applying a force thereto and closed by releasing or removing the force applied thereto. The cinch mechanism may be opened by aligning holes thereof and closed or locked by misaligning holes thereof. The cinch mechanism may be integrated with a portion of the buttress element.

1 . A tie securing, anchoring and/or supporting apparatus, comprising:
 a body or flex frame having a first portion with first and second ends thereof and a second portion with first and second ends thereof, the first end of the first portion being connected to the first end of the second portion, the second end of the first portion operating to be releasably or permanently connected to the second end of the second portion, and the first and second portions being sized and shaped to define a hole or a zone of space therebetween, the hole or zone of space of the body or flex frame operating to be widened and/or opened to receive a portion of a tie therein and to be narrowed and/or closed to hold the portion of the tie therein, and   a buttress element connected to and extending from the body or flex frame, the buttress element having a first portion and a second portion, at least one of the first portion of the buttress element and the second portion of the buttress element extending from the body or flex frame, the first and second portions being sized and shaped to define a zone of space therebetween and operating to receive and hold at least a portion of a tie therein, wherein   the first and second portions of the body or flex frame are springingly biased towards each other.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the apparatus operates to keep the tie in position and prevent at least one of: loosening of the tie, shifting of the tie, and moving of the tie;   the apparatus operates to prevent a knot of the tie from loosening, slipping, and/or becoming undone;   the apparatus operates to be installed or placed on the tie after the tie is placed in a predetermined position on a user;   the apparatus is disposed, or substantially disposed, on a first portion of the tie, wherein the first portion includes at least one of: a knot; a front portion or side; a middle portion; a back portion or side; a backside portion where the front side of a tie may be one or more sides of the tie facing away from the user and the backside of the tie may be one or more sides of the tie facing towards the user and/or located between the user and the front side of the tie; a smaller portion of the tie as compared to other portions of the tie; a larger portion of the tie as compared to other portions of the tie; and a portion of the tie located between both cloth portions of the tie;   the apparatus further comprises a cinch mechanism having at least a first hole and a second hole, the cinch mechanism operating to: (i) align and misalign the first and second holes thereof; (ii) further secure, anchor and/or support the portion of the tie disposed in, and extending through, the first and second holes when the first and second holes are misaligned; and (ii) insert the portion of the tie into and through the first and second holes, and/or release the portion of the tie disposed in, and extending through, the first and second holes when the at least first and second holes are aligned; and   the apparatus further comprises a pin and pin receptacle to further anchor, secure, support and/or grip the tie, wherein the pin operates to pierce and grip a portion of the tie.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of:
 the buttress element is: (i) built into, made integral with, and/or permanently connected to the body or flex frame; or (ii) releasably connectable to the body or flex frame;   the buttress element and the body or flex frame operates to be connected to each other for use and then disconnected from each other after use, during manufacturing, for storage, and/or for shipment;   the buttress element and the body or flex frame are connected by at least one of: gluing, welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering, molding, clamping, screwing, latching, and friction-fitting;   the buttress element includes at least one clip or clasp or other connecting means connected to, and extending from, a base of the buttress element or a base of at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element, the at least one clip or clasp or other connecting means operating to releasably connect the buttress element to the body or flex frame; and   the other connecting means include at least one of another clip, another clasp, at least one screw, and at least one hook.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the body or flex frame is at least one of:
 sized and shaped to operate to receive and hold a portion of the tie in the hole or zone of space thereof;   sized and shaped to operate to receive and hold a portion of the tie therein;   substantially O or 0 shaped;   substantially O or 0 shaped, thereby defining the hole or the zone of space, such that any portion of the tie disposed therein is encompassed by the body or flex frame;   opened and/or widened when a force or a pressure is applied against the ends of the first and second portions, thereby opening and/or widening the hole or the zone of space of the body or flex frame;   opened and/or widened when a force or a pressure is applied against the ends of the first and second portions, thereby opening and/or widening the hole or the zone of space of the body or flex frame, wherein the force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount;   closed and/or narrowed when the force or the pressure is removed from the ends of the first and second portions, thereby closing and/or narrowing the hole or the zone of space of the body or flex frame; and   closed and/or narrowed when the force or the pressure is removed from the ends of the first and second portions, thereby closing and/or narrowing the hole or the zone of space of the body or flex frame, such that the body or flex frame operates to return to its original, at-rest position, orientation and/or configuration, thereby having a resilient elasticity.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the body or flex frame further comprises at least one of:
 a clip;   a clip that is U, V, C, (and/or ) shaped and/or substantially U, V, C, (and/or ) shaped;   a component having a spring-like bias; and   at least two components that are springingly biased towards each other.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of:
 the springing bias of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame is defined and provided by the size and shape of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame;   the springing bias of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame is modifiable by changing the size and/or shape of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame;   the first and second portions of the body or flex frame are U, V, C, (and/or ) shaped and/or substantially U, V, C, (and/or ) shaped;   the first and second portions of the body or flex frame are connected to each other;   the first and second portions of the body or flex frame are positioned and/or connected to each other such that the connected first and second portions have a shape that is at least one of ] [, > < and ) (;   when the body or flex frame is in its original, at-rest position, orientation and/or configuration, the body or flex frame operates, and, therefore, the first and second portions of the flex frame operate, to grip and hold the tie and/or a portion of the tie in a preselected, predetermined position, orientation and/or configuration;   the first and second portions of the body or flex frame are oriented and/or connected to each other such that each has respective first or inside surfaces and second or outside surfaces;   the first or inside surfaces of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame substantially face each other;   the first or inside surfaces of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame define the hole or the zone of space therebetween;   the second or outside surfaces of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame substantially face away from each other;   the second or outside surfaces of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame define a perimeter of the body or flex frame;   the first and second portions of the body or flex frame extend along, substantially along, substantially parallel to, and/or parallel to a longitudinal axis extending through the apparatus;   when the body or flex frame is in the original, at-rest position, orientation and/or configuration, the first or inside surfaces and at least respective sections of the second or outside surfaces are parallel or substantially parallel to each other;   the body or flex frame includes at least one of one or more elevations, one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, one or more hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concave contours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one or more chamfered surfaces to better grip, support, anchor and/or secure the tie;   the at least one of one or more elevations, one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, one or more hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concave contours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one or more chamfered surfaces are located on at least one of: at least one of the first or inside surfaces and at least one of the second or outside surfaces;   the first and second portions of the body or flex frame have the same or substantially the same width, height and length or have at least one of the width, height and length thereof being different;   the first and second portions of the body or flex frame are built into, made integral with, and/or permanently connected to each other or are releasably connected to each other via one or more releasable connection means; and   the releasable connection means include at least one of: one or more hinges, one or more pin-receptacle combinations and one or more latches.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of:
 the buttress element operates to prevent movement of the tie and/or to prevent the knot of the tie from loosening;   one or more portions of the knot of the tie and/or the tie rest and/or are disposed in the buttress element;   one or more portions of the knot of the tie and/or the tie rest and/or are disposed in the zone of space between the first and second portions of the buttress element;   the buttress element is U or V shaped or substantially U or V shaped;   the first and second portions of the buttress element are connected directly or indirectly to the body or flex frame and are oriented such that the first and second portions of the buttress element define and form the U or V shape or the substantial U or V shape of the buttress element;   the first and second portions of the buttress element are connected to each other and oriented such that the first and second portions of the buttress element define and form the U or V shape or the substantial U or V shape of the buttress element;   the buttress element has one of the following geometric shapes: substantially circular, circular, substantially semi-circular, semi-circular, ovular, semi-ovular, point or pointed, conical, substantially conical, post-like, pillar-like, bar-like, spring-like and coil-like;   the buttress element extends from the body or flex frame along an axis that is a different axis than the longitudinal axis of, and/or extending through, the body or flex frame;   the buttress element: (i) is perpendicular, transverse, substantially perpendicular and/or substantially transverse to the body or flex frame; or (ii) extends from the body or flex frame at any other predetermined, preselected angle, the predetermined, preselected angle being at least one of: 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 30 degrees, anywhere in the range of about 20 degrees to about 85 degrees; anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 85 degrees, and anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 180 degrees;   the buttress element includes at least one of one or more elevations, one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, one or more hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concave contours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one or more chamfered surfaces to better grip, support, anchor and/or secure the tie;   the first portion of the buttress element includes at least one curved portion such that the first portion of the buttress element extends from the second portion of the buttress element for a predetermined distance and then curves and continues to extend such that the remainder of the first portion of the buttress element is parallel or substantially parallel to the second portion of the buttress element;   the first and second portions of the buttress element have the same or substantially the same width, height and length or have at least one of the width, height and length thereof being different; and   the first and second portions of the buttress element are built into, made integral with, and/or permanently connected to each other or are releasably connected to each other via one or more releasable connection means.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of:
 the body or flex frame further comprises a hinge on one end thereof and one or more receptacles on the other end thereof;   the first and second portions of the body or flex frame are connected at at least one of the first and second ends thereof by the hinge;   the other of the at least one of the first and second ends of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame operate to be releasably connected/disconnected by a pin-receptacle combination including the one or more receptacles;   the pin-receptacle combination comprises: (i) one or more receptacles disposed at the other of the at least one of the first and second ends of the first portion or the second portion of the body or flex frame; (ii) at least one receptacle disposed at the other of the at least one of the first and second ends of the other of the first portion or the second portion of the body or flex frame; and (iii) a pin that operates to be removably disposed in the one or more receptacles and the at least one receptacle of the body or flex frame when all of the receptacles are aligned, thereby locking, and connecting together, the other of the at least one of the first and second ends of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame when the pin is located in the one or more receptacles and the at least one receptacle of the body or flex frame and thereby unlocking the other of the at least one of the first and second ends of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame when the pin is removed from the one or more receptacles and the at least one receptacle of the body or flex frame; and   the pin mates with the one or more receptacles and the at least one receptacle of the body or flex frame to prevent piercing or injury to the user of the apparatus.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of:
 the body or flex frame further comprises a magnet to magnet or magnet to metal combination that operates to further anchor the portion of the knot of the tie and/or the tie disposed in the body or flex frame;   the first and second portions of the body or flex frame include material that is attracted to each other via one or more magnetic forces;   a first magnet is disposed on, and/or connected to, the buttress element, and a second magnet is disposed such that one or more portions of the tie are located between the magnets, thereby further anchoring, supporting and/or securing the tie therebetween;   the first magnet is built into, made integral with, and/or permanently connected to the buttress element, or is connected to the buttress element using at least one of: gluing, welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering, molding, clamping, screwing, latching, and friction-fitting; and   one or more components of the apparatus are made of at least one of: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or rigid material, metal, magnetic material, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of:
 the body or flex frame further comprises a hinge on at least one end thereof that operates to hold together and connect at least one of the first and second ends of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame;   the body or flex frame further comprises a magnet to magnet or magnet to metal combination that operates to at least one of: (i) hold the first portion and the second portion of the body or flex frame together via one or more magnetic forces; (ii) connect directly and/or indirectly, and hold together, at least one of the first and second ends of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame via one or more magnetic forces, thereby anchoring the portion of the knot of the tie and/or the tie disposed in the body or flex frame; (iii) be opened by the application of one or more forces or pressures to the first and second portions of the body or flex frame; and (iv) be opened by the application of one or more forces or pressures to the first and second portions of the body or flex frame, wherein the one or more forces or pressures applied to the first portion of the body or flex frame and the one or more forces or pressures applied to the second portion of the body or flex frame are applied in substantially opposite or opposite directions;   the first and second portions of the body or flex frame include material that is attracted to each other via one or more magnetic forces;   the first and second portions of the body or flex frame include material that is attracted to each other via one or more magnetic forces while the first and second portions of the body or flex frame retain their respective resilient flexibility and spring-like bias;   at least one of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame include at least one of a magnet, magnetic metal, metals that are attracted to magnets and metals that operate to act as one or more magnets;   a first magnet is disposed on, and/or connected to, the buttress element, and a second magnet is disposed such that one or more portions of the tie are located between the magnets, thereby further anchoring, supporting and/or securing the tie therebetween;   the first magnet is built into, made integral with, and/or permanently connected to the buttress element, or is connected to the buttress element using at least one of: gluing, welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering, molding, clamping, screwing, latching, and friction-fitting; and   one or more components of the apparatus are made of at least one of: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or rigid material, metal, magnetic material, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber.   
     
     
         11 . A tie securing, anchoring and/or supporting apparatus, comprising:
 a cinch mechanism having at least a first hole and at least a second hole, the at least first hole and the at least second hole operating to align and misalign with each other such that when the at least first hole and the at least second hole are aligned a portion of a tie may be disposed therethrough and/or removed therefrom and when the at least first hole and the at least second hole are misaligned the at least first hole and the at least second hole operate to hold the portion of the tie disposed therethrough, thereby securing, anchoring and/or supporting the portion of the tie; and   a buttress element connected to and extending from the cinch mechanism, the buttress element having a first portion and a second portion, at least one of the first and second portions extending from the cinch mechanism, the first and second portions being sized and shaped to define a zone of space therebetween and operating to receive and hold at least a portion of a tie therein.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of:
 the apparatus operates to keep the tie in position and prevent at least one of: loosening of the tie, shifting of the tie, and moving of the tie;   the apparatus operates to prevent a knot of the tie from loosening, slipping, and/or becoming undone;   the apparatus operates to be installed or placed on the tie after the tie is placed in a predetermined position on a user;   the apparatus is disposed, or substantially disposed, on a first portion of the tie, wherein the first portion includes at least one of: a knot; a front portion or side; a middle portion; a back portion or side; a backside portion where the front side of a tie may be one or more sides of the tie facing away from the user and the backside of the tie may be one or more sides of the tie facing towards the user and/or located between the user and the front side of the tie; a smaller portion of the tie as compared to other portions of the tie; a larger portion of the tie as compared to other portions of the tie; and a portion of the tie located between both cloth portions of the tie; and   the apparatus further comprises a pin and pin receptacle to further anchor, secure, support and/or grip the tie, wherein the pin operates to pierce and grip a portion of the tie.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of:
 the buttress element: (i) is built into, made integral with, and/or permanently connected to the cinch mechanism; (ii) is releasably connectable to the cinch mechanism, or (iii) has at least one portion that is built into, made integral with, and/or permanently connected to the cinch mechanism and at least another portion that is releasably connectable to the cinch mechanism;   the buttress element and the cinch mechanism operate to be connected to each other for use and then disconnected from each other after use, during manufacturing, for storage, and/or for shipment;   the buttress element and the cinch mechanism are connected by at least one of: gluing, welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering, molding, clamping, screwing, latching, and friction-fitting;   the buttress element includes at least one clip or clasp or other connecting means connected to, and extending from, a base of the buttress element or a base of at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element, the at least one clip or clasp or other connecting means operating to releasably connect the buttress element or a least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element to the cinch mechanism; and   the other connecting means include at least one of another clip, another clasp, at least one screw, and at least one hook.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the cinch mechanism at least one of:
 is sized and shaped to operate to receive and hold a portion of the tie in the at least first hole and the at least second hole thereof;   is sized and shaped to operate to receive and hold a portion of the tie therein and/or therethrough;   has one or more surfaces or walls defining an interior zone of space, such that any portion of the tie disposed therein is encompassed by the cinch mechanism or is located in the interior zone of space of the cinch mechanism;   further comprises at least one spring and at least one button or actuation element, the at least one button or actuation element operating to compress and/or decompress the spring and including at least one of the at least first hole and the at least second hole of the cinch mechanism such that the compression and/or the decompression of the spring operates to align and/or misalign the at least first hole and the at least second hole;   is opened and/or has its at least first hole and at least second hole aligned when a force or a pressure is applied to the at least one button or actuation element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring;   is opened and/or has the at least first hole and the at least second hole thereof aligned when a force or a pressure is applied to the at least one button or actuation element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring, wherein the force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount;   is closed and/or has the at least first hole and the at least second hole thereof misaligned when a force or a pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at least one button or actuation element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring; and   is closed and/or has the at least first hole and the at least second hole thereof misaligned when a force or a pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at least one button or actuation element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring, wherein the force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of:
 the at least first hole and the at least second hole are positioned on the cinch mechanism such that at least an axis, a line or a plane passes therethrough and/or the at least first hole and the at least second hole are co-linear and/or co-planar;   at least one of the at least first hole and the at least second hole is disposed on and in communication with one or more surfaces or walls of the cinch mechanism;   the at least first hole is disposed on and in communication with one or more surfaces or walls of the cinch mechanism and the at least second hole is disposed on and in communication with one or more other surfaces or walls of the cinch mechanism;   one of the at least first hole and the at least second hole is disposed on and in communication with one or more surfaces or walls of the cinch mechanism and the other of the at least first hole and the at least second hole is disposed on and in communication with the button or actuation element of the cinch mechanism;   the geometry of at least one cross-section of the cinch mechanism is at least one of: triangular, substantially triangular, rectangular, substantially rectangular, square-shaped, substantially square-shaped, parallelogram-shaped, substantially parallelogram-shaped, conical, substantially conical, cylindrical, substantially cylindrical, pentagonal and substantially pentagonal;   the cinch mechanism includes at least one of one or more elevations, one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, one or more hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concave contours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one or more chamfered surfaces to better grip, secure, anchor and/or support the tie;   the at least one of one or more elevations, one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, one or more hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concave contours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one or more chamfered surfaces are located on and/or in communication with at least one of: the at least first hole of the cinch mechanism, the at least second hole of the cinch mechanism and the one or more surfaces or walls of the cinch mechanism; and   the at least first hole and the at least second hole have the same or substantially the same radius, diameter and circumference or have at least one of the radius, diameter and circumference thereof being different.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of:
 the buttress element operates to prevent movement of the tie and/or to prevent the knot of the tie from loosening;   one or more portions of the knot of the tie and/or the tie rest and/or are disposed in the buttress element;   one or more portions of the knot of the tie and/or the tie rest and/or are disposed in the zone of space between the first and second portions of the buttress element;   the buttress element is U or V shaped or substantially U or V shaped;   the first and second portions of the buttress element are connected directly or indirectly to the cinch mechanism and are oriented such that the first and second portions of the buttress element define and form the U or V shape or the substantial U or V shape of the buttress element;   the first and second portions of the buttress element are connected to each other and oriented such that the first and second portions of the buttress element define and form the U or V shape or the substantial U or V shape of the buttress element;   the buttress element has one of the following geometric shapes: substantially circular, circular, substantially semi-circular, semi-circular, ovular, semi-ovular, point or pointed, conical, substantially conical, post-like, pillar-like, bar-like, spring-like and coil-like;   the buttress element extends from the cinch mechanism along an axis that is a different axis than the longitudinal axis of, and/or extending through, the cinch mechanism;   the buttress element: (i) is perpendicular, transverse, substantially perpendicular and/or substantially transverse to the cinch mechanism; or (ii) extends from the cinch mechanism at any other predetermined, preselected angle, the predetermined, preselected angle being at least one of: 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 30 degrees, anywhere in the range of about 20 degrees to about 85 degrees; anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 85 degrees, and anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 180 degrees;   the buttress element includes at least one of one or more elevations, one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, one or more hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concave contours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one or more chamfered surfaces to better grip, secure, anchor and/or support the tie;   the first portion of the buttress element includes at least one curved portion such that the first portion of the buttress element extends from the second portion of the buttress element for a predetermined distance and then curves and continues to extend such that the remainder of the first portion of the buttress element is parallel or substantially parallel to the second portion of the buttress element;   the first and second portions of the buttress element have the same or substantially the same width, height and length or have at least one of the width, height and length thereof being different; and   the first and second portions of the buttress element are built into, made integral with, and/or permanently connected to each other or are releasably connected to each other via one or more releasable connection means.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of:
 the at least one button or actuation element comprises at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element;   the buttress element and the cinch mechanism are integrated such that the at least one portion of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element operates to compress and/or decompress the spring and to align and/or misalign the at least first hole and the at least second hole of the cinch mechanism;   the cinch mechanism is opened and/or has its at least first hole and at least second hole aligned when a force or a pressure is applied to the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring;   the cinch mechanism is opened and/or has the at least first hole and the at least second hole thereof aligned when a force or a pressure is applied to the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring, wherein the force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount;   the cinch mechanism is closed and/or has the at least first hole and the at least second hole thereof misaligned when a force or a pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring; and   the cinch mechanism is closed and/or has the at least first hole and the at least second hole thereof misaligned when a force or a pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring, wherein the force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of:
 when the at least first hole of the cinch mechanism is disposed on and in communication with a surface or wall of the cinch mechanism and the at least second hole of the cinch mechanism is disposed on and in communication with another surface or wall of the cinch mechanism, at least one of the at least one button, actuation element and the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element includes at least a third hole of the cinch mechanism;   the at least third hole of the cinch mechanism operates to be aligned and/or misaligned with the at least first hole and the at least second hole of the cinch mechanism, thereby locking the cinch mechanism when one or more of the three holes are misaligned and unlocking the cinch mechanism when all three holes of the cinch mechanism are aligned;   the cinch mechanism is opened and/or has the at least first hole, the at least second hole and the at least third hole aligned when a force or a pressure is applied to the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring and aligning the at least third hole with the at least first hole and the at least second hole;   the cinch mechanism is opened and/or has the at least first hole, the at least second hole and the at least third hole aligned when a force or a pressure is applied to the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring and aligning the at least third hole with the at least first hole and the at least second hole, wherein the force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount;   the cinch mechanism is closed and/or has at least two of the at least first hole, the at least second hole and the at least third hole thereof misaligned when a force or a pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring and misaligning the at least third hole with at least one of the at least first hole and the at least second hole; and   the cinch mechanism is closed and/or has at least two of the at least first hole, the at least second hole and the at least third hole thereof misaligned when a force or a pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring and misaligning the at least third hole with at least one of the at least first hole and the at least second hole, wherein the force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of:
 the cinch mechanism is: (i) locked when the spring is compressed and unlocked when the spring is decompressed; or (ii) unlocked when the spring is decompressed and locked when the spring is compressed;   when the spring is decompressed and the hole of at least one of the at least first hole, the at least second hole and the at least third hole that is disposed on and in communication with the button, actuation element and/or the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element is positioned closer to the zone of space of the buttress element than the other two holes of the at least one of the at least first hole, the at least second hole and the at least third hole, then the cinch mechanism is locked when the spring is decompressed and is unlocked when the spring is compressed;   when the spring is compressed and the hole of at least one of the at least first hole, the at least second hole and the at least third hole that is disposed on and in communication with the button, actuation element and/or the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element is positioned further away from the zone of space of the buttress element than the other two holes of the at least one of the at least first hole, the at least second hole and the at least third hole, then the cinch mechanism is unlocked when the spring is decompressed and is locked when the spring is compressed;   the button or actuation element extends through a first or front wall or surface of the cinch mechanism and the spring extends from a second or back wall or surface of the cinch mechanism;   the cinch mechanism further comprises a second spring and a latch mechanism that operates to slide towards the spring, thereby locking the spring in a compressed position, and to slide away from the spring, thereby unlocking the spring from its compressed position;   the latch mechanism includes a curved, sloped, tapered and/or chamfered surface such that, when the at least one of the button, the actuation element and the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element slides along the curved, sloped, tapered and/or chamfered surface of the latch mechanism, the latch mechanism is pushed away from the spring such that the second spring becomes compressed, thereby unlocking the spring from its compressed position;   the cinch mechanism further comprises at least one of: (i) one or more tracks, one or more rails and/or one or more guideposts that operate to guide the at least one of the button, the actuation element and the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element in the cinch mechanism; (ii) one or more tracks, one or more rails and/or one or more guideposts that operate to guide the second spring and/or the latch mechanism in the cinch mechanism; and (iii) one or more tracks, one or more rails and/or one or more guideposts that operate to guide the spring in the cinch mechanism;   the second spring and the latch mechanism operate to be locked in, and released from a compressed position, thereby allowing the user of the apparatus to control when the apparatus is opened and closed;   the cinch mechanism is sized and shaped to operate to guide at least one of the spring and the at least one of the button, the actuation element and the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element therein; and   one or more components of the apparatus are made of at least one of: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or rigid material, metal, magnetic material, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber.   
     
     
         20 . A method of using at least one tie securing, anchoring and/or supporting apparatus or device, comprising:
 (i) applying a force to a body or flex frame of the at least one apparatus or device to open, or expand a hole of, the body or flex frame a predetermined amount;   (ii) positioning and/or placing a portion of a tie into and/or onto the body or flex frame and/or the hole thereof or removing the portion of the tie from the body or flex frame and/or the hole thereof; and   (iii) releasing or removing the force placed on the body or flex frame of the apparatus or device such that the resilient elasticity and/or the spring-like bias of the body or flex frame and/or the portions of the body or flex frame, the portions of the body or flex frame being springingly biased towards each other, operate to close, and/or narrow the hole of, the body or flex frame and/or anchor, secure, lock and/or support the portion of the tie in a predetermined, pre-selected position, orientation and/or configuration.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of:
 (i) the applying step further comprises opening the body or flex frame by separating at least two portions of the body or flex frame; and   (ii) the releasing or removing of the force step further comprises closing the at least two portions of the body or flex frame, wherein the at least two portions of the body or flex frame are closed by at least one of: (a) a pin and receptacle arrangement; and (b) one or more magnetic forces drawing the at least two portions together.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising positioning at least a portion of the tie and/or a knot of the tie in a buttress element, the buttress element being connected to, and extending from the body or flex frame, thereby further anchoring, securing, locking and/or supporting the portion of the tie and/or the knot of the tie in a predetermined, pre-selected position, orientation and/or configuration and/or preventing the knot from loosening. 
     
     
         23 . A method of using at least one tie securing, anchoring and/or supporting apparatus or device, comprising:
 (i) aligning at least two holes of a cinch mechanism of the at least one apparatus or device to open and unlock the cinch mechanism;   (ii) positioning and/or placing a portion of a tie into and/or onto the cinch mechanism and/or the at least two holes thereof or removing the portion of the tie from the cinch mechanism and/or the at least two holes thereof; and   (iii) misaligning the at least two holes of the cinch mechanism to close and lock the cinch mechanism and/or anchor, secure, lock and/or support the portion of the tie in a predetermined, pre-selected position, orientation and/or configuration.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising positioning at least a portion of the tie and/or a knot of the tie in a buttress element, the buttress element being connected to, and extending from the cinch mechanism, thereby further anchoring, securing, locking and/or supporting the portion of the tie and/or the knot of the tie in a predetermined, pre-selected position, orientation and/or configuration and/or preventing the knot from loosening. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein:
 (i) the at least two holes comprise at least three holes;   (ii) the alignment step further comprises aligning the at least three holes; and   (iii) the misalignment step further comprises misaligning at least two of the at least three holes.