Adjustable Crampon Locking Mechanism for Glove-Friendly Length Setting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adjusting the length of crampons can be difficult, especially when wearing gloves, due to the challenges in grasping the gripping means of existing length-setting mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A length-adjustable crampon with a locking device that allows for automatic transition between coupling and uncoupling configurations, facilitated by a force exertion, enabling easy length adjustment without manual lifting of tabs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible tab with gripping means is used to extract the stud from the hole for length adjustment, then the length setting can be changed, but the gripping means becomes difficult to grasp when wearing gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The crampon is designed so that when force is exerted to reduce the length, the setting means automatically transition from coupling to uncoupling configuration without requiring manual manipulation of gripping means. The system serves itself by converting the applied force directly into the extraction action of the stud from the hole.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the user to actively grasp and lift the tab to extract the stud, the invention inverts the mechanism so that applying force in the normal direction (reducing length) automatically causes the stud to be extracted. The uncoupling happens as a result of the intended action rather than requiring a separate gripping action.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual lifting of the tab is required to adjust the length setting by trial and error, then the stud can be extracted from different holes, but the process becomes time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic transition mechanism eliminates the need for repeated manual trial and error adjustments. When the user applies force to reduce the length, the system automatically uncouples and allows the first part to move relative to the connecting element, achieving the desired length adjustment in a single action rather than through multiple trial adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is pre-configured to be in the unlocked state, allowing the setting means to automatically transition to the uncoupling configuration when force is applied. This preliminary preparation of the locking mechanism enables immediate and rapid adjustment without requiring additional manual steps to release or prepare the system.
3Reliability
If the locking device maintains the coupling configuration to ensure stable length setting, then the setting is secure, but the adjustment process requires additional manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device operates by inverting the expected sequence: instead of requiring manual unlocking before adjustment, the system is designed so that applying force during the adjustment process automatically transitions the locking device to the unlocked state, allowing the setting means to move from coupling to uncoupling configuration. The locking then occurs automatically when the new position is reached.
Data Source
AI summary
The length-adjustable crampon for a shoe includes a connecting element, a first part and a second part connected by the connecting element. The crampon includes means for setting the length of the crampon and a locking device configured to maintain the length setting of the crampon. The crampon is configured so that, when the locking device is in an unlocking configuration, a force exerted on the crampon induces an automatic transition from a coupling configuration of the setting means with the connecting element, ensuring the length setting of the crampon, to an uncoupling configuration of the setting means relative to the connecting element, the force being exerted to adjust the length setting of the crampon by reducing the length of the crampon.