Adjustable Flotation Device Clamp for Boat Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching flotation devices to boats are inelegant and often fail to retain the user close enough to the boat, making it difficult to pass items like beverages and potentially leading to unsafe situations.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with a clamp base, extensible clamp portions, and a tether member that securely attaches to the boat, allowing for adjustable clamping to various boat features like gunwales and swim platforms, and a retention device that couples the flotation device to the boat via a tether.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rope is tied to an attachment point on the boat and the flotation device, then the boater does not drift too far from the boat, but the solution is inelegant and may still be unable to retain the boater close enough to the boat
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into distinct functional segments: a clamping mechanism with adjustable clamp portions for securing to the boat, a tether member for connection, and a retention device for attaching to the flotation device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp portions are designed to be extensible and adjustable, allowing the attachment system to adapt to different boat configurations and sizes. The extensible clamp portions can be extended or retracted to achieve proper clamping force on various boat features, providing both simplicity and adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If a rope is used to tether the flotation device to the boat, then the boater is connected to the boat, but it is an inelegant solution and may not retain the boater close enough
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable and extensible clamp portions allow the attachment point on the boat to be positioned at optimal locations and distances. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to maintain reliable retention while allowing easy passage of items between the boat and flotation device, as the tether length and attachment points can be configured for optimal accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the clamp portions are made extensible to adjust distance for clamping different boat features, then the device can attach to various boat configurations, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism is segmented into fixed and extensible clamp portions that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the device to adapt to different boat features (gunwales, swim platforms, etc.) without requiring complete redesign, maintaining versatility while keeping each segment relatively simple in design.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is an apparatus for coupling a flotation device to a boat. The apparatus includes a clamping device with a clamp base, a fixed clamp portion extending from the clamp base, and an extensible clamp portion extendably coupled to the clamp base. Extension of the extensible clamp portion changes a distance between the extensible clamp portion and the fixed clamp portion so as to permit clamping of a portion of the boat there between. A tether member extends downwardly from the base. A retention device is associated with the tether member and operates to couple the flotation device to the boat.