Adjustable Retractible Leash Lighter Holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoker's accessories do not provide a convenient and versatile solution for storing and organizing smoking paraphernalia, particularly lighter holders and grinders, which often lead to inconvenience and potential damage due to rigid designs and lack of adaptability for different lighter types.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a base unit with a retractable leash, adjustable lighter holder, and a detachable grinder, featuring a rotatable attachment mechanism, adjustable grip for various lighter types, and a braking mechanism to prevent sudden retraction, allowing for secure storage and easy access to lighters and grinding herbs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid fixed design is used for lighter holder, then manufacturing is simple, but adaptability to different lighter types is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The lighter holder arms are designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing them to deflect and adapt to different lighter shapes and sizes. The arms can bend inward to accommodate various lighter types while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If a retractable leash is used, then portability is improved, but risk of sudden retraction causing damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
A braking mechanism is incorporated into the retractable leash system to provide controlled resistance during retraction. This prevents sudden snapping by applying friction-based damping, cushioning the retraction process and eliminating the harmful sudden movement while preserving the portability benefits of the retractable design.
3Ease of operation
If attachment means is made rotatable, then ease of attachment to clothing is improved, but stability of attachment may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is designed with a rotatable clip that can be easily opened and closed. The rotation capability allows the clip to be quickly opened for attachment/detachment operations, while the clip's spring-loaded design ensures stable holding once attached. The preliminary design of the clip structure provides both ease of operation and stability without requiring complex additional mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) comprising: a base unit (2); an attachment means (15), connected to the base unit, which can be used to attach the base unit (2) releasably to a user's clothing;a leash arrangement comprising a flexible leash (5) element which may be extended from, and retracted into, the base unit (2); and a holder attached to the leash element (5), the holder (9) being operable to grip and release at least one type of cigarette lighter (25,26,27), wherein: the holder(9) comprises first and second arms (11) which protrude away from a central point and are deflected towards one another to present generally opposed gripping surfaces (13); the arms (11) are formed from a resilient material, allowing the arms (11) to deflect to allow a cigarette lighter (25,26,27) to be placed between the arms (11), so the arms (11) will then exert a gripping force on the lighter (25,26,27); and an adjustment arrangement (14) is provided to allow a user to adjust the distance between the gripping surfaces (12) when the holder (9) is in an undisturbed state.