Adjustment Buckle Assembly Ratchet Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustment buckles for luggage lack rigidity and efficient mounting methods, often relying on webbing strips and stitching, which limit adjustability and durability.

Innovation Solution

A two-piece adjustment buckle assembly with a ratchet mechanism, comprising a first component with a hollow shaft and a second component with a receptacle, where the shaft's teeth engage with the second component's ribs, allowing for secure clamping and adjustable tightening without webbing strips or stitching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a conventional unitary adjustment buckle is used with webbing strips and stitching, then the buckle can be mounted to luggage, but the rigidity and adjustability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverigidityVSAvoidmounting structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment buckle is divided into two separate components: a first component with a shaft and a second component with a receptacle. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for rigidity and mounting, eliminating the need for webbing strips and stitching while improving overall structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If webbing strips with stitching are used to mount the adjustment buckle, then the buckle can be attached to luggage, but the adjustability and durability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The webbing strip and stitching are completely removed from the mounting system. Instead, the adjustment buckle uses a direct mechanical connection between the shaft and receptacle components, which provides both superior adjustability through the ratchet mechanism and enhanced durability through direct structural attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ratchet mechanism allows the adjustment buckle to dynamically adjust between multiple positions, providing versatile adaptability while the rigid shaft-receptacle connection ensures durable, reliable mounting that maintains these adjustments under load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the shaft and receptacle are designed with teeth and ribs for ratchet engagement, then secure clamping and preventing unintended loosening is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The ratchet teeth are integrated directly into the shaft and receptacle components during molding, combining the fastening function with the structural components. This merging eliminates the need for separate ratchet mechanisms while achieving secure attachment that prevents unintended loosening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11723438B2Adjustment buckle assembly

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

An adjustment buckle assembly includes a first component having a shaft extending from a flange and a second component having a receptacle formed through a base. The shaft is configured to be at least partially inserted into the receptacle and tapers inwardly relative to a central axis extending centrally through the first component. The shaft carries a plurality of teeth that are configured to engage with a plurality of ribs carried on the second component.