Bag Clamp with Ratchet Locking for Secure Surface Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bag hangers lack secure and reliable attachment methods to surfaces, making them susceptible to accidental detachment or theft, and do not accommodate vertical or chair-back orientations effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bag clamp with coaxial retention arms that rotate about a pivoting axis, featuring a locking mechanism with an engaged and disengaged setting, and a release button with biasing force, allowing secure attachment to various surfaces and orientations, including a ratchet mechanism and jamming component for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If friction-based hangers are used to keep bags on surfaces, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates as they can easily slip off when accidentally contacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the friction-based mechanical holding system with a positive locking mechanism featuring ratchet teeth and a pawl that engages to prevent reverse motion, transforming the attachment method from passive friction to active mechanical interlocking that reliably prevents accidental detachment
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded pawl is pre-positioned to automatically engage with the ratchet teeth upon forward motion, creating a preliminary locked state before any detachment force is applied, ensuring reliability is established in advance rather than relying on friction during the holding phase
2Reliability
If suspension clamps are used to hang bags from surfaces, then reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as they cannot effectively attach to vertical or chair-back orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The retention arms are designed with rotational joints that allow dynamic adjustment of the arm angles relative to the surface, enabling the same clamp to adapt to horizontal tables, vertical walls, or angled chair backs while maintaining the reliable ratchet-based locking mechanism in all orientations
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed as a universal device that can function in multiple orientations and on various surface types through its adjustable retention arms and orientation attachment, allowing a single device to provide reliable theft prevention across diverse use scenarios rather than requiring orientation-specific designs
3Ease of operation
If friction-based hangers are used on limited surface areas, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to susceptibility to impact and theft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fragile friction-based holding system with a robust ratchet and pawl mechanical locking system that can withstand impact forces and theft attempts, maintaining simplicity of use through automatic engagement while providing the required protection level
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The bag clamp provides secure and reliable attachment to surfaces, preventing accidental detachment and theft, while allowing for versatile orientation options, including vertical and chair-back attachments, ensuring the bag remains securely held.
Implementation Method 1
a release button (424) in a first biased position, the second urged position being achievable when a force is applied to overcome the biasing force
Data Source
AI summary
A bag clamp having retention arms, capable of rotating about a pivoting axis between an open and closed position. The retention arms are connected to a locking mechanism configured to prevent the retention arms from pivoting to an open configuration when the locking mechanism is in an engaged setting. The arms are shaped to create an open receiving space. The open receiving space allows the bag clamp to receive a rigid structure to clamp onto while also receiving a bag's straps.