One-Handed Bag Clasp With Flexible Arms and Spring Bias
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bag attachment mechanisms, such as zippers and clasps with springs, are cumbersome and inefficient, often requiring two hands to secure and remove storage components, making it difficult to utilize bags with multiple compartments effectively.
Innovation Solution
A clasp design featuring a protrusion portion and a receiving portion with flexible arms that can be easily engaged and disengaged with one hand, using a frictional fitting or spring assembly to secure the components to the bag, allowing for quick attachment and removal of storage pockets in various orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional attachment mechanisms like zippers or spring clasps are used, then storage components can be secured to the bag, but the operation requires two hands and is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring component from traditional clasps, extracting the problematic element that required two-handed operation. The springless design uses a simple latch mechanism that can be operated with one hand, eliminating the complexity of spring compression and release while maintaining the securing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The clasp mechanism is designed to automatically latch when the protrusion portion is inserted into the receiving portion, without requiring manual spring compression. The latch engages automatically, allowing the user to simply push the components together with one hand rather than manipulating multiple components.
2Productivity
If storage components are made removable, then unused space can be managed, but the attachment and removal process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The clasp design pre-positions the latch mechanism in a ready-to-engagement state. The protrusion portion is pre-shaped to automatically align with and trigger the latch when inserted, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment during attachment. This preliminary configuration of the mechanism enables rapid one-handed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the user to actively disengage a spring-loaded mechanism, the design inverts the operation: the latch is held in a blocked position and releases automatically when the protrusion is inserted or when a simple one-handed motion is applied. This reversal of the traditional engagement/disengagement sequence reduces the steps required for both attachment and removal.
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
Enables secure and efficient attachment and detachment of storage components with one hand, improving usability by reducing the complexity of bag compartment management and allowing for flexible orientation of pockets.
Implementation Method 1
The first arm and the second arm are biased toward one another by the spring assembly to resist opening of the cavity
Implementation Method 2
The first arm is connected to the body by a plurality of first flexible connectors. The second arm is connected to the body by a plurality of second flexible connectors
Data Source
AI summary
A clasp for attaching a component to a bag having a strap. The clasp includes a protrusion portion having a protrusion and a receiving portion having a first arm and a second arm. The first and second arms define a receiving cavity configured to receive the protrusion of the protrusion portion. In one embodiment, the receiving portion further includes a body to which the first arm and second arm are connected by a plurality of flexible connectors. In another embodiment, the first arm is connected to the second arm by a clip. The arms of the receiving portion may each comprise a flexible extension which resists opening of the cavity. Alternatively or in addition, the receiving portion may further have a spring assembly which resists opening of the cavity. The receiving portion may further include one or more C-shaped strap retainers for attaching to the strap of the bag.