Bait Box Maintenance Tool With Rotating Keys

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Solution Overview

Problem

Service engineers face difficulties in managing and organizing numerous keys for different brands and models of bait boxes, leading to inconvenience and increased risk of key loss due to the need to store and access various keys during site visits.

Innovation Solution

A bait box maintenance tool with a central hub and detachable keys, where each key can be rotated between stowed and deployed positions, featuring a stop mechanism to prevent over-rotation and a resilient retaining system for easy attachment and detachment, allowing for compact storage and quick access to the correct key.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If service engineers store multiple keys for different bait box brands and models, then they can service various types of boxes, but the complexity of key management and organization increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to service different bait box typesVSAvoidkey management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual keys for different bait box types are merged into a single integrated keyring device. The keyring consolidates several keys that would otherwise need to be stored and managed separately, reducing the complexity of key management while maintaining the ability to service various bait box types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The keyring device serves multiple functions: it stores and organizes multiple keys, provides a standardized attachment point for all keys, and enables quick access to the correct key. This universal device replaces the need for separate key storage solutions for each key type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If service engineers carry multiple keys in storage, then they can access different bait boxes, but the time required to find the correct key increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to different bait boxesVSAvoidtime to locate correct key
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The keyring device segments and organizes multiple keys in distinct, accessible positions. Each key is attached to the keyring in a specific location, allowing the service engineer to quickly identify and access the correct key for a particular bait box type without searching through a disorganized collection of keys.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The keys are pre-arranged and attached to the keyring in advance, organized by bait box type or usage frequency. This preliminary organization eliminates the need to search for the correct key during service calls, as the appropriate key is already in its designated position on the keyring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If service engineers use traditional key storage methods, then keys can be carried conveniently, but the risk of key loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of key carryingVSAvoidkey retention security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple keys are merged into a single integrated keyring unit, reducing the total number of separate items that can be lost. Instead of carrying individual keys that can be misplaced or lost separately, all keys are consolidated into one secure assembly that is easier to track and retain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The keyring provides a standardized, replicated attachment mechanism for all keys. This uniform design ensures consistent security and retention for each key, eliminating variability in how different keys are stored and reducing the overall risk of loss through standardized reliable attachment points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3293327B1Bait box maintenance tool
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 PELSIS
  • EP3293327B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3293327B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3293327B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A bait box maintenance tool (100) comprises a hub (110) and a plurality of bait box keys (120A-120D) disposed around a periphery of the hub (110). Each key (120) is movable from a stowed position, such as a position proximate to an edge (112) of the hub (110), to a deployed position, such as a position in which the key (120) extends radially outward from the hub (110). The bait box maintenance tool (100) allows the retention of multiple bait box keys (120), which can be used without removal from the hub (110).