Ball-and-Collet Latching Mechanism for Sports Helmet Straps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chinstrap buckles on sports helmets, particularly football helmets, often become unsnapped during game play due to impact or insufficient engagement strength, leading to helmets coming off and posing a safety risk, especially for youth players who lack the strength to properly secure them.
Innovation Solution
A latching device comprising a buckle with a collet and base system, featuring a ball-shaped member that is releasably received in the collet to securely engage with the base, providing a stable and adjustable retention mechanism for straps on sports equipment, utilizing a biasing member and locking ball assembly to ensure secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If ordinary snaps are used in current chinstrap buckles, then the buckle structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the retention strength is insufficient and the buckle becomes unsnapped during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle is divided into separate functional components: a base with shaft, a collet with fingers that can independently flex, and a ball-shaped locking member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
A ball-shaped member is used as the locking element instead of traditional snap buttons. The spherical geometry provides superior engagement with the collet fingers, distributing impact forces more effectively and preventing accidental disengagement while requiring minimal actuation force for release
2Ease of operation
If current buckles are designed for standard snap engagement, then the buckle is easy to operate, but youth players lack sufficient strength to properly snap and cannot confirm proper engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The collet fingers automatically flex outward to receive the ball-shaped member and then spring back to lock it in place without requiring manual manipulation. The system self-actuates through the natural spring action of the flexible fingers, eliminating the need for strong snapping motion
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement mechanism provides tactile feedback through the distinct click sensation when the ball-shaped member engages the collet fingers. This audible and tactile confirmation allows users to verify proper engagement without requiring excessive force or complex verification procedures
3Reliability
If traditional snap buckles are used, then the device is simple and成本低, but the helmet comes off during play causing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The ball-shaped member is nested within the collet structure, with the collet fingers wrapping around the ball to secure it. This nested configuration provides multiple engagement points and redundant retention paths, ensuring the helmet remains secured even under impact conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A latching device secures a strap to a piece of sports equipment. The latching device includes a buckle and a base. The buckle has a main body portion. The main body portion has an integrally formed collet and has a first slot and a second slot. The first and second slots each having a plurality of teeth shaped members that are configured to secure the strap to the buckle. The base is attached to the piece of sports equipment. The base has a first shaft and an annular ring. The first shaft has a first end and a second end. A ball shaped member is attached to the first end of the first shaft. The annular ring is formed on a periphery of the base surrounding the first shaft. The ball shaped member is releasably received in the collet to releasably engage the buckle with the base.