Sliding Belt Adapter Lock for Secure Tool Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing belt adapters fail to provide reliable and secure fixation of objects attached to a belt, especially under impact or accidental snagging, as the securing elements often become loose, posing a risk of unintentional detachment.

Innovation Solution

A belt adapter with a displaceable securing element that moves along a vertical axis between unlocking and locking positions, featuring a slot-like receptacle for the carrier element, guided by guide webs and actuated by a push button, ensuring secure fixation and easy release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a simple securing element is used to attach objects to the belt adapter, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of securing the object under impact or snagging conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachment and releaseVSAvoidsecure fixation under impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The securing element is designed to be displaceable along the vertical axis between unlocked and locked positions. When the carrier element is inserted, it automatically drives the securing element from the unlocked to the locked position, where it is held by a stop element. This dynamic mechanism provides secure fixation under impact while maintaining ease of operation through automatic locking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a secure locking mechanism is implemented to prevent unintentional release, then the reliability of securing is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of unintentional releaseVSAvoidstructure of securing mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier element itself serves as the actuating mechanism. When inserted, the carrier element automatically drives the securing element into the locked position against the stop element. The system secures itself without requiring additional complex locking components or mechanisms, thus maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the securing element is fixed in position to ensure reliable attachment, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of release and reattachment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidrapid tool changes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The securing element is designed to be displaceable along the vertical axis between unlocked and locked positions. When the carrier element is inserted, it automatically drives the securing element from the unlocked to the locked position, where it is held by a stop element. This dynamic mechanism provides secure fixation under impact while maintaining ease of operation through automatic locking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier element itself serves as the actuating mechanism. When inserted, the carrier element automatically drives the securing element into the locked position against the stop element. The system secures itself without requiring additional complex locking components or mechanisms, thus maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3868250B1Belt adaptor and holding system comprising a belt adapter and a support element
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 BS SYST GMBH &CO KG
  • EP3868250B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3868250B1 patent drawingFigure 2~6
  • EP3868250B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

The invention relates to a belt adapter (1) for attaching objects to a belt, comprising a holding device for attaching the belt adapter (1) to the belt, an opening (3) extending along a vertical axis (V) of the belt adapter (1) through which a support element (31) can be inserted into it, and a locking element (14) that is movable between an unlocked position, in which the support element (31) can be inserted into and removed from the belt adapter (1), and a locking position for securing a support element (31) inserted into the belt adapter (1) in a locked position. The invention further relates to a holding system comprising a belt adapter (1) and a support element (31).The invention solves the problem of providing a belt adapter (1) that ensures reliable securing of the inserted carrier element (31) by designing the securing element (14) to receive at least a part of the carrier element (31) and by guiding it slidably along the vertical axis (V) of the belt adapter (1) between the unlocking position and the locking position.