Buckle With Inclined Insert And Chord Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick release latches for body armor and load carrying straps face challenges in load bearing capacity, ease of use, and manufacturing complexity, particularly in securing straps of varying widths and ensuring efficient release mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A compact buckle design featuring a male and female component with inclined inserts, teeth, and oval patterns that allow for secure engagement and easy release via a chord, providing a self-guiding, self-cleaning mechanism with enhanced load bearing capacity and adaptability for multiple strap widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional quick release latch design is used, then the release mechanism is functional, but the load bearing capacity is insufficient and the structure is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle is divided into distinct male and female components with specific functional elements (teeth, slots, inclined insert) that work together. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity and load bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined insert features an inclined surface that guides the male component during engagement. This curved/sloped surface provides self-guiding functionality, ensuring proper alignment and distribution of forces, thereby enhancing load bearing capacity while simplifying the engagement process.
2Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented, then the strap is securely held, but the release operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle employs a dynamic release mechanism where pulling the chord creates motion that selectively disengages the teeth from the slots. The male component can move relative to the female component during release, allowing the teeth to be pried loose from the slots through rotational and translational motion while maintaining secure engagement during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The chord acts as an intermediary element that translates user pulling force into the mechanical motion needed to disengage the locking teeth. By pulling the chord, force is applied to the male component, causing it to rotate and move away from the female component, thereby releasing the locked position without requiring direct manipulation of the teeth themselves.
3Volume of moving object
If the buckle is designed for small size, then the form factor is compact, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined insert with its inclined surface provides self-guiding functionality that compensates for minor manufacturing variations. The geometry of the inclined surface naturally guides the male component into proper alignment during engagement, reducing the need for extremely tight manufacturing tolerances while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The teeth and slots are designed to work together in a standardized configuration that can be manufactured using common molding or machining processes. The repeated use of these elements throughout the buckle allows for modular manufacturing approaches that maintain precision while simplifying production.
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 buckle offers improved load bearing capacity, ease of use, and simplified manufacturing while ensuring secure and quick release of straps, particularly for body armor and load carrying harnesses, with a small form factor and adaptability for various strap widths.
Implementation Method 1
an inclined insert; and one or more mating slots in the inclined insert
Implementation Method 2
the teeth located on the male component achieve locking by latching onto the oval patterns on the female component
Implementation Method 3
a chord, wherein the chord is configured that when pulled the teeth disengage just enough for the male component to be released
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present invention disclosed herein, there is provided buckle, comprising: a male component and a female component, wherein: the male component comprises: a slot for a strap at an end of the male component opposite the side where the male component is configured to insert into the female component; an inclined insert; and one or more mating slots in the inclined insert; and the female component comprises: a top wall, a bottom wall, and sidewalls forming a receiving portion; a plurality of teeth; a slot for a strap; and a chord, wherein the chord is configured that when pulled the teeth disengage just enough for the male component to be released.