Buckle Locking Member Prevents Webbing Loosening
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing buckle and catch arrangements in safety harnesses, particularly those using a knurl bar and webbing retaining member, tend to loosen during use, requiring frequent tightening and leading to webbing wear, which compromises the long-term performance and safety of the harness.
Innovation Solution
A buckle design featuring a connecting portion, a slide, and a locking member that engages a second webbing to prevent loosening, utilizing a cam knob and locking plate to increase friction and maintain the webbing's position on the slide, thereby reducing wear and ensuring a proper fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a knurl bar and webbing retaining member are used to attach webbing to a buckle, then the webbing can be secured, but the webbing tends to loosen during use requiring frequent tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed to dynamically adjust and maintain constant pressure on the webbing through spring biasing, adapting to movement and tension changes during use. This dynamic mechanism prevents loosening without requiring user intervention for tightening.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased locking member automatically maintains proper webbing tension through its own elastic force, eliminating the need for external user action to tighten the webbing. The system serves itself by continuously applying corrective pressure as the webbing attempts to loosen.
2Reliability
If a knurl bar and webbing retaining member arrangement is used, then the webbing can be attached to the buckle, but the webbing experiences increased wear due to loosening and tightening cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is pre-biased by the spring to immediately engage and secure the webbing in the correct position upon attachment. This preliminary securing action prevents subsequent loosening movements that would cause wear, extending the harness lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the wear-prone knurl bar arrangement with a locking member system that uses a spring (a consumable component with designed life) to protect the more critical webbing from wear. The spring absorbs the wear through controlled deformation rather than friction on the webbing.
3Device complexity
If a simple slide arrangement is used to attach webbing, then the buckle structure is simple, but the webbing loosens during safety harness movement
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle is segmented into distinct functional components: the slide for webbing passage, the locking member for pressure application, and the spring for biasing force. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member acts as an intermediary between the spring force and the webbing, translating the spring's elastic energy into continuous contact pressure on the webbing. This intermediary mechanism provides stability without requiring complex structural constraints.
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 effectively prevents webbing loosening and wear, ensuring a consistent and safe fit throughout the use of the safety harness by securely engaging the webbing on the slide, reducing the need for frequent adjustments and extending the harness's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
the locking member is configured to selectively press the second webbing on the slide
Data Source
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AI summary
A buckle and catch used to couple webbing together is provided. The buckle includes a connecting portion, a slide and locking member. The connecting portion is configured to selectively engage an engaging portion of a first webbing. The slide of the buckle is configured to engage a second webbing and the locking member is configured to selectively press the second webbing on the slide.