Carabiner Orientation Device Using Flexible Rubber Keeper
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rock climbing equipment fails to maintain a carabiner in a fixed orientation within a webbing loop, leading to potential flipping and requiring vigilant monitoring by climbers. Additionally, existing devices often pinch the webbing loop, risking breakage or undesirable loading, and fail to secure the webbing snugly, causing excessive movement.
Innovation Solution
A carabiner orientation device that secures the carabiner in a fixed orientation while preserving the natural open loop shape of the webbing. This is achieved by holding the inside face of the webbing loop snugly against the inside of the carabiner using a flexible strap, allowing the device to adapt to varying loads without stress or risk of breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If existing devices pinch the webbing loop to maintain carabiner orientation, then the carabiner orientation is maintained, but the webbing loop may break or be loaded in an undesirable manner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rubber keeper as an intermediary element between the carabiner and webbing loop. This keeper maintains the carabiner orientation without directly pinching the webbing loop, thereby preserving webbing integrity while achieving the orientation stability function.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber keeper is made of flexible material that can adapt to the carabiner shape and movement. This flexibility allows the device to maintain orientation while accommodating load variations and carabiner rotation without creating rigid pinching points that could damage the webbing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If existing devices hold the webbing loop in a specific zone of the carabiner, then the carabiner orientation is maintained, but the webbing loop is not secured snugly, causing excessive movement
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber keeper's flexible material allows it to conform to the carabiner and secure the webbing snugly without creating rigid constraints. This flexibility enables the webbing to be held firmly in place while still allowing smooth clipping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber keeper changes its physical state from a relaxed condition to a compressed condition when the carabiner rotates against it. This parameter change allows the device to maintain the carabiner in the correct orientation while providing just enough resistance to prevent excessive movement but not enough to hinder clipping operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the webbing loop is constrained to maintain carabiner orientation, then the carabiner remains in fixed position, but the device or carabiner may be loaded in an undesirable manner
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber keeper acts as a mediator that allows controlled carabiner rotation while maintaining orientation. It provides a compliant interface between the carabiner and webbing, enabling the system to maintain orientation stability while accommodating natural load-induced movements without creating undesirable loading conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved carabiner orientation device designed for traditional climbing, which allows a carabiner to be held in a fixed orientation within a webbing loop while maintaining the natural open loop shape of the webbing. The device is adaptable to different carabiner sizes and types and is resilient under load conditions typical in traditional climbing, especially when a secondary carabiner is clipped into and weighted within the webbing loop.