Chest Buckle Resilient Locking Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chest buckles for harnesses carrying heavy motor-driven tools, such as clearing saws, face issues with forces causing the fastening to undo and being difficult to release manually.
Innovation Solution
A chest buckle design featuring two parts with multiple strap attachment means, a resilient locking member, and a hexagonal shape with slots and a C-shaped web portion to distribute forces and facilitate easy locking and quick release, using a lateral translational movement and beveled surfaces for smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a snap fastening is used to connect the chest plate parts, then the fastening can be easily assembled, but the fastening becomes difficult to undo manually and may undo under load forces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed as a resilient (elastic) component that can dynamically change its position. During assembly, it flexes to allow engagement; during release, it flexes in the opposite direction to disengage. This dynamic behavior enables easy manual operation while maintaining secure locking under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient locking member acts as an intermediary between the two chest plate parts. It provides the locking function while its elastic properties allow it to absorb forces and facilitate easy release by the user, mediating between the conflicting requirements of secure locking and easy release.
2Device complexity
If a simple snap fastening is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the fastening under heavy loads decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member's material parameters are selected to provide optimal elasticity - it must be resilient enough to allow easy release but stiff enough to maintain reliable locking under heavy loads. The geometric parameters of the locking member are designed to provide the right balance between flexibility for release and strength for load-bearing.
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 design enhances comfort by distributing heavy load forces and allows for quick and effortless release of the buckle, ensuring secure locking and easy operation under strain.
Implementation Method 1
the second part comprises a resilient locking member arranged to protrude through a hole in the first part when the second part is accommodated in the cavity to lock the first and second parts together
Implementation Method 2
the web portion is adapted to act as a spring to bias the transversal portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal edge to protrude beyond the longitudinal edge
Data Source
AI summary
A chest buckle for a harness for carrying a handheld motor-driven work tool, the chest buckle including first and second parts, wherein the first and second part, each includes at least two mechanisms attaching straps of the harness thereto. The first part includes a recess defining a cavity arranged to accommodate the second part therein. The second part includes a resilient locking member arranged to protrude through a hole in the first part when the second part is accommodated in the cavity to lock the first and second parts together.