Cinching Connector for Repositionable Sheet-to-Line Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching lines to functional sheet products, such as tarpaulins and greenhouse films, often require permanent holes or limited repositioning, leading to reduced effectiveness and lifespan due to point ripping stress and damage from traditional connection methods.
Innovation Solution
A cinching connector system comprising a waist member, cord, and buckle that allows for adjustable tension without puncturing the sheet product, enabling repositioning and reducing stress on the material by trapping the sheet between a circular loop and the waist member, while applying tension through the cord.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional connection methods (grommets, adhesive fasteners, clamping fasteners) are used to attach lines to functional sheet products, then the line can be securely attached and tension maintained, but the sheet product suffers from point ripping stress, permanent holes, reduced lifespan, and limited repositioning capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a connector as an intermediary device between the line and the functional sheet product. This connector distributes the line's attachment point across a broader area of the sheet, using a curved or arcuate configuration that spreads tension forces rather than concentrating them at a single point. The connector acts as a mediator that maintains secure line attachment while protecting the sheet product from point ripping stress, thereby extending the sheet's lifespan without compromising attachment reliability.
2Reliability
If permanent attachment methods like grommets are used, then line attachment is secure and reliable, but the attachment cannot be repositioned or removed without damage to the sheet product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic attachment mechanisms that allow the connector to be installed, repositioned, and removed without permanent damage to the sheet product. The connector design enables adjustable positioning along the sheet product, allowing users to relocate attachment points as needed. This dynamic capability provides versatility in repositioning while maintaining secure line attachment through the distributed force distribution across the curved connector surface.
3Ease of manufacture
If lines are attached at single points using traditional methods, then the attachment is simple to install, but the concentrated tension causes point ripping stress and damage to the sheet product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the attachment function by introducing a curved or arcuate connector that divides the concentrated line tension into multiple distributed contact points across the sheet product surface. This segmentation approach maintains installation simplicity while eliminating point ripping stress, as the connector's geometry naturally distributes forces across a broader area rather than concentrating them at a single attachment point.
Data Source
AI summary
A cinching connector to attach a functional sheet product to a line comprises a waist member, a buckle, and a cord. The cord engages the buckle to create an adjustable loop. One side of the functional sheet product is draped over the waist member and the adjustable loop placed over the other side of the functional sheet product and over the waist member. The adjustable loop is moved from an expanded circumference to a cinched circumference by tension applied to the cord, cinching the adjustable loop and the functional sheet product to a waist of the waist member. Tension on the line holds the adjustable loop in the cinched circumference and maintains the attachment of the waist member to the functional sheet product.