Climbing Cam Stem Branching and Uncoated Surface Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camming devices experience degradation in grip due to coatings applied during manufacturing, which wear off over time, affecting their holding power.
Innovation Solution
The cam elements are manufactured without a coating on the working surface, and the stem comprises tensile members like stainless steel or synthetic materials, with a flexible sleeve and divergent branches, allowing for enhanced grip and connection options via a sling or carabiner, preventing damage to the sling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a coating is applied to the cam element during manufacturing, then the surface hardness and initial grip are improved, but the grip degrades over time as the coating wears off
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful coating is completely removed from the cam element surface. The patent specifies that the cam element working surface should be free from anodisation or other coatings, extracting the problematic layer that causes grip degradation while retaining the base metal properties for sustained performance
Solution Approach 2:
The surface treatment parameter is changed from coated to uncoated. The patent specifies removing anodisation layers and other coatings to expose the base metal surface, fundamentally changing the surface condition from having a hard coating to having the natural metal surface for consistent long-term grip
2Weight of moving object
If the stem is formed as a single loop with parallel cable portions, then the device becomes compact and lightweight, but the connection points are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The stem is segmented into multiple independent tensile members rather than a single continuous loop. The patent describes a stem comprising multiple separate cables or tensile members, each capable of independent connection, thereby increasing versatility while maintaining compactness through the multi-strand configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The stem design provides multiple connection points and configurations within a single structure. The patent describes how the multi-member stem can be connected to various equipment including carabiners and slings at different locations, making the device universally adaptable to different climbing protection scenarios
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tensile members diverge to form branches in the stem, then connection versatility is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stem is divided into multiple discrete tensile members that can be independently configured. The patent describes separating the stem into multiple cables or members that can diverge and connect at different points, creating branching connection options without requiring complex integrated structures
Solution Approach 2:
The stem structure utilizes spatial arrangement in three dimensions to create branching connections. The patent describes tensile members extending in different directions and planes from the head, using dimensional space to provide multiple connection points without increasing the fundamental structural complexity
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
This design enhances the grip of the camming device by avoiding coating wear and providing a robust, durable connection system that maintains performance over time.
Implementation Method 1
A respective spring (32) surrounds each pivot pin (24) that acts to urge the corresponding cam element (28) towards the extended position
Implementation Method 2
Each pivot pin (24) carries a respective cam element (28), such that each cam element (28) can pivot about the pin (24) on which it is carried between a withdrawn position, and an extended operational position
Implementation Method 3
The cam elements are sprung to an expanded position and can be drawn to a retracted position... to grip the rock, and thereby retain the head within the recess
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A camming device comprises a head (10) on which is carried a plurality of pivotable cam elements (28). Each cam element (28) can pivot between an extended position and a withdrawn position. A trigger (34) is operable to pivot the cam elements (28) towards the withdrawn position. A stem (12) is connected to the head (10), the stem having a first and a second portion, an end part of the first portion being secured to the head (10), and the second portion having two branches that are secured to a common termination component (50) at spaced-apart locations. The first portion of the stem (12) comprises a single tensile member (40) or a plurality of tensile members that extend in contact with one another. At least one cam element (28) has a body on which is formed a working surface (66), in which the body, as manufactured, has applied to it a coating, other than in the region of the working surface.