Connecting Strap With Elastic Band And Webbing Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
When participants of unequal strength or ability, such as an adult and child, engage in activities like bicycling or skiing together, it is challenging for both to maintain the same speed, leading to safety concerns due to potential falls or loss of control, as existing connecting straps may fail under encountered forces or cause jerky movements.
Innovation Solution
A connecting strap featuring a sleeve of webbing with elastic material and attachment straps, designed to securely link two participants or a participant and an object, providing a 3:1 to 4:1 elongation ratio and a maximum load engagement of 15-18 pounds, preventing over-stretching and UV damage, while ensuring smooth tension distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connecting strap is made strong enough to avoid failure under forces, then safety is improved, but the strap may cause jerky movements or over-stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an elastic band within a webbing sleeve to provide beforehand cushioning. The elastic band stretches to absorb sudden forces and prevents jerky movements while maintaining connection strength. The webbing sleeve acts as a guide and protector, ensuring the elastic band functions smoothly without causing harmful jerks during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the connecting strap by using an elastic band with specific elongation properties (3:1 to 4:1 ratio) within a constrained webbing sleeve. This parameter change allows the strap to dynamically adjust its length and tension, providing safety through controlled elasticity while preventing over-stretching and jerky movements.
2Ease of operation
If the connecting strap allows significant elongation to accommodate speed differences, then ease of operation is improved, but the strap may become too long and dangle onto the ground or into wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a webbing sleeve that acts as a flexible constraint for the elastic band. The sleeve is configured with a specific maximum elongation (3:1 to 4:1 ratio) that allows sufficient stretching for speed synchronization while preventing the strap from becoming excessively long. The webbing material provides both flexibility for elongation and structural control to prevent dangling.
3Ease of operation
If the elastic band is made highly stretchable to accommodate movement, then ease of operation is improved, but the band may be overstretched and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The webbing sleeve provides beforehand cushioning and protection for the elastic band. The sleeve is configured with a maximum elongation limit (3:1 to 4:1 ratio) that prevents the band from being overstretched beyond safe limits. The sleeve acts as a mechanical stop that protects the band's durability while still allowing sufficient stretch for movement accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the durability and stretch parameters by configuring the webbing sleeve with specific elongation limits (3:1 to 4:1 ratio). This parameter control ensures the elastic band operates within safe stress ranges, accommodating movement while preventing over-stretching and damage through the sleeve's constrained geometry.
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 connecting strap allows participants of different abilities to maintain synchronized speed safely by distributing forces smoothly, preventing jerking and failure, thus enhancing the safety and enjoyment of sports activities like cycling, skiing, and dog walking.
Implementation Method 1
a band of elastic material extending in a continuous loop
Data Source
AI summary
Connecting straps, for use for example in sports activities, include (a) a sleeve of webbing having a first end and a second end and having a loop at each end, each loop having a base and a free end, (b) disposed within the sleeve of webbing, a band of elastic material extending in a continuous loop, and (c) an attachment strap, adjacent each loop, configured to secure a portion of the band to the webbing at the base of each loop. In some cases, the band has a solid, polygonal cross-sectional shape.