Crampon Fastening System with Adjustable Loop Strap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional crampons face issues with secure and easy handling of their fastening systems across different shoe sizes, as the long loop strap can entangle and pose safety risks, limiting adjustment possibilities.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an adjustable buckle system within the fastening mechanism, allowing for independent adjustment of the loop strap length, which includes a slider buckle for continuous adjustment and a separate hook member for simplified operation, along with a sling connection for a firm yet flexible heel fixing, to prevent entanglement and enhance usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a long loop strap is used to accommodate various shoe sizes, then the adjustment possibilities of the crampon are improved, but the loop strap can entangle in the surroundings and pose safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful excess length of the loop strap by introducing a separate retaining strap that secures the unused portion. This isolates the problematic element (excess strap length) from causing entanglement while preserving the functionality of the main loop strap for size adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining strap acts as an intermediary element between the excess loop strap and the surrounding environment. It mediates the potential harm by securing the loose end, preventing it from entangling with surroundings while allowing the main loop to maintain its adjustment capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the loop strap is shortened to prevent entanglement, then the safety is improved, but the adjustment possibilities for different shoe sizes are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the loop strap system into two functional parts: the main loop strap that provides adjustment capability for different shoe sizes, and a separate retaining strap that manages the excess length. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining strap is designed to be adjustable itself, allowing dynamic adaptation to different amounts of excess strap length. This dynamic characteristic ensures that as the main loop strap is adjusted for different shoe sizes, the retaining strap can always secure the appropriate amount of excess length, maintaining safety across all configurations.
3Ease of operation
If a buckle system is added to adjust the loop strap length, then the safety and ease of operation are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining strap serves multiple functions: it secures the excess loop strap length to prevent entanglement, and it incorporates a buckle mechanism that provides both retention and adjustment capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a crampon 10 comprising a shoe support 20 having at least one tooth 22 for engaging the ground and a fastening system 30 for fastening the shoe support 20 to a shoe 12, wherein the fastening system 30 comprises a heel fixing portion 32 connected to the shoe support 20, a loop strap 34 attached to the heel fixing portion 32, wherein the loop strap 34 forms a loop adapted to accommodate a shoe 12, and a connecting element 36 adapted to open and close the loop of the loop strap 34, wherein the fastening system 30 further comprises an adjusting element 38 adapted to adjust a length of the loop strap 34 such as to adjust the size of the loop.