Gas Cylinder Retaining Buckle With Pivot Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas-cylinder retaining assemblies for breathing apparatus harnesses face issues with the secure retention of the free end of the cylinder-retaining strap, which can become detached and loose, posing a hazard due to inadequate securing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A gas-cylinder retaining assembly featuring a retaining buckle with a positioning slot, a pivot member, and a retaining slot, where the pivot member is shaped to maintain the buckle in a retaining position due to strap tension, ensuring the free end of the strap is securely held between the buckle and the strap portion, preventing accidental release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Velcro is used to attach the free end of the strap to the portion of strap around the cylinder, then the strap can be easily attached and detached, but the free end of the strap can become detached and loose, introducing a potential hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The strap system is divided into functional segments: the main retaining portion that secures the cylinder, the free end portion, and the retaining buckle as a separate securing mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the Velcro provides easy attachment while the rigid retaining buckle provides secure retention of the free end.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining buckle acts as an intermediary device between the free end of the strap and the main retaining portion. It provides a mechanical interface that secures the free end through the pivot member and retaining slot, preventing detachment while maintaining the ease of use provided by the Velcro attachment system.
2Reliability
If a rigid retaining mechanism is used to securely hold the free end of the strap, then the security of strap retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex locking mechanism that requires active engagement, the design inverts the approach by using a pivot member that passively secures the strap through its geometry. The retaining buckle pivots into position and the strap is retained through the natural mechanical interaction between the pivot member, retaining slot, and strap tension, rather than through active locking components.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining mechanism is self-securing through the interaction of its components. When the free end is inserted through the retaining slot and the buckle is positioned, the pivot member and strap tension automatically maintain the retained position without requiring additional locking actions or complex mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the pivot member is shaped to maintain the buckle in the retaining position due to strap tension, then the security of strap retention is improved, but the ease of operation for releasing the strap may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining buckle is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot between positions. The pivot member enables the buckle to move from an inserted position to a retained position, and can be manually manipulated to release. The strap tension dynamically maintains the retained position through the pivot member geometry, while manual force can override this to release.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a gas-cylinder retaining assembly 10 for retaining a gas-cylinder on a harness for breathing apparatus. The retaining assembly comprises a strap 20 arranged in use to be coupled to the harness and a retaining portion of which is arranged to pass around at least a portion of the cylinder; a tensioning device 30 arranged for tightening the retaining portion of the strap around the cylinder such that the cylinder is held to the harness, and wherein a free portion of the strap, having a free end, extends from the tensioning device; and a retaining buckle 40 arranged for retaining the free portion of the strap, the retaining buckle 40 comprises a positioning slot 42 through which in use the retaining portion of the strap passes; a pivot member 44 which in use is located between the cylinder and the retaining portion of the strap; and a retaining slot arranged in use to receive the free end of the strap 46. In use the retaining buckle 40 is pivotable between at least a loading position in which the free end of the strap can be inserted into the retaining slot, and a retaining position in which at least part of the free portion of the strap is held between the retaining buckle and the retaining portion of the strap.