Double Carabiner Gate Locking With Sliding Notch Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carabiners often experience gate dislodgment during movement, leading to undesirable detachment due to insufficient locking strength.
Innovation Solution
A locking carabineer design featuring a sliding lock mechanism that braces the gates over hooks, utilizing a sliding lock with a tab to prevent dislodgment, and an alternative embodiment with a g-like shaped sliding lock for enhanced locking strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional carabineer gate is used, then the device is simple and easy to operate, but the gate may be dislodged during movement resulting in detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The locking carabineer incorporates a nested structure where the gate assembly is integrated within the body, and the locking mechanism is nested within the gate assembly. The gate can be inserted into the body, and the locking mechanism engages with features on the gate, creating a compact nested configuration that enhances reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism performs preliminary action by automatically engaging the gate with the body when the gate is inserted. The spring-loaded or elastic locking element pre-positions itself to capture the gate, preventing dislodgment before movement occurs. This preliminary locking action ensures the gate is secured in advance of any potential dislodging forces.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent gate dislodgment, then the locking strength increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through elastic or spring-loaded elements that automatically engage and disengage the gate. The elastic member deforms during gate insertion and automatically locks the gate in place without requiring separate manual locking actions. Similarly, applying force to the gate automatically triggers disengagement, eliminating the need for separate unlocking steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex multi-component mechanical locking systems with simpler elastic or spring-based mechanisms. The elastic member serves multiple functions simultaneously - providing the locking force, indicating the locked state through its deformation, and enabling automatic release when force is applied. This substitution reduces the number of separate mechanical parts while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4B
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
An apparatus for attaching items includes a body and a first and second hook oriented on a first and second side of the body. The apparatus further includes a first and second gate, the first gate attached to the body and oriented to close the first hook, and the second gate attached to the body and oriented to close the second hook. The apparatus further includes a first and second sliding lock, the first and second sliding locks oriented on the first and second gates, respectively, the first and second sliding locks having a first position, the first position being a locked position where the sliding lock is positioned in a first and second notch in the body, and a second position, the second position being an unlocked position where the first and second sliding locks are distal from the first and second notches.