Double Carabiner with Pivoting Lock for Secure Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carabineers often detach undesirably due to gate dislodgment during movement, leading to the opening of the gate and detachment of the carabineer, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A locking double carabineer apparatus featuring a body with two hooks, each with a gate that can be closed by a pivoting lock with a first position preventing gate opening and a second position allowing gate opening, utilizing an S-shaped body with notches and tabs that require deformation to transition between positions, ensuring secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple gate mechanism is used, then the device is easy to operate, but the gate may be dislodged during movement causing detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting lock is pre-positioned in a locked state that prevents gate opening before movement occurs. The lock engages with the gate structure in advance, securing it against dislodgment during subsequent movement or loading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting lock transitions between a locked position (preventing gate opening) and an unlocked position (allowing gate operation). This dynamic mechanism adapts the gate's security state based on operational requirements, maintaining reliability during movement while enabling ease of operation when needed.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent gate dislodgment, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting lock is designed to be manipulated by the user's thumb or finger, allowing self-service operation without requiring additional tools or complex actuation mechanisms. The lock's geometry enables direct manual engagement and disengagement, maintaining simplicity despite the added security function.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting lock changes its angular position parameter between locked and unlocked states. This simple rotational parameter change controls the gate's security state, achieving reliable locking without complex mechanical systems by utilizing a single degree of freedom.
3Reliability
If the pivoting lock requires deformation to transition positions, then security against accidental opening improves, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting lock utilizes elastic deformation as a temporary state during transition between locked and unlocked positions. The material's elastic properties allow reversible deformation that prevents accidental opening while enabling controlled transition when intentional force is applied by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock requires a slight excessive force beyond normal operating conditions to initiate the deformation needed for position transition. This partial deformation requirement prevents accidental opening from minor disturbances while allowing intentional operation when sufficient force is deliberately applied.
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 locking mechanism securely attaches items by preventing gate opening during movement, ensuring the carabineer remains attached, and allows for easy opening by deforming slightly to transition between lock positions, addressing the issue of undesirable detachment.
Implementation Method 1
a pivoting lock, the pivoting lock oriented in the body, the pivoting lock having a first position where a first end of the pivoting lock rests against the first gate and a second end of the pivoting lock rests against the second gate preventing the first and second gate from opening
Implementation Method 2
in order to pass through the position, the pivoting lock must deform slightly due to the distance from the first gate to the second gate being slightly less than the length from the first end of the pivoting lock to the second end of the pivoting lock
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~4
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, the second gate attached to the body and oriented to close the second hook.