Easy-lace Strap Component with Aligned Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Specialty vests often have straps that are difficult to lace due to misaligned loops and the material properties of the straps, which require complex hand movements and can cause the threading space to collapse, making it hard to secure the straps around the user's waist.
Innovation Solution
A strap component system featuring trapezoid-shaped teeth with aligned holes and loop openings, allowing for easier alignment and connection of straps using a flexible member, and optional spring-loaded cord locks to secure the connection, reducing material usage and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fabric loops are used to connect strap pieces, then the strap can be made from flexible fabric material, but the loops cannot hold their shape and the threading space collapses making it difficult to thread the rope
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from flexible fabric to rigid plastic for the strap components. This parameter change allows the loops to maintain their shape and structural integrity, preventing collapse during the threading operation while still allowing the overall strap to remain flexible through its design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the strap into separate modular components (first strap component, second strap component) each with defined loops and teeth. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the rigid plastic components maintain loop shape while the overall strap assembly remains flexible and adjustable
2Ease of operation
If the loops of the strap pieces are made from the same fabric material as the strap, then the strap maintains uniform material properties, but the loops collapse and do not hold their shape during threading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from flexible fabric to rigid plastic for the strap components. This parameter change allows the loops to maintain their shape and structural integrity, preventing collapse during the threading operation while still allowing the overall strap to remain flexible through its design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified plastic loop components that replicate the functional purpose of traditional fabric loops. Instead of relying on fabric loops that collapse, the invention uses molded plastic loops with built-in structural support, copying the essential threading function while eliminating the shape retention problem
3Productivity
If complex hand movements are required to thread the rope through misaligned loops, then the traditional strap design can be maintained, but the lacing process becomes arduous and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates teeth with pre-aligned holes in each strap component before assembly. This preliminary alignment of the holes through the teeth ensures that when the components are brought together, the holes are already positioned to receive the connecting member, eliminating the need for complex hand movements to align misaligned loops during the lacing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces teeth as an intermediary structural element between the strap components. These teeth with aligned holes serve as a mediator that guides and aligns the connecting member during assembly, simplifying the lacing operation by providing a clear path for the rope or cord to follow through pre-positioned openings
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a strap component and strap component system. The strap component has a first strap component piece and a second component piece. Each strap component piece has one or more teeth, each teeth having a base with a base width, a tip with a tip width, two side surfaces extending from the tip to the base, and a hole extending through both side surfaces. The first strap component piece and second strap component piece may be arranged whereby the one or more teeth of the first strap component piece and the one or more teeth of the second strap component piece are vertically staggered. In this arrangement, the holes of all of the teeth may be aligned whereby a connecting member may be configured through the holes to connect the first strap component piece and the second strap component piece.