Elastic Strap Locking Mechanism for Secure Fastening

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional straps used to secure objects, such as packages and suitcases, are difficult to tighten and unfasten, leading to inefficiency and potential accidental unfastening during handling.

Innovation Solution

The strap features formations like protrusions and notches at its ends, which lock together when inserted, requiring opposite directional pulling to unfasten, allowing for easy fastening and reliable securing by stretching around an object.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional straps are used with buckles or ratchets, then the strap can be tightened securely, but the strap becomes difficult to unfasten and requires complex mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring reliabilityVSAvoidunfastening ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The strap is divided into modular components: elastic sections for tightening, rigid formations for locking, and gripping surfaces for handling. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing the strap to be both secure and easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex buckles that require threading and manipulation, the invention uses simple interlocking formations that engage automatically when the strap is stretched around the object, reversing the traditional approach to strap fastening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If adhesive tape or plastic film is used, then the strap is easy to apply, but the material cannot be reused and causes waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication easeVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The strap is designed to be reusable by incorporating durable elastic material and permanent formations. After use, the strap can be unfastened and reused multiple times, eliminating the waste associated with single-use tapes and films.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The strap combines elastic material for flexibility and reuse with rigid formations for secure locking. This composite structure enables both ease of application and multiple uses, contrasting with single-material disposable solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the strap uses interlocking buckle parts, then the strap can be locked securely, but the length must be adjusted in advance which reduces flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidlength adjustment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The strap incorporates elastic sections that allow dynamic adjustment of length after the strap is applied to the object. The rigid formations provide secure locking while the elastic portions enable flexible sizing, eliminating the need for pre-adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the strap is made entirely of elastic material, then the strap is easy to stretch and fasten, but the strap cannot maintain tight locking under impact or pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening easeVSAvoidlocking reliability under load

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The strap combines elastic material for flexibility and ease of fastening with rigid formations for secure locking under load. The elastic sections allow easy stretching and adaptation, while the rigid formations maintain their shape and locking capability under impact and pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the strap have different properties: elastic sections for stretching and adaptation, rigid formations for secure locking. This local differentiation allows the strap to be easy to fasten while maintaining reliability under load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 strap is easy to use and secure, preventing accidental unfastening, even under impact or pressure, as it forms a tight loop around objects with a high friction coefficient, ensuring the object remains closed.

Implementation Method 1

a second end and therebetween an elastic part enabling the strap to be made into a tight loop around an object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The strap is easy to use and secure, preventing accidental unfastening, even under impact or pressure, as it forms a tight loop around objects with a high friction coefficient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10085535B2Strap

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 INNOTIA EESTI OU

AI summary

The elastic strap has, at each end, one or more formations, for instance protrusions and notches, which are shaped so as to lock with the formations of the opposite end such that detachment of the ends from one another requires the ends of the strap to be pulled in the longitudinal direction of the strap in mutually opposite directions while stretching the strap. The formations at the ends of the strap, after having been inserted into one another, lock the ends of the strap such that they do not move with respect to one another in directions perpendicular to the unfastening direction or in a direction opposite to the unfastening direction. The strap may be used for ensuring that a suitcase stays closed.