Elastic Strap-Retainer for Cargo Slack Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fabric straps used for cargo retention are non-elastic and prone to slack formation during transport, leading to instability and potential dislodgment of cargo due to lack of elastic behavior, especially when subjected to movement.
Innovation Solution
A strap-retainer system comprising a hook end, a clamp end, and an elastic portion that stretches between the hook and clamp, providing tension to the strap and preventing slack by using a clamp with a protrusion and aperture configuration to secure the strap and a ratcheting mechanism to maintain tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If non-elastic fabric straps are used for cargo retention, then high break strength and low elongation are achieved, but slack forms during transport causing cargo instability and potential dislodgment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastic portion that changes the physical parameter of elasticity to the strap system. This elastic portion is configured to stretch and retract, providing dynamic tension adjustment that maintains cargo stability during transport while preserving the high strength characteristics of the non-elastic fabric strap.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap system is divided into distinct segments: a non-elastic fabric strap portion for strength and an elastic portion for flexibility and tension maintenance. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function - the fabric strap provides break strength while the elastic portion prevents slack formation.
2Reliability
If elastic material is added to provide tension and prevent slack, then cargo stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic portion is integrated directly into the strap assembly, merging the tensioning function with the retention strap. This combination eliminates the need for separate tensioning mechanisms while maintaining cargo stability, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic portion automatically adjusts tension in response to cargo movement, providing self-regulating tension maintenance without requiring external control mechanisms. This self-service capability maintains cargo stability while minimizing additional mechanical complexity.
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-retainer system effectively maintains strap tension, reducing the risk of cargo instability and dislodgment by providing an elastic retaining force that adjusts with cargo movement, ensuring secure retention even when the cargo is jostled or tilted.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic portion is configured to be stretched between a hook secured to a support and the clamp attached to a strap. The elastic portion provides a restoring force as it returns to its original length.
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo retainer system incorporates a load-bearing strap assembly having a load bearing strap that extends over a cargo element, and a strap-retainer clamped to the load bearing strap and having an elastic portion that is stretched to a stretched length and attached to a portion of the load-bearing strap. The strap-retainer has an elastic portion that extends from the clamp to a hook that is configured to attach to a portion of the load-bearing strap to secure the strap retainer under tension. The strap-retainer provides an elastic retaining force on the load-bearing strap wherein the force exerted on the load bearing strap increase when the cargo shift away from strap-retainer and the force decreases when the cargo shifts toward the strap-retainer. A cargo retainer system may incorporate a strap-retainer on either side of the cargo element to provide complimentary and corrective elastic retaining forces on the load-bearing strap.