Feather Holder with Coil and Socket Connector

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for attaching accent feathers to decorative hats, such as shakos, lack the ability to easily interchange feathers and securely hold them in place without damaging the hat or feather.

Innovation Solution

A holder with a coil portion that springingly engages the feather's shaft and a socket cup connector that resiliently attaches to the hat, allowing for easy interchange and secure retention of the accent feather.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional socket cup is used to hold plumes, then the plume is securely held, but the ability to interchange accent feathers is lost and damage to the hat or feather may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of interchangeVSAvoidsecure retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is divided into distinct functional segments: a coil portion for engaging the accent feather shaft and a socket cup connector portion for attaching to the socket cup. This segmentation allows the holder to interface with both the feather and the hat independently, enabling easy interchange while maintaining secure retention through specialized engagement mechanisms for each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holder acts as an intermediary device between the accent feather and the socket cup/hat. Rather than directly attaching the feather to the hat or modifying the socket cup, the holder mediates the connection by providing a coil portion that grasps the feather shaft and a connector portion that interfaces with the existing socket cup structure, thus enabling interchangeability without compromising retention or causing damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If existing attachment methods are used, then the feather is held in place, but the hat or feather may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoiddamage to hat or feather

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coil portion of the holder functions as a flexible elastic element that can deform and recover. This flexibility allows the coil to springingly engage the accent feather shaft with sufficient force for secure attachment, while the elastic nature prevents excessive force that could damage the delicate feather shaft or the hat material, thus resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and avoiding damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed attachment method is used, then the feather is securely held, but interchangeability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinterchangeabilityVSAvoidease of attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holder incorporates dynamic elements, specifically the elastic coil portion that can flex and the releasable engagement mechanism with the socket cup. These dynamic features allow the holder to be easily attached and detached, enabling interchangeability of accent feathers. The elastic coil provides automatic engagement when the feather is inserted and can be easily released, maintaining ease of operation while achieving versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables easy interchange and secure attachment of accent feathers to decorative hats, ensuring they remain in place without damaging the hat or feather, while allowing for various feather options.

Implementation Method 1

The holder has a coil portion with an interior adapted to springingly engage a shaft of the accent feather

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The holder has a socket cup connector portion that works with the coil portion to resiliently and releasably engage a wall of the socket cup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11213085B1Accent feather holder for plume socket cup and method of using same

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 DEMOULIN BROTHERS & CO

AI summary

A holder for a feather has a coil portion. The coil portion has a center axis, an exterior, and an interior. The interior of the coil portion is configured to receive a shaft of the feather inserted into the coil portion along the center axis. The holder has a socket cup connector portion extending from the coil portion. The socket cup connector portion has an inner leg having a first region extending axially relative to the coil portion, and a second region extending in a direction away from the inner leg first region and away from the exterior of the coil portion. The inner leg first region is spaced from the exterior of the coil portion at a distance such that the inner leg first region and the exterior of the coil portion are resiliently engageable with a wall of a socket cup when the holder is releasably attached to the socket cup.