Flexible Connection Member Locking for Rope and Cordage Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shackles used for connecting non-metallic chains and cordages often fail to provide a secure and efficient locking mechanism, particularly in applications requiring high reliability and ease of use, such as mooring and lifting operations.
Innovation Solution
A flexible connection member with a first and second end, each featuring insertion regions, is configured by inserting one end through the other's region and forming curved sections to create a locking mechanism over an intermediate portion, allowing the ends to abut and secure loads effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional metallic shackles are used to connect non-metallic chains and cordages, then the connection can be achieved, but the locking mechanism lacks security and reliability particularly in high reliability applications
Solution Approach 1:
The connection member is constructed entirely from flexible material that matches the non-metallic chains and cordages being connected. The entire structure including ends, intermediate portion, and locking mechanism is made from the same flexible material, creating a homogeneous system that maintains reliability while avoiding complexity of metallic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection member forms its own locking mechanism through the interaction of its first and second ends. The ends are configured to interlock with each other, creating a self-contained locking system that does not require external metallic shackles or complex locking devices, thereby improving reliability through self-service functionality.
2Ease of operation
If conventional metallic shackles with complex locking devices are used, then secure locking can be achieved, but the ease of use is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection member automatically forms its locking mechanism through the natural interaction of its first and second ends. The ends are configured to interlock when the connection member is properly inserted, creating a self-service system that is both easy to use and reliable without requiring complex manual locking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection member is divided into distinct functional segments: a first end with a first insertion region, a second end with a second insertion region, and an intermediate portion. This segmentation allows each end to perform specific functions in the locking mechanism while maintaining overall simplicity and ease of operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple flexible loop structure is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to handle various loads securely is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible connection member is manufactured as a single continuous piece divided into functional segments: first end, intermediate portion, and second end. This segmentation is achieved through forming processes that create insertion regions and curved sections in the flexible material, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enabling secure load handling through the configured structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection member incorporates curved sections in its flexible material structure. These curved sections are formed during manufacturing and enable the ends to interlock and form a locking mechanism, providing secure load handling capability while maintaining ease of manufacture through forming processes.
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~2(f)
Figure 3(a)~3(d)
Figure 4(a)~4(f)
AI summary
A method of configuring a connection member (30; 40). The connection member comprises a first end (31; 41), a second end (32; 42), and an intermediate portion (33; 43) between said ends. Each end comprises respective first and second insertion regions (35; 45, 36; 46). In the configured, operative state, first (38; 48) and second (37; 47) curved sections are arranged on opposite sides of the first end and on opposite sides of the second end. The first and second ends are movable to be arranged in the vicinity of each other, and abut against each other, and thereby form a lock over the intermediate portion. The connection member may be a loop formed of a flexible material, such as an endless band or rope, or a flexible elongated body having a first end (41) and a second end (42), separated by an intermediate portion (43) and comprising at each end respective first and second insertion regions (45, 46). The connection member may be formed from a rope having first and second ends formed by braiding or any other known and applicable technique.