Gantry Suspension Rope Adjustment Device with Pivoting Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rope adjustment systems for suspending apparatus under a gantry require separate mechanisms for adjusting and locking the rope length, making operations complex and difficult, especially as they often necessitate loosening knots and sliding through multiple holes, and do not allow for subsequent length adjustments without disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an adjustment box with wedging surfaces and a blocking strap that can pivot and lock the rope in place, allowing for both length adjustment and secure locking without the need for separate mechanisms, enabling easy assembly and disassembly of the blocking flange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate adjustment and locking mechanisms are used, then the rope length can be adjusted and locked, but the device complexity increases and operations become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment function and locking function into a single integrated device. The adjustment box houses both the wedging surfaces for length adjustment and the blocking strap for locking, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms and simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliable locking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment box serves multiple functions: it provides wedging surfaces for rope adjustment, houses the blocking strap mechanism, and enables both length modification and secure locking through a single device structure, making the system more versatile and less complex
2Adaptability or versatility
If knots and multiple holes are used for adjustment, then the rope length can be modified, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex knot-tying and hole-sliding operations and replaces them with a simplified mechanism featuring a blocking strap that can be easily positioned and locked against wedging surfaces, maintaining adjustment flexibility while dramatically improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking strap is designed to be movable during adjustment, allowing it to be positioned at different locations along the rope length, and then becomes static when locked against the wedging surface, providing both flexibility and ease of operation
3Reliability
If the blocking flange is permanently assembled, then the locking is secure, but the adaptability for subsequent adjustments decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into removable components, specifically the blocking flange that can be detached from the adjustment box, allowing the system to maintain secure locking when assembled while enabling subsequent adjustments by disassembling and reassembling the components in different configurations
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
Simplifies the process of adjusting and locking the rope length by integrating the functions into a single device, allowing for easy adjustment and secure locking without disassembly, reducing operational complexity and enhancing usability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one surface for wedging a section of the rope extending generally vertically through the adjustment box
Implementation Method 2
the blocking flange clamps a section of the rope against the wedging surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention proposes an assembly comprising a rope (18) for suspending a device (16) under a gantry (10), and a device (20) for adjusting the length of the rope (28) in which the adjustment device (20) comprises: - an adjustment box (22) having at least one clamping surface (36S) for a section (18A) of the rope extending generally vertically through the adjustment box (22); and - a locking clamp (24): -- which is fixed to a free end (18D) of the rope; and -- which is pivotally mounted relative to the adjustment box (22) between: i) an adjustment position of the position of the adjustment box (22) along the rope; and ii) a locking position in which the locking clamp (24) clamps a section of the rope against the clamping surface.