Hook Fastener Spring Closure Anti-Theft Keeper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hook fasteners for belts lack effective deterrence against casual theft without significantly increasing cost or weight, as they rely on simple spring closures that can be easily opened.
Innovation Solution
A hook fastener design featuring a resilient keeper with a penannular form and angular slot mechanism that aligns with the mouth of the fastener, preventing unauthorized retraction of the closure, combined with a spring-urged closure system and a grip part for user manipulation, providing enhanced security without additional cost or weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple spring closure is used in the hook fastener, then the cost and weight are kept low, but the security against casual theft is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The keeper is designed to rotate between a locked position (blocking the mouth) and an unlocked position (allowing closure retraction). This dynamic element adds security without requiring complex locking mechanisms, as the rotation provides the necessary control over closure accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The keeper acts as an intermediary element between the closure and the external environment. It mediates access to the closure by positioning itself to either block or allow retraction through the gap, providing security while maintaining the simplicity of the underlying spring closure mechanism.
2Reliability
If a lock is added to the hook fastener to prevent unauthorized opening, then security is improved, but the cost and weight increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The keeper is a simple, inexpensive component made from basic materials that provides effective security. Rather than using expensive lock mechanisms, the patent employs a straightforward rotating element with a slot that achieves the same security function at minimal cost and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential security function from complex lock mechanisms and implements it through a simplified rotating keeper with a slot. This extraction removes unnecessary complexity while retaining the core security benefit of preventing unauthorized closure retraction.
3Reliability
If a lock is added to the hook fastener to prevent unauthorized opening, then security is improved, but the cost increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The keeper is a simple, inexpensive component made from basic materials that provides effective security. Rather than using expensive lock mechanisms, the patent employs a straightforward rotating element with a slot that achieves the same security function at minimal cost and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential security function from complex lock mechanisms and implements it through a simplified rotating keeper with a slot. This extraction removes unnecessary complexity while retaining the core security benefit of preventing unauthorized closure retraction.
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 design effectively deters casual theft by ensuring the closure remains locked unless intentionally opened, maintaining a low-cost and lightweight solution for securing belts.
Implementation Method 1
a spring urging the closure such that the shaft part extends out of the opening into the gap
Implementation Method 2
the keeper is formed of resilient material and has an inner surface complementary to the external face of the base portion, and at least one projection extending radially inwardly of the inner surface, each projection being configured for receipt in the mouth thereby providing a detent
Data Source
AI summary
In a hook fastener having a sliding closure for closing the mouth of the hook, a keeper prevents opening of the closure. The hook fastener includes a body having a base portion and a hook portion extending from an end of the base portion to define a gap between the hook and the base portion. An opening formed in the base portion has an elongate mouth intersecting an external face on the base portion. The closure includes a shaft part and a grip part, the shaft part received in the opening, the grip part protruding from the shaft part through the mouth for manipulation by a user. A spring urges the closure such that the shaft part extends out of the opening into the gap. The keeper is received to rotate upon the external face, being located between the grip part and abutment on the body. A slot in the keeper extends parallel to the mouth, the keeper preventing the user retracting the closure from the gap, except when the slot is rotated so as to be angularly aligned with the mouth.