Hookless Carabiner Gate Structure for Reliable Lightweight Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carabiner systems, particularly wire-gate type and hookless carabiners, face challenges in manufacturing cost, susceptibility to debris-related obstruction, durability, and weight, due to limitations in the gate/frame interface, which affects their reliability and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A carabiner system with a hookless gate/frame interface featuring a unique integral gate design that includes a key-lock region, gate region, and attachment region, formed without couplings, utilizing non-circular cross-sectional elongated members for optimized functionality, weight, and appearance, and providing inherent spring biasing for reliable coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If wire-gate type carabiners are used, then weight is reduced, but manufacturing reliability and durability deteriorate due to gate/frame interface limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gate and frame into a single integral constructed carabiner body, eliminating the gate/frame interface that causes reliability issues in traditional wire-gate carabiners. This single-piece construction removes the coupling points that are susceptible to manufacturing defects while maintaining the weight advantages of wire-gate designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the carabiner body into functional regions (gate region, lock region, body region) within a single integral structure. This allows optimization of each region's properties without requiring separate components, achieving both weight reduction and manufacturing reliability.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If hookless gate/frame interface is used, then durability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hookless interface is integrated directly into the single-piece carabiner body, eliminating the need for separate gate and frame components. This merger simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the durability benefits of hookless design by removing the interface coupling that would require complex assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The integral construction serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the hookless interface for durability, maintains structural integrity, and simplifies manufacturing. The single-piece design universally addresses multiple requirements that would otherwise require separate components.
3Ease of manufacture
If integral gate construction is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but structural integrity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integral gate construction merges all gate components into a single piece, eliminating assembly steps and reducing manufacturing cost. The design compensates for the increased structural integrity requirements by optimizing the single-piece geometry and material distribution throughout the carabiner body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the thickness and density of material in different regions of the integral carabiner body. High-stress areas receive increased material concentration while lower-stress areas remain thinner, maintaining structural integrity throughout the single-piece construction without requiring uniform material distribution.
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 solution minimizes gate components, enhances durability, and maintains reliable coupling without hooks, addressing manufacturing costs and weight issues while improving the structural integrity and operational efficiency of the carabiner system.
Implementation Method 1
the spring/rebound rigidity of the gate creates the automatic biasing mechanism. As the gate is selectively pivoted about the frame coupling point, the torsional and bending properties of the wire automatically generate a biasing force that mechanically urges the gate back toward the closed configuration
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present invention relates a carabiner system (100) including a frame (150) and a gate (110). The frame (150) includes an opening (190) between a pivot region (160) and a keyed region (180). The keyed region (180) of the frame (150) may be hookless. The gate (110) is pivotably coupled to the frame (150) across the opening (190) to form a continuously enclosed inner region (102) in the closed configuration. The gate (110) is also pivotably coupled about the pivot region (160) of the frame (150) forming a gap (104) between the gate (110) and frame (150) in an open configuration. The gate (110) further includes a key-lock region (140), a gate region (130), and an attachment region (120) which are integrally formed together without any type of coupling between regions. The gate region (130) includes a plurality of elongated members (132) between the key-lock region (140) and attachment region (120). The plurality of elongated members (132) may include non-circular cross sections and varying thicknesses and tolerances designed to optimize functionality, weight, and appearance.