Ice Screw Captive Flexible Guard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice screws require separate protective caps or bags during transport, which can lead to loss and increased equipment burden for climbers, as these protective arrangements need to be carried separately and may get lost when the ice screw is in use.
Innovation Solution
The protective arrangement is captively connected to the screw body via a flexible connection means, remaining attached during use and eliminating the need for separate transport, thus reducing equipment weight and preventing loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective cap is placed on the tip of the ice screw, then protection for the sharp-edged tip is provided, but the protective cap must be stowed away separately when in use to prevent loss
Solution Approach 1:
The protective arrangement is merged with the ice screw by captively connecting it to the screw body via the flexible connection means. This ensures the protective arrangement remains attached to the ice screw during both transport and use, eliminating the need for separate stowing and preventing loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connection means allows the protective arrangement to dynamically adapt to different states: during transport, it covers the tip for protection; during use, it can be moved or adjusted while remaining captive to the screw body, providing flexibility in handling.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective arrangement is carried separately during transport, then protection is provided, but equipment weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective arrangement is combined with the ice screw as a single integrated unit through captive connection. This reduces the number of separate equipment items the mountaineer must carry and manage, simplifying the overall equipment set.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connection means serves multiple functions: it captively holds the protective arrangement during transport and simultaneously acts as a securing means to attach the ice screw to the mountaineer's hip belt or safety rope during use.
3Ease of operation
If the protective arrangement is captively connected to the screw body, then loss is prevented and handling is simplified, but additional connection means may be required
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible connection means is designed to perform multiple functions: it captively connects the protective arrangement to the screw body and simultaneously serves as the securing means for attaching the ice screw to the mountaineer's equipment. This eliminates the need for additional separate connection means.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The ice screw (10) has a screw main portion (12) which is provided with a screw portion (18). The screw portion is screwed into an ice substrate during use state of the ice screw. A guard arrangement (16) is attached at the screw portion to provide protection for the screw portion during transportation state of the ice screw. The guard arrangement is connected with the screw main portion during use state.