Integrated Cord Lock Assembly for Secure Adjustable Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cord locks that are only attached to the cord and not to the article itself can be lost or misplaced, and may be inconveniently flung about by the cord, as they are not securely integrated into the article.
Innovation Solution
A semi-concealed cord-lock assembly that integrates a cord lock with an article layer, featuring a biasing element to misalign through-channels, allowing adjustable cord length management, with the cord lock being partially enclosed within a tubular encasing of the article layer to provide secure integration and concealment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cord lock is only attached to the cord and not to the article itself, then the cord lock can be freely adjusted along the cord, but the cord lock can be lost or misplaced and may be flung about by the cord
Solution Approach 1:
The cord lock is merged with the article layer by integrating it into the tubular encasing structure. The cord lock becomes part of the article's construction rather than a separate attachable component, eliminating the risk of loss while maintaining adjustability through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cord lock is nested within the tubular encasing of the article layer. This nesting arrangement secures the cord lock to the article structure while allowing it to remain functional along the cord path, preventing it from being flung about or lost.
2Reliability
If the cord lock is integrated into the article layer with a biasing element to misalign through-channels, then the cord lock is securely attached and cannot be lost, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular encasing serves multiple functions: it provides the structural housing for the cord lock, acts as the article layer integration point, and forms the aperture collar. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, lowering structural complexity while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cord lock mechanism is segmented into functional zones within the tubular encasing: the aperture collar region for attachment, the biasing element region for actuation, and the cord passage region for functionality. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity.
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 ensures the cord lock is securely integrated into the article, reducing the likelihood of loss and minimizing cord flinging, while allowing for adjustable cord length management through a button-like actuation mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element coupled between the first portion and the second portion. The biasing element provides a force in a first direction to misalign the first through-channel and the second through-channel
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A cord-lock assembly comprising: a cord lock having a first portion, a second portion, and a biasing element coupled between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion including a first through-channel; the second portion including a second through-channel that is alignable with the first through-channel; and the biasing element providing a force in a first direction to misalign the first through-channel and the second through-channel; and an article layer having a first aperture, the first aperture bounded by an aperture collar that forms around a perimeter of the first aperture, wherein at least part of the first portion is positioned in the first aperture and is circumscribed by the aperture collar, wherein the first direction of the force is axially aligned with the first aperture, wherein the article layer forms a tubular encasing that at least partially encloses a space, wherein the first portion is seated with the second portion in the space, wherein the first portion includes a housing having one or more sidewalls at least partially enclosing a plunger-receiving space, the one or more sidewalls including the first through-channel, wherein the second portion includes a plunger having the second through-channel that is alignable with the first through-channel when the plunger is at least partially received in the plunger-receiving space, and wherein the housing is formed integrally with an aperture collar to form a unified construction.