Internal Retainer for Optical Cap Snag Hazard Elimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Retainer systems for removable components in optical systems often have external footprints, which can be unsightly, pose snag hazards, and obstruct the use of control mechanisms, especially when these components require frequent manipulation during normal use.

Innovation Solution

An internal retainer system that includes a lanyard and an inner attachment, where the lanyard is fixed to the cap and the inner attachment is fixed to the body, allowing both to be contained within the inner cavity when the cap is closed, utilizing a deformable attachment ring, strap, and fastener made of materials like fabric, rubber, or plastic to securely tether the cap to the body without external exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an external tether or lanyard is used to secure the cap to the optical system, then the cap is securely retained, but the external footprint creates snag hazards and obstructs control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecap retention securityVSAvoidsnag hazards and obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer system is extracted from the external environment and relocated entirely within the inner cavity of the optical system. The lanyard and inner attachment are positioned inside the cavity, removing the harmful external footprint while preserving the cap retention function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer system components (lanyard, attachment ring, fastener) are nested within the inner cavity space. The attachment ring engages with a protrusion on the cap, and the fastener secures to the inner attachment, creating a nested configuration that eliminates external exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If an external tether is used to secure the cap, then the cap is retained, but the design becomes unsightly and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecap retention securityVSAvoidexternal footprint complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer system is extracted from external visibility and relocated to the internal cavity. This eliminates the unsightly external appearance while maintaining all necessary retention components within the compact internal space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If frequent cap manipulation is required for control mechanisms, then operational flexibility is improved, but external tethers create obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol mechanism accessibilityVSAvoidobstruction from external tether

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tethering function is extracted from the external operational space and relocated to the internal cavity. This eliminates obstruction to control mechanisms while preserving secure cap retention during manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10901198B2Internal retainer

Publication Date: 2021.01.26 TRIJICON INC

AI summary

A retainer system is provided for tethering a cap to a body on an optic, where the cap and body define an inner cavity. The retainer system includes a lanyard and an inner attachment. The lanyard is fixed on a first end to a surface of the cap facing the inner cavity. The inner attachment is fixed on a first end to a second end of the lanyard and is fixed on a second end to an inside wall of the body facing the inner cavity. When the cap is closed on the body, the lanyard and inner attachment are contained completely within the inner cavity.