One-Handed Latch Hook with Pivoting Annular Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latching devices for securing gates or doors with chains or ropes often require two hands to manipulate, making it cumbersome to open or close them, especially when carrying items with one hand.
Innovation Solution
A hook with an arcuate portion and a stem, featuring an annular member that pivots within the stem, allowing easy one-handed engagement and disengagement by utilizing gravity to secure the chain or rope to a receiver member, ensuring the latch remains in place without additional manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional latching devices are used with chains or ropes, then the gate or door can be secured, but two hands are required to manipulate the latch making it cumbersome when carrying items
Solution Approach 1:
The latch is divided into separate functional components: a hook portion for engagement, an annular member for retention, and a receiver member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling one-handed operation while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular member acts as an intermediary between the hook and the receiver member. It pivots within the hook's stem and interacts with the receiver member to control engagement and disengagement, facilitating easy one-handed operation without requiring complex manipulation mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the annular member is made large enough to be retained within the arcuate portion, then secure retention is achieved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The annular member is nested within the arcuate portion of the hook, with a portion of the annular member retained within the interior of the arcuate portion. This nesting arrangement allows the annular member to be large enough for secure retention while fitting within the overall structure of the hook, minimizing unnecessary volume increase.
3Ease of manufacture
If the latch uses a simple hook structure, then manufacturing is easy, but secure retention under external forces cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The annular member is designed to pivot within the stem of the hook, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. When the receiver member is engaged, the annular member rotates to a position where it is retained within the arcuate portion, providing secure retention under external forces while maintaining a simple manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the simple hook structure with the annular member and receiver member to create a unified latching system. The hook provides the basic engagement structure, while the annular member and receiver member work together to provide secure retention, achieving both ease of manufacture and reliability.
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
Enables secure one-handed operation of the latch, allowing easy engagement and disengagement, ensuring the gate or door remains secured even under external forces like those from livestock, without requiring further manipulation beyond initial setup.
Implementation Method 1
With the opening of the arcuate portion of the hook opening toward a lower portion of the hook, the annular member will fall against, and be retained within, the arcuate portion of the hook that is opposite the stem of the hook.
Data Source
AI summary
A latch has a hook having, in turn, an arcuate portion and a stem. An annular member pivots within a void formed in the stem of the hook. A portion of the annular member is retained within the interior of the arcuate portion of the hook. The annular member is large enough so that it is retained within the arcuate portion of the hook. With the opening of the arcuate portion of the hook opening toward a lower portion of the hook, the annular member will fall against, and be retained within, the arcuate portion of the hook that is opposite the stem of the hook.