Magnetic Tie-Down Hook With Phosphorescent Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional tie-down hooks are difficult to secure to vehicles and challenging to visualize in low-light conditions, leading to potential damage of goods during transport, as they often fail to stay in place and lack visibility aids.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic tie-down hook system with a phosphorescent coating, featuring a magnet for secure attachment to ferrous vehicle frames and a length adjustment mechanism, ensuring stability and visibility in low-light conditions through a reflective or phosphorescent coating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional tie-down hooks are used, then the structure is simple, but the tie-down hook cannot stay in place and requires repeated reattachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurement stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a magnetic attachment mechanism with a traditional hook structure. The magnet is integrated into the hook body, allowing the tie-down hook to attach to ferrous vehicle frames through magnetic force while maintaining the mechanical hook structure for securing loads. This merging of magnetic attachment with mechanical hook functionality resolves the contradiction by providing stable attachment without requiring complex separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical attachment methods (such as friction-based or clamp-based securing) with a magnetic field-based attachment system. The magnet generates magnetic force to hold the tie-down hook firmly against the ferrous vehicle frame, eliminating the need for complex mechanical fastening mechanisms while improving reliability and preventing repeated reattachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Illumination intensity

If traditional tie-down hooks are used, then the device is simple, but visualization in low-light conditions is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility in low-lightVSAvoidcoating complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies phosphorescent coating to the tie-down hook body that absorbs and stores light energy during daylight or illuminated periods, then emits this stored energy as visible light in low-light or dark conditions. This phosphorescent material transformation from non-luminous to luminous state resolves the contradiction by providing self-illumination without requiring active light sources or complex electrical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The phosphorescent coating on the tie-down hook is self-charging during daylight hours by absorbing ambient light, then automatically provides illumination in low-light conditions without requiring external power sources, switches, or complex control systems. This self-service lighting solution improves visibility while maintaining device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 magnetic tie-down hook system effectively secures loads during transport by preventing shifting and allows for easy visualization in low-light conditions, reducing damage and the need for repeated reattachment.

Implementation Method 1

A magnet is affixed to a terminal end of the first portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

A coating is disposed over the entirety of the body, wherein the coating comprises a phosphorescent material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Data Source

PatentUS10703251B1Magnetic tie-down hook
Publication Date: 2020.07.07 JONES CHARLES
  • US10703251B1 patent drawing
  • US10703251B1 patent drawing
  • US10703251B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A magnetic tie-down hook. The magnetic tie-down hook includes a body having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion includes a curved hook. A magnet is affixed to a terminal end of the first portion. The second portion includes an annular body having an opening therethrough. A coating is disposed over the entirety of the body, wherein the coating includes a phosphorescent material. In some embodiments, a strap is affixed to the second portion through the opening at a first end of the strap.