Modular Climbing Stick Interlock Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transporting and storing tree climbing sticks is difficult due to their bulkiness and the risk of losing extraneous fasteners or components when disassembled.

Innovation Solution

The development of a tree climbing stick system where individual sticks are releasably interconnected without additional fasteners, using an inter-stick locking mechanism that allows for easy stacking, storage, and transportation by forming part of the stick itself, with features like rotatable steps and integrated tree gripping claws.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If tree climbing sticks are disassembled for transport, then ease of transportation is improved, but the risk of losing extraneous fasteners or components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of transportationVSAvoidrisk of losing components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inter-stick locking mechanism integrates the fastening function directly into the stick structure itself, eliminating separate fasteners. The locking mechanism is formed as part of the stick, combining the structural element with the fastening component, thereby preventing loss during disassembly and transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stick's inter-stick locking mechanism performs the fastening function autonomously without requiring external fasteners. The mechanism is designed to lock and unlock sticks through the stick's own structural features, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the risk of losing separate fastening components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If tree climbing sticks are made modular for easy assembly, then ease of storage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of storageVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The climbing stick system is divided into multiple individual sticks that can be easily assembled and disassembled. Each stick is a separate modular unit that can be independently handled, stored, and transported, significantly improving ease of storage while maintaining relatively simple individual component designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inter-stick locking mechanism is integrated directly into the stick structure rather than being a separate component. This merging of the locking function into the stick itself simplifies the overall device complexity by eliminating additional parts while still enabling modular assembly and disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10301873B2Climbing stick system

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 D D I

AI summary

A climbing stick system includes the first climbing stick and a second climbing stick. The first climbing stick includes a first step support having a cavity and a mouth leading to the cavity and first steps coupled to the first step support. The second climbing stick includes a second step support, second steps coupled to the second step support and a locking member having a head. One of the mouth and the locking member is rotatable between a locked position in which the head is locked within the cavity to retain the first climbing stick with respect to the second climbing stick and an unlocked position to facilitate separation of the first climbing stick and the second climbing stick.