Modular Yoke and Boss Interconnection for Versatile Rigging Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing range of devices for personal protective equipment and rigging systems is limited by the inability to design and manufacture a variety of components efficiently, restricting their versatility and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a yoke component, a boss component, and an axle bolt, allowing for diverse configurations by interconnecting multiple components, including carabiner bodies, swivels, hooks, and eyes, with locking mechanisms to create a wide range of devices for use in climbing and rope access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If devices are designed and manufactured individually, then each device can be optimized for specific functions, but the range of available devices is limited and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate modular components: a yoke component with bearing surfaces, a boss component with an axle bore, and an axle bolt. These segmented parts can be manufactured independently using standard processes and then assembled to create various device configurations, expanding the range of available devices while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The yoke component and boss component are designed with standardized features (bearing surfaces, axle bores) that can be used across multiple device types. By interconnecting these universal components in different configurations, a wide range of devices for personal protective equipment and rigging systems can be created without requiring individual manufacturing of each device type.
2Ease of manufacture
If a limited range of devices is manufactured, then manufacturing processes are simplified, but the versatility and applicability of the equipment is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows for dynamic configuration where the same basic components (yoke, boss, axle bolt) can be assembled in different arrangements to create devices suited for various applications including climbing, rope access, and working at height. This dynamic reconfigurability provides versatility while maintaining simple, repeatable manufacturing processes for the standard components.
Data Source
AI summary
In the disclosed devices formed from interconnected components, each includes a yoke component, a boss component and an axle bolt. The yoke component includes: a carabiner body with a back, an opening, and a yoke formation. The yoke formation includes a U-shaped section open to the outside of the body, defining a space between two legs, the legs having bearing surfaces through each of which a respective axle bore is formed. The back extends from the yoke formation. A spur extends from the yoke formation. A gate on the body pivots between closed and open positions. The boss component has flat, parallel external bearing surfaces, an axle bore extending through the boss component, the axle bore opening at each bearing surface. The axle bolt passes through the axle bores in the yoke and boss component.