Monolithic Cam Cleat for Guyed Ladder Uprights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cam cleats for securing guy ropes on ladders require multiple holes in the uprights, leading to structural weakening and increased risk of tilting torque, causing user insecurity due to potential tearing.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic fixing part with a tubular sleeve and cam cleat, where the plate is fixed with a single screw, providing enhanced resistance to tearing torque and improved positioning around the bar, forming clamping jaws with the bar's grooves for secure rope gripping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple holes are drilled in each upright for fixing cam cleats, then the cleats can be securely attached to the ladder structure, but the uprights are locally weakened and more susceptible to tearing under tensile forces
Solution Approach 1:
The plate and bearing are merged into a single monolithic piece that is fixed to the upright with only one hole, eliminating the need for separate fixation holes while maintaining secure attachment of the cam cleat mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic plate acts as an intermediary element that distributes the tensile forces from the guy rope across a larger area of the upright, reducing stress concentration and preventing local tearing
2Reliability
If cam cleats are positioned to grip the guy rope effectively, then the rope is securely held, but the structure becomes more sensitive to tilting torque that can pull the cleats out of the plate
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is designed with predetermined geometry that guides the guy rope into the correct position before the cam cleat engages, ensuring optimal gripping while minimizing tilting torque through proper alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing has an asymmetric shape with a rounded triangular section that matches the asymmetric cross-section of the bar, creating a geometric interlock that resists tilting torque while allowing the cam cleat to grip the rope effectively
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional separate plate and bearing structures are used for fixing cam cleats, then manufacturing and assembly are straightforward, but the structure requires multiple holes and has reduced resistance to tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The plate and bearing are combined into a single monolithic component that can be manufactured as one piece and fixed with a single hole, simplifying assembly while dramatically improving tearing resistance through distributed load paths
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 solution reduces the number of holes needed for fixing, enhances resistance to tearing torque, and increases user safety by providing a more secure and stable attachment for the guy rope.
Implementation Method 1
two ovoid-shaped cleats elastically biased against each other
Implementation Method 2
a tubular jacket having the same shape as the bar B1 that it surrounds and with which it cooperates to ensure its positioning
Implementation Method 3
the notches of the cleat are opposite the grooves of one of the bars, to form with them clamping jaws for the guy rope
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a guyed ladder comprising tubular rungs B1 having longitudinal grooves 20 for the support of the user's foot and in which each jam cleat 5 is carried by a fixing plate on one of the uprights of the fixed plane 2. The object of the invention is to provide means of jamming the guy rope reducing the consequences of fixing the cleats on the uprights of the ladder.To this end, the plate 12 of the fixing piece 11 is monolithic with the bearing 10 of the single cleat 5 which it carries and comprises, below this bearing 10, a tubular sleeve 14 having the same cross-sectional shape as the bar B1 which it surrounds and with which it cooperates to ensure its own positioning, the said plate being fixed by a single means 18 against the upright M of the fixed plane 2 and in such a way that the bearing 10 protrudes towards the inside of the ladder and that the notches 5a of the cleat are opposite the grooves 20 of the bar B1.