Net Retention System Cradle and Column Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching tools or accessories to personal articles like clothing or backpacks often result in undesired disengagement due to environmental conditions such as wind, gravity, and vegetation snags, leading to tools like fishing nets rotating away or pulling off.

Innovation Solution

A net retention system comprising a base component with a cradle to grip the net rim and a head component with engagement members and a column that resists rotation, allowing secure attachment and easy disengagement by translating or rotating the net relative to the handle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing attachment methods are used to secure tools to personal articles, then tools can be attached to clothing or backpacks, but tools undesirably disengage due to environmental conditions such as wind, gravity, and vegetation snags

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidenvironmental disengagement forces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is divided into separate components: a base component that attaches to the personal article, a head component that attaches to the tool, and a retention member that connects them. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the base component handles attachment to the article, the head component handles attachment to the tool, and the retention member provides secure engagement between them, preventing disengagement from environmental forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retention member is pre-configured with engagement features that automatically engage with the base component when the tool is attached. The cradle is positioned to automatically grip the net rim when the net is placed in the holder, preventing disengagement before environmental forces can act on the attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If existing attachment methods are used, then tools can be attached to personal articles, but tools rotate away or pull off under environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool position stabilityVSAvoidrotation and disengagement forces

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cradle is designed with an asymmetric geometry that grips the net rim in a specific orientation. The cradle has a curved surface that conforms to the net rim shape, creating a mechanical interlock that prevents rotation. The asymmetric design ensures the net can only be attached in the correct orientation, stabilizing its position and preventing it from rotating away under environmental forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The cradle features a curved, arc-shaped gripping surface that conforms to the cylindrical net rim. This curvature creates a point contact or line contact that resists rotational forces. The rounded geometry of the cradle allows it to wrap around the net rim, providing mechanical stability and preventing the net from rotating or pulling off the holder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If secure attachment is achieved, then tools remain attached under environmental conditions, but detachment becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoiddetachment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retention member is designed with movable engagement features that provide secure attachment under normal conditions but can be easily disengaged when force is applied in the correct direction. The engagement members can translate or rotate to release from the retention member, allowing quick detachment. This dynamic design enables the system to be both secure during use and easily detachable when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism is designed so that the secure engagement is the default state, but a simple reverse action (pulling or rotating in the opposite direction) releases the engagement. The cradle grips the net rim securely during normal use, but pulling the net handle upward or rotating it releases the cradle's grip, allowing easy detachment. This inversion principle makes the detachment action simple and intuitive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11871734B2Net retention

Publication Date: 2024.01.16 MCGEE BEN NEVIS

AI summary

A net retaining system includes a base component and a head component. The base component includes a first surface, an opposite second surface, a retention member provided to the first surface and a cradle projecting from the first surface and configured to grip a net rim near a net handle. The head component includes, a first engagement member facing a first direction, a second engagement member facing a second, opposite direction and a column having first and second ends. The first and second engagement members are configured for selective coupling with the retention member of the base component. The column separates the first and second engagement members and is configured to extend through the net handle so as to resist rotation relative to the net handle.