Pivoting Shackle Throwing Hook for Arborist Branch Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing throwing hooks used by arborists are unreliable in achieving a secure connection with tree branches on the first attempt, often requiring multiple attempts due to orientation issues.
Innovation Solution
A throwing hook with a freely-pivoting shackle and a curved body design that allows it to drop into place and secure around a branch, featuring a weight for penetration and a release mechanism to aid retrieval, minimizing branch damage and improving hooking success.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional throwing hook is used, then the hook can be thrown to attempt to secure to a branch, but it is unlikely to achieve secure connection on the first attempt due to orientation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The shackle is made freely pivotable relative to the body, allowing the hook to dynamically adjust its orientation during the throwing process. This dynamic adjustment enables the hook to automatically find the correct orientation for securing to the branch, significantly improving the hooking success rate without requiring precise manual orientation control.
2Reliability
If the hook is designed to securely engage with branches, then anchoring reliability improves, but retrieval becomes difficult due to entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The freely pivotable shackle allows the hook to maintain secure engagement with the branch during use, but enables easy retrieval by allowing the hook to rotate and disengage when pulled during retrieval operations. The dynamic movement resolves the contradiction between secure anchoring and easy retrieval.
3Reliability
If the hook body has a narrow outer surface, then the hook is less likely to be supported on its outer surface aiding hooking, but the contact pressure with the branch increases risking damage
Solution Approach 1:
The body is designed with a narrow outer surface in the region that contacts the branch during hooking, which prevents the hook from being supported on its outer surface and aids proper hooking orientation. Simultaneously, the bight is designed with a sufficiently large contact area to distribute the load and minimize contact pressure on the branch, preventing damage. This local differentiation of surface properties resolves the contradiction.
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 hook design significantly increases the likelihood of a successful first throw by ensuring proper orientation and secure anchoring, while the release mechanism facilitates easy retrieval and reduces entanglement risks.
Implementation Method 1
The curved portion may turn through approximately 180°. In a preferred arrangement, the free end region and the attachment region extend substantially parallel to one another
Implementation Method 2
the provision of such a freely-pivoting shackle has the effect of allowing the hook to drop into place such that the bight can loop around a branch
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A throwing hook comprising with particular, but not exclusive, use in arborism is disclosed. The hook comprises a body (10) that extends in a plane to form a bight profile and a shackle (12). The shackle comprises a loop through which a line can be secured. The shackle (12) is secured to the body (10) such that the shackle and the body can pivot freely with respect to one another about an axis that lies within the plane. Embodiments may further include release means operable by a user to facilitate release of the hook from an anchorage.