Playground Rope Connector With Rotating Locking Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional rope attachment schemes in commercial playground equipment are cumbersome, prone to corrosion, require welding, and offer limited range of motion, often necessitating loose hardware that can be lost or misplaced.
Innovation Solution
A connector system featuring a pre-loaded rope with a connector nut, washer, and base, secured by a ferrule stop, which includes a specially shaped opening in the attachment component allowing for 360-degree rotation and minimal hardware usage, eliminating the need for welding and loose hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional loose hardware is used to attach ropes to components, then the attachment can be adjusted, but the hardware is cumbersome and prone to being lost or misplaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the connector base, connector nut, and stop into a single pre-loaded connector assembly that attaches to the rope in one unit. This merging of previously separate hardware components eliminates the risk of losing individual parts while maintaining the ability to adjust and remove the connector for rope replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed as a separable assembly that can be easily detached from the rope and component. The connector base with integrated stop forms one segment that pre-loads onto the rope, while the component with the opening forms another segment. This segmentation allows for easy installation and removal without requiring multiple loose hardware pieces.
2Reliability
If traditional rope attachment schemes are used, then the connection is secure, but the range of motion of the rope is substantially limited
Solution Approach 1:
The connector base is designed to rotate within the opening of the component, transitioning from an insertable orientation to a locked orientation. This dynamic movement allows the rope to gain significant range of motion after installation, while the rotated position maintains a secure connection that prevents accidental detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening in the component has an asymmetric shape that allows the connector base to be inserted in one orientation but prevents removal when rotated. This asymmetric geometry provides both easy installation and secure retention, while enabling the connector to rotate and provide generous range of motion for the rope.
3Strength
If welding is used to attach components, then the connection is strong, but corrosion vulnerability and welding cleanup are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces welding with a mechanical connection system consisting of the connector base, connector nut, and stop. This mechanical assembly provides a strong connection comparable to welding while eliminating the harmful effects of corrosion vulnerability and welding cleanup, as the connector components can be made from corrosion-resistant materials and require no thermal processing.
4Ease of manufacture
If a pre-loaded connector system is used, then installation is simplified, but the connector components must be prevented from sliding off the rope
Solution Approach 1:
The stop is integrated as part of the connector base assembly, forming a single pre-loaded unit that attaches to the rope. This merging eliminates the need for separate stop components while maintaining the prevention of sliding off. The integrated design simplifies installation as the entire assembly pre-loads onto the rope in one operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a connector for commercial playground equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a playground component is provided that includes a connector pre-loaded on a rope. The connector includes a connector nut, optionally a washer, and a connector base that are kept from sliding off the end of the rope by a stop. The stop in one embodiment is a ferrule attached to the end of the rope. A specially shaped opening is formed in another component that is also part of the playground component. The specially shaped opening is configured such that at least a portion of the connector base is insertable through the opening when the connector base is rotated to a first orientation, but the connector base is unable to be pulled back through the specially shaped opening when rotated to a second orientation after insertion into the other component.