Resilient Post Fastening Lock to Prevent Accidental Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening devices often disconnect unintentionally, lacking both stability and user-friendly connection mechanisms, which poses a safety risk and usability issues.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device with a plate-shaped base and outwardly extending protrusions, featuring a resilient locking mechanism that automatically engages with a post's locking aperture for secure attachment and can be easily released for disconnection, eliminating the need for bolts and ensuring a stable and secure connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fastening device uses a simple connection mechanism without locking, then it is easy to operate and attach, but it easily disconnects unintentionally and lacks stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient locking mechanism automatically engages with the locking aperture when the fastening device is attached to the post, without requiring additional manual locking actions. The resilient nature of the mechanism allows it to self-engage and self-lock, providing both ease of operation and reliable connection stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism utilizes the dynamic resilient properties of the material to enable automatic engagement and locking. The resilience allows the mechanism to deform during attachment and then lock into place, providing both ease of attachment and secure locking without complex manual operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a fastening device uses a resilient locking mechanism that automatically engages, then connection stability and security are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is integrated directly into the base portion of the fastening device, merging the locking function with the main body structure. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining reliable automatic locking through the resilient mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If a fastening device uses bolts or similar fasteners for secure locking, then connection strength is improved, but ease of operation and user-friendliness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoiduser-friendliness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient locking mechanism replaces traditional bolt-based mechanical fastening systems with a spring-loaded resilient engagement system. This substitution maintains strong connection strength through the resilient locking action while dramatically improving ease of operation, as users simply need to attach the device and the locking mechanism automatically engages without requiring tools or complex manual fastening procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 device provides a stable and secure connection while being easy to attach and detach, reducing the risk of unintentional disconnection and enhancing user-friendliness, suitable for temporary attachments like road signs.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient locking mechanism arranged at the base portion, wherein the resilient locking mechanism is configured to engage with an associated locking aperture of the post thereby locking the fastening device to the post

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4386217A1A fastening device
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 WORXSAFE AB
  • EP4386217A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4386217A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4386217A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fastening device (100, 400, 500, 600, 700) configured to be connected to a post (800), the fastening device (100, 400, 500, 600, 700) comprising: a base portion (110, 410, 510, 610, 710), which is plate shaped; at least one outwardly extending fastening protrusion (120, 420, 520, 620, 720a, 120, 420, 520, 620, 720b) being arranged at the base portion (110, 410, 510, 610, 710) and being configured to engage with an associated fastening aperture (810a, 810b) in the post (800); and a resilient locking mechanism (130, 430, 530, 630, 730) arranged at the base portion (110, 410, 510, 610, 710), wherein the resilient locking mechanism (130, 430, 530, 630, 730) is configured to engage with an associated locking aperture (810) of the post (800) thereby locking the fastening device (100, 400, 500, 600, 700) to the post (800) and preventing the at least one fastening protrusion from disconnecting from the post.