Push Locking Load Attachment Device One-Handed Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for connecting suspended loads to support locations often require two hands and significant effort, posing challenges in dangerous or high-efficiency scenarios like rock climbing, first responder, and military operations.
Innovation Solution
A push locking load attachment device featuring a hub with rotatable hooks and a biasing member, allowing for one-handed quick engagement and secure retention of the support, utilizing a V-shaped guide for easy installation and automatic hook closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional connection devices are used, then secure retention of support is achieved, but two hands and significant effort are required for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment device automatically engages and locks onto the support structure through spring-loaded hooks that self-close upon contact, eliminating the need for manual locking operations. The device serves itself by using the act of insertion to trigger the locking mechanism, allowing one-handed operation while maintaining secure retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The hooks are designed to be dynamically movable during insertion, opening under spring pressure to accommodate the support structure, then automatically closing and locking when engagement is achieved. This dynamic behavior enables easy one-handed operation while ensuring reliable connection through automatic engagement.
2Ease of operation
If traditional connection devices are used, then secure retention of support is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into independent spring-loaded hooks that can operate autonomously, with each hook having its own biasing member and engagement surface. This segmentation allows simple individual components to work together for rapid engagement without requiring complex coordinated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted from manual operation and embedded into the passive spring-loaded hook mechanism. The biasing members provide automatic engagement force, removing the need for complex manual locking mechanisms while achieving rapid one-handed operation.
3Extent of automation
If hooks are biased toward closed position, then automatic retention is improved, but force required to open hooks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement surfaces are designed with specific geometric properties that concentrate the opening force at precise contact points, allowing the user to overcome the biasing member force efficiently by applying force only where needed rather than requiring high force across the entire hook structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sloping engagement surfaces use curved geometries that naturally guide the support structure into proper alignment during insertion, distributing forces smoothly and reducing the peak force required to overcome the biasing member while maintaining automatic closure.
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
Enables rapid and secure connection of loads to supports with minimal user engagement, enhancing safety and efficiency in various environments by facilitating one-handed operation and reducing the risk of accidental disengagement.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member operatively associated with the attachment device for biasing the hooks toward the closed position
Implementation Method 2
the exterior sloped surfaces of the hooks being relatively positionable by rotation of the hooks to define a V-shaped guide
Implementation Method 3
Contacting the sloping engagement surfaces with the support with sufficient force to overcome the biasing member causes the hooks to move from the closed position to the open position
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment device for installation onto a support, includes a pair of oppositely facing and laterally offset hooks rotatably mounted so as to be oppositely facing and laterally offset from one another; a stop defined on one of the hooks and located so that the other one of the hooks is prevented from rotating past the stop by contact with the stop; and a biasing member operatively associated with the pair of hooks for urging the hooks to rotate toward one another, and the stop limits rotation of the hooks to maintain the hooks relative to one another to define a yieldable guide that facilitates installation of the attachment device onto the support.