Resilient Wall-Climbing Hold with Torsion Friction Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial climbing holds are prone to fracture and rotation due to over-tightening, leading to potential falls and injuries, and are heavy, rigid, and difficult to reconfigure for varying skill levels and surface types.
Innovation Solution
A wall-climbing accessory with a resilient, flexible body and edge that forms a torsion friction fit with the wall using a single primary fastener, reducing the risk of rotation and allowing for easier installation and reconfiguration, made from a composite material with a higher glass fiber content for increased durability and lightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple fasteners are used to secure climbing holds to prevent rotation, then rotational stability is improved, but the risk of over-tightening and fracturing the hold increases
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient body is introduced as an intermediary element between the fastener and the climbing hold. This resilient body deforms under compression to create a friction fit that prevents rotation without requiring high fastener torque, thereby eliminating the risk of fracturing the hold while maintaining rotational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient body acts as a flexible element that deforms to create a secure friction fit. This flexible component allows the system to achieve rotational stability through deformation rather than rigid mechanical constraint, avoiding stress concentration on the hold.
2Strength
If rigid climbing holds are used to ensure structural strength, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but weight and difficulty of reconfiguration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The climbing hold is constructed from composite materials including glass fibers embedded in a resin matrix. This composite structure provides high strength-to-weight ratio, maintaining load-bearing capacity while reducing overall weight compared to solid rigid materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient body provides flexibility and deformability while maintaining structural integrity through its composite construction. This allows the hold to be lighter yet still capable of bearing climber loads through the friction fit mechanism.
3Reliability
If climbing holds are firmly secured to prevent movement, then safety is improved, but ease of installation and reconfiguration decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a rigid mechanical connection to a friction-based connection where the resilient body deforms to create sufficient friction force. This parameter change allows the hold to be securely attached without requiring complex fastening procedures, improving installation ease while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient body serves as a mediator that simplifies the installation process. It creates a friction fit that is both safe and easy to install, eliminating the need for multiple fasteners and complex assembly procedures required by traditional rigid mounting systems.
4Ease of operation
If climbing holds are positioned close together to provide more grasp points, then climbing ease is improved, but the number of holds required increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each climbing hold is designed with multiple exterior surfaces that can provide grasp points in various directions. This multi-functionality allows a single hold to serve multiple climbing purposes, reducing the total number of holds needed while maintaining climbing ease.
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 accessory provides a secure, flexible grip that reduces the risk of injury and allows for safer, easier installation and adjustment of climbing holds, accommodating various skill levels and surface types without the risk of fracture or rotation.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient body 104 that is flexible such that the resilient body may deform when mounted to a wall structure
Implementation Method 2
the resilient body and edge impart a torsion force to the wall structure such that a flexible, friction fit is formed between the wall-climbing accessory and the wall structure
Data Source
AI summary
A wall-climbing accessory adapted for mounting onto a wall structure is described. The wall-climbing accessory comprises a resilient body that is flexible. The resilient body comprises an exterior surface and an edge. The exterior surface is configured to provide an engagement point capable of supporting a climber of the wall structure, whereby a climber may scale a wall structure by using the wall-climbing accessory. The edge is configured to substantially engage the wall structure such that, when affixed, the resilient body and edge impart a torsion force to the wall structure such that a flexible, friction fit is formed between the wall-climbing accessory and the wall structure. The wall-climbing accessory use only one primary fastener to attach to the wall structure and thus is less prone to rotation than prior art climbing holds. Furthermore, the resilient body is flexible and lighter when compared to prior art climbing holds.