Reversible Spike Foot Assembly for Stable Multi-Terrain Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing equipment supports, such as bipods and tripods, lack a versatile and efficient mechanism for securely engaging and disengaging spikes for varied terrain and usage scenarios, leading to instability and inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A foot assembly with an elongate spike that can be securely positioned in both deployed and stowed configurations relative to the foot, utilizing a retainer system to maintain the spike's position, allowing for easy transition between configurations to adapt to different surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spike is permanently fixed in the foot, then the equipment support provides stable ground engagement, but the device loses adaptability for different terrain and usage scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground engagement stabilityVSAvoidterrain adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The spike is designed as a movable component that can transition between deployed and stowed configurations. The retainer mechanism allows the spike to be dynamically repositioned within the foot assembly, enabling the equipment support to adapt between different terrain conditions and usage scenarios while maintaining reliable ground engagement when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a spike is made removable and reversible, then the device gains versatility for different scenarios, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage scenario versatilityVSAvoidspike retention mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer mechanism is integrated directly into the foot assembly structure, merging the spike retention function with the existing foot components. This integration approach provides reversible spike attachment capability while minimizing additional complexity by utilizing the foot assembly's existing structural elements for spike retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Force

If the spike is made long and elongate, then the ground penetration capability is improved, but the storage space requirements and device bulk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground penetration capabilityVSAvoidspike storage volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The elongate spike is designed to nest within the foot assembly when in the stowed configuration. The spike's length is optimized to provide sufficient ground penetration capability when deployed, while its ability to be recessed into the foot assembly minimizes the volume it occupies during storage and transport, effectively hiding the long spike within the compact foot structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS12196360B2Foot assembly with reversible spike

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 AOB PRODUCTS CO

AI summary

A foot assembly for a leg of an equipment support, components thereof, and associated methods. The foot assembly includes a spike selectively configurable in a stowed orientation and in a deployed orientation.