Seat Towel Clamp Hook With Pivoting Release Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for holding towels or similar items on seating furniture are not user-friendly, particularly when adjusting to different geometries and releasing the clamping mechanism, and often cover the cloth, increasing the risk of injury and reducing effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A device with a cantilever and clamping hook forming a loop-like shape, featuring a pivotable boom and clamping hook with an opening button, which provides a high clamping force and easy operation, ensuring the towel is securely attached without protruding parts, allowing for attachment to various seating types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional clamping element is used to hold towels on seating, then the towel can be secured to the seat, but the clamping element covers the cloth and creates protruding parts that increase injury risk and reduce user-friendliness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping reliabilityVSAvoidinjury risk from protruding parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping element features an arc-shaped design at its end section, creating a loop-like shape that eliminates sharp protruding parts. This curved geometry maintains clamping effectiveness while reducing injury risk by removing dangerous edges and corners that could harm users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful protruding ends of traditional clamps into beneficial features by shaping them into arcs that form loops. These loop-like structures not only eliminate injury risks but also improve user interaction by providing smoother surfaces and better handling characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Device complexity

If a fixed clamping element geometry is used, then the structure is simple, but the device cannot adapt to different seating geometries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different seating geometries

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping element incorporates a pivotable boom section that can rotate relative to the main body, allowing the device to adapt its geometry to different seating structures. This dynamic feature enables the clamp to conform to various tubular frame configurations while maintaining structural simplicity through a single degree of freedom mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a traditional clamping mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but releasing the clamping element is difficult and not user-friendly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidease of releasing clamping

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping mechanism features an opening button that allows users to easily release the clamp by pressing a dedicated actuator. This self-service feature enables one-handed operation where the user can independently release the clamping action without requiring tools or complex manipulation, significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If the clamping hook is rigidly fixed, then the structure is simple, but the handling and mobility of the hook are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidhandling and mobility of hook

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping hook is connected to the boom through a pivoting arrangement, allowing the hook to rotate and adapt its position during handling and clamping operations. This dynamic connection improves mobility and ease of operation while maintaining structural simplicity through a single rotational degree of freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The material cross-section at the pivot point of the clamping hook is reduced to create a weakening that facilitates rotation. This parameter change in the material geometry enables smooth pivoting motion and improves handling characteristics without significantly compromising the overall structural integrity of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

5Device complexity

If the boom is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the hook cannot be moved from clamped to open position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidmovement of hook between positions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The boom is designed to pivot relative to the clamping leg, enabling the hook to transition between clamped and open positions. This dynamic feature allows the user to easily move the hook for towel insertion and removal while maintaining structural simplicity through a single pivot connection point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2701556B1Holdingdevice

Publication Date: 2016.04.06 DW SPRITZGIESSTECHN DIETER WANDELT INHABER ULRICH KOCH E K

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AI summary

The invention relates to a device for holding towels or the like on seats, comprising a base part (1) that is formed by a support leg (2) and a clamping leg (3) which are connected to each other by a web (4). An extension arm (5) is arranged on the clamping leg (3) and a clamping hook (6) is provided on said extension arm.