Securement Apparatus Uniform Surface Retention Member Protection

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tie-down mechanisms often damage the 'live' end of retention members like cables or wires, leading to weakening and potential failure, and are bulky, heavy, or less desirable, while also being costly and difficult to manufacture with off-the-shelf parts.

Innovation Solution

A securement apparatus with a securing body featuring a first passage with a uniform surface to conform to the retention member's periphery and a second passage for an engaging member, which distributes pressure evenly and prevents point loading, using readily available hardware and manufacturing methods like machining or laser-cutting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional tie-down mechanisms are used to secure retention members, then the retention members are held in place, but the live end of the retention members is damaged leading to weakening and potential failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention member integrityVSAvoiddamage to live end

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing a smooth surface specifically at the first side of the first passage where the retention member contacts the securing body. This localized smooth surface prevents damage to the live end while other parts of the securing body can have different surface characteristics for securing and engagement functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary smooth surface between the securing body and the retention member's live end. This intermediary surface acts as a protective interface that distributes pressure evenly and prevents direct contact between rough surfaces and the retention member, thereby preventing damage while still providing securement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional securement apparatus are used, then retention members can be secured, but the apparatus are bulky, heavy, and difficult to manufacture with off-the-shelf parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurement functionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the securement apparatus into distinct functional components: a securing body with a first passage for the retention member, a smooth surface for protection, and a second passage for the engaging member. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard machining or laser-cutting processes and then assembled, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining securement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The securing body serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the smooth protective surface, provides passages for both the retention member and engaging member, and enables securement through the combination of these features. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing and assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If conventional securement mechanisms are used, then retention members are held, but point loading occurs causing stress concentration and potential failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload distributionVSAvoidpoint loading

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing a smooth surface specifically at the first side of the first passage where the retention member contacts the securing body. This localized smooth surface prevents damage to the live end while other parts of the securing body can have different surface characteristics for securing and engagement functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary smooth surface between the securing body and the retention member's live end. This intermediary surface acts as a protective interface that distributes pressure evenly and prevents direct contact between rough surfaces and the retention member, thereby preventing damage while still providing securement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9625003B2Securement apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.04.18 SWEGON CANADA LTD

AI summary

A securement apparatus including a securing body and an engaging member is provided. The securing body may include a first passage therethrough for receiving one or more retention members in a looped configuration with first and second legs of the loop extending through the first passage, wherein a first side of the first passage has a generally uniform surface generally configured to conform to a periphery of at least one of the one or more retention members; and a second passage meeting the first passage. The engaging member may be securable within said second passage and positionable within the second passage to retain the one or more retention members within the first passage by encouraging a position of the one or more retention members to rest within the surface and by pinching both the first and second legs of the loop between the surface and the engaging member.