Spring-Loaded Holder Clip for Fast Secure Belt Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clips for attaching item holders to clothing or belts often require complex screw connections, making installation time-consuming and skill-dependent, and are prone to failure due to wear and tear, allowing potential misuse or loss of attached items like weapons.

Innovation Solution

A clip design featuring a clamping wall with guiding plates, a turning catch, and a spring-activated mechanism for easy and secure attachment and detachment of holders, allowing for adjustable positioning without screws, using a combination of round toothing and a moving adapter for belt fitment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a screw connection is used to attach the holder to the clip, then the attachment is reliable, but the installation requires time and skills and is difficult to perform quickly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: a clamp body with a jaw for holding the holder, a separate spring mechanism providing forcing, and a release lever for detachment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while enabling quick attachment and release without complex screw connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clip transitions from a static screw connection to a dynamic spring-loaded mechanism. The spring automatically provides the necessary forcing to maintain secure attachment, while the release lever enables controlled detachment. This dynamic system adapts to wear and maintains reliability without requiring precise manual adjustment like screws.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a spring mechanism is used for quick release, then the attachment and detachment are fast, but the forcing may become insufficient due to wear and aging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment speedVSAvoidattachment security
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to provide sufficient forcing from the beginning, compensating for future wear and aging. The spring's elastic properties allow it to maintain consistent forcing over time, and the mechanical design ensures that even as components wear, the attachment remains secure until deliberate release is activated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring and wear surfaces are designed as replaceable components with sufficient service life. When wear does occur, these components can be easily replaced without replacing the entire clip assembly, maintaining reliability at low cost over the product's lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If the clip uses a simple retaining lip design, then the structure is simple, but the holder can be easily pulled out without using the release mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclip structure complexityVSAvoidholder retention security
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The jaw and holder interface is designed with asymmetric features including a tapered insertion direction and a perpendicular retention direction. The holder can be easily inserted in one direction but requires significant force to remove perpendicular to the retention surface, preventing accidental detachment while maintaining simple structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The jaw features a curved, rounded surface that conforms to the holder's shape, creating a snug fit that resists removal forces. The curved geometry provides natural mechanical interference that secures the holder without requiring complex retaining structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the clip is designed for universal compatibility with different holders, then the adaptability is improved, but the design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholder compatibilityVSAvoidclip design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp body is designed with a standardized jaw and attachment interface that can accommodate multiple types of holders through geometric compatibility. The spring mechanism and release lever are configured to work with various holder dimensions and shapes, allowing one clip design to serve multiple functions and attach to different firearm types, cold weapons, or other equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 fast, safe, and universal replacement of holders, maintaining secure attachment and adjustable positioning, even under stress or wear, reducing the risk of item loss or misuse.

Implementation Method 1

a spring pushing the catch arm on the inner side to the guiding plates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3213656B1Clip of an item holder
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 KOSTAL BRETISLAV
  • EP3213656B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3213656B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A clip for an item holder with a clamping wall and connecting elements for the holder with a clamping wall (1) provided with opposing guiding plates (12, 13) ended with a circular landing (14) and lateral surfaces (22 and 23) with a turning catch (4) between them and with a spring (6) on its arm (41) that pushes the catch (4) on the inner side of the guiding plates (12, 13). The clamping wall (1) has a partition (11) on its back side that outlines a space (16) in the clamping wall (1) to insert attaching elements of the holder.