Fastener pull assist apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastener pull devices, such as ratcheting mechanisms, often produce noise and require pressure to prevent rotation, making them inconvenient for closing zippers on garments, especially at awkward angles, which can damage the garment or zipper.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded, ratcheting, winding mechanism with a cord that can be extended and retracted using a button, featuring a spool, spool plate, retraction button, and multiple springs, allowing for controlled extension and retraction without noise or pressure, and a clasp for securing to a fastener like a zipper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ratcheting mechanism is used to extend and retract a cord for fastener pull assistance, then the cord can be controlled to prevent unwanted retraction, but the mechanism produces undesirable noise during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional ratcheting mechanism with a spring-loaded pulley system. The spring provides continuous tension on the cord, and the pulley allows smooth extension and retraction without the toothed engagement that causes noise in ratcheting mechanisms. This substitution eliminates the harmful noise while maintaining cord control functionality.
2Reliability
If a ratcheting mechanism is used to prevent cord retraction, then cord control is improved, but pressure must be applied to the mechanism to prevent rotation and control cord extension
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded pulley system is self-regulating. The spring automatically maintains tension on the cord, and the pulley freely rotates to allow cord extension when needed while preventing unwanted retraction. No external pressure or manual intervention is required to control the cord, making the device self-service and much easier to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static ratcheting mechanism requiring manual pressure control to a dynamic spring-loaded system that automatically adjusts. The spring provides continuous force, and the pulley can rotate freely in one direction while being restrained in the other, creating a dynamic balance that simplifies operation.
3Reliability
If pressure is applied to a ratcheting mechanism to control cord extension, then cord control is achieved, but the garment and/or zipper may be damaged due to the angle at which the individual must grasp the zipper
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded pulley system replaces the pressure-dependent ratcheting mechanism. The spring provides continuous tension without requiring the user to apply pressure at awkward angles. The cord can be pulled smoothly through the pulley to reach the zipper, and the spring automatically maintains tension, eliminating the need for awkward grasping positions that could damage the garment.
4Ease of operation
If a spring-loaded ratcheting winding mechanism is used to allow cord extension and retraction, then cord control is improved, but the device complexity increases with multiple components including spool, spool plate, retraction button, and multiple springs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spool and pulley into a single integrated component, and merges the function of multiple springs into a single spring-loaded mechanism. The spool plate and retraction button are consolidated into the pulley assembly. This merging reduces the number of discrete components while maintaining the spring-loaded controlled extension and retraction 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 easy and quiet operation of extending and retracting a cord to assist in closing zippers without damaging the garment, allowing for smooth operation and secure fastening without the need for contorting or applying pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arranged within the shaft and configured to apply pressure to the retraction button
Implementation Method 2
the spool rotates and in turn winds one of the springs (i.e., the clock spring) that is part of the fastening apparatus, this increases tension on the apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener pull assist apparatus arranged within a housing that is configured to assist in sealing a zipper at the back of a garment, such as a dress. The fastener pull assist apparatus includes a housing, a spooling mechanism arranged within the housing and a fastening assembly that is fixed to the spooling mechanism and releasably fixable to an object to aid in pulling the object. The spool mechanism can include a spool about which a cord is windable, a spool plate that is fixable to the spool, a retraction button that is arranged between the spool and the spool plate, a cap that is contactable with the spool plate and a plurality of springs.