Stabilized Ratchet Load Binder Attachment Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ratchet load binders face safety issues due to the tendency of attachment members to rotate during chain tightening, requiring users to stabilize one hand, and lack a clear indication of the maximum unscrew length, leading to potential misuse and safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A stabilized ratchet load binder with a tubular member and ratchet spur gear, featuring a lever arm that can be grasped to stabilize the attachment member and provide visual indication of safe thread engagement, preventing rotation and ensuring proper attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users stabilize the attachment member with one hand during operation, then rotation is prevented, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring two hands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of attachment member rotationVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a stabilizing arm as an intermediary component that couples to the attachment member. This arm provides a handhold for the user's non-operating hand, serving as a mediator between the user and the attachment member to prevent rotation during ratchet operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If cheater bars are used to prevent rotation of the attachment member, then mechanical advantage is provided, but safety deteriorates due to risk of disengagement and striking the user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical advantageVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizing arm serves as a safe intermediary that replaces dangerous cheater bars. It provides a built-in, secure handhold that eliminates the need for external tools, thereby maintaining mechanical advantage while removing the safety hazard of disengaging cheater bars.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilizing arm is an integrated component of the ratchet assembly that provides its own stabilization function. The device serves itself by including the stabilizing arm as part of its structure, eliminating the need for external cheater bars and making the safety feature inherent to the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Length of moving object

If the threaded shaft portion is extended too far from the tubular member, then adjustment range is increased, but reliability deteriorates due to insufficient threaded engagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextension length of threaded shaftVSAvoidthreaded engagement strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates visual indicators (such as colored bands or markings) on the threaded shaft portion that provide feedback to the user about the extent of extension. This allows the user to monitor the extension length in real-time and stop before exceeding the safe engagement limit, thereby maintaining both adjustment range and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enhances user safety by stabilizing the attachment member during operation and providing a clear visual cue for safe thread engagement, reducing the risk of injury and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a ratchet mechanism having a pawl connected to a ratchet handle and a ratcheting spur gear attached to the tubular body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRatchet mechanism: Ratchet

Implementation Method 2

The ratchet handle is reciprocated back and forth to turn the tubular body relative to the threaded shaft portions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 3

threaded shaft portions of a pair of eye bolts or hook bolts threadedly engaged in the ends of the tubular body so as to move into and out from the tubular body responsive to rotation of the tubular body relative to the pair of eye bolts or hook bolts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentUS10464467B2Stabilized attachment assembly and ratchet load binder using the same

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 ROBINS TERRY K

AI summary

A stabilized attachment assembly (200) and ratchet load binder (100) using the stabilized attachment assembly (200) is provided. The stabilized attachment assembly (200) includes an attachment member (230) to which a lever arm (250) is coupled. The ratchet load binder (100) includes a tubular member (110) rotatably driven by a ratchet handle assembly (120). The attachment assembly (200) is threadedly engaged in one open end (116) of the tubular member (110) and an attachment member (130) is threadedly engaged in an opposing open end (116) of tubular member (110) and both are linearly displaced towards or away from one another responsive to rotation of the tubular member (110) in a particular direction. A user holds the lever arm (250) in one hand while reciprocally operating the ratchet handle assembly (120) with another hand.