Stick Handle Wrist Strap Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stick handles with wrist straps pose a risk of injury due to involuntary detachment, which can lead to shoulder or wrist injuries, and previous solutions are either complex, fragile, or economically uneconomical.
Innovation Solution
A stick handle design featuring a strap with an insert that is locked into a housing using a latch mechanism, which remains attached during normal use but can be disengaged only under excessive axial traction, preventing untimely releases and ensuring safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wrist strap is made detachable to prevent injury, then safety is improved, but the risk of unintended detachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed with directional sensitivity - the latch is configured to engage with the insert only when force is applied in specific directions (lateral or downward), while automatically disengaging when excessive axial tension is applied. This local differentiation of mechanical response to different force directions resolves the contradiction by providing safety through controlled detachment only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static locked state during normal use to a dynamic responsive state that automatically adjusts based on the direction and magnitude of applied force. The latch dynamically engages or disengages based on real-time force vectors, allowing the system to adapt between secure attachment during propulsion and automatic release during avalanche conditions.
2Device complexity
If a simple locking mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the risk of accidental activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism employs asymmetric geometry where the latch and insert are shaped to respond differently to forces applied from different directions. The latch has a specific engagement surface that only engages when force is applied laterally or downward, while remaining disengaged under axial tension. This asymmetric design provides reliable directional responsiveness without requiring complex control systems.
3Force
If the wrist strap remains attached during propulsion, then force transmission is improved, but the risk of injury during entrapment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism dynamically adjusts the attachment state based on the operational context. During normal propulsion, the latch remains engaged to transmit force effectively. When excessive axial tension occurs during entrapment events, the mechanism automatically disengages to prevent injury. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize both force transmission and safety without compromise.
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
The design enhances user safety by preventing wrist strap detachment during normal use while allowing release only when necessary, maintaining the strap's attachment during propulsion and ensuring the handle's robustness and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a locking mechanism comprising a movable lock and elastic means for exerting a force on the movable lock
Implementation Method 2
The lock is shaped like a pin... The locking mechanism includes a stop to limit the movement of the bolt towards the insert housing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The handle (1) has a wrist strap (3) including a strap (31) connected to an insert (32). A body (2) is oriented along a longitudinal axis (Z1). An insert housing (25) is arranged in an upper end (24) of the body so that the insert is inserted into the housing along a direction parallel to the axis. A latching mechanism (10) retains the insert in the housing, where unlatching of the mechanism is directly actuated by a displacement of the insert along a direction opposite to an insertion direction of the insert. The latching mechanism includes a latch (4) movable in relation to the body.