Integrated Fire Starter in Strap Buckle Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals often neglect to carry a fire starter due to limited packing space or infrequent need, leading to regrettable situations during emergencies where fire is required for survival.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a fire-starting component, such as a striker-engaging beam and striker, within strap-securing devices like buckles and sliders, allowing for spark generation to ignite fires, which are stored in compartments for easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individuals carry separate fire starters, then fire-starting capability is ensured, but packing space is consumed and gear bulk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a fire starter with a strap-securing device (buckle or slider), integrating two separate functions into a single unit. The fire starter components (striker, fuel source) are incorporated into the strap-securing device housing, eliminating the need to carry separate fire starters while maintaining both strap-securing and fire-starting capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap-securing device is designed to perform multiple functions: its primary function of securing straps is augmented with a secondary fire-starting function. This multi-functionality allows the same device to serve both as a fastening mechanism and an emergency fire starter, reducing the total number of items needed in a pack.
2Reliability
If individuals carry separate fire starters, then fire-starting capability is ensured, but gear complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the fire starter with the strap-securing device, the patent reduces gear complexity. Instead of managing multiple separate items (strap securer plus fire starter), the user has a single integrated device, simplifying gear organization and reducing the cognitive load of tracking multiple pieces of equipment.
3Ease of operation
If fire starters are integrated into strap-securing devices, then accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration places the fire starter components within the strap-securing device housing, making them immediately accessible whenever the device is used. The striker and fuel source are positioned such that they can be operated without removing the fire starter from its housing, improving accessibility while keeping the added complexity minimal through clever spatial arrangement.
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
Provides a compact and accessible means to start fires in emergency situations without the need for separate fire starters, ensuring survival needs are met without additional bulk in gear.
Implementation Method 1
The striker is configured to be swiped, scraped, or the like across the striker-engaging beam(s) to generate a spark to ignite the fire
Implementation Method 2
The striker is configured to be swiped, scraped, or the like across the striker-engaging beam(s) to generate a spark to ignite the fire
Data Source
AI summary
A strap-securing device is configured to be able to be used to ignite a fire. The strap-securing device may include at least one strap-retaining body configured to retain at least one strap, and at least one fire-starting component configured to be used to ignite a fire. For example, the at least one strap-retaining body may include a first buckle member, and a second buckle member configured to be removably connected to the first buckle member. Alternatively, the at least one strap-retaining body may include a slider, cord lock, shackle, and/or the like.