Safety Strap Positioning Arm for Repeatable Tree and Pole Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for positioning straps around varying diameter structures, such as trees, are inefficient and unpredictable due to factors like strap type, structure size, height, gravity, and weather conditions, making it difficult to achieve repeatable and safe installations.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a handle and arm portion that can extend, wrap around, and retract, featuring a coupling mechanism and retraction cord, allowing for adjustable positioning and secure strap placement around objects, including trees and poles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a person manually slings a strap around a structure using traditional methods, then the installation can be completed, but the process is unpredictable and difficult to control due to varying strap types, structure diameters, height, gravity, and weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (the positioning apparatus with arm portion) between the user and the strap/structure system. This apparatus provides mechanical advantage and controlled movement to wrap the strap around the structure, eliminating the unpredictability of manual slinging while maintaining ease of operation through simple user actions like pulling the release cord.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm portion is designed to be movable between extended and retracted positions, allowing the device to adapt dynamically to different structure diameters and heights. The arm can extend to reach around larger structures and retract for compact storage, providing reliability across varying conditions while keeping the device easy to operate.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the arm portion is designed to wrap around structures of varying diameters, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the movable arm mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: handle portion, arm portion, and coupling mechanism. The arm portion itself can be viewed as segmented with the coupling mechanism at one end and the hinge connection at the other. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall adaptability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm portion functions as a flexible element that can bend and adapt to different structure circumferences. Rather than using complex articulated mechanisms, the arm's flexibility allows it to wrap around structures of varying diameters smoothly, achieving adaptability with minimal mechanical complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the arm portion extends beyond the far side of the object for proper strap positioning, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the device length and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The arm portion's length is dynamically adjustable through its movable connection to the handle. When needed, the arm extends sufficiently beyond the structure to ensure accurate strap positioning. When not in use, the arm can be retracted or positioned compactly, reducing the effective length for portability purposes while maintaining positioning accuracy when deployed.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for positioning a strap around an object includes a handle for being grasped by a user of the apparatus. The apparatus further includes an arm portion having a first end coupled to the handle portion and an opposite second end having a coupling mechanism coupled at or nearby for selectively coupling a portion of the strap to the second end of the arm portion. When the handle portion is grasped by the user of the apparatus adjacent a side of the object the arm portion is sized and configured to be movable among: a first positioning wherein the arm portion extends outward from the handle and the user such that the second end of the arm portion extends a distance beyond a far side of the object, and a second positioning wherein the arm portion wraps at least partially around the object.