Elastic Tensioner Hook Structure for Secure Adjustable Cable Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elastic tensioners face issues with untimely dropout, difficulty in adjusting and replacing the elastic cable, and the need for standardized lengths, which leads to inefficiencies and potential damage due to permanent deformation or rupture, especially in applications like fruit tree protection nets.
Innovation Solution
A hook designed with a folding metallic wired element featuring a link interface and a hanging loop with a compression tail that securely holds the elastic cable, allowing for easy adjustment and replacement without tools, and preventing accidental disengagement through radial compression and elastic deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clip-on locking mechanism is used to secure the elastic cable in the hooks, then the cable is securely retained, but it becomes impossible or extremely difficult to modify the cable's usable length or replace a damaged cable
Solution Approach 1:
The hook is divided into distinct functional zones: a retaining zone with a bore and retention means for securing the cable, and a free end zone that can be detached. This segmentation allows the cable to be securely held in one region while enabling easy modification or replacement at another region, resolving the contradiction between secure retention and ease of operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If standardized lengths of elastic cables are offered by manufacturers, then production is simplified, but the cables are often unsuitable for the intended use and cannot be adjusted to fit specific requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The hook design incorporates a detachable free end zone that allows the cable length to be dynamically adjusted. Users can cut or modify the cable to the required length while the retaining zone maintains secure attachment, enabling adaptability without compromising manufacturing simplicity of standardized cables.
3Reliability
If a coil spring is used to prevent the hook from opening, then some prevention is achieved, but the spring's elasticity only partially prevents opening and does not provide sufficient security
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the insufficient coil spring mechanism and replaces it with a dedicated retaining zone featuring a bore and retention means. This extraction of the weak locking element and replacement with a purpose-designed retention structure provides significantly stronger and more reliable prevention of unintended opening.
4Reliability
If a carabiner configuration is used to prevent unexpected release, then security is improved, but the design is relatively expensive and can lead to permanent deformation or breakage due to excessive fatigue from repeated elastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the retaining function and the hook structure into a single integrated body formed from a rigid wire element. The retaining zone with its bore and retention means is directly formed as part of the hook, eliminating the need for separate carabiner components. This integration maintains security while reducing complexity and the risk of fatigue-related failures.
5Reliability
If the elastic cable is securely locked by clips in the connecting interface, then the cable is retained, but damaged cables require complete disposal of the tensioner and hooks due to the need for specialized clips and crimping tools
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining zone with its bore and retention means is designed to work directly with the elastic cable without requiring external clips or specialized crimping tools. The structure enables the user to perform cable replacement themselves by simply inserting or removing the cable from the retaining zone, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for specialized tools or components.
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 hook ensures secure fixation and adjustment of the elastic cable, preventing accidental disengagement and allowing for easy replacement, thus enhancing usability and maintaining the cable's integrity over time.
Implementation Method 1
a rigid wire element... having a connecting interface and a hooking loop, the hooking loop defining a loop provided for receiving an object to which the hook is to be attached
Implementation Method 2
the width of the hollow formed by at least the first bent branch is equal to or less than the diameter of the cable intended to be attached to the connecting interface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The hook (1) for an elastic tensioner has a connecting interface (10) adapted to receive an elastic cable (20) for attachment, and a hooking loop (11) preferably forming a carabiner. This hook is notable in that the connecting interface has first (100) and second (101) straight terminal arms and a straight middle arm (103) connected to the first straight terminal arm (100) by a first angled arm (104) and to the second straight arm (101) by a second angled arm (105), said arms forming two opposing recesses, the first of which receives an elastic cable forming a knot around, in particular, the first angled arm (104). The arm (101) is extended by a retaining tail (106) designed to hold the cable in a position that maintains the tightness of the knot it forms at the connecting interface (10). The invention also relates to an elastic tensioner.