Tether Cinch With Tapered Serrations for Gloved Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tether systems for lifting equipment require knots or hooks that are difficult to engage and disengage, especially in dark conditions or with gloved hands, and do not provide secure or adjustable loops for varying object sizes.

Innovation Solution

A tapered tubular element with serrations and a recess system that allows a tether to form a loop by passing through openings and notches, enabling secure and adjustable looping without the need for knots or hooks, and facilitating tactile manipulation in the dark or with gloves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a knot is used to secure the device to the tether, then the device can be lifted to the elevated position, but the knot is difficult to undo once the equipment is in position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of tetheringVSAvoiddifficulty to undo knot

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tethering system is divided into separate components: a tether with a loop at one end, and a separate receptacle with a hook at its opposite end. This segmentation allows the tethering function to be secured reliably through the hook-loop engagement while simultaneously enabling easy release by simply disengaging the hook, eliminating the difficulty of undoing knots.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The loop and hook serve as intermediary elements that mediate between the tether and the equipment. The loop on the tether and the hook on the receptacle create an intermediate engagement mechanism that provides secure tethering while allowing for easy release, avoiding the need to manipulate complex knots directly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a releasable hook is used to attach the device to the tether, then the device can be easily engaged and disengaged, but the hook places a limitation on the minimum size of the loop and can be difficult to engage with gloved hands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of engagement and disengagementVSAvoidlimitation on loop size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attaching the hook to the tether and passing it through a loop in the equipment, the invention inverts the arrangement by placing the loop on the tether and the hook on a separate receptacle. This inversion allows the loop size to be optimized for small equipment while the hook remains on an accessible receptacle, solving both the minimum loop size limitation and the gloved hands engagement difficulty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If a traditional hook system is used for tethering, then equipment can be lifted to elevated positions, but the system does not accommodate various object sizes effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency in lifting equipmentVSAvoidaccommodation of various object sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle is designed as a universal component that can accommodate different sized equipment. The receptacle body can be attached to various objects, and the hook mechanism on the receptacle works with the standardized loop on the tether, creating a multi-functional system that efficiently lifts equipment of various sizes while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7546665B2Cinch for tether

Publication Date: 2009.06.16 DOYLES DEER GEAR

AI summary

A cinch for a tether used to elevate equipment in the field. An element having a tapered section connects with either a rope or strap. The element is removably received in a receptacle through which the tether has been passed. The receptacle has a side notch to facilitate looping the tether around the equipment. The cinch can be manipulated in the dark.