Tethered Strap Keeper Prevents Loose End Slippage

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing strap-length adjusters often fail to effectively keep loose strap ends near the adjuster, leading to potential safety hazards, especially in exercise devices, due to component failure, and there is a need for a mechanism that can restrain loose ends and provide safety in such scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A combination of a tethered strap keeper and various designs of strap-length adjusters, which include a strap restraint, a tether, and a frame with movable gates, to securely hold the strap ends close to the adjuster, preventing slippage and providing safety in case of component failure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional strap-length adjuster is used, then the strap length can be adjusted, but the loose strap end protrudes away and may move or slip

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrap length adjustmentVSAvoidstrap end position control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the strap-length adjuster and strap keeper into a single integrated device. The adjuster mechanism (with movable gate and frame) is merged with the keeper structure, allowing both functions to be performed by one component rather than requiring separate adjuster and keeper devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a tether as an intermediary element that connects the strap keeper to the adjuster mechanism. This tether acts as a mediator that automatically restrains the keeper near the adjuster, preventing the loose end from protruding away while maintaining the adjuster's full range of motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a strap keeper is added to restrain loose ends, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the strap-length adjuster and strap keeper into a single integrated device. The adjuster mechanism (with movable gate and frame) is merged with the keeper structure, allowing both functions to be performed by one component rather than requiring separate adjuster and keeper devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tethered strap keeper is designed to automatically follow and restrain near the adjuster through the tether connection, eliminating the need for additional active control mechanisms or user intervention to maintain safety positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If component failure occurs in traditional adjusters, then safety is compromised, but adding safety mechanisms increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a tether as a backup safety mechanism that remains dormant during normal operation but activates automatically upon component failure. The tether provides a secondary restraint system that prevents complete strap release if the primary adjuster mechanism fails, cushioning against the worst-case scenario without interfering with normal function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a tether as an intermediary element that connects the strap keeper to the adjuster mechanism. This tether acts as a mediator that automatically restrains the keeper near the adjuster, preventing the loose end from protruding away while maintaining the adjuster's full range of motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9433258B2Strap adjuster and keeper

Publication Date: 2016.09.06 JFXD TRX ACQ LLC

AI summary

An apparatus including a combined strap-length adjuster and strap keeper is disclosed for use with multiple embodiments of a strap-length adjuster. A tether is used in combination with the strap keeper. The arrangement allows the tether to not interfere with the positioning or movement of the straps and maintains the straps close to the strap-length adjuster and prevents slippage of the strap through the strap-length adjuster.