Toggle Clamp Drain Sleeve Retention for Collapsible Water Tanks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanisms for retaining drain sleeves on collapsible water tanks are difficult for firefighters to use, often resulting in leaks and inefficient drainage due to the complexity and requirement for significant strength and technique.

Innovation Solution

A releasable drain sleeve attachment assembly featuring a pivotable bar and a deployable plunger mechanism that allows for easy attachment and quick release of the drain sleeve, facilitating efficient water retention and drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a caribeaner clip and pull-through strap mechanism is used to retain the drain sleeve, then the drain sleeve can be maintained in the closed position, but the mechanism becomes difficult to operate with gloves on and requires significant strength and technique

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrain sleeve retentionVSAvoiddrain sleeve attachment and release

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drain sleeve is designed to automatically engage with the retention mechanism when pulled through the tank wall, and the release mechanism automatically disengages when the toggle clamp is actuated. The system serves itself without requiring manual manipulation of small components like caribeaners or searching for pull straps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A toggle clamp serves as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the drain sleeve retention system. The toggle clamp provides mechanical advantage and a clear on/off state, making it easy to operate with gloves on while reliably maintaining the drain sleeve in the closed position during normal use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the drain sleeve is pulled through the tank wall using a pull strap, then the sleeve can be extended for drainage, but the operation requires significant strength and technique

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage speedVSAvoiddrain sleeve release

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drain sleeve retention system transitions from a static tied configuration to a dynamic toggle clamp mechanism. The toggle clamp can be quickly actuated to release the drain sleeve, allowing rapid drainage without requiring significant pulling strength or technique.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The drain sleeve is pre-positioned and automatically engaged with the retention mechanism during the filling operation. This preliminary positioning ensures the sleeve is ready for rapid release and drainage without requiring additional manual manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the drain sleeve end is lower than the top rail due to improper tying, then the tank leaks below the full level, but proper tying with rope is difficult with gloves on

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater retentionVSAvoiddrain sleeve attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retention mechanism automatically maintains the drain sleeve at the correct position relative to the top rail. The system self-adjusts to ensure proper water retention without requiring manual adjustment or tying by the user, even when wearing gloves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual rope-tying mechanism is replaced with a mechanical toggle clamp retention system. This substitution eliminates the need for manual knot-tying and positioning, providing reliable water retention through mechanical engagement that is easy to operate with gloves on.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution enables firefighters to easily attach and release the drain sleeve, reducing water loss during use and improving drainage efficiency, even when wearing gloves.

Implementation Method 1

the pivotable bar is movable between a clamped position adjacent to a top rail of the frame and a released position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a releasable attachment mechanism attached to a second vertical post adjacent to the first vertical post, wherein the releasable attachment mechanism is movable between a deployed position in which the releasable attachment mechanism retains the pivotable bar in the clamped positioned

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Geometry

Implementation Method 3

A releasable drain sleeve attachment assembly featuring a pivotable bar and a deployable plunger mechanism that allows for easy attachment and quick release of the drain sleeve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS20250033870A1Rapid release device for folding frame tank drain sleeves and related systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 ELDRED CORP

AI summary

Drain sleeve retention and release assembly embodiments having a pivotable bar rotatably attached to a water tank frame and a releasable attachment mechanism attached to the frame, wherein the releasable attachment mechanism is movable between a deployed position a retracted position, wherein a flexible drain sleeve is positionable between the pivotable bar and the top rail such that the flexible drain sleeve is releasably clamped between the pivotable bar and the frame when the releasable attachment mechanism is disposed in the deployed position.