Tool Cinch Stabilizing Wings Prevent Loosening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional attachment methods for tools like pinch bars, pry bars, and power tools with triggers often fail to securely prevent dropped objects due to loosening of cinches, leading to potential damage or injury.
Innovation Solution
A tool cinch assembly with radially extending wings and a securing means like tape or heat shrink to maintain the cinch's position on the tool, utilizing the energy from a dropped object to prevent it from falling, and featuring V or D Rings for lanyard attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple cinch strap is used to secure tools, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of preventing dropped objects deteriorates due to loosening during use
Solution Approach 1:
The cinch assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: the cinch strap for initial securing, the radially extending wings for positional stabilization, and the securing means (tape, shrink wrap, or adhesive) for final fixation. This segmentation allows each component to address a specific aspect of the reliability problem without overly complicating the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wings are pre-positioned in a radially extended configuration before the tool is inserted. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the tool is placed through the cinch, the wings are already in place to prevent rotation and maintain the cinch's position, addressing the loosening issue before it can occur during use.
2Force
If the cinch is pulled tight to secure the tool, then the attachment force increases, but the cinch becomes prone to loosening during tool operation
Solution Approach 1:
The radially extending wings act as a cushioning mechanism that anticipates and prevents the loosening problem. By providing additional contact surfaces and friction points before the tool is fully secured, the wings cushion against the dynamic forces that would otherwise cause the cinch to loosen during tool operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wings serve as an intermediary element between the cinch strap and the tool. They transfer and distribute the attachment forces, reducing the stress concentration on the cinch strap alone and preventing the loosening that occurs when high attachment forces are applied directly without distribution.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cinches are used on tools without handles or with closed handles, then the adaptability to different tool types is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in positioning and securing
Solution Approach 1:
The cinch assembly with radially extending wings is designed as a universal solution that can accommodate various tool types including those without handles, with closed handles, or with tapered handles. The wings provide multiple contact points that adapt to different tool geometries, making the device versatile while maintaining ease of operation through consistent positioning mechanics.
Solution Approach 2:
The radially extending wings add a dimensional element to the cinch structure, transforming it from a simple linear strap into a three-dimensional securing mechanism. This dimensional addition provides multiple planes of contact with the tool, making positioning and securing easier across diverse tool types without compromising adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool cinch is provided for securement to a tool, the cinch then being connectable to a lanyard for preventing the tool from falling if dropped before, during, or after use. The cinch includes radially projecting wings that are secured to the tool with tape or the like to further buttress securement of the tool.