Tool Retaining Assembly With Flexible Damping Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable tool retaining devices fail to effectively cushion tool falls, leading to potential damage and safety risks due to sudden braking forces, and lack the ability to orient tools during falls to minimize environmental impact and indicate when maintenance is required.
Innovation Solution
A robust retaining assembly with flexible securing elements made of technical textile materials, designed to attach a safety cord to portable tools, featuring adjustable lengths to orient the tool during falls and incorporate damping mechanisms to absorb fall forces, along with indicator means to detect excessive force thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid fixing lug and mooring ring are used to secure the tool, then the tool can be retained after falling several meters, but the sudden braking force during fall stopping may cause internal parts to move or break
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a damping element (such as a spring or elastomeric material) between the mooring ring and the fixing lug that cushions the tool during fall deceleration. This damping element absorbs and distributes the impact energy, preventing sudden braking forces from damaging internal tool parts while maintaining reliable tool retention capability.
2Strength
If a heavy spring is used to cushion the tool fall, then the forces absorbed during fall are reduced, but the weight of the retaining device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by using elastomeric or polymeric damping materials instead of traditional heavy metal springs. These materials provide equivalent or superior shock absorption capabilities while significantly reducing the weight of the retaining device. The elastomeric material deforms elastically during tool fall, absorbing impact energy without adding excessive weight.
3Weight of moving object
If small fixing lugs are used to reduce weight, then the retaining device becomes lighter, but the fixing lugs may lack robustness under fall forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by replacing traditional metal fixing lugs with elastomeric or composite materials that provide both lightweight construction and high robustness. These materials maintain structural integrity under fall forces while keeping the overall device weight low. The elastomeric material's high tensile strength and elasticity allow small fixing elements to withstand significant impact loads.
4Reliability
If the retaining device is made sufficiently robust to withstand fall forces, then tool retention is ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the damping function directly into the mooring ring or fixing lug structure itself, rather than adding separate complex damping mechanisms. The elastomeric material is incorporated as part of the connection assembly, combining the retention and shock absorption functions into a single integrated component, thereby ensuring reliable tool retention without increasing device complexity.
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 provides secure, lightweight, and robust tool retention, minimizing damage and safety risks by orienting tools to reduce environmental impact and indicating when maintenance is necessary, thus ensuring tool integrity and operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
a first and a second flexible securing elements each having an end secured to said ring and an end secured respectively to said first and said second fixing plates
Implementation Method 2
incorporate damping mechanisms to absorb fall forces
Data Source
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Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a retention assembly (1) adapted to be attached to a portable tool (3) to allow the connection of a safety lanyard (2) to said tool. According to the invention, said assembly comprises: - a first and a second fixing plates (10, 11) adapted to be secured to said portable tool by clamping its body; - an anchoring element (14) adapted to allow the attachment of said lanyard; - a first and a second flexible securing elements (15, 16), each having one end attached to said anchoring element and one end respectively attached to said first and said second fixing plates.