Tree Climbing Stick Assembly with Internal Joint Stabilizers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lightweight tree climbing sticks made of thin-walled materials like titanium alloy flex and loosen under load, compromising joint integrity and stability, leading to an unstable feel and potential loosening of the standoff-step components.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating stabilizing members, such as rigid plugs, within the tubular post to restrict radial flexing of the tube wall at the joint, ensuring a tight and stable connection between the step and post, even under bending loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If thin-walled tubing is used for the post, then weight is reduced, but the tube wall flexes inward under bending load causing joint loosening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of climbing stickVSAvoidjoint integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A stabilizing member is nested inside the tubular post to provide internal support. The stabilizing member is positioned within the tube to prevent inward flexing of the tube wall at the joint, allowing the thin-walled tube to remain lightweight while maintaining joint integrity under load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilizing member is positioned specifically at the joint location where bending loads cause inward flexing. This localized reinforcement provides support exactly where needed to prevent joint loosening, rather than requiring uniform thickening of the entire tube.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If thin-walled tubing is used for the post, then portability is improved, but the joint becomes unstable under load

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidjoint stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizing member is inserted into the tubular post to provide internal support at the joint. This nested configuration maintains the lightweight, portable nature of the thin-walled tube while adding stability where the joint connects the standoff-step components to the post.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The climbing stick combines thin-walled tubing material with a stabilizing member material to create a composite structure. This composite approach provides both the weight advantages of thin-walled tube and the stability of reinforced joint construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 stabilizing members maintain joint integrity by preventing inward flexing of the tube wall, providing a stable and secure connection that does not loosen over time, enhancing the overall structural integrity and user experience.

Implementation Method 1

the tubular post is flexible in use under a bending load... restrict inward flexing of the tubular post at the joint

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12427378B2Tree climbing stick assembly and method of manufacture

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 LEE SCOTT

AI summary

A tree climbing stick includes a tubular post having upper and lower end portions. Upper and lower standoff-step components include mounting collars which are disposed about the upper and lower end portions. Retaining plugs are disposed into the upper and lower end portions opposite the mounting collars and support the end portions and cooperate to prevent the end portions from moving inward or outward to maintain a tight fit of the joint in use when subjecting to bending loads.