Tree-Mounted Support Plate With Strap Fastening and Non-Penetrating Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching equipment to tree trunks often involve metallic fasteners that can damage machinery and pose safety hazards, violating laws that prohibit such attachments to prevent damage to tree processing equipment and ensure operator safety.
Innovation Solution
A supporting device that uses a strap looped around the tree trunk, anchored to a support plate with plastic feet for stabilization, eliminating the need for metallic fasteners and allowing for secure, removable attachment of various equipment without damaging the tree.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metallic fasteners (nails, bolts, screws) are used to attach equipment to tree trunks, then the attachment strength and stability are improved, but the tree trunk is damaged and machinery used for tree processing is at risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the harmful metallic fasteners from the attachment system. Instead of using nails, bolts, or screws that penetrate and damage the tree, the patent employs a strap-based system with a support plate that wraps around the tree trunk, distributing load without penetration. This removes the source of harm while maintaining attachment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary system consisting of a strap and support plate between the equipment and the tree trunk. This intermediary mechanism transfers and distributes the attachment forces around the tree rather than concentrating them at penetration points, preventing damage to both the tree and subsequent processing machinery.
2Strength
If nails or similar fasteners are inserted into tree trunks to secure equipment, then the equipment attachment is strong and stable, but operator safety is compromised due to potential lethal hazards from embedded metal fasteners
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the dangerous metallic fasteners from the attachment system. By replacing nails and screws with a non-penetrating strap and support plate mechanism, the source of operator hazard is eliminated while attachment stability is maintained through distributed loading around the tree trunk.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a strap and support plate system is used instead of metallic fasteners, then damage to trees and machinery is avoided, but the attachment strength and stability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate design incorporates features that distribute and counterbalance the attachment forces. The plate spreads the load over a larger surface area of the tree trunk, and the ratchet mechanism provides counter-tension to maintain stable attachment without penetration, compensating for the lack of mechanical anchoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system uses a dynamic ratchet mechanism that allows for adjustable tensioning and secure locking of the strap. This dynamic element enables the system to adapt to varying load conditions and tree trunk dimensions, maintaining optimal attachment strength without requiring permanent penetration into the tree.
Data Source
AI summary
A supporting device is disclosed for the removable attachment thereof to a wooden object such as a tree trunk that avoids the insertion into the wooden object of a metallic fastener that could later damage machinery used while processing the wooden object. The supporting device includes a support plate having a first face and a second face and a first and a second edge. The support plate defines a plurality of apertures, each aperture of the plurality of apertures extending between the first and the second face of the support plate. A plurality of legs are provided with each leg having a first and a second extremity. Each leg threadably cooperates with a corresponding aperture of the plurality of apertures. A plurality of feet are provided with each foot being attached to a corresponding second extremity of each leg such that in use of the supporting device, the plurality of feet abut against the wooden object for supporting, stabilizing and spacing the support plate relative to the wooden object. The support plate further defines a first slot and a second slot spaced from the first slot with each of the slots extending from the first face to the second face. An elongate flexible strap has a first termination and a second termination such that in use of the supporting device, the flexible strap extends through the first slot and the second slot of the support plate. A tensioning fastener attached to the flexible strap includes a first portion secured to the first termination of the flexible strap. A second portion is attached to the flexible strap between the second termination of the flexible strap and the first portion of the tensioning fastener. The arrangement is such that in use of the supporting device, the flexible strap loops around the wooden object and the first portion of the tensioning fastener cooperates with the second portion of the tensioning fastener for selectively tensioning the flexible strap. The flexible strap extending between the first slot and the second slot of the support plate is disposed between the support plate and the wooden object.