Undulating Channel Retaining Member for Flexible Barriers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing retaining members for barrier assemblies fail to effectively restrain flexible elongate members like ropes or cords, particularly in preventing accidental movement and ensuring secure suspension while allowing easy insertion and removal.

Innovation Solution

A retaining member with an undulating open channel extending through it, featuring opposing side walls and a base wall, which forces the flexible elongate member to adopt a similar undulating course, providing friction and 'biting' contact points for secure retention and preventing lateral movement, and includes retainers to prevent accidental pulling out.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional straight channel is used in the retaining member, then the flexible elongate member can pass through easily, but the member is not effectively restrained and can move or be pulled out accidentally

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestraint effectivenessVSAvoidinsertion ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The channel is designed with an undulating (wavy) profile instead of a straight line, creating multiple contact points along its length. This curved geometry increases friction and provides mechanical interlocking with the flexible elongate member, effectively restraining lateral movement and preventing accidental pull-out while still allowing deliberate insertion and removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If retainers are added to prevent accidental pulling out, then reliability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of accidental movementVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retainers are integrated as part of the retaining member body rather than being separate components. The undulating channel and retainers form a unified structure, eliminating the need for additional fastening mechanisms or separate retention devices, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 undulating channel design securely retains and restrains flexible elongate members, preventing accidental movement while allowing easy insertion and removal, ensuring a stable and reliable barrier assembly for various applications such as crowd control or access restriction.

Implementation Method 1

Such lateral movement can be restrained because the wavy, zigzag or tortuous shape of the channel forces the flexible elongate member to adopt a similar undulating course through the channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The contact points can be defined by chamfered edges of the side walls, for example, or by any other suitable contact feature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11208774B2Retaining members

Publication Date: 2021.12.28 TENSATOR GROUP

AI summary

A retaining member is described. The retaining member forms part of a stanchion of a barrier assembly. The retaining member includes an undulating open channel extending completely through the retaining member. The channel is adapted, in use, to retain a flexible elongate member (e.g., a rope or cord) and to restrain movement of the flexible elongate member relative to the retaining member.