Walking Stick Wrist Strap Retractor Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski and walking poles with adjustable wrist straps face challenges in adjusting strap length with the hand engaged, leading to hindered grip, insufficient length adjustment for varying hand sizes and use modes, and unreliable tightening due to parasitic shocks and vibrations, especially problematic for alpine ski racing and hiking.
Innovation Solution
A ski or walking stick with a handle featuring a retractable strap system, where a retractor connected to the strap is housed in a cavity within the handle, accessible via an external operating member, allowing precise length adjustment and secure locking, facilitated by cables and a disengageable locking mechanism for ergonomic and reliable grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a reversible blocking member is used for strap adjustment, then the strap can be tightened or released manually, but the strap length cannot be adjusted when the hand is engaged in the wrist strap and excess strap length hinders grip
Solution Approach 1:
A cable is introduced as an intermediary element connecting the strap to the winding reel. The cable transmits the tightening force from the reel to the strap, allowing adjustment without direct manual manipulation of the strap itself. This resolves the contradiction by enabling adjustment even when the hand is engaged in the wrist strap.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual pulling mechanism is replaced with a winding reel and cable system. Instead of directly pulling the strap to tighten it, the user rotates the reel which winds the cable, thereby tightening the strap. This substitution allows for more precise control and adjustment even with gloved hands.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a reversible blocking member is used for strap adjustment, then the strap can be tightened or released manually, but the adjustment range is insufficient for different hand sizes and use modes
Solution Approach 1:
The strap length is made dynamically adjustable through the winding reel mechanism. The reel allows continuous adjustment of the cable length, and thus the strap length, to accommodate different hand sizes and usage scenarios such as downhill skiing versus cross-country skiing. The blocking member provides stable intermediate positions during this dynamic adjustment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap length parameter can be changed continuously by rotating the reel. The reel mechanism transforms rotational motion into linear displacement of the cable, enabling precise control over the strap length to adapt to different user requirements and skiing conditions.
3Reliability
If a reversible blocking member is used for strap adjustment, then the strap can be tightened or released manually, but the blocking member opens gradually under parasitic shocks or vibrations preventing firm grip
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is designed to preemptively counteract the opening force generated by parasitic shocks and vibrations. By engaging the blocking member at stable intermediate positions on the reel, the system prevents the strap from loosening under vibrational loads, ensuring reliable grip during dynamic skiing movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member acts as a preventive measure against strap loosening. By providing discrete locked positions on the reel, it cushions against the gradual opening that would otherwise occur under repeated shock and vibration loads, maintaining firm strap tightening throughout the skiing activity.
4Device complexity
If the adjustment means are integrated into the handle, then the structure is compact, but the adjustment means are difficult to handle with gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The reel and its operating element are designed with asymmetric features that facilitate gripping with gloved hands. The operating element has a shape and size optimized for thumb or finger manipulation even through glove material, breaking the symmetry of conventional small adjustment mechanisms to improve operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is positioned and dimensioned to allow operation from multiple angles and directions. The reel can be accessed and rotated from various orientations, making it easier to operate with gloved hands compared to linear or single-direction adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a stick comprising, on the one hand, a handle provided with a strap (S) forming a wrist strap and means for adjusting the length of said strap and, on the other hand, a tubular rod (B), characterized in that said adjustment means comprise a winder (2) connected to said strap which is housed, at least partially, in a cavity (12) provided inside the handle (1) and which is provided with an operating member (21) accessible from the outside.