Weighted Zipper Pull for Gravity-Closed Trampoline Entrances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trampoline netting systems with large entrances pose a hazard as users often leave them open during use, leading to a risk of falling off, and conventional zippers tend to separate due to user movement.
Innovation Solution
A weighted zipper pull is attached to the zipper of the trampoline entrance, which automatically closes by gravity when moved to the open position, ensuring the entrance is securely shut.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional zipper is used for the trampoline entrance, then the entrance can be opened and closed manually, but the entrance may remain open during use posing a safety hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The zipper pull is designed with a weighted member that enables the zipper to automatically close the entrance without manual intervention. The weight utilizes gravity to pull the slider back to the closed position after the entrance is opened, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for continuous user attention to ensure safety.
Solution Approach 2:
A weighted member is attached to the zipper pull to create a counterbalancing force. This weight acts as a counterweight that automatically returns the zipper slider to the closed position using gravitational force, ensuring the entrance remains securely closed during trampoline use and preventing safety hazards.
2Reliability
If a weighted member is added to the zipper pull to enable automatic closing, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The weighted member is integrated with the existing zipper pull mechanism, combining the function of opening and closing the zipper into a single unified component. This merging approach adds the automatic closing capability without requiring a completely separate mechanism, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving the safety improvement.
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 weighted zipper pull effectively reduces the risk of users falling off the trampoline by automatically closing the entrance, enhancing safety and reducing the need for manual closure reminders.
Implementation Method 1
the weighted member is configured to pull the slider body from the upper open position to the lower closed position by gravity to automatically close the entrance
Data Source
AI summary
A weighted zipper pull for automatically closing an entrance such as a trampoline entrance, includes a weighted member, a resealable opening, and a zipper attachment portion. The weighted member is configured to at least one of receive and release material through the resealable opening to adjust a weight of the weighted member. The zipper attachment portion of the weighted zipper pull is used to attach the weighted zipper pull to a zipper that is operably connected to an entrance such that a slider body of the zipper is moveable in relation to the zipper between a lower closed position wherein the entrance is closed and an upper open position wherein the entrance is opened. When the weighted zipper pull is attached to the zipper, the weighted zipper pull pulls the slider body from the upper open position to the lower closed position by gravity to automatically close the entrance.