Wire Cage Nut Gatherer with Bowed Wires and Compressible Washer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gardening tools, such as rakes and brooms, are ineffective in collecting bulky yard debris like nuts and pine cones due to their size and tendency to pass through or roll away, posing a hazard and not decomposing quickly.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring an elongated wire cage with bowed wires and annular teeth hubs, secured by a fastener and compressible washer, allowing the cage to flex and trap bulky items while rotating freely on a handle for efficient collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If rakes or brooms are used to collect yard debris, then small debris can be gathered, but bulky items like nuts and pine cones pass through the tines or roll away

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to collect different types of debrisVSAvoidability to retain bulky items

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wire cage employs dynamic wires with bowed middle segments that can flex outward when contacted by bulky items, allowing the cage to adapt its shape to accommodate various debris sizes while maintaining retention capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cage is constructed from flexible wire elements rather than rigid structures, allowing the wires to bend and conform to the shape of bulky items like nuts and pine cones, preventing them from rolling through while maintaining overall cage integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rotating wire drum is used to harvest bulky items, then collection capability is improved, but the device is difficult to construct and not durable due to inadequate wire securing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to collect bulky itemsVSAvoidease of construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hub is divided into multiple radial slots that independently hold individual wires, allowing each wire to be separately positioned and secured. This segmentation simplifies the assembly process and improves manufacturing ease while maintaining durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A retainer component acts as an intermediary element that spans across the radial slots and secures multiple wires simultaneously. This intermediary structure simplifies the wire attachment process, making the device easier to construct while ensuring durable wire fixation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If wires are rigidly secured in the drum, then structural stability is improved, but vibration increases and wires may dislodge during use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stability of wire positioningVSAvoidvibration and wire dislodging

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wires maintain their flexible nature even when secured, allowing them to absorb vibration through bending rather than transmitting it rigidly. The flexibility prevents wire dislodging while maintaining stable positioning within the hub slots

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer and hub structure are designed to provide pre-compression and cushioning forces on the wires before vibration occurs during use. This beforehand cushioning stabilizes wire positioning while reducing the impact of vibrational forces that could cause dislodging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 device securely gathers and traps bulky debris, preventing them from escaping and reducing vibration, making it durable and easy to construct for effective yard maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

A compressible washer is positioned between the retainer and the wires to further secure the wires, dampen vibration of the secured wires

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

A compressible washer is positioned between the retainer and the wires to further secure the wires, dampen vibration of the secured wires

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

As the wire cage contacts items, such as nuts and other bulky debris, the wires flex to permit the items to enter the interior of the cage where they are trapped when the wires return to their original position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentUS10201124B2Nut gatherer and method of constructing same

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 GENERAL TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS CO LLC

AI summary

A nut gatherer device includes a cage formed by a plurality of wires and a pair of hubs. Each hub includes first and second annular sets of spaced teeth, with portions of the wires secured in the radially-aligned spaces. In use, the wire cage is rolled on the ground into contact with a bulky object, such as a nut, so that the object forces the wires to separate and permit the nut to pass into the cage where it is retained until emptying.