Can you solve this simple mechanical problem?
I have trouble visualizing mechanical devices. I figured out what I think is a pretty good solution, but it still takes effort to visualize.
Imagine a wristwatch with two straps that are buckled together. The watch is worn, in the usual way, by pushing the strap without the buckle through the buckle on the other strap. After going through the buckle the strap is placed through two objects encircling the strap containing the buckle, which keeps the two straps pressed against each other.
Suppose that the two objects encircling the strap were somehow removed. Can you think of a simple way of keeping the two straps pressed against each other?
You could use a paper clip, but that is a bit messy and may not work very well. The solution I came up with is to use another item from the stationery store. Do you see what it is and is it easy for you to visualize?
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14 Answers
Duct tape is for things that move, but are not supposed to move. WD40 is for things that don’t move, but are supposed to.
@ragingloli got it right, which is not surprising due to engineering skills.
The objects encircling the strap are in the same shape as a rubberband. First place the rubberbands on the strap with the buckle and then slide the other strap underneath the rubberbands after moving the strap past through the buckle.
It is easier to go buy a new watchband than it is to engineer a replacement method if the loops break.
Lots of things could be used, but the most efficient seems to me like it could be the strap itself. have the loose end of the strap go under the other strap, instead of over it.
@zenvelo , I tested the idea, adding a loop to a watchband. It only took a minuter or two and worked just fine.
I should point out that this problem is based on a practical application. I live in a retirement community, and they provide residents with what they refer to as a pendant, which is a device with a button on it that can be pressed to receive emergency aid. Most people wear the pendant on a string around their neck. I know someone who paid to have the pendant attached to a wristband that works like wristwatch band. One of the loops broke and a lot of money was being asked for to get a new band. I applied my rubberband idea, and it has been working so far for a few weeks.
How is the watch attached to the watchband?
When you take off the watch, what prevents it from going from step 4 back to step 3?
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