Mounting bracket for wall mounted items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mounting wall signs and picture frames often result in damage to the wall or are insecure, as they require removal of fasteners that can leave holes or allow easy removal by unauthorized individuals.
Innovation Solution
A unique mounting bracket system utilizing releasable adhesive wafers, similar to 3M's COMMAND fasteners, which are secured with a shear force to prevent wall damage and ensure secure attachment, allowing easy removal without residue or damage when properly applied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws or nails are used to affix the sign to the wall, then the sign is securely mounted, but the wall is damaged by holes and removal is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fastening system (screws or nails penetrating the wall) with an adhesive bonding system. The adhesive wafer creates a chemical bond between the mounting bracket and the wall surface without penetrating or damaging the wall, thereby maintaining mounting security while eliminating wall damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an adhesive wafer as an intermediary element between the mounting bracket and the wall. This adhesive layer acts as a mediator that transfers the mounting load to the wall surface through adhesion rather than mechanical penetration, preventing direct contact and damage to the wall structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If adhesive is used to mount the sign, then the wall is not damaged, but the sign may be easily removed or permanently affixed depending on adhesive strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the specific properties of releasable adhesive wafers that change their bonding characteristics based on applied force direction. The adhesive maintains strong bonding under normal conditions but releases when subjected to proper removal techniques, allowing control over mounting security while preventing wall damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic adhesive system that responds differently to various types of forces. The adhesive provides strong static bonding for secure mounting but allows controlled release when dynamic removal forces are applied, creating a reversible mounting solution that adapts to different operational states.
3Ease of operation
If hooks are used to hang the sign, then the sign can be easily removed, but this creates security issues due to unauthorized removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an adhesive wafer as an intermediary that provides controlled release mechanisms. Unlike simple hooks that offer no resistance to removal, the adhesive system requires specific actions (applying shear force with a tool) to release, creating a barrier against casual or unauthorized removal while still allowing legitimate removal when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary anti-action by requiring a specific removal technique (applying shear force with a flat tool) before the mounting can be released. This preliminary action serves as a deterrent to unauthorized removal while maintaining the ability for authorized removal when the proper technique is known and applied.
4Ease of operation
If releasable adhesive wafers are used, then easy removal without damage is possible, but wall damage occurs if tensile force is applied instead of shear force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback through the directional force requirement for removal. The adhesive system provides tactile and visual feedback that guides the user to apply the correct shear force rather than tensile force. The slot in the mounting bracket and the required use of a flat tool provide feedback mechanisms that ensure proper removal technique is applied, preventing wall damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flat removal tool as an intermediary that translates the user's pulling motion into the required shear force. This tool acts as a mediator between the user's intent to remove the mounting and the adhesive's release mechanism, ensuring that the force is applied in the correct direction (parallel to the wall) rather than perpendicular to it, thereby preventing wall damage.
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 solution provides a secure and damage-free method for mounting various items to walls, ensuring easy removal without leaving residue or causing wall damage, while maintaining security against unauthorized removal.
Implementation Method 1
The adhesive wafer is of the type commonly known in the industry and various configurations of products using this adhesive are sold by 3M Company under the trademark 'COMMAND'
Implementation Method 2
These adhesive fasteners are removed by applying a shear force to the adhesive fastener by means of pulling vertically on the adhesive fastener when the fastener is secured to a wall. This stretches the adhesive fastener until the shear force is sufficient to release the fastener from the wall.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting bracket for releasably mounting an article such as a sign or picture frame to a substantially flat surface such as a wall. The bracket has an adhesive disc securely attached to one side of the bracket and the opposite side of the adhesive disc has a releasable adhesive face for attaching to the wall. A tool inserted into the mounting bracket applies a rotative force to the mounting bracket for applying a shear force to the releasable adhesive face which causes the adhesive face to release from the wall. The mounting bracket is releasably mounted to a sign, which allows easy installation and removal of the sign from the wall.