Adjustable Anchor System with Retractable Pivoting Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground anchors lack adjustability and retractability, making them inadequate for securing objects to the ground across varying terrain conditions and for concealing the anchoring point when not in use.
Innovation Solution
An anchor system comprising a base assembly with adjustable height and a retractable anchoring member that can pivot between an operating and retracted position, allowing for secure anchoring and concealment of the anchoring point, featuring a base assembly with a lower section for ground installation and an upper section with a planar top surface, and an anchoring member that can be locked in place or retracted within the base assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the anchoring point is always exposed for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but security and aesthetics deteriorate when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring member is designed to be movable between an extended operating position and a retracted storage position. The pivot mechanism allows the anchoring point to dynamically change its position, being exposed when needed for anchoring operations and concealed when not in use, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and security/aesthetics.
2Manufacturing precision
If the base assembly has fixed height, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates for varying ground levels
Solution Approach 1:
The base assembly incorporates an adjustable height mechanism with the upper section capable of vertical movement relative to the lower section. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the base assembly to adapt to different ground levels while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The base assembly is divided into separate lower and upper sections that can be independently manufactured with precise dimensions and then assembled with adjustable spacing. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured with high precision while the overall assembly achieves adaptability through the adjustable connection between sections.
3Ease of operation
If the anchoring member is always extended for immediate use, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to retraction mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring member employs a simple pivot-based mechanical system that enables easy movement between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic design provides immediate readiness for anchoring operations while keeping the mechanism relatively simple and maintenance-free.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring member can be manually positioned between extended and retracted states by the user without requiring complex actuation systems. The self-service nature of the manual positioning mechanism keeps the overall device complexity low while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor system for anchoring an object to the ground is provided. The anchor system includes a base assembly for installing in the ground, the base assembly including a lower section securable in the ground, and an upper section having a substantially planar top surface. The upper section is adjustably secured to the lower section for adjusting an overall height of the base assembly. A retractable anchoring member is secured to the upper section and is adjustable between an operating position in which it extends above the top surface of the upper section, and a retracted configuration in which it is concealed below the top surface of the upper section. In an exemplary configuration, the anchoring member is pivotally secured to the upper section and can be pivoted between the operating position and the retracted configuration.