Adjustable Antler Holder With Telescoping Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for preventing antlers from shrinking during the drying period, such as wedging solid boards between them, are cumbersome and inefficient, as they are difficult to cut to the right length and can easily slip out of place.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable antler holder with engaging surfaces and a support structure that allows for the adjustment of the distance between the engaging members to inhibit shrinking, using V- or U-shaped brackets and a telescoping bar mechanism to maintain the original width of the antlers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid board is wedged between the antlers to prevent shrinking, then the antlers can maintain their original width, but the device is cumbersome and difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The solid board is divided into two separate engaging members that can independently engage with each antler. This segmentation allows each member to be independently positioned and secured, making the device much easier to install while maintaining the ability to prevent antler shrinking effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging members are made adjustable along the support structure, allowing dynamic positioning to accommodate different antler sizes and shapes. This adjustability simplifies the installation process by enabling easy adaptation to various antler configurations without requiring precise pre-cutting.
2Reliability
If a solid board is used to prevent antler shrinking, then the antlers can maintain their original width, but the board can easily slip out of place
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging members are designed with specific local features (such as V-shaped or U-shaped contours) that match the geometry of the antlers. This localized geometric compatibility ensures that the engaging members fit securely against the antler surfaces, preventing slippage while maintaining the required separation distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging members may incorporate different materials with complementary properties - rigid portions for structural support and positioning, combined with friction-enhancing surfaces or flexible elements that increase grip on the antlers, thereby preventing slippage.
3Reliability
If a solid board is cut to the right length to fit between antlers, then it can prevent shrinking, but the manufacturing process is cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates an adjustable mechanism (such as a telescoping bar with markings or a sliding scale) that allows the distance between engaging members to be precisely adjusted to match the required length. This eliminates the need for custom cutting for each antler pair, as the same standardized support structure can be adjusted to fit various antler sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is designed as a universal device that can accommodate a range of antler sizes and configurations through adjustment mechanisms. This multi-functionality allows a single standardized component to serve multiple purposes across different antler specimens, eliminating the need for custom manufacturing for each case.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a first engaging surface can be configured to engage a first region of an antler set, and a second engaging surface can be configured to engage a second region of the antler set. A support structure can support the first and second engaging surfaces. The support structure can be configured to adjust a distance between the second engaging surface and the first engaging surface to inhibit shrinking of a distance between the first and second regions of the antler set.