Adjustable Escutcheon Plate With Two-Axis Variable Aperture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing escutcheon plates have fixed-sized apertures that can only accommodate a single diameter and are limited to round objects, making them impractical for varying pipe diameters and shapes.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable escutcheon plate with an aperture that can expand and contract in two orthogonal dimensions, allowing it to accommodate objects of various sizes and shapes by using interlocking face and rear plates that move independently along orthogonal axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-sized aperture is used in traditional escutcheon plates, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the escutcheon plate can only accommodate pipes of a single diameter and cannot adapt to varying pipe sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The escutcheon plate is divided into multiple independent components: a front plate, a back plate, and adjustable aperture components that can be repositioned. This segmentation allows the aperture size to be modified by rearranging these components, enabling adaptation to different pipe diameters without requiring a completely different plate design.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The plate incorporates movable elements and adjustment mechanisms that allow the aperture dimensions to be changed after installation, providing versatility for accommodating pipes of various diameters while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed aperture design is used, then manufacturing precision is easier to achieve, but the escutcheon plate cannot accommodate objects of various shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention allows changes in aperture parameters (size and shape) through mechanical adjustment of the plate components. By providing adjustable elements that can be repositioned or reconfigured, the same escutcheon plate can accommodate objects of various shapes and sizes without requiring multiple precision-manufactured plates for each specific dimension.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a rubber cone pipe boot is used to address various pipe diameters, then adaptability to different sizes is improved, but the fixed outside diameter makes it impractical for smaller pipes and interior applications
Solution Approach 1:
The escutcheon plate is divided into multiple independent components: a front plate, a back plate, and adjustable aperture components that can be repositioned. This segmentation allows the aperture size to be modified by rearranging these components, enabling adaptation to different pipe diameters without requiring a completely different plate design.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The plate incorporates movable elements and adjustment mechanisms that allow the aperture dimensions to be changed after installation, providing versatility for accommodating pipes of various diameters while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable escutcheon plate has an aperture that is expandable and contractible. The adjustable escutcheon plate includes at least two face plates and at least two rear plates, interlockable together to form a body of the escutcheon plate. The aperture is expandable and contractible along a first axis and a second axis, with the first axis and the second axis being orthogonal to each other. Wall anchors are releasably attachable to the body to secure the body to an adjacent drywall surface.