Adjustable Display Frame With Spring-Loaded Sliding Inserts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display frames are not easily adjustable to accommodate images of varying sizes, particularly those with a width greater than their height, requiring multiple steps to expand the display area.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable display frame design featuring U-shaped frame elements with sliding inserts and a spring-biased mechanism that allows for automatic expansion by sliding the inserts into aligned positions, secured by headed studs and T-shaped slots, enabling easy conversion from a small to a larger frame size without complex manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed display frames are used, then the frame structure is simple and stable, but the frame cannot accommodate images of varying sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple U-shaped frame elements that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each frame element can be separately manipulated to change the overall frame configuration, allowing the frame to adapt to different image sizes while maintaining structural simplicity through modular components
Solution Approach 2:
The frame elements are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to slide along the base between different positions. This dynamic capability enables the frame to transform from a small configuration to a large configuration automatically, providing adaptability without requiring complex manual manipulation
2Ease of operation
If expandable display frames are used, then the display area can be increased, but multiple manipulation steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The frame elements are equipped with spring-loaded inserts that automatically engage with corresponding slots when the frame elements are positioned. This self-servicing mechanism eliminates the need for manual insertion or complex manipulation steps, allowing the frame to expand automatically when the elements are separated, thereby reducing both the number of steps and the time required for adjustment
3Area of stationary object
If the frame is expanded to larger size, then the display area increases, but the exterior appearance may become compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The inserts are designed to be nested within the frame elements, with the inserts containing spring mechanisms that are housed inside the U-shaped frame elements. This nesting arrangement allows the frame to expand to a larger display area while maintaining a clean, uninterrupted exterior appearance, as the expansion mechanism remains concealed within the frame structure
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 simple and efficient method to increase the display area by allowing the frame to automatically expand, maintaining a smooth exterior appearance and accommodating images of different sizes with minimal user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The inserts are spring biased away from one another to move between the free ends of the U-shaped frame elements when the frame elements are longitudinally separated by being pulled apart
Implementation Method 2
the inserts are biased toward the bight portions of the U-shaped frame elements by a coil spring
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable display frame has first and second U-shaped frame elements having aligned free end surfaces that abut to form a small display frame and are separated by first and second inert elements urged by a spring to provide a large display frame. Each U-shaped frame element has a pair of longitudinal slots which receive heads of headed studs projecting from a base disposed behind the frame elements, wherein the frame elements are secured to the base and are capable of sliding on the base from a first position, to provide the small frame, to a second position so as to provide the large frame. The inserts are slidable on the base inboard of the U-shaped frame elements and are spring biased so as to move between the free ends of the U-shaped frame elements when the U-shaped frame elements are separated by being pulled apart. Stops are provided for arresting motion of the inserts to align the inserts with the free ends of the U-shaped frame elements after the inserts have been pushed outwardly by the spring.