Adjustable Floor Hole Cover With Reversible Clips for Variable Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor hole covers are typically limited to fitting specific hole sizes, making them impractical for varying diameters and costly due to complex designs, which increases manufacturing costs and requires multiple sizes to be stocked.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable hole cover with radially extending channels and reversible retaining clips, featuring a convex upper side and reference scale for precise sizing, allowing it to fit a wide range of hole diameters while being economically produced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a floor hole cover is designed to fit a specific hole size, then it provides a secure fit for that size, but it requires multiple cover sizes to be stocked for varying hole diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into a main body and multiple removable retaining clips that can be independently positioned. The retaining clips are divided into different types (first retaining clips with single engagement features, second retaining clips with dual engagement features) that can be selectively installed based on the hole size, allowing the cover to adapt to various diameters without requiring a completely different cover design for each size
Solution Approach 2:
A single cover design serves multiple functions by accommodating different hole sizes through the interchangeable retaining clip system. The cover body remains universal while the retaining clips provide the size-specific adaptation, eliminating the need to stock multiple cover sizes and reducing device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable mechanism is added to accommodate various hole sizes, then adaptability improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the adjustment mechanism into simple, identical retaining clips that can be mass-produced using the same manufacturing process, the complexity of manufacturing is minimized. Each retaining clip is a simple component that can be produced efficiently, and the same basic clip design is used across different cover sizes, reducing tooling costs and manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining clips are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced or adjusted. Their simplicity allows for low-cost manufacturing, and any wear or damage to individual clips can be addressed by replacing just the clip rather than the entire cover assembly, reducing long-term costs
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a flat upper surface is used for the cover, then it is simple to manufacture, but it creates a trip hazard and impedes wheeled objects
Solution Approach 1:
The upper surface of the cover is designed with a convex curvature rather than being flat. This curved surface eliminates trip hazards by creating a smooth, rounded profile that feet and wheeled objects can easily roll over or step across, while still maintaining structural integrity and simplicity in manufacturing through standard molding techniques
4Object-affected harmful factors
If screws are inserted from the upper surface to secure the cover, then installation is straightforward, but the screws project and create a trip hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The screw insertion direction is inverted: instead of screws being inserted from the upper surface and protruding upward, screws are inserted from the lower (underside) surface of the cover and secured to the substrate from below. This ensures that no screw heads or threads protrude from the upper surface, eliminating the trip hazard while maintaining straightforward installation through the same basic screw-fastening mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable hole cover including an underside with one or more channels extending radially from the center of the cover to the outer edge. A row of apertures extends from the upper side into each of the channels. Retaining clips in each of the channels allow for adjustment of the cover to fit a wide range of hole sizes. The retaining clips include a base leg for sliding engagement with a channel and a second leg substantially orthogonal to the base leg. The base leg may be secured into one of the cover apertures to secure the retaining clip to the cover. Orientation of the retaining clip within the channel may be reversed to fit the cover to holes of a wide range of sizes. A reference scale on the underside of the cover allows for precise sizing to fit the hole diameter.