Adjustable Mounting Assembly With Threaded Collar Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an improved assembly capable of mounting two articles relative to each other, particularly for personal video displays, that provides easy and reliable positioning.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable mounting assembly featuring an elongate shaft with collars and an actuator, where the collars are translatable along the shaft and have oppositely threaded portions, allowing for selective adjustment and clamping of articles, enabling precise positioning and retention of personal video displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mounting mechanisms (ball and socket joints, brackets, couplers) are used to mount personal video displays, then the displays can be mounted, but the positioning is difficult and not reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly uses a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the actuator can rotate to move the collars along the shaft, allowing the mounted article to be positioned in multiple orientations and locations. The collars can be moved independently to accommodate different positioning requirements, providing both ease of operation and reliable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameters of the collars along the shaft through rotational actuation. The actuator's rotation converts to linear movement of the collars, allowing continuous adjustment of the mounted article's position and orientation, thereby achieving reliable positioning while maintaining ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the collars are made adjustable along the shaft to provide wide range of motion, then positioning flexibility is improved, but the retention and securing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts between loose and tight states. When positioning is needed, the collars are moved along the shaft to accommodate the desired position. When securing is needed, the actuator rotates to move the collars into a clamping position, providing both flexibility and reliability through dynamic reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting process involves periodic actions: first loosening the collars to allow positioning, then tightening them to secure the position. This periodic loosening and tightening cycle enables both positioning flexibility and securing reliability at different stages of the operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the actuator is designed to move collars in both directions (away and toward each other), then adjustment capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of two separate actuators into one. A single actuator with oppositely threaded portions is used to control both collars simultaneously, eliminating the need for two independent actuators and their associated mounting structures, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator performs multiple functions: it controls both collars, provides bidirectional movement capability, and enables both loosening and tightening operations. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall mechanism while maintaining comprehensive adjustment capability.
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 assembly allows for easy and reliable positioning of personal video displays by loosening and tightening the collars to accommodate various orientations, effectively securing the displays in desired positions while allowing for a wide range of motion.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator has a first threaded portion disposed to cooperate with the threaded portion of the first collar and a second threaded portion disposed to cooperate with the second threaded portion of the second collar. The threaded portion of the first collar and the threaded portion of the second collar are oppositely threaded such that when the actuator is rotated in a first direction, the threaded engagements of the actuator to the first and second collars cause the first and second collars to move along the shaft away from each other
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable attachment mechanism includes an elongate shaft, first and second seats disposed on opposite ends of the shaft, first and second collars, and an actuator. The first and second collars are disposed to translate along the elongate shaft. An inner surface of the first collar cooperates with the first seat to define a first receptacle and an inner surface of the second collar cooperates with the second seat to define a second receptacle. The actuator is in communication with the first and second collars and is actuable to selectively traverse the first and second collars along the shaft in a first direction away from each other and in a second direction toward each other, the movement in the first direction loosening the first and second receptacles and the movement in the second direction tightening the first and second receptacles.