Adjustable Piling Mounting Bracket for Dock Light Retrofitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Retrofitting lighting on docks can be challenging due to the varying sizes and shapes of pilings and posts, requiring adaptable mounting solutions for different installations.

Innovation Solution

A mounting bracket with a flat base and perpendicularly extending inner and outer walls, accommodating multiple piling sizes, and featuring structural reinforcement and securing mechanisms for lamps or other items, allowing for easy installation on various shapes and sizes of pilings, posts, or poles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-size mounting bracket is used, then the installation process is simple, but it can only accommodate pilings of a single specific size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different piling sizesVSAvoidbracket structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket is divided into an outer wall and an inner wall that are separated and not fixed to each other. The inner wall can move independently within the outer wall, allowing the bracket to adapt to different piling sizes through this internal degree of freedom without requiring multiple different bracket designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner wall is designed to be movable relative to the outer wall, creating a dynamic structure that can adjust its configuration. This mobility allows the bracket to accommodate various piling dimensions while maintaining a single unified design, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If custom brackets are designed for each piling size, then perfect fit is achieved, but the number of different bracket types increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with various piling sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket is designed as a universal device that can accommodate multiple piling sizes through the movable inner wall mechanism. A single bracket design performs the function of multiple specialized brackets, ensuring reliable mounting across different piling dimensions without requiring inventory of multiple bracket types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the bracket structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but structural reinforcement for secure mounting is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebracket fabrication simplicityVSAvoidmounting bracket structural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is segmented into outer wall and inner wall components that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be produced using simple processes while the assembled structure provides the necessary structural strength through the interaction between the movable inner wall and the fixed outer wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11971155B2Mounting bracket for affixing light fixtures to pilings

Publication Date: 2024.04.30 BLAJDA DONALD

AI summary

The present invention is a mounting bracket that may be secured on top of a hollow piling, pipe, or pole and then used to mount a lighting fixture or other fixture thereto. It includes inner and outer walls extending downward from a flat base, where the walls of the piling, pipe, or pole may be disposed in the space between the inner and outer walls.