Adjustable Post Joint Assembly for Perpendicular Post Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing post joint assemblies fail to allow for angular or rotational adjustment of an upper post relative to a lower post that is not perpendicular to the ground, limiting the ability to secure the upper post at a desired position perpendicular to the ground surface.
Innovation Solution
A post joint assembly comprising an upper cup member with a flat top wall, tubular wall, and threaded stud, and a lower cup member with a parabolic dish portion, tubular portion, and beaded edge, along with a tensioner cup and nut, enabling rotational or angular adjustment of the lower cup member relative to the upper cup member before securing, allowing the upper post to be positioned perpendicular to the ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional rigid post joint assembly is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the upper post cannot be adjusted angularly or rotationally relative to a leaning lower post
Solution Approach 1:
The joint assembly transitions from a rigid fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The lower cup member can rotate freely within the upper cup member before being locked in place, allowing angular adjustment to compensate for leaning lower posts while maintaining structural integrity when locked.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint assembly is divided into separate functional components: an upper cup member, a lower cup member, and a locking mechanism. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the lower cup member's angular position relative to the upper cup member, enabling adaptation to leaning posts without compromising the overall structural strength.
2Manufacturing precision
If the lower post is secured in the ground at a non-perpendicular angle, then installation is straightforward, but the upper post cannot be positioned perpendicular to the ground surface
Solution Approach 1:
The lower cup member is designed to be preliminarily positioned at the correct angular orientation within the upper cup member before final locking. This preliminary adjustment capability allows the upper post to be aligned perpendicular to the ground even when the lower post is leaning, achieving precise alignment without requiring complex realignment procedures during installation.
3Manufacturing precision
If angular adjustment mechanism is added to the post joint assembly, then the upper post can be positioned perpendicular to the ground, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lower cup member serves as an intermediary element between the leaning lower post and the upper post. It provides the necessary angular adjustment capability through free rotation within the upper cup member, mediating the misalignment caused by the leaning lower post while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure compared to complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A post joint assembly and a method are provided. The assembly includes an upper cup member having a flat top wall, a tubular wall, a flange portion, and a threaded stud. The assembly further includes a lower cup member having a parabolic dish portion, a tubular portion, and a beaded edge portion. An outer surface of the parabolic dish portion is disposed against an inner surface of the flange portion of the upper cup member such that the threaded stud extends through a first hole in the lower cup member. The assembly further includes a tensioner cup having a second hole with the threaded stud extending therethrough. The assembly further includes a nut threadably coupled to the threaded stud such that the nut urges the tensioner cup against the lower cup member, and further urges the lower cup member against the upper cup member.