Adjustable Workpiece Positioning Tool With Pivoting Legs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work piece alignment tools are limited to fixed angular orientations, primarily right angles, and do not allow for adjustable positioning of work pieces to various angular orientations.

Innovation Solution

A work piece positioning tool with cooperative pivoting elements and a tightening system that allows the legs to be connected in a plurality of relative angular orientations, enabling alignment from 45° to 315°, facilitating secure clamping of work pieces at selected angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a one-piece tool with fixed angle legs is used, then the tool provides stable and reliable alignment for that specific angle, but the tool lacks adaptability to accommodate different angular orientations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular orientation adaptabilityVSAvoidtool structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tool is divided into separate legs that can be independently positioned and connected through pivoting elements, allowing each leg to be adjusted to different angular orientations while maintaining overall structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tool transitions from a static fixed-angle structure to a dynamic adjustable structure where legs can pivot and lock at multiple angular positions, enabling adaptability without requiring multiple separate tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a one-piece fixed angle tool is used, then the manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective, but the tool cannot be adjusted to various angular orientations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular orientation adjustabilityVSAvoidtool manufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tool consists of multiple separable legs that can be manufactured independently using standard fabrication processes, then assembled with pivoting elements, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enabling angular adjustability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tool design uses standardized pivoting elements and clamping mechanisms that can accommodate multiple angular configurations, allowing a single tool design to perform multiple alignment functions without requiring complex custom manufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7481004B2Adjustable work piece positioning tool

Publication Date: 2009.01.27 ROCKLER

AI summary

A work piece positioning tool is disclosed. The tool includes a first leg and a second leg that have work piece abutting surfaces. Cooperative pivoting elements adjacent an end portion of each of the first and second legs are used for connecting the legs together in a plurality of relative angular orientations. The tool can be used in combination with first and second workpieces and first and second clamps to hold the first and second work pieces together at a desired angle.