Angled Channel Support System for Relocatable Wall-Mounted Shelving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall-mountable supports are either not easily relocatable, causing damage to walls when moved, or have limited load-bearing capacity and are prone to accidental dislodgement, leading to safety hazards, especially in environments like retail where shelving is commonly used.
Innovation Solution
A support system comprising a first region that engages with a channel in an upright member and a second region for item attachment, with a bend allowing for downward extension and frictional engagement to prevent movement, capable of supporting significant weights and designed for secure attachment and easy removal without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fasteners such as nails or screws are used to secure supports to walls, then the support is firmly fixed and can bear significant loads, but the support becomes difficult to relocate and may cause damage to the wall
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into two separate components: a channel member that is fixed to the wall and a support member that can be inserted into and removed from the channel. This segmentation allows the wall attachment function to be separated from the support function, enabling easy relocation without wall damage while maintaining firm attachment when installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is designed to be inserted into the channel member, creating a nested configuration where one component fits within another. This nesting arrangement allows the support to be securely housed within the channel for stable operation, yet easily extracted for relocation, resolving the contradiction between firm fixation and relocatability.
2Ease of operation
If removable adhesives are used to attach supports to walls, then the support can be easily relocated without wall damage, but the support becomes prone to accidental dislodgement and cannot bear heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The channel member features a curved engagement surface that interfaces with a corresponding curved surface on the support member. This curvature creates a mechanically interlocking relationship that prevents accidental dislodgement while allowing intentional removal, providing both reliability and relocatability without relying on adhesives.
3Ease of operation
If the support is designed for easy relocation, then it can be moved without wall damage, but it becomes unsafe due to the ease of accidental demounting
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement interface between the channel member and support member is designed with asymmetric geometry, where the support member's engagement surface fits into a specifically shaped recess in the channel. This asymmetric design allows the support to be securely retained during normal use but can be deliberately removed by applying force in a specific direction, preventing accidental dislodgement while maintaining relocatability.
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 support system allows for secure attachment and relocation of items without damaging the wall, while minimizing accidental dislodgement, ensuring safety by distributing loads effectively and preventing accidental falls.
Implementation Method 1
frictional engagement to prevent movement
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention provides a support for mounting in or on an upright member, the support comprising a first region and a second region, the first and second regions being separated by a bend in the support, the second region having item attachment region. The present support may be used to support an item such as a shelf, or to hang an item therefrom. The support of the present invention is configured so as to be insertable into a channel in an upright member (such as a wall) or into a receiving means that is in turn fixed to or inserted into an upright member. Also provided is a support system comprising a support as described herein, and a substantially upright member comprising a channel extending thereinto, the channel angled into the member, the channel having an upper wall and a lower wall, optionally the upper wall having a recess disposed therein. The channel may be angled downwardly into the member.