Arcuate Card Mounting Device for Dual Orientation Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting and display devices for collectable items, such as trading cards, face challenges in being low in complexity and manufacturing cost while ensuring durability, easy installation, and aesthetic display without damaging the items, particularly for small cards and varying orientations.
Innovation Solution
A collectable card mounting device with arcuate side walls and support members that allow for secure retention and display in both portrait and landscape orientations, using a thermoplastic extrusion process for integration and minimal visibility, enabling easy installation and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mounting devices are used to securely hold collectable cards, then the card is securely retained, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device is divided into distinct functional segments: a rear wall for mounting, arcuate side walls for retention, and support members for positioning. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing the device to achieve secure retention through simple, dedicated components rather than complex integrated structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The side walls are designed with an arcuate (curved) shape rather than straight lines. This curvature allows the walls to flex elastically during installation and then retain the card securely, providing a simple yet effective retention mechanism that avoids complex locking structures.
2Reliability
If traditional mounting devices are used to display collectable cards, then the card is securely held, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the rear wall provides mounting capability, the arcuate side walls provide retention and display, and the support members provide positioning. This merging eliminates the need for separate components and reduces manufacturing steps while maintaining secure holding.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses thermoplastic material that can be extruded or molded in a single continuous process. The arcuate geometry is formed as an integral part of the extrusion/molding process, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing steps and reducing overall manufacturing cost while ensuring secure retention.
3Ease of operation
If traditional mounting devices are used for small trading cards, then the card is mounted, but the device becomes difficult to manipulate during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate side walls are designed to flex elastically when pressure is applied during installation. This curvature allows the walls to bend inward to accommodate the card and then snap back to retain it securely, providing easy installation through simple pressing motions without requiring complex manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The side walls are designed to be dynamically flexible rather than rigid. During installation, the walls can flex inward to allow card insertion, and then automatically return to their original shape to secure the card. This dynamic behavior simplifies the installation process by eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional mounting devices are used to prevent damage to collectables, then the card is protected, but the visual impact of the card is detracted from
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device extracts only the essential functional elements needed for protection and display: the rear wall for mounting, the arcuate side walls for secure retention, and the support members for positioning. By removing unnecessary components and excess material, the device provides protection while maintaining a clean, minimalistic appearance that enhances the card's visual impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The device applies structural support and protection only where needed: the rear wall provides mounting stability, the arcuate side walls provide localized retention force at the card edges, and the support members provide localized support at the card rear surface. This localized approach provides necessary protection while minimizing visible structural elements that could detract from the card's appearance.
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 device provides a durable, aesthetically pleasing, and secure display for collectable cards in various orientations with minimal visibility of the mounting components, ensuring the card's visual impact is maintained and reducing the risk of damage during installation and display.
Implementation Method 1
The arcuate side wall shape provides a suitable amount of elastic inward retaining forces to be applied by the side walls to the edges of the protective front cover sheet to retain the protective front cover sheet in place without deforming it and without damaging the collectable.
Implementation Method 2
The mounting device may be formed from an extrusion process using a thermoplastic whereby the elements of the mounting device are integrally molded in a simple, relatively inexpensive manufacturing operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A collectable card mounting device may include a rear wall, a pair of opposed arcuate side walls extending in a forward and outward direction from the rear wall and having a retaining lip for engaging a front surface of the collectable card. The side walls may further include a respective collectable card support member extending from each side wall at an angle. The mounting device may display a collectable on both vertical and horizontal surfaces. The arcuate side walls may define front and rear support ridges that support the device in a portrait orientation at a desirable viewing angle on a horizontal surface. A cover sheet may be dimensioned to extend beyond the width of the rear wall and support the device in a landscape orientation at a desirable viewing angle on a horizontal surface. The mounting device configuration provides an aesthetically desirable display of the collectable with only minimal visibility of the mounting device components and which may include a floating effect on a wall.