Ball Cap Storage with Hinged Bill and Locking Clips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hat containers do not effectively protect and store multiple ball caps during travel and storage, lacking a secure and structured mechanism to maintain the integrity of the caps.
Innovation Solution
A ball cap storage apparatus featuring a caged upper frame with obround and dome-shaped support members, a hingedly attached bill-shaped member, and rotatable locking clips that engage with the caged lower frame, allowing for secure removability and storage of ball caps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing hat containers are used, then storage is simple, but they do not effectively protect and store multiple ball caps during travel and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The storage apparatus is divided into an upper frame and a lower frame, each with specific structural features. The upper frame includes an obround support member, dome-shaped support members, and a bill-shaped member, while the lower frame has corresponding support portions. This segmentation allows each part to serve a specific protective function while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball cap is nested between the upper frame and lower frame, with the crown portion received between the obround support members and the bill portion received between the bill-shaped members. This nesting arrangement provides secure protection for the ball cap during travel and storage.
2Reliability
If a secure mechanism is added to protect ball caps, then protection improves, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The bill-shaped second support portion is hingedly attached to the bill-shaped fourth member, allowing the lower frame to be dynamically opened and closed. The locking clips can be selectively engaged or disengaged to secure or release the ball cap. This dynamic design provides both secure storage and easy operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking clips serve as intermediaries between the upper frame and lower frame. They can be selectively engaged with the support portions to secure the ball cap in place or disengaged to allow removal. This intermediary mechanism provides controlled access while maintaining security during storage.
3Reliability
If a caged structure is used to protect ball caps, then protection improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper frame includes specific local structural features: an obround support member for supporting the crown portion, dome-shaped support members positioned at specific locations, and a bill-shaped member for supporting the bill portion. Each local structure is optimized for its specific protective function, providing effective protection while avoiding unnecessary complexity throughout the entire structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball cap storage apparatus including a caged upper frame and a caged lower frame. The caged upper frame further includes an obround first support member, a plurality of dome-shaped second support members, a dome-shaped third support member, and a bill-shaped fourth member. The caged lower frame has an obround first support portion and a bill-shaped second support portion attached to and extended outward from a bottom section of the obround first support portion. The bill-shaped second support portion is hingedly attached to the bill-shaped fourth member. At least one locking clip is rotatably attached to at least one of the obround first support member and the bill-shaped fourth member. The at least one locking clip is selectively engageable with at least one of the obround first support portion and the bill-shaped second support portion.