Blade Bollard Extrusion Mating for Concealed Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lighting apparatuses often fail to balance reliability and aesthetics due to visible screws and securing components, which compromise their appearance and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The lighting apparatus features a system of extrusions that mate at multiple points to securely connect components, such as a bollard with an anchor plate and a fixture head with a cap, using locking screws that are visually obscured by counterbores, ensuring a flush and secure assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visible screws and securing components are used to ensure proper securing and functionality, then reliability is improved, but aesthetics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the visible screws and securing components from the exterior view by using recessed mounting techniques where fasteners are hidden within counterbores or channels, allowing the lighting apparatus to maintain both secure attachment and clean aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary elements such as decorative covers, trim pieces, and recessed mounting structures that mediate between the functional requirement for visible fastening and the aesthetic requirement for clean surfaces, allowing screws to be hidden while maintaining structural integrity
2Reliability
If visible screws and securing components are used to ensure proper securing, then reliability is improved, but the visual appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the visual harm caused by exposed fasteners by recessing them into the housing structure, where they are either hidden from view or integrated into the design as non-detrimental features
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color matching and finishing techniques where visible fastening elements are treated to match the surrounding surface color and texture, reducing their visual impact and eliminating the harmful aesthetic effect
3Shape
If multiple extrusions are used to mate components and visually obscure screws, then aesthetics are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs extrusions and mounting structures that serve multiple functions simultaneously - providing structural support, enabling visual obscuration of fasteners, and facilitating assembly - thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated components and offsetting the increased complexity through functional integration
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting apparatus includes an anchored base comprising a bollard configured to slide onto an anchor plate and a first extrusion configured to mate the bollard with the anchor plate at a bottom end of the bollard, a cap attachment comprising a second extrusion configured to mate with the bollard at a top end of the bollard, a fixture head comprising a third extrusion disposed on an LED optical chamber and a front cap, wherein the third extrusion is configured to mate with the front cap, and a first fixture head attachment disposed on an exterior surface of the bollard at a top end, wherein the first fixture head attachment includes a fourth extrusion configured to mate with the fixture head and operatively connect the fixture head with the anchored base, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth extrusions are configured to respectively mate at four regions of contact to flushly visually obscure one or more screws.