Boat Tower Hinge Wedge Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hinged folding ski towers on boats tend to wobble or shift at the hinges when raised, and are difficult to lock and unlock, making it challenging to efficiently raise and lower the towers.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with a rotating arm and a tapered polymer locking mechanism, featuring an elongated groove and tongue with polymer pads, which stabilizes and locks the tower in both raised and lowered positions, using an electric actuator for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hinged folding tower is used to allow the tower to be folded when not in use, then the adaptability of the tower is improved, but the tower tends to wobble or shift at the hinges when raised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system transitions from a static connection to a dynamic locking mechanism. The tongue with angled edges and polymer members interacts with the groove and locking insert to provide automatic stabilization when the tower is raised, eliminating wobble while preserving folding capability
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer locking insert and polymer members act as intermediary elements between the hinge base and rotating arm. These intermediaries provide friction and mechanical interlocking to prevent tower shifting while allowing controlled movement during folding operations
2Device complexity
If a traditional hinge mechanism is used for the folding tower, then the structure is simple, but it is difficult to lock and unlock the hinge when raising or lowering the tower
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is designed to self-lock automatically when the tower is raised to the upright position. The tongue's angled edges guide the polymer members into the groove's locking insert, creating automatic engagement without requiring manual intervention for locking or unlocking
Solution Approach 2:
The groove is pre-configured with the locking insert and the tongue is pre-configured with angled edges and polymer members. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the tower is raised, the components automatically align and engage the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate locking actions
3Ease of operation
If the hinge allows the tower to be raised and lowered easily, then the ease of operation is improved, but the tower may sway or move in the raised position
Solution Approach 1:
The friction characteristics of the polymer members and locking insert are optimized to provide sufficient resistance against tower sway in the raised position, while not creating excessive friction that would impede the raising and lowering operations. The geometric parameters of the angled edges and groove are designed to allow smooth engagement and disengagement
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 solution provides a firm and stable tower in the raised position with minimal sway and easy operation between upright and lowered positions, eliminating wobbling and simplifying the locking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The elongated tongue is sized to wedge the pair of edge elongated polymer members into the groove polymer insert to lock the rotatable hinge portion to the base when wedged therein
Implementation Method 2
The hinge rotating arm stabilizes and locks the arm in the rest position when the tower is raised
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to an improved boat tower hinge which supports a boat tower for use in supporting tow lines used for towing skiers or the like. The hinge can support a boat tower in a raised position while allowing the tower to be swung to a lowered rest position. In the raised tower position the hinge wedges an elongated tongue with polymer sides into an elongated groove having polymer locking inserts to reduce the side-to-side motion of the tower.