Bucket-Mounted Fish Finder Bracket With Tip-Over Guard

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fish finder mounting solutions for buckets interfere with the bucket's use as a seat, particularly when a cushioned insert is plugged into the top, limiting the bucket's functionality for fishermen.

Innovation Solution

A bracket with spaced parallel arms and attachment means, such as hook-shaped straps or a connector bar, mounts the fish finder to the outside surface of a bucket, providing a gimbal-style mount and a tip-over guard to prevent damage, while allowing for cable management and optional features like a rod holder.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the fish finder is mounted over the open top of the bucket, then the fish finder is securely positioned, but the bucket cannot be used as a seat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefish finder mounting stabilityVSAvoidbucket usability as seat

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket relocates the fish finder from the vertical space above the bucket top to the horizontal side surface of the bucket. The bracket extends outwardly from the bucket's side, positioning the display head in a lateral arrangement rather than over the top, thereby freeing the bucket top for seat usage while maintaining secure fish finder mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the bucket is tipped over, then the fish finder may be damaged, but preventing tip-overs adds complexity to the mounting system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay head protectionVSAvoidmounting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tip-over guard is pre-installed as part of the mounting bracket assembly, extending downward from the bracket structure. This preliminary protective measure is already in place before any tip-over event occurs, automatically preventing damage without requiring additional active systems or complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the bracket arms are extended outwardly to hold the fish finder, then the fish finder is accessible, but the bucket's carrying capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefish finder accessibilityVSAvoidbucket carrying capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket and especially the Bungee cord attachment system utilize flexible, thin-walled construction that minimizes material volume. The thin-walled bracket arms and flexible Bungee cords provide the necessary structural function for mounting and adjustment while occupying minimal space that would interfere with the bucket's carrying capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS7746727B2Fish finder mounting bracket

Publication Date: 2010.06.29 BACARELLA JOHN P

AI summary

A bracket for mounting a fish finder display head to a conventional multi-gallon plastic pail is described with reference to two alternative embodiments. In the first embodiment, the bracket comprises spaced apart arms to provide a gimbal style mount and the arms have inboard, upwardly extending hooks to fit over the peripheral edge of the pail. In the second embodiment, the arms are combined with a stabilizer member and may be attached directly to the outside surface of the pail by means of threaded fasteners or Bungee cords or both. In both embodiments, a tip-over guard is provided in the form of a generally U-shaped of aluminum stock that is attached such as by rivets to the distal (outside) ends of the bracket arms. Means are provided for wrapping a power cable between the arms.