C-Shaped Watercraft Bumper Elastic Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watercraft bumpers require multiple installation steps, including drilling and fastening, which is time-consuming, and there is a need for a solution that eliminates the use of fasteners or adhesives for easier installation.
Innovation Solution
A watercraft bumper with an elongate body featuring a C-shaped cross-section and protrusions that biases against the hull and deck lips, allowing it to be securely attached without fasteners or adhesives, using its shape and deformation to create retention forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fasteners and adhesives are used to attach the bumper, then the bumper is securely retained on the watercraft, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes fasteners and adhesives from the bumper attachment system, extracting the problematic components that caused installation complexity and time consumption. The bumper relies solely on its C-shaped cross-section geometry to achieve retention through elastic deformation against the hull and deck lips.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper is designed to be self-retaining through its own elastic deformation. The C-shaped cross-section allows the bumper to flex and snap into place against the hull and deck lips, creating its own retention mechanism without requiring external fasteners or adhesives.
2Reliability
If multiple parts and fasteners are used, then the bumper provides secure attachment, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the attachment function into the bumper body itself. The C-shaped cross-section integrates the retention mechanism directly into the bumper structure, eliminating the need for separate fasteners, adhesives, or insert pieces that would increase device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the bumper uses elastic deformation for retention, then fasteners and adhesives are eliminated, but the retention force must be sufficient to withstand impact loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes elastic deformation parameters of the bumper material to achieve retention. The C-shaped cross-section is designed to flex within elastic limits, creating sufficient retention force through controlled deformation while maintaining the strength to withstand impact loads during watercraft operation.
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 bumper is easily installed and securely retained on the watercraft, reducing installation time and eliminating the need for fasteners or adhesives, while providing effective protection against impacts.
Implementation Method 1
The elongate body has a cross-section that includes a side portion having a first end and a second end, an upper portion connected to the first end and extending towards the deck body, and a lower portion connected to the second end and extending towards the hull body. The lower portion is biased against the watercraft lip. The bow-shaped portion is disposed between the side portion and the protrusion and is spaced from the protrusion.
Data Source
AI summary
A watercraft bumper has an elongate body. The elongate body has a generally C-shaped cross-section. A protrusion extends from one of the end portions of the cross-section and extends towards the other end portion. A watercraft having the bumper is also disclosed. The watercraft has a lip over which the bumper is disposed. The lip has a depression formed in an upper side thereof. The protrusion of the bumper is disposed in the depression and is biased against the upper side.