Clamp with Multiple Contact Features for Sign Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sign stand mounting and clamping systems fail to address instability issues when faced with impacts or adverse weather conditions, leading to component stress and potential failure.
Innovation Solution
A clamping system with a bracket clamp and compression assembly that includes a compression element with multiple contact features, each contacting the mast at distinct locations closer to the edge than the center, providing enhanced grip and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mounting and clamping systems use a single contact feature on the mast, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability and reliability of the sign mount deteriorates under impact or adverse weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The compression element is divided into multiple contact features (at least two) that contact the mast at distinct locations. This segmentation distributes the clamping force across multiple points, improving stability and reliability under impact or adverse weather conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
2Strength
If conventional clamping systems contact the mast at the center, then the contact area is concentrated, but the structural strength and resistance to rotational forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contact features are positioned asymmetrically relative to the mast, with at least one contact feature located closer to an edge of the mast than to the center. This asymmetric positioning creates a more stable triangular distribution of contact points, enhancing resistance to rotational forces and improving overall structural strength.
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 system securely attaches signs to the sign stand, preventing rotation and motion, and enhances structural strength and stability, allowing for improved performance under various conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a compression assembly for compressing the mast and the receiver towards each other
Implementation Method 2
the compression element contacting a side surface of the mast via more than one contact feature, each contact feature contacting the side surface of the mast at a distinct location
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping system includes a mast, a bracket clamp engageable with the mast, the bracket clamp including a receiver for receiving a sign, a compression assembly for compressing the mast and the receiver towards each other, and a compression element movable relative to the receiver by the compression assembly, the compression element contacting a side surface of the mast via a plurality of contact features, each contact feature contacting the side surface of the mast at a distinct location on the side surface of the mast.