Concealed Hydrant Mounting Bracket to Prevent Water Ingress

Solution Overview

Problem

Exposed screw holes in hydrant mounting systems allow water ingress, leading to wood rot and aesthetic concerns due to visible screws.

Innovation Solution

A hydrant mounting bracket design where the hydrant head completely covers the mounting bracket, using tabs and retaining mechanisms to secure the hydrant to the structure, concealing the screws and preventing water ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional hydrant mounting with exposed screws is used, then the hydrant can be securely fastened to the structure, but the exposed screws create aesthetic concerns and allow water ingress leading to wood rot

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater ingressVSAvoidmounting bracket design

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket is nested within the hydrant head structure, with the bracket positioned inside the hollow cavity of the hydrant head. The tabs of the bracket extend through the back of the hydrant head to engage with mounting screws, while the entire bracket assembly remains concealed within the hydrant head's outer shell, preventing water ingress to the mounting hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrant head acts as an intermediary protective element between the external environment and the mounting bracket. The hollow cavity of the hydrant head serves as a protective chamber that shields the mounting bracket and screws from direct exposure to water and weather elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If traditional hydrant mounting with exposed screws is used, then the installation is simple, but the exposed screws are aesthetically unappealing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket is nested within the hydrant head structure, with the bracket positioned inside the hollow cavity of the hydrant head. The tabs of the bracket extend through the back of the hydrant head to engage with mounting screws, while the entire bracket assembly remains concealed within the hydrant head's outer shell, preventing water ingress to the mounting hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrant head acts as an intermediary protective element between the external environment and the mounting bracket. The hollow cavity of the hydrant head serves as a protective chamber that shields the mounting bracket and screws from direct exposure to water and weather elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If exposed screw holes are used in the wood structure, then the hydrant can be directly mounted, but the exposed holes allow water incursion that weakens the wood over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewood structure integrityVSAvoidmounting system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket is nested within the hydrant head structure, with the bracket positioned inside the hollow cavity of the hydrant head. The tabs of the bracket extend through the back of the hydrant head to engage with mounting screws, while the entire bracket assembly remains concealed within the hydrant head's outer shell, preventing water ingress to the mounting hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrant head acts as an intermediary protective element between the external environment and the mounting bracket. The hollow cavity of the hydrant head serves as a protective chamber that shields the mounting bracket and screws from direct exposure to water and weather elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11680394B2Hydrant mounting bracket

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 PRIER PRODUCTS INC

AI summary

A mounting bracket for a hydrant that is fully concealed by the hydrant head. The mounting bracket is fastened to the structure and includes tabs which engage the hydrant head to tightly secure the hydrant to the structure. The hydrant head includes a structure engaging periphery such that the mounting screws are fully concealed and protected from the environment.