Crystal Mounting Frame with Integral Bendable Posts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ornamental fixtures, such as chandeliers, often require hooks or fixed geometric patterns to suspend crystal ornaments, which can lead to limited orientation and potential twisting of long chains, and do not effectively prevent ornaments from falling off.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic frame member with integral U-shaped bendable members that form a post out of the plane to securely receive and lock ornaments in place, preventing movement by bending a distal portion to extend from the ornament's passageway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hooks or fixed geometric patterns are used to suspend crystal ornaments, then the ornaments can be attached to the framework, but the orientation is limited and twisting may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic bending members that can be flexed during installation to accommodate different orientations, then lock into a stable final position to prevent twisting. The bendable members transition from a flexible installation state to a rigid operational state, resolving the contradiction between orientation flexibility and twisting prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the mounting members from flexible (during installation) to rigid (in final position) through controlled deformation. This parameter change allows the members to adapt to various orientations during assembly while maintaining structural integrity and preventing twisting in the installed configuration.
2Ease of operation
If hooks are used to attach ornaments, then attachment is simple, but ornaments can fall off easily
Solution Approach 1:
The bendable members are designed to be self-locking through their own deformation. During installation, the members are bent to engage with the ornament, and their elastic recovery creates a self-locking mechanism that secures the ornament without requiring additional fastening elements. The structure serves itself to maintain the attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes curved and bent geometries in the mounting members that conform to the ornament shape. The curved paths of the bendable members create natural locking contours that guide the ornament into place and prevent removal, combining ease of installation with secure attachment through geometric design.
3Reliability
If multiple separate components are used to mount ornaments, then attachment is secure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated bendable member structure. The mounting member simultaneously provides support, orientation control, and locking functions through its continuous bent geometry, eliminating the need for separate components such as distinct fasteners, guides, and mounting brackets.
Solution Approach 2:
The bendable members are designed as multi-functional elements that perform attachment, orientation adjustment, and security locking all through their structural configuration. This universal design allows a single component type to replace multiple specialized parts, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining secure attachment.
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 secure and flexible method to attach and arrange ornaments, preventing twisting and ensuring they remain in place, allowing for multiple orientations and easy attachment/detachment without obstruction, enhancing the aesthetic and structural stability of ornamental fixtures.
Implementation Method 1
At least a portion of the first portion is bent out of the plane of the frame member so that the third leg of the second portion forms a post out of the plane of the frame member
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
An ornamental fixture (10) includes a monolithic frame member (30) having a plurality of integral bendable members (40), and a plurality of ornaments (60) supported on the integral bendable members. The plurality of generally bendable members has a first portion (42) and a second portion (44). At least a portion of the first portion is bent so that the second portion forms a post (56) receivable in a first opening (64) of a passageway (62) within the ornament (60), and forms a distal portion (58) extending from a second opening (66) out of the passageway (62) of the ornament (60). The distal portion (58) is bent to inhibit movement of the ornaments (60) off of the post (56).