Adjustable Dock Leg Anti-Rotation Locking Disc
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adjustable dock legs often experience unwanted rotation due to external forces like waves and wind, leading to unlevel docking surfaces, as existing mechanisms fail to effectively prevent rotation of threaded rods within fixed members.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable leg design featuring a tubular lower member with a threaded bore and a locking disc that applies upward pressure on the threaded rod to prevent unwanted rotation, combined with a positive stop mechanism to secure the rod's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a threaded rod is used to adjust the length of dock legs, then the ease of operation is improved, but unwanted rotation occurs due to external forces like waves and wind
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating a locking mechanism that preemptively counteracts the rotational force caused by external elements. The locking disc with non-circular cross-section engages with the threaded rod before unwanted rotation can occur, creating a preventive constraint that opposes the rotational tendency caused by waves and wind.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry through the non-circular cross-section of the locking disc and the corresponding non-circular opening in the adjustment member. This asymmetric geometry prevents rotational movement while allowing linear adjustment, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving ease of operation through the threaded adjustment mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the length of the leg is increased to accommodate varying water levels, then the adaptability is improved, but binding between portions may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dock leg into separate telescoping portions with independent adjustment capability. The locking mechanism is positioned at the interface between portions, allowing each segment to be adjusted and locked independently, thereby preventing binding while enabling adaptability to various water levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment system where the locking mechanism can transition between locked and unlocked states. This allows the leg portions to be adjusted dynamically to different lengths and then secured, enabling adaptability while preventing harmful binding during the adjustment process.
3Reliability
If a non-circular cross-section is used for the locking disc, then unwanted rotation is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetry in the form of a non-circular cross-section for the locking disc and corresponding opening. This asymmetric geometry is designed to engage with the threaded rod in a way that prevents rotation while maintaining manufacturability through standard machining processes for non-circular sections.
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 effectively maintains the dock's levelness and selected height by inhibiting unwanted rotation of the threaded rod, ensuring stability despite external forces, and allows for easy adjustment of leg length.
Implementation Method 1
The threaded rod is configured to threadably engage the threaded bore
Implementation Method 2
the disc is configured engage the threaded rod and to place upward pressure on the threaded rod to prevent or reduce unwanted rotation of the rod
Implementation Method 3
a tubular, lower member having a non-circular cross-section when taken normal to a longitudinal axis... a tubular, upper member having a non-circular cross-section when taken normal to the longitudinal axis
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable leg for use with a dock includes a tubular, lower member having a non-circular cross-section when taken normal to a longitudinal axis where the lower member has a first end and a second end. The lower member further includes a plate secured to the first end, the plate having a threaded through bore, and a disc secure to the plate. The disc has an elliptical aperture that is biased from the plate. The adjustable leg includes a tubular, upper member having a non-circular cross-section when taken normal to the longitudinal axis. The upper member is sized to be positioned over the lower member. The upper member further includes a threaded rod rotatably positioned within an interior cavity of the upper member, the threaded rod rotatably secured to the upper member. The threaded rod is configured to threadably engage the threaded bore and wherein the disc is configured engage the threaded rod and to place upward pressure on the threaded rod to prevent or reduce unwanted rotation of the rod.