Adjustable Fireplace Screen Support Assembly With Spring-Biased Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fireplace screen support assemblies lack adjustability and ease of installation for different-sized fireplaces, making them inefficient for varied installations.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable fireplace screen support assembly featuring an elongated member, tubular member, tip members, and a biasing assembly that allows for adjustable length and secure mounting to different-sized fireplaces, utilizing split-ring members for secure attachment and internal biasing for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing fireplace screen support assemblies use fixed-length designs, then manufacturing is simple, but adaptability to different-sized fireplaces is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is divided into multiple segments: an elongated member with multiple holes, a tubular member, and a biasing assembly. These segmented components can be adjusted relative to each other to accommodate different fireplace sizes while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly transitions from a fixed-length design to a dynamic, adjustable-length design. The elongated member can slide within the tubular member, and the biasing assembly enables dynamic adjustment of the distance between tip members to match different fireplace dimensions.
2Ease of operation
If existing support assemblies lack adjustment mechanisms, then device complexity is low, but ease of operation for installation is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing assembly provides self-service functionality by automatically maintaining tension between the elongated and tubular members during adjustment. The spring mechanism self-regulates the force needed to move components, making installation easier without requiring external tools or complex adjustment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip members are pre-formed with specific geometries (pointed tips for wall insertion, ring-shaped portions for coupling) that prepare the assembly for easy installation. The split-ring members are designed to be coupled to the screen first, then the support assembly is simply disposed through them, streamlining the installation process.
3Reliability
If existing assemblies use simple coupling methods, then device complexity is low, but reliability of secure mounting is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated member is nested within the tubular member, creating a telescopic structure that provides both adjustability and secure mounting. This nested configuration allows the components to work together as an integrated system, improving reliability while maintaining reasonable complexity through space-efficient design.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring-shaped portions of the tip members provide curved, circumferential coupling surfaces that engage with the split-ring members. This curved geometry distributes mounting forces more evenly around the connection points, enhancing secure mounting reliability compared to simple linear coupling methods.
4Manufacturing precision
If existing support assemblies do not have biasing mechanisms, then device complexity is low, but precision of positioning is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing assembly changes the force parameter within the support structure, maintaining constant tension between the elongated and tubular members. This controlled force parameter enables precise positioning of the tip members relative to the fireplace walls, improving positioning precision while the spring mechanism keeps the overall device complexity manageable.
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
Enables secure and adjustable mounting of a fireplace screen to variously sized fireplaces, ensuring a snug fit and easy installation by utilizing an internal biasing mechanism and split-ring members for precise alignment and attachment.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing assembly at least partially disposed in the interior region of the tubular member. The biasing assembly is adapted to bias the elongated member in a first direction along the longitudinal axis, and to bias the tubular member in a second direction along the longitudinal axis which is opposite to the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable fireplace screen support assembly is provided. The adjustable fireplace screen support assembly includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end. The support assembly further includes a first tip member coupled to the first end of the elongated member. The support assembly further includes a tubular member having a first end and a second end. The second end of the elongated member is slidably disposed through the first end of the tubular member and into the interior region. The support assembly further includes a second tip member coupled to the tubular member. The support assembly further includes a biasing assembly at least partially disposed in the interior region of the tubular member adapted to bias the elongated member in a first direction, and the tubular member in a second direction.