Flagpole Holder With Elastic Protrusion and Hinged Flap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flagpole holders do not facilitate safe mounting and dismounting of flagpoles with flags, especially when inserting through windows or over balcony railings, requiring users to lean dangerously from high places.

Innovation Solution

A flagpole holder with a flat fastening element featuring obliquely arranged drainage lamellae, including an uppermost lamella with a hinged flap for easy flagpole insertion and a lowermost lamella with an elastic protrusion for secure mounting, allowing vertical or parallel insertion without leaning, and optionally incorporating lighting and energy-harvesting features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the flagpole holder is designed with a fixed closed structure, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the ease of operation for mounting and dismounting the flagpole deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage lamella is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to open when force is applied (such as when the flagpole is inserted) and close automatically when the force is removed. This dynamic behavior enables the structure to transition between open and closed states, facilitating easy mounting and dismounting while maintaining structural integrity when closed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The drainage lamella automatically opens and closes based on the insertion or removal of the flagpole without requiring manual intervention. When the flagpole is inserted, it pushes the lamella open; when removed, the lamella returns to its closed position, providing self-service operation that improves ease of use while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the flagpole holder has a closed structure, then the protection against harmful factors is improved, but the ease of operation for inserting the flagpole deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against harmful factorsVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage lamella transitions from a static closed structure to a dynamic component that can open and close. This allows the holder to provide protection when closed while easily accommodating flagpole insertion when opened, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable drainage lamella acts as an intermediary element between the protected interior and the external environment. It can close to provide protection against harmful factors or open to facilitate flagpole insertion, serving as a mediator that reconciles the conflicting requirements of protection and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the drainage lamella is made thick to accommodate lighting means, then the functionality is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage lamella is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a structural component for drainage, a movable closure element, and a housing for lighting means. By integrating these functions into a single component, the patent improves versatility while avoiding the need for additional separate parts that would increase manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the drainage function, closure function, and lighting housing function into a single integrated drainage lamella component. This merging of functions allows the thickened lamella to accommodate lighting means without requiring separate housings or assemblies, thereby improving functionality while managing manufacturing complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 safe and easy mounting and dismounting of flagpoles without the need for dangerous leaning, while providing illumination and energy harvesting capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The said lowermost drainage lamella 2 2 is formed with at least one elastic protrusion 10, which, in use, forms a form-locking joint with the flagpole 4

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4456050A1Flagpole holder
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 NOVAK JAKOB
  • EP4456050A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4456050A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4456050A1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The present invention relates to a flagpole holder or similar, comprising a fastening unit, which is intended for mounting the holder onto a wall, and a carrier unit, which is intended to accommodate the flagpole holder. Attached to the said fastening element (1) is a carrier (1') comprising a set of vertically interspaced drainage lamellae (21;22). The design of the first and uppermost drainage lamella (21) features an elongated window (6) which can be closed with a flap (7), and the design of the second and lowermost drainage lamella (22) features a protrusion (10) intended to accommodate the free end of the flagpole (4).