Pivoting Flare Stand with Ground-Engaging Teeth for Stability and Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flare stands are either ineffective in maintaining electronic flares upright in adverse weather conditions or are bulky, making them inconvenient for storage in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A flare stand comprising pivotally coupled stand members that can be configured between an open working mode for supporting flares upright and a folded position for reduced storage space, featuring a flare support structure with upstanding members and legs with teeth for stability and a fastening assembly for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large or bulky flare stand is used to maintain flare stability, then the flare can be kept upright in adverse weather conditions, but the storage space in vehicles is excessively occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The flare stand is divided into multiple stand members (first stand member, second stand member, third stand member) that can be independently folded. Each stand member has a base portion and support portion that can be collapsed, allowing the overall structure to reduce its footprint while maintaining stability when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The stand members are connected through pivot joints that allow dynamic transformation between an extended stable configuration for use and a collapsed compact configuration for storage. The pivot connections enable the stand to adapt its geometry based on operational requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If a compact flare stand is used to reduce storage space, then vehicle storage is improved, but the flare cannot be reliably maintained upright in strong wind or adverse weather
Solution Approach 1:
The stand is segmented into multiple members with independent folding capabilities, allowing the structure to provide stability when needed while collapsing to minimal size for storage. The segmented design enables optimization of both stability and compactness without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The stand members incorporate legs with teeth that engage with the ground surface, creating a composite structure that combines rigid support members with grounding elements. This composite approach enhances stability by distributing the load across multiple contact points with the ground.
3Reliability
If multiple stand members are used to improve stability, then the flare can be maintained upright in adverse conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stand is divided into three stand members with similar structural patterns, each having base portions and support portions. This segmentation allows the complexity to be distributed across identical modular units rather than requiring complex integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
Each stand member serves multiple functions: providing structural support, enabling folding for storage, and contributing to overall stability when deployed. The universal design of identical members simplifies the overall system while maintaining the necessary complexity for stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A flare stand is provided. The flare stand has a first stand member and a second stand member rotatable with respect to the first stand member between an open working position and a folded position. In the open working position, the flare stand is configured for supporting a flare in a substantially upright position. In the folded position, the first and second stand members substantially overlap in the vertical plane for a reduced footprint of the flare stand. A flare support structure, arranged on the second stand member is configured for supporting the flare in the upright position. The first and second stand members engage a ground surface in the open working position to maintain the flare in the upright position. The flare stand is used to hold a flare in the upright position, but may be folded into the reduced footprint device for storage.