Flat-mounted connector for pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Exhibit booths constructed with tubular frameworks and hook-and-slot systems often have a bumpy appearance due to height differences and suffer from steel hooks tearing into aluminum uprights, with existing proprietary connectors being incompatible with industry standards.
Innovation Solution
A flat-mounted connector that allows industry standard hooks on horizontal rods to be inserted at a wider angle, preventing damage to vertical supports and providing a uniform appearance, by featuring a coupler with a hollow well and lateral notch designed to accept terminal hooks and attaching to a vertical surface via a connection bridge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional hook-and-slot systems are used with standard steel hooks and aluminum uprights, then the connection mechanism is simple and compatible with industry standards, but the steel hooks tear into the aluminum uprights causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The connector acts as an intermediary component between the steel hook and the vertical support. It features a hollow well with a lateral notch that receives the terminal hook, allowing the hook to be inserted at a wider angle without directly contacting and damaging the aluminum upright. The connector body distributes the mechanical stress away from the support structure.
2Ease of operation
If conventional slots in vertical uprights are used, then the connection method is simple, but the hooks can only be inserted at a narrow angle making connection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into distinct functional regions: a hollow well for receiving the hook, a lateral notch for angular insertion, and a connection bridge for mounting to vertical surfaces. This segmentation allows each feature to optimize its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral notch in the upper region is asymmetrically positioned and shaped to guide the terminal hook at wider angles. The notch opens laterally rather than vertically, creating an asymmetric insertion path that facilitates easier connection compared to conventional vertical slots.
3Adaptability or versatility
If vertical members have varying heights relative to horizontal rods, then the connection is flexible, but the drape walls have a bumpy appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The connector transitions the connection interface from a vertical slot orientation to a lateral notch orientation in the upper region. This dimensional change allows the terminal hook to engage at wider angles while maintaining a consistent external profile, enabling uniform appearance despite variations in vertical member heights.
Data Source
AI summary
A flat-mounted connector that enables industry standard hooks on horizontal rods to rest at such a height as to provide uniform appearance to the top of drape walls. The flat-mounted connector provides a connection that affixes to a flat wall or surface and an affixed coupler for the drape rods to be affixed to a vertical surface. The connector has an upper region with a similar outside dimension as the body of the coupler. In an internal portion of the coupler, at least one hollow well opens vertically with at least one lateral notch or opening formed in an upper region and designed to accept a terminal hook used on an end of a horizontally placed rod. An example connector includes two couplers affixed to the flat-mounted connection to accept additional terminal hooks.