Trash Can Stabilizer With Flexible Arms And Adjustable Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trash can stabilizers are often cumbersome, difficult to use, and fail to securely hold trash cans of various sizes and shapes, particularly in windy conditions or when subjected to external disturbances.
Innovation Solution
A trash can stabilizer with flexible arms and a back plate that can be mounted on a surface, featuring adjustable support bars and base plates, allowing for easy installation and secure holding of trash cans through tension created by the flexible arms, which can conform to different shapes and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid supports welded together are used to stabilize the trash can, then the structural strength is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer is divided into separate functional components: a backplate for mounting, adjustable support bars for height positioning, and flexible arms for can engagement. These segments can be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining structural strength through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces rigid welded supports with flexible arms that can dynamically adapt to different trash can shapes and sizes. The flexible arms provide the necessary structural strength through elastic deformation rather than rigid welding, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining stability.
2Manufacturing precision
If fixed-height stabilizers are used, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different trash can sizes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support bars are designed with adjustable height mechanisms, allowing the stabilizer to adapt to different trash can sizes and positions. This dynamic adjustability maintains manufacturing precision for each setting while providing versatility across multiple can dimensions, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-height models.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes in the support bar height and arm flexibility to accommodate different trash can specifications. By making these parameters adjustable rather than fixed, the device achieves both manufacturing precision for each configuration and adaptability across various can sizes.
3Reliability
If complex assembly methods are used to secure the trash can, then the reliability of securing is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible arms provide reliable securing through elastic deformation that automatically engages and holds the trash can in place. This dynamic mechanism eliminates complex assembly steps while maintaining secure attachment, allowing easy insertion and removal through simple placement without requiring multiple fastening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer design allows the trash can to self-secure between the flexible arms through its own weight and positioning. The flexible arms automatically adjust and engage with the can, eliminating the need for complex manual assembly or multiple securing mechanisms, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability.
4Reliability
If the opening between arms is made smaller to secure the trash can, then the reliability of holding is improved, but the ease of operation for insertion decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible arms can dynamically adjust their position and the opening size between them. During insertion, the arms flex outward to accommodate the trash can, then automatically return to their secured position, providing both easy insertion and reliable holding without requiring a permanently large or small opening.
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 stabilizer effectively prevents trash cans from tipping over, is easy to install and adjust, and can be mounted on various surfaces, including walls and the ground, providing secure and versatile trash can stabilization.
Implementation Method 1
The arms include built-in portions that create increased tension on the trash can, so that the can be easily received in the support arms and can effectively be stabilized therein.
Implementation Method 2
A trash can stabilizer with flexible arms and a back plate that can be mounted on a surface, featuring adjustable support bars and base plates, allowing for easy installation and secure holding of trash cans through tension created by the flexible arms, which can conform to different shapes and sizes.
Data Source
AI summary
A trash can stabilizer which can be mounted on the ground and includes rigid supports or flexible arms on a fixed vertical support. The support includes a support leg that extends from the back plate to the ground, and a diagonal leg that extends from a top portion of the support leg to a foot leg. Each of the supports or arms are in direct communication with and extending horizontally from the back plate and facilitate the insertion of a trash can or the like via flexible members/sheets, wheels, or bearings. The inserted trash can or the like is securely kept in an opening formed between the supports or arms and thereby is stabilized from tipping or being knocked over.