Flexible Member Deployment for Curved Flagpoles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for deploying and supporting flexible objects like flags and banners are inefficient, particularly on curved or irregularly shaped structures, as they often require ladders or cherry-pickers, are prone to jamming, and can be noisy, and require expensive elastic materials to prevent tearing.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an elongate support and a resilient flexible member that slides along a guide, using connectors to attach and move the flexible object from a low position to a high position, allowing for easy deployment and support on curved surfaces without the need for elevated access, using a combination of guides and sliding connectors to manage curvature and tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional halyard systems are used on curved or irregularly shaped flagpoles, then the flag can be deployed, but the system is prone to misalignment, jamming, and requires ladders or cherry-pickers for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The flagpole is designed with a flexible member that can dynamically adapt its shape to match curved or irregular support structures. The flexible member changes its configuration from a straight state during deployment to a curved state when installed, allowing the system to accommodate various pole geometries without jamming or misalignment issues
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible member undergoes a parameter change in its physical state, transitioning from a compressed straight configuration during ground-level deployment to an extended curved configuration when installed on the flagpole. This parameter change allows the same component to serve both deployment and structural adaptation functions
2Illumination intensity
If flags are flown from elevated positions to improve visibility, then visibility and impact are improved, but ladders or cherry-pickers are required for installation and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables ground-level operation where the flexible member is pushed along the support structure from the ground, allowing operators to deploy and replace flags without needing to access elevated positions. The flexible member itself serves as both the deployment mechanism and the structural element that holds the flag at elevated positions
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible member acts as an intermediary between the ground-level operator and the elevated flag position. It transmits the pushing force from ground level up along the curved support structure to deploy the flag at elevated positions without requiring direct human access to those heights
3Reliability
If elastic materials are used to prevent jamming and tearing, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the material properties to elastic materials, the invention changes the physical state and configuration parameters of a standard flexible member. By compressing and then extending the member along a curved path, the system achieves the necessary adaptability without requiring expensive elastic materials or complex manufacturing processes
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 efficient and safe deployment of flexible objects on curved surfaces from ground level, reducing the need for ladders and expensive elastic materials, while minimizing noise and wear, and allowing for easy installation and removal without elevated access.
Implementation Method 1
an elongate support (3) having a first guide (4), an elongate flexible member (5) slidable relative to the support along the first guide
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7
AI summary
An apparatus (1) for deploying and supporting a flexible object (7). The apparatus comprises an elongate support (3) comprising a longitudinal first guide (4), an elongate flexible member (5) longitudinally slidable relative to the first guide (4), a first connector (9), connected to the flexible elongate member (5) and adapted to be attached to the flexible object (7), a longitudinal second guide 6, and at least one sliding connector (9, 11, 13); (106, 111, 113; 209, 211, 213), longitudinally slidable relative to the second guide (6) and adapted to be attached to the flexible object (7). The flexible elongate member (5) is adapted to be pushed along the first guide (4) via an externally applied longitudinal force, transferred as a compressive internal force along the flexible member (5), to move the flexible object (7) from a first position to a deployed position.