Floating Umbrella Base with Weighted Chamber and Float Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing umbrella, sign, or flag bases are not suitable for use in water environments as they lack stability and the ability to maintain a vertical pole or staff while floating.
Innovation Solution
A floating mounting base with a base housing that includes a weighting material chamber and a support chamber for the pole, enclosed by a lid, which uses a float ring to maintain stability and keep the pole upright, featuring a conically shaped pole support pillar and anchoring tabs for security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional land-based umbrella base is used, then the base structure is simple and stable on land, but it cannot float or maintain stability in water environments
Solution Approach 1:
The base housing is transformed from a land-based static structure to a water-adaptable floating structure by changing its physical parameters: adding buoyancy elements (float ring), creating sealed compartments (interior chamber with lid), and configuring weight distribution (weighting material at bottom). These parameter changes enable the base to float while maintaining stability through proper center of gravity positioning.
2Stability of the object's composition
If weighting material is added to the base housing, then the pole can be maintained in a vertical position, but the base may sink or become unstable in water
Solution Approach 1:
The weighting material serves as a counterweight positioned at the bottom of the interior chamber to maintain the pole in a vertical position. The lid seals the chamber to prevent water from mixing with the weighting material, ensuring the counterweight function remains effective while the base floats stably on water.
Solution Approach 2:
The base housing is segmented into functional compartments: an interior chamber for weighting material, a support chamber for the pole, and a float ring for buoyancy. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, achieving both vertical stability and floating reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the base housing is opened to insert the pole, then the pole can be easily installed, but water may enter and disrupt the weighting material
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed with a dedicated opening that extracts the pole insertion function from the main sealing structure. This allows the pole to be inserted through the lid opening while the rest of the lid remains sealed, preventing water from entering and disrupting the weighting material in the interior chamber.
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 solution provides a stable and upright support for umbrellas, signs, or flags in water environments, preventing tipping and ensuring the pole remains vertical, while allowing for easy insertion and secure anchoring.
Implementation Method 1
a base housing defining an interior chamber having an opening at a top of the base housing for maintaining a weighting material below a surface of the water
Data Source
AI summary
A floating mounting base for a vertical support for use in water includes a base housing defining an interior chamber having an opening at a top of the base housing for maintaining a weighting material below a surface of the water to maintain the vertical support in a substantially vertical position. The base housing further defines a support chamber for supporting the vertical support in the substantially vertical position. A lid encloses the interior chamber from an external environment. The lid defines an opening aligned with the support chamber enables the vertical support to be inserted through the lid and into the support chamber. A bottom of the circular base housing is insertable within an opening of a float ring and one of the base housing or the lid defines a surface for engaging the float ring and preventing the float ring from moving past the lid.