Flower box holder for window frames

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flower box holders for window frames often cause damage to the window sills and frames and do not provide reliable long-term protection against falling, as they require mechanical attachments that can be detrimental and unstable.

Innovation Solution

A flower box holder with a hook holding profile that securely engages with the window frame profile, featuring adaptable holding brackets and a receiving part designed to accommodate roller shutters, along with edge protection and adjustable elements to prevent damage and ensure stability, allowing for secure mounting of flower boxes or decorative elements without mechanical stress on the window frame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical attachments are used to fix flower boxes to window sills, then the flower boxes are securely fixed, but the window sills and frames are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing securityVSAvoidmechanical damage to window frame
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a holder as an intermediary component between the flower box and the window frame. This holder engages with the roller shutter mechanism rather than directly attaching to the window sill, thereby mediating the connection and preventing direct mechanical damage to the window frame while maintaining secure fixation of the flower box

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into separate functional components: the holder that interfaces with the roller shutter mechanism and the flower box that rests on the holder. This segmentation allows the fixation function to be decoupled from the window frame, enabling secure mounting without direct attachment to and damage of the frame structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If mechanical attachments are used to fix flower boxes to window sills, then the flower boxes are fixed, but the protection against falling is not reliable long-term

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against fallingVSAvoidlong-term stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By using the roller shutter mechanism as an intermediary for mounting the holder, the system leverages an existing structural element designed for movement and support. This intermediary connection provides more reliable long-term protection against falling compared to direct attachment to window sills, as the roller shutter mechanism is engineered to handle dynamic loads and repeated operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the flower box holder is designed to be adaptable to different dimensions, then various flower boxes can be accommodated, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional adaptabilityVSAvoidholder structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is designed with universal features that allow it to accommodate different flower box dimensions. The support surface and retaining elements can be adjusted or configured to suit various sizes, making a single holder design applicable to multiple scenarios without requiring completely different structures for each dimension

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The holder incorporates dynamic or adjustable elements that allow modification of its configuration to match different flower box dimensions. This could include adjustable support heights, movable retaining elements, or flexible mounting positions, enabling adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple base structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the flower box holder is mounted on the window frame, then the holder is securely fixed, but the roller shutter operation is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidroller shutter operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holder acts as an intermediary that interfaces with the roller shutter mechanism in a way that maintains operational functionality. By engaging with the shutter's existing structural elements (such as the bottom edge or mounting brackets) rather than obstructing the movement path, the holder achieves secure fixation without disrupting the ease of operation of the roller shutter

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3884816B1Flower box holder for window frames
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 ALTENHOLSCHER THOMAS
  • EP3884816B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3884816B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3884816B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A flower box holder (1) for window frames serves to fix flower boxes and decorative elements, e.g., plant pots, planters, or the like, and to secure them against falling. For this purpose, the flower box holder (1) has a hook retaining profile (2) that can engage with a window frame profile, at least one retaining element (3) that can be firmly connected to the hook retaining profile (2) of the flower box holder (1) and by means of which at least one flower box or decorative element can be held, and a receiving part (5) that is arranged between the hook retaining profile (2) and the retaining element (3) of the flower box holder (1) and by means of which a lower end section of a roller shutter belonging to a window frame can be closed.