Deployable Flower Protector With Locking Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a portable and deployable protector for items like flowers or mementos at gravesites that can safeguard them from environmental elements while allowing visibility and preventing unauthorized removal, and must be easily deployable and stable when unattended.
Innovation Solution
A flower protector design featuring a cylindrical center post with a deployable sidewall, locking mechanism, and tripod legs, where the sidewall is made of flexible material with interspersed sleeves and ribs, allowing for authorized deployment and retraction, and a key-operated locking mechanism to secure the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid protective structure is used to shield items from elements, then protection effectiveness is improved, but portability and ease of deployment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic structure where the sidewall can transition between deployed and collapsed states. The sidewall includes ribs that can be inserted into or removed from sleeves, allowing the structure to be rigid when needed for protection and flexible when needed for portability. This dynamic configuration directly resolves the contradiction between protection effectiveness and ease of deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective structure is divided into modular components including the center post, sidewall with ribs, sleeves, and base. The ribs can be segmented and repositioned within the sleeves to adjust the structure's rigidity. This segmentation allows the structure to provide full protection when assembled and fold down to minimal size for transport, resolving the portability contradiction.
2Reliability
If a locked structure is used to prevent unauthorized removal, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-contained within the center post, with the key operating a internal locking system that secures the ribs to the center post. Once deployed, the structure locks automatically through the key mechanism, providing security without requiring continuous human intervention. The key can be easily inserted and removed, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring security.
3Loss of information
If a transparent material is used for the sidewall to maintain visibility, then visibility is improved, but protection against elements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a transparent or translucent sidewall material that acts as a flexible shell protecting the items inside. The transparency allows visibility of the flowers or mementos, while the material itself provides protection from rain, wind, and other elements. The flexible nature of the transparent material allows it to conform to the structure while maintaining protective barriers.
Data Source
AI summary
A flower protector includes a tubular translucent shield having a ventilated topside face and a plurality of supporting base arms. A locking mechanism secures the shield in place. The shield is capable of being manipulated between a fully extended state and a fully collapsed state to effectively cover the foliage.