Flush-Mount Hanging Hook With Retention Member for Safe Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hanging devices are either permanently affixed, leading to safety concerns, aesthetic issues, and inefficiencies in space usage, or retractable hooks that lack reliable retraction mechanisms, posing risks of accidental extension or exposure, and do not maintain a flush configuration when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable hanging device with a housing and a pivotally coupled hanging member that remains flush with the surface in a stowed configuration until a threshold force is applied, ensuring safe and secure support for heavy objects by integrating into the surrounding surface and using a retention member to maintain the stowed position until actuated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanently affixed rigid hanging measures are installed, then hanging function is always available, but safety hazards increase and aesthetic appearance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The hanging device transitions from a static permanent fixture to a dynamic system that can change its state between retracted and extended positions. The hanging member is pivotally coupled to the housing, allowing it to rotate between a retracted position (flush with the surface) and an extended position (protruding for hanging). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by providing hanging function only when needed while eliminating safety hazards when retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be in a safe retracted state by default, with the hanging member preliminarily positioned flush with the surface before use. This preliminary retracted state eliminates safety hazards and aesthetic issues, while the quick-release mechanism allows rapid transition to the extended hanging position when needed.
2Reliability
If permanently affixed rigid hanging measures are installed, then hanging function is always available, but space usage efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hanging member dynamically changes its position from retracted (not occupying wall space) to extended (protruding for hanging). When retracted, the hanging member is flush with the housing and wall surface, maximizing usable wall space. When extended, it provides the necessary hanging function, thus resolving the space efficiency contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanging member is nested within the housing when in the retracted position, with the housing itself nested into the wall surface. This nesting arrangement allows the hanging device to occupy minimal space when not in use, while providing full hanging functionality when extended.
3Area of stationary object
If retractable hooks are used without reliable retention mechanisms, then space efficiency improves, but reliability of retraction decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A retention member acts as an intermediary between the hanging member and the housing to ensure reliable retention in the retracted position. The retention member engages with the hanging member to prevent accidental extension, while allowing intentional extension when needed. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing both space efficiency and retraction reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention member applies a preliminary counteracting force to prevent the hanging member from extending accidentally. This preliminary anti-action ensures that the hanging member remains reliably retracted unless a deliberate action is taken to overcome the retention mechanism, thus resolving the contradiction between space efficiency and retraction reliability.
4Reliability
If a retention member is added to ensure reliable retraction, then retraction reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention member serves as a simple intermediary component that provides reliable retention without adding significant complexity. It is integrally formed with the housing and uses a straightforward engagement mechanism with the hanging member, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable retraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention member is integrally formed with the housing, merging two components into one. This integration reduces the overall number of parts and simplifies the manufacturing process, thereby improving retraction reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 device provides a safe, secure, and space-efficient solution for hanging items, preventing accidental actuation and ensuring the hanging member remains flush with the surface until intentionally extended, addressing the drawbacks of permanent fixtures and unreliable retractable hooks.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient tab is formed to extend from the rear wall of the surface mountable structure, the resilient tab deflectively engaging the protrusion when the hook member is displaced between the extended and the retracted positions
Data Source
AI summary
A reconfigurable apparatus for hanging support of articles is provided. The reconfigurable apparatus provides a hanging member that, responsive to user actuation, transitions between a stowed position and an operative position to thereby reconfigure the hanging apparatus between operative and stowed configurations. In a stowed configuration, the hanging member may be substantially flush with a frame or faceplate of the apparatus. Such reconfigurable hanging apparatus may be substantially flush-mounted with a wall to avoid injury thereon, to maintain a decor, and to provide flexibility in placement of wall-abutting furnishings. The hanging member is retained until user actuation sufficient to overcome a retention member therein.