Foldable Sign Assembly with Telescoping Pole and Magnetic Boards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable signs lack versatility, sturdiness, and adaptability, often being bulky, difficult to transport, and not suitable for various presentation settings, while also being susceptible to weather conditions and not environmentally friendly.
Innovation Solution
A portable folding sign assembly made of eco-friendly materials with magnetic whiteboards on both sides, protected by Plexiglas covers, featuring a telescoping pole for height adjustment, and designed for easy handling and storage, allowing use with different support structures and accommodating various weather conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional portable signs are made from poster board or cardboard, then they are lightweight and easy to manufacture, but they lack sturdiness, are susceptible to weather damage, and create paper waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials including aluminum or wood frames combined with magnetic boards covered by weather-resistant materials such as vinyl, laminated paper, or fabric. This composite construction provides both sturdiness and weather resistance while maintaining relative lightness and manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible, weather-resistant coverings such as vinyl, laminated paper, or fabric over the magnetic board surface. These thin film layers provide protection against weather elements while maintaining the overall lightweight character and ease of manufacturing of the sign structure.
2Weight of moving object
If portable signs are designed to be lightweight and compact, then they are easy to transport and store, but they lack stability and sturdiness during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sign into separate components including a frame structure, magnetic board, and support elements that can be assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows the sign to be lightweight for transport yet stable when assembled for use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable support elements such as telescoping poles or extendable legs that can be dynamically adjusted during use to provide optimal stability while maintaining compactness for transport when collapsed or retracted.
3Volume of moving object
If portable signs are designed for portability and compactness, then they are easy to transport and store, but they provide limited writing or display surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses telescoping poles or extendable support structures that can be compacted for transport and extended during use to provide a larger writing or display surface area, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and surface area.
4Loss of substance
If portable signs are made with simple materials like poster board, then they are environmentally friendly and disposable, but they lack reusability and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the sign with a reusable durable frame and magnetic board structure that can be repeatedly used, while allowing the informational content (paper inserts, printed materials) to be easily replaced or updated. This separates the durable reusable components from the consumable content elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines durable, reusable materials (metal or wood frame, magnetic board) with replaceable content materials (vinyl covers, laminated paper, fabric). This composite approach maximizes reusability of the structure while allowing easy updates to the informational content.
5Ease of manufacture
If portable signs are designed with fixed structures, then they are simple to manufacture, but they lack adaptability to different presentation settings and user heights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable elements such as telescoping poles with multiple extension positions, adjustable-angle legs, or reconfigurable frame sections that allow the sign to be adapted to different heights and presentation settings while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the sign structure to serve multiple functions and adapt to various presentation settings through universal connection points, adjustable supports, and reconfigurable elements that work across different configurations and environments.
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 assembly provides a lightweight, versatile, and durable solution for presenting messages, adaptable to different settings and user heights, while reducing paper waste and withstanding inclement weather, enhancing user convenience and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
The sign board portions are magnetic and can hold writing surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A reusable, portable, foldable sign assembly. The assembly has a sign board including first and second sign board portions configured to form an open position in which the sign board portions are aligned linearly and a closed position in which the sign board portions are folded against each other, and at least one handhold to facilitate manipulation by a user. A connecting mechanism holds the first sign board portion and the second sign board portion together. A telescoping extension pole is removably and pivotably attached to the sign board, operable to support the weight of the assembly, and configured to assume an infinite number of extended lengths as desired and set by the user. A transparent cover sleeve is removably attached on one or both of the first sign board portion and the second sign board portion.