Folded Card Holder with Surface Engagement and Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holders for folded cards fail to securely maintain the card in an open position, especially outdoors, due to instability on uneven surfaces and vulnerability to wind and animals, and often require special cards for engagement.
Innovation Solution
A holder with a surface-engaging support mechanism and card-supporting means that securely holds the folded card open at a fixed angle, using elongate support members and clamping systems to prevent dislodgment, and can be adapted for outdoor use with features like ground spikes or plinths to stabilize the card.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple indoor holder is used, then the device complexity is low, but the holder cannot remain upright on uneven outdoor surfaces and is affected by wind and animals
Solution Approach 1:
The holder employs adjustable support arms with movable joints that can adapt to uneven surfaces and adjust to external forces such as wind. The dynamic structure allows the holder to maintain stability on irregular ground while supporting the folded card at a fixed angle, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and outdoor reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is divided into separate functional modules: a base for surface engagement, adjustable support arms for positioning, and a card holding mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the base provides stability on uneven surfaces while the support arms maintain the card at the correct angle, achieving outdoor reliability without excessive overall complexity.
2Reliability
If a holder that secures the folded card firmly is used, then the folded card cannot be dislodged, but the folded card may not be easily removed for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism uses movable arms with adjustable pressure that can transition between a secure locked state during use and an open state for card replacement. The dynamic adjustment allows the holder to provide firm security when needed while enabling easy removal when required, resolving the contradiction between reliable card retention and ease of replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
A release mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user and the clamping force. This mediator allows the user to easily initiate card replacement by activating the release, which then smoothly opens the clamping arms, making the process of replacing cards simple while maintaining secure holding during normal use.
3Reliability
If the folded card is held rigidly in position, then the card is secure and readable, but the holder cannot adapt to different weather conditions and outdoor disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The holder employs movable support arms with degrees of freedom that allow adaptation to external disturbances like wind while maintaining the card's readable position. The dynamic joints can absorb environmental forces without compromising the fixed angular position of the card, resolving the contradiction between rigid positioning and environmental adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder allows adjustment of support arm positions and angles to adapt to different weather conditions and outdoor environments. By changing the geometric parameters of the support structure, the holder can maintain optimal card positioning despite variations in temperature, wind, and surface irregularities, achieving both fixed position and environmental versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A holder (100) for a folded card (102), the folded card (102) being of the type having a spine (108) and at least two sheets (110). The holder (100) having a holder support (104) for engagement with a surface for preventing the holder (100) being disturbed in an outdoor environment and a card supporting arrangement (106) mounted on the holder support (104). The card supporting arrangement (104) having an assembly for supporting the spine (108) of the folded card (102) and for engaging at least a portion of the sheets (110) of the folded card (102) on opposing sides of the spine (108) holding the folded card (102) open at a pre-determined angle.