Frame With Spacing Guides For Symbol Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for installing symbols on surfaces, such as buildings or walls, are inefficient due to the need for manual approximation or custom templates, which are time-consuming and wasteful, and struggle with achieving proper spacing for symbols of varying shapes and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A frame system with apertures and spacing guides, featuring bumps and recesses, that allows for precise alignment and spacing of symbols by combining contiguous frames to create a predefined spacing between symbols, using a supporting structure for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual approximation method is used for spacing symbols, then installation process is simple, but spacing precision between symbols is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a frame with spacing guides as an intermediary tool between the installer and the symbols. The frame's spacing guides (bumps and recesses) physically mediate the spacing process, ensuring consistent distances between symbols while remaining easy to use during installation
2Manufacturing precision
If custom template is prepared and printed for each symbol combination, then spacing precision between symbols is improved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed as a universal tool that can be used for multiple symbol combinations and positions. The spacing guides are configured to work with various symbol arrangements, eliminating the need to create custom templates for each specific installation scenario
Solution Approach 2:
The spacing guides (bumps and recesses) are pre-configured on the frame during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of spacing references eliminates the need for on-site template creation and measurement calculations during the actual installation process
3Manufacturing precision
If custom template is used for spacing, then spacing precision is improved, but material waste increases due to single-use templates
Solution Approach 1:
The frame serves as a reusable universal tool that can be applied to multiple installation projects and various symbol combinations. This eliminates the need to discard single-use custom templates, significantly reducing material waste while maintaining spacing precision
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the spacing tool after single use, the frame is designed to be recovered and reused for subsequent installations. The durable construction allows the spacing guides to be used repeatedly across multiple projects, preventing material waste
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment is used for symbol spacing, then adaptability to different symbol shapes is possible, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacing guides act as an intermediary that handles the complexity of spacing calculations and adjustments. The bumps and recesses physically enforce the correct spacing regardless of symbol shape variations, allowing installers to simply place symbols in the frames without manual measurement or adjustment
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a frame, a tool and method for positioning a plurality of symbols to be installed on a surface. The tool and method rely on a plurality of frames where each frame defines an aperture corresponding to one of the symbols to be positioned and a supporting structure for receiving the frames. Each frame provides a border around the aperture and defines two opposite spacing guides. At least one spacing guide of each frame comprises at least one of: a bump and/or a recess. The combination of the spacing guides of contiguous frames creates a predefined spacing between the symbols received therein.