Gas Spring Clamping Assembly for Secure Sports Board Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for securing sports boards, such as wakeboards and wakesurf boards, on vehicles like boats are complex and expensive, making them costly and inefficient for secure storage and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A clamping storage device with a gas spring-based clamping assembly that includes a proximal stop, distal stop, and a housing, allowing for adjustable clamping positions and a locking mechanism to securely hold sports boards, featuring multiple clamping assemblies oriented to accommodate different board sizes and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current devices for securing sports boards are used, then the sports boards are held securely in place, but the devices are expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a gas spring mechanism to provide the clamping force needed to securely hold sports boards. The gas spring (element 140) is connected between the proximal stop (150) and distal stop (160), utilizing pneumatic pressure to automatically maintain secure clamping without complex mechanical linkages or multiple actuators, thereby achieving reliable board holding with reduced device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The gas spring mechanism is designed to automatically maintain clamping force without requiring continuous external control or adjustment. Once the board is placed between the stops, the gas spring self-regulates to maintain secure holding, eliminating the need for complex control systems, sensors, or multiple adjustment mechanisms
2Reliability
If current devices for securing sports boards are used, then the sports boards are held securely in place, but the devices are costly
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring (element 140) replaces complex mechanical clamping systems with a single pneumatic element that provides sufficient clamping force for securing sports boards. This substitution reduces the number of manufactured parts, simplifies assembly procedures, and lowers overall device cost while maintaining reliable board holding capability
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping device with gas spring is designed to accommodate multiple types of sports boards (wakeboards, wakesurf boards) with varying sizes and orientations using the same basic mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized devices, thereby lowering overall manufacturing costs while maintaining secure holding for different board types
3Area of stationary object
If sports boards are stored on a boat tower, then space on the boat floor is freed, but the boards may become dislodged during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring (element 140) is pre-loaded to exert continuous clamping force between the proximal stop (150) and distal stop (160) before any movement or disturbance occurs. This preliminary clamping action ensures that when boards are placed on the tower, they are immediately and securely held in position, preventing dislodgement during boat movement while maintaining compact storage space
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple clamping assemblies are used to accommodate different board sizes, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distal stop (160) is designed to be movable along the gas spring's axis, allowing it to adjust its position dynamically based on the length and orientation of the sports board being clamped. This dynamic adjustment capability enables a single clamping assembly configuration to accommodate multiple board sizes and orientations, providing versatility without requiring multiple separate clamping assemblies
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 cost-effective and secure method for storing and transporting sports boards by using a gas spring mechanism that biases towards an extended position for secure clamping and retracts for easy release, accommodating various board sizes and orientations without occupying excessive space.
Implementation Method 1
The gas spring is biased toward the extended position and urgable toward the retracted state
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations include a clamping storage device. The device includes a clamping assembly having a proximal stop, a gas spring, and a distal stop. The proximal stop extends along a proximal stop longitudinal axis. The gas spring has a gas spring longitudinal axis, first end, and a second end. The first end of the gas spring is coupled to the proximal stop. The distal stop is coupled to the second end of the gas spring and extends along a distal stop longitudinal axis. The proximal stop longitudinal axis and the distal stop longitudinal axis are both locatable in an assembly plane that incudes the gas spring longitudinal axis. The gas spring is biased toward an extended position and urgable toward a retracted state. The gas spring is movable toward the extended position in an unlocked state and is prevented from being moved toward the extended position in a locked state.