Collapsible Gazebo Frame Single Activation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current collapsible gazebo structures require numerous manual steps to open or close, making them cumbersome and inefficient, as users must individually extend and lock each telescopic section and support, and the structure does not easily reduce in size for storage.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible gazebo frame design featuring a single activation feature that allows for the simultaneous opening, closing, locking, and unlocking of the structure, utilizing a mechanism with telescopic legs connected by side and central scissor supports, where the telescopic legs extend or retract based on the movement of a sliding bracket activated by a lever, eliminating the need for individual locking mechanisms on the legs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each telescopic section and support is individually extended and locked manually, then the gazebo structure achieves stable support, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual locking mechanisms into a single centralized locking system. The activation feature simultaneously locks and unlocks all telescopic sections and support braces through one user action, eliminating the need for multiple separate manual operations while maintaining secure structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The single activation feature serves multiple functions: it simultaneously controls the locking and unlocking of all telescopic legs, side support braces, and central support braces. This multi-functional mechanism replaces numerous individual locking mechanisms, reducing operational steps while ensuring comprehensive structural stability.
2Reliability
If multiple manual steps are required to open and close each component, then secure locking is achieved, but the time and effort required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic legs and support braces are pre-configured with alignment features and guide mechanisms that ensure proper positioning before locking. When the single activation feature is engaged, all components are already in their correct positions, allowing simultaneous secure locking without requiring sequential manual adjustment of each part.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the locking actions for all structural components into a single simultaneous operation. The activation feature engages all locking mechanisms at once, reducing the time required from multiple sequential steps to a single action, while maintaining reliable security through the combined locking system.
3Reliability
If the gazebo structure is designed with multiple individual locking mechanisms, then each component can be securely locked, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates numerous individual locking mechanisms into a single integrated activation feature. This centralized system controls all telescopic legs and support braces through one mechanism, dramatically reducing device complexity while maintaining secure locking of all components through the unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation feature is designed as a universal mechanism that performs the locking and unlocking function for all structural components simultaneously. This single multi-functional device replaces multiple specialized locking mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while ensuring comprehensive security through its universal application.
4Reliability
If telescopic legs have individual locking mechanisms, then extended position security is maintained, but the structure does not easily reduce in size for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines all locking and unlocking actions into a single activation feature that simultaneously controls all telescopic legs. This unified mechanism allows the entire structure to be rapidly collapsed and secured in a compact storage configuration, reducing the volume occupied during storage while maintaining stability when extended through the combined locking system.
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible canopy frame includes a plurality of side and central supports and a plurality of telescopic legs. A single activation feature provides for the extension and retraction, and the locking and unlocking of the canopy frame. A fixed bracket and a sliding bracket located at the upper end of each telescopic leg provide the connection of the telescopic legs to the side and central supports and to each other. The single activation feature includes an upper and a lower hub and when they joined together facilitate the extension and locking of canopy frame; as the lower hub is disengaged from the upper hub, the gazebo frame becomes unlocked and capable of being retracted. Each telescopic leg includes a plurality of telescopic sections that extend and retract through a cable system or a tape-driven system connected to the sliding bracket and which links the telescopic sections to each other.