Hidden-Thread Adjustable Standoff With Internal Telescope Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional glass railing standoffs lack both aesthetic appeal and safety features, as they either expose threads for locking mechanisms or lack locking mechanisms altogether, leading to misadjustment and safety issues during installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable standoff with an internally threaded retainer and an externally threaded lock mechanism that secures the telescope in place, preventing unscrewing and providing a hidden thread design for aesthetic appeal and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to the adjustable standoff, then the security and reliability of the telescope position is improved, but the device complexity increases and exposed threads appear which worsen the aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is nested within the telescope assembly, with the lock member positioned inside the telescope and the locking groove formed within the telescope's internal structure. This nesting approach allows the locking function to be integrated without adding external components that would expose threads or increase overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: a lock member with a head that can be accessed through the central socket, and a locking groove formed in the telescope. This segmentation allows the locking function to be implemented independently within the existing telescope structure without requiring a complete redesign of the entire standoff assembly.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent telescope movement, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and aesthetic appearance worsen due to exposed threads
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism components are nested within the telescope's internal structure. The lock member is positioned inside the telescope, and the locking groove is formed within the telescope's internal geometry. This nesting ensures that no external threads or locking components are visible, maintaining the clean aesthetic appearance of the standoff while providing reliable locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted from the external threading system and implemented as an internal mechanism. Instead of relying on external threads that would be visible and affect appearance, the locking action is achieved through an internal groove and lock member arrangement that operates independently of the external aesthetic surfaces.
3Ease of operation
If the telescope is made adjustable without a locking mechanism, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as the telescope may move or fall when the cap is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the existing cap tightening action. When the cap is tightened, it automatically engages the locking groove and secures the lock member in place, locking the telescope at the desired position without requiring separate locking operations. This self-service approach maintains ease of operation while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking groove is pre-formed in the telescope during manufacturing, and the lock member is positioned within the telescope before final assembly. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the cap is tightened, the locking mechanism is already in position to engage immediately, providing reliable security without adding operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is an adjustable connector with hidden threads for securing and adjusting a glass panel to a structure. The connector has an internally threaded retainer mounted on a fastener which is secured by a fastener and receives an externally threaded telescope. A nut shape lock installed inside the telescope to lock the telescope. By turning the lock, it moves towards the fastener and locks the telescope by pushing the fastener. The lock is a security feature to hold the adjustable standoff in adjusted position and prevents unscrewing the telescope once the cap is uninstalled. The telescope and retainer are threaded internally which are not exposed.