Hinged Annular Clamp for Stable Multi-Angle Post Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing playground assembly clamps are difficult to install, require orientation, and lack the strength to securely support heavy accessories without movement, especially when connecting horizontal members at various angular positions.
Innovation Solution
A clamp comprising two hingedly connected annular ring halves with upper and lower channels and a resilient engagement strip, allowing easy installation and secure attachment to vertical posts, supporting horizontal members in different angular positions through adaptable support adaptors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional clamps are used to connect horizontal members to vertical posts, then the connection can be achieved, but the installation becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into two separate halves that can be independently positioned on the vertical post. Each half can be separately installed and then joined together, allowing the installer to work with smaller, more manageable components rather than attempting to install a complete circumferential clamp at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp halves are designed with movable positioning capabilities, allowing them to be adjusted to different angular positions on the post. The resilient engagement mechanism provides dynamic adjustment during installation, enabling the clamp to adapt to various horizontal member orientations without requiring precise pre-positioning.
2Strength
If the clamp is designed to support heavy accessories, then the strength increases, but the clamp requires orientation and becomes more complex to install
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed with universal adaptability to support horizontal members at multiple angular positions around the vertical post. The same basic clamp structure can accommodate different orientations and configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized clamp types while maintaining full support strength for heavy accessories.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp halves incorporate asymmetric engagement surfaces and positioning features that naturally guide proper orientation during installation. The resilient button engages with an asymmetric slot or groove pattern that provides tactile feedback and mechanical guidance, ensuring correct positioning without requiring complex alignment procedures or specialized tools.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the clamp allows horizontal members at various angular positions, then the versatility improves, but the stability and resistance to movement decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient engagement button is pre-positioned within the clamp half and automatically engages with the horizontal member as it is inserted. This preliminary engagement action secures the member in place before final tightening, preventing lateral movement and ensuring stability from the outset regardless of the angular position selected.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp utilizes resilient materials that change their mechanical properties under load. The engagement button deforms elastically during installation to accommodate the horizontal member, then maintains constant contact pressure to prevent movement. This parameter change allows the same mechanism to provide both versatile positioning and stable, movement-resistant connection across all angular positions.
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 clamp provides easy installation, secure support for heavy playground accessories in various angular positions, preventing lateral movement and ensuring stability with minimal orientation requirements.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient engagement strip or button on the adaptor is placed into contact with the lower annular channel in this position and frictionally engages the lower annular channel to prevent lateral movement of the adaptor on the annular ring
Data Source
AI summary
The subject invention is a clamp that has two halves of an annular ring hingedly connected at one end and capable of being securely fastened to each other at the opposite end. The annular ring is sized to fit tightly around a vertical support post. An upper surface of the annular ring has an upper annular channel, while the lower surface of the annular ring has a lower annular channel. When the clamp is fixed to the vertical support post, a horizontal support adaptor may fit into both the upper and lower annular channels. A resilient engagement strip or button on the adaptor is placed into contact with the lower annular channel in this position and frictionally engages the lower annular channel to prevent lateral movement of the adaptor on the annular ring until such time as the adaptor may be securely attached to the annular ring.