Interleaved Anchor Bracket for Hole-Free Deck Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fastening methods for anchoring objects to spaced-apart boards, such as deck or fence surfaces, often result in damage to the surface due to the need for holes or marks, and lack a method for secure, hole-free anchoring.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece anchor bracket with a planar first leg, a parallel and offset second leg, and a medial shank, allowing for insertion between boards and pivoting to a mounted position without damaging the surface, combined with a hook or elastic bungee-type cord for secure anchoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional fastening methods are used to anchor objects to spaced-apart boards, then anchoring strength is improved, but surface damage occurs due to holes or marks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring strengthVSAvoidsurface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor bracket is divided into multiple functional segments: a first leg for insertion between boards, a second leg for abutting against boards, a medial shank for positioning, and a means for anchoring objects. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function without requiring holes or damage to the board surface, thereby maintaining anchoring strength while preventing surface damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If holes are formed in the deck surface to mount fasteners, then secure anchoring is achieved, but the deck surface is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure anchoringVSAvoiddeck surface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor bracket acts as an intermediary device that spans the space between spaced-apart boards without requiring holes in the boards themselves. The bracket's first leg inserts between the boards, the medial shank positions itself between the boards, and the second leg abuts against the boards, creating a secure anchoring point that preserves the integrity of the deck surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If a one-piece anchor bracket design is used, then manufacturing ease is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional elements (first leg, second leg, medial shank, and anchoring means) are merged into a single integrated one-piece anchor bracket structure. This consolidation simplifies manufacturing processes compared to assembling multiple separate components, while the clever geometric design of the integrated structure maintains functional simplicity and avoids excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8713889B2Anchor bracket and method of mounting anchor bracket

Publication Date: 2014.05.06 BUTTNER RONALD

AI summary

An anchor bracket releasably securable between two spaced-apart, generally planar boards, having a pair of first and second legs disposed parallel and offset relative to one another, a medial shank disposed between and generally perpendicular to and joining the pair of legs and means for releasably anchoring an object attached to the second leg. A method of mounting the anchor bracket includes the steps of moving the anchor bracket between an insertion/withdrawal position and a mounted anchoring position between a pair of spaced-apart boards.