Interlocking Support Base for Temporary Signs and Barriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supports for road signs, temporary barriers, and fences are complex and require additional coupling elements for aggregation, making them cumbersome and inefficient for stable and easy installation of signs and barriers of varying weights, sizes, and directions.
Innovation Solution
A support with a cuboid or truncated pyramid shape featuring internal and external hills and recesses allows for stacking and interlocking of identical supports, enabling parallel or intersecting longitudinal axes, and includes sleeves and projections for secure mounting of posts, with optional stabilization sets and reflective elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If existing supports use complex multi-element structures with locking means and coupling sets, then the stability and strength of the support is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coupling function directly into the support body by creating complementary geometric features (protrusions and recesses) that are integral parts of the support structure itself, eliminating the need for separate coupling elements and locking mechanisms while maintaining structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure incorporates universal geometric coupling features that enable multiple functions: the same protrusion-recess configuration provides both structural coupling between supports and alignment functionality, allowing the support to serve as both a load-bearing element and a coupling element
2Reliability
If existing supports require additional coupling elements and locking means for aggregation, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the ease of operation and installation speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling function is merged into the support body through integral geometric features, eliminating separate coupling elements and locking mechanisms, which simplifies installation while maintaining connection reliability through the interlocking protrusion-recess geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure features self-aligning and self-locking geometric properties where the protrusions and recesses automatically guide and secure adjacent supports during installation without requiring additional locking operations or complex assembly procedures
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing bases are divided into multiple separate parts with locking means, then the adaptability and versatility of the support is improved, but the device complexity and quantity of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support incorporates universal geometric coupling features that enable multiple aggregation configurations and orientations, providing adaptability and versatility while maintaining a simple single-piece structure that reduces the total number of components required
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling functionality is segmented into distinct geometric features (protrusions and recesses) within the single support body, allowing for flexible aggregation patterns without requiring the support itself to be divided into multiple separate parts
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
In a support (1) for signs, temporary barriers and temporary fences comprising a body (10) in the shape of a solid fitting into a cuboid or a truncated pyramid with a rectangular base and having at least one opening (21) for mounting a post for temporary signs and/or temporary barrier and/or temporary fence elements, the body (10) comprises an imaginary separated upper part (11) comprising at least two hills, an internal hill (41) and an external hill (42), and at least two recesses, an internal recess (31) and an external recess (32), arranged alternately along a longitudinal axis (7) of the body (10), wherein the external recess (32) and the external hill (42) are positioned at short opposite sides (17) of the body (10), and the internal hill (41) is positioned between the internal recess (31) and the external recess (32), and the internal recess (31) is positioned between the internal hill (41) and the external hill (42), and lower part (12), a cross-section of which is a mirror image of a cross-section of the internal recess (31) relative to a base of the internal recess (31), which is trapezoidal in shape and has dimensions corresponding to an outline of a longitudinal section of the internal hill (41) after rotation in relation to its horizontal base, which has an external outline in the longitudinal section such that the outline of the internal hill (41) after rotation in relation to its horizontal base corresponds to the outline of the internal recess (31).