Mobile Stand Locking Mechanism for Stable Heavy Object Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile stands for heavy objects, such as umbrellas, are either too heavy and cumbersome to maneuver or lack sufficient stability and safety features, particularly when used on uneven surfaces or in windy conditions.

Innovation Solution

A mobile stand with a roller carrier and a locking device featuring pairs of elongated locking elements that pivot in opposite directions, secured by a tensile connection with spring-loaded elements, allowing secure positioning without lifting the weight, and ensuring stability on uneven surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the base is made heavy (up to 150 kg) to provide stable footing, then stability is improved, but high torques are generated on the lifting device when the roller support is raised, creating safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidhigh torques on lifting device
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a force-assisting device in the form of a tension spring that acts as a counterweight mechanism. This tension spring is connected to the actuating rod and provides a counteracting force that reduces the torque load on the lifting device when raising or lowering the base, thereby maintaining stability while mitigating the harmful high torque effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The tension spring serves as an intermediary element between the heavy base and the actuating mechanism. It mediates the force transmission by storing and releasing elastic energy, smoothing out the torque peaks that occur during base position changes, and protecting the lifting device from excessive loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a force-assisting device like a tension spring is added to counteract torques, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tension spring is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the position of the actuating rod. It provides force assistance only when needed (during base position changes) and becomes inactive during normal operation, allowing the system to be simple during steady states while providing enhanced safety during transitions without requiring complex control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If locking elements are spring-loaded to maintain contact with the surface, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidlocking device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded locking elements automatically maintain contact with the ground surface through elastic force without requiring active control. The springs are pre-loaded to ensure constant contact pressure, and the elements self-adjust to surface irregularities, providing reliable locking while keeping the mechanism simple and maintenance-free

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 stand provides easy and safe operation, maintaining stability on various surfaces and preventing rotation, even under gusty conditions, without requiring significant manual effort to switch between stationary and mobile positions.

Implementation Method 1

a force-assisting device, embodied, for example, in the form of a tension spring. Such a tension spring at least partially counteracts the pivoting movement of the actuating rod, or more precisely, the torque acting on the actuating rod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the locking elements of the or each pair can be pivoted in opposite directions from the rest position into the locking position by actuating the actuating device, and in the locking position are aligned obliquely and in opposite directions in contact with the ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitational force: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4450369B1Mobile stand for an object to be held
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 NERTES GMBH MOBILE STAND TECH
  • EP4450369B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP4450369B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3
  • EP4450369B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a mobile stand (2) for a held object, comprising a roller carrier (4) with at least three rollers (6) which are provided to roll on a surface (8) so that the stand (2) is mobile, a receptacle (10) via which the held object can be coupled to the mobile stand (2), a locking device (12) with which the roller carrier (4) can be locked in a fixed position relative to the surface (8), wherein the locking device (12) is connected to an actuating device (14) with which the locking device (12) can be moved reversibly between a rest position without contact with the surface and a locking position with contact with the surface.The locking device (12) of the mobile stand (2) has one or more pairs of longitudinally extended locking elements (16) and the locking elements (16) of the or each pair can be pivoted in opposite directions from the rest position to the locking position by actuating the actuating device (14) and in the locking position are inclined and in opposite directions in contact with the substrate.