Modular L-Shaped Support Base for Variable Pole Sizes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support bases for pole-like elements, such as garden umbrellas and Christmas trees, fail to accommodate varying sizes and often lack stability, making them difficult to transport and store due to their fixed assembly.

Innovation Solution

A modular kit of parts comprising a base element with radial channels or projections and L-shaped elements that can be easily assembled and disassembled, allowing for adjustable support and stability, accommodating any pole size while minimizing storage space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed assembled support base is used, then the structure is simple and strong, but it is difficult to transport and store, and cannot accommodate different pole sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different pole sizesVSAvoidassembly structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support base is divided into separate L-shaped elements that can be assembled around the pole rather than being a single fixed structure. This segmentation allows the base to be adapted to different pole diameters while maintaining structural integrity, and enables easy disassembly for compact storage and transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a fixed assembled support base is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but it is difficult to transport and store

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport and storage convenienceVSAvoidassembly simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The base is segmented into multiple L-shaped components that can be easily transported and stored separately, then quickly assembled around the pole when needed. This segmentation directly addresses the transport and storage convenience requirement while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized component design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If L-shaped elements are held loosely from the pole, then the base area is large for stability, but the support force against the pole is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupright stabilityVSAvoidsupport force against pole
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The L-shaped elements are positioned to extend along the pole body portion, concentrating the support force locally at the contact point between the upright part and the pole. This local contact provides sufficient support force while the extended foot parts distributed outwardly create a large base area for overall stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3247850B1A kit of parts for building a support base for a pole-like element
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 PLINTHIT APS
  • EP3247850B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3247850B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3247850B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a kit of parts (100) for building a support base (1) for a pole-like element (2), wherein the kit of parts (100) comprises at least three substantially L-shaped elements (3), each L-shaped element (3) being arranged with an upright part (3A) extending along a body portion (101) of the pole-like element (2) in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis (z) of the pole-like element (2) and with a foot part (3C) extending outwardly from a lowermost portion (102) of the pole-like element (2), wherein the kit of parts (100) further comprises a first holding means for holding a substantially right-angled part (3B) of each L-shaped element (3) in proximity of the lowermost portion (102) of the pole-like element (2).