System for mounting, accessing, moving and folding away articles on, under or along a surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for mounting, accessing, and storing articles under or on downwardly facing surfaces are inflexible, require tools for installation and adjustment, and lack standardization, making them difficult to move, fold, and maintain, while also not utilizing space efficiently or providing adjustable height and orientation options.
Innovation Solution
A modular, standardized system using a tram-rail arrangement, lock-on carriage assembly, anchor-post, and multi-surface easel-stand that allows easy installation, adjustment, and movement of articles along surfaces, enabling flexible positioning, folding, and power delivery, with interchangeable parts for various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If articles are firmly and securely mounted under downwardly facing surfaces, then stability and reliability are improved, but ease of movement and repositioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from static to dynamic by enabling the carriage to move along the rail while maintaining secure attachment. The article can be positioned at different locations under the cabinet bottom and locked into place, providing both stability when mounted and flexibility when repositioning is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the mounting function into separate components: a fixed rail attached to the cabinet, a movable carriage that travels along the rail, and the article itself. This segmentation allows the article to be securely mounted via the carriage-rail connection while enabling easy movement by simply sliding the carriage along the rail.
2Ease of manufacture
If specialized mounting systems are designed for specific purposes, then functional performance is improved, but adaptability to different applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rail-carriage mounting system is designed as a universal platform that can support various types of articles (books, electronics, storage containers) at different positions under the cabinet. The standardized interface allows different articles to be mounted using the same basic mechanism, providing both specialized functionality for each article type and overall system versatility.
3Device complexity
If articles are mounted in fixed positions, then structural simplicity is improved, but ease of adjustment and repositioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a movable carriage that can be easily slid along the rail to reposition articles at different locations under the cabinet. This dynamic capability is achieved through a simple mechanical design that maintains structural simplicity while enabling easy adjustment and repositioning of mounted articles.
4Strength
If tools and partial dismantling are required for installation, then mounting strength is improved, but ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rail is pre-attached to the cabinet bottom using standard mounting methods, creating a prepared infrastructure that simplifies subsequent article installation. The carriage is designed with pre-integrated attachment mechanisms that allow articles to be mounted by simply engaging with the pre-installed rail, eliminating the need for tools and partial dismantling during article installation.
Data Source
AI summary
It is the objective of the present invention to create additional functional, flexible and accessible work and storage area in the home, office, workshop, automobile, medical and industrial environments by providing means to firmly and securely mount, store and access articles such as appliances (e.g., flat panel video displays/monitors, can openers, weighing scales) and organizing/storage vessels (e.g., spice racks, first aid kits, sewing boxes, knife blocks, tool kits) on downwardly facing surfaces, such as the underside of cabinets and shelves, and on vertical surfaces (such as cabinet doors and frames) and by enhancing access to those articles on horizontal surfaces such as countertops. The invention performs its functions using a small number of readily manufacturable, modular, standardized components. The invention also performs its functions maximizing adjustability, reliability, use of available space and ease and flexibility of installation.