Method of making support bracket

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional consumer product display fixtures lack flexibility to accommodate non-standard-sized products, requiring expensive and time-consuming retrofitting and resulting in wasted display space and reduced sales due to limited shelving options.

Innovation Solution

A modular mounting system with adjustable crossbars and vertical uprights, featuring engaging structures like teeth and J-shaped hooks, allows for customizable shelving configurations to fit various product display sizes, enabling easy installation and maximizing display space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fixed shelving fixtures are used, then manufacturing and installation are simple, but flexibility to accommodate non-standard-sized products is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility to accommodate variable-sized shelves and non-standard-sized productsVSAvoidcomplexity of providing adjustable shelving locations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture is divided into modular components including vertical columns with multiple mounting locations, adjustable shelves that can be positioned at different heights, and interchangeable display elements. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each component to accommodate various product sizes without redesigning the entire fixture system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixture incorporates dynamically adjustable elements such as shelves that can be repositioned vertically along the columns, adjustable mounting brackets, and reconfigurable display modules. These dynamic features enable the fixture to adapt to different product dimensions and display requirements without requiring permanent modification or retrofitting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If conventional fixed shelving is used, then device complexity is low, but display space utilization is poor leading to wasted space and reduced sales

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay space utilizationVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustable mounting system

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture design incorporates universal mounting interfaces and standardized connection points that can accommodate multiple types of shelves and display configurations. The same basic fixture structure can serve different product categories and size requirements through reconfiguration, maximizing display space utilization across various retail scenarios without requiring multiple specialized fixtures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11160395B2Method of making support bracket

Publication Date: 2021.11.02 ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC

AI summary

The method includes providing a major body with a first surface and a second surface, the first surface opposing the second surface, the major body being triangular in shape, the major body having a first edge, a second edge and a third edge, connecting a horizontal shaft across the first edge of the major body, the horizontal shaft including at least a first upper surface, the first upper surface extending substantially horizontally away from the first surface of the major body, and forming an engaging structure along the second edge of the major body, the engaging structure extending from the major body, the third edge extending between a first distal end of the horizontal shaft and a second distal end of the engaging structure.