Modular Support Pole With Removable Inserts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support assemblies for outdoor umbrellas are limited in their ability to be used in both indoor and outdoor environments, lack versatility in decorative features, and often suffer from material durability issues such as wood deterioration, making them costly and labor-intensive to produce and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly with a modular design featuring an elongated body made from strong materials like extruded aluminum, equipped with removable and replaceable inserts that provide decorative options, allowing for easy aesthetic changes and enhanced durability, while maintaining structural integrity across various environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If wood is used as support pole material for aesthetic appeal, then decorative features are improved, but durability and structural integrity deteriorate due to weather exposure and deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The support pole is divided into two functional segments: an inner core structure made of durable material (aluminum, steel, or composite) and an outer decorative covering made of wood or wood-like material. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its primary function - the core provides structural integrity and weather resistance, while the covering provides aesthetic appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
The support pole employs a composite construction combining materials with different properties - a durable metal or composite core with a wood or wood-like decorative outer layer. This composite structure integrates the strength and weather resistance of industrial materials with the aesthetic qualities of natural materials, resolving the contradiction between appearance and durability.
2Shape
If real wood is used for support pole, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but manufacturing cost and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support pole into a factory-manufactured core and a separate decorative covering, the invention enables mass production of the structural component while allowing customization of the aesthetic element. This reduces manufacturing complexity and labor requirements compared to working with solid wood.
Solution Approach 2:
The decorative wood covering can be replaced when deteriorated or when aesthetic updates are desired, without replacing the entire support pole. This modular approach reduces long-term manufacturing costs and labor requirements compared to using solid wood throughout.
3Adaptability or versatility
If removable inserts are added to support pole, then decorative versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support pole incorporates removable and replaceable inserts that allow the decorative characteristics to be dynamically changed based on user preference or seasonal requirements. These inserts can be easily attached and detached from the core structure, providing versatility without permanent structural modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The core support structure is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different decorative inserts. This multi-functional design allows the same structural base to support various aesthetic configurations, reducing overall system complexity while maximizing decorative versatility.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~3A
AI summary
The present invention is primarily directed to improvements of a support assembly having a versatile structure capable of use with a variety of different products, devices, etc. intended for outdoor and/or indoor use such as, but not limited to, furniture, and/or umbrella or shade structures. The support assembly includes a body, preferably having an elongated configuration and a plurality of connector structures fixedly connected in outwardly extending, collectively surrounding relation thereto. The plurality of connector structures movably and removably interconnect one or more inserts in overlying relation to an outer surface of the body and along a length thereof. When the body is structured to define a support pole for an umbrella assembly, the plurality of connectors extend outwardly from the one or more inserts in movable engagement with a canopy activating hub, thereby maintaining a spacing between the hub and the inserts, concurrent to travel of the hub along the length of the body.