Monolithic Building Material Display System with Pin-Connected Support

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Monolithic building materials, due to their density and rigidity, pose challenges in safe handling and display at points of purchase, especially with increasing sizes, which can be dangerous and difficult to mount securely without exceeding OSHA safety handling requirements.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a monolithic building material with a hole and a male/female support or handle, including a structural member with an I-shaped cross-section, front and back support members, and a handle, allowing secure attachment and display through a pin connection, with optional printed matter and metal sheath for additional strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If monolithic building materials are made larger to meet customer demand, then the display capability and selection options are improved, but the handling safety and mounting difficulty deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial sizeVSAvoidhandling safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is divided into separate components: a mounting board with pre-drilled holes, individual monolithic materials, and a connector system with pins and clips. This segmentation allows each component to be handled independently, reducing the safety risks associated with handling large, heavy materials as a single unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A mounting board serves as an intermediary structure between the display framework and the monolithic materials. The board provides a stable base with pre-positioned holes that align with the materials, enabling safe and precise mounting without requiring direct handling of the full-size materials during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If monolithic building materials are made larger, then the display capability is improved, but the mounting difficulty and OSHA compliance issues worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial sizeVSAvoidmounting ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Holes are pre-drilled in the mounting board at specific positions before the monolithic materials are installed. This preliminary preparation ensures proper alignment and spacing, making the subsequent mounting process simpler and more accurate, especially for large materials that would be difficult to position manually.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system uses separate components (mounting board, connectors, pins) that can be prepared and assembled independently. This segmentation allows the mounting board to be manufactured with precise hole patterns in advance, while the large monolithic materials can be handled and installed separately using the pre-prepared mounting structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If a hole is drilled in monolithic building material, then the handle and support can be connected securely, but the material integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidmaterial integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Holes are drilled at specific locations on the mounting board and monolithic materials where they will not compromise the structural integrity or aesthetic appearance. The holes are positioned in areas that are less critical for load-bearing or visual purposes, maintaining local quality while enabling secure connection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The hole pattern on the mounting board serves as a template or copy that guides the drilling of corresponding holes in the monolithic materials. This ensures proper alignment and positioning without requiring complex measurements or adjustments during assembly, maintaining precision while minimizing material waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Reliability

If a handle is added to the support system, then the handling safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling safetyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is integrated with the support structure as a unified component rather than a separate attachment. The handle and support form a single assembly that can be manufactured together, reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying the overall system while maintaining improved handling safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure with integrated handle serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the monolithic material, enables safe handling through the handle, and facilitates mounting to the display framework through the connector system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables safe and convenient handling and display of heavy materials, adhering to safety standards, while maintaining a clear view of the material and facilitating easy attachment to display structures.

Implementation Method 1

The hole may have been made with a water jet or laser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater jet: Jet Erosion

Implementation Method 2

The hole may have been made with a water jet or laser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS12602343B2Material display system and method
Publication Date: 2026.04.14 RYAN MICHAEL O
  • US12602343B2 patent drawing
  • US12602343B2 patent drawing
  • US12602343B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A display system having a monolithic building material having a hole therein, a structural support and a male/female connector connecting the structural support to the monolithic building material through the hole in the monolithic building material.