Mounting assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mounting assemblies for accessories on vertical structures, such as walls, often lack security against rotation and may compromise aesthetics due to exposed fasteners and complex machined parts.

Innovation Solution

A mounting assembly featuring a mounting bracket with complementary male-and-female mating formations, including mortise and tenon joints, and a hollow member that securely fastens to the bracket, concealing fasteners and preventing rotation, while using a cap and set screws for additional stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional mounting brackets use exposed fasteners to secure accessories to walls, then the mounting is simple and direct, but the exposed fasteners are unsightly and compromise aesthetics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting simplicityVSAvoidaesthetic quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the fastener elements from visible view by enclosing them within a hollow member that is mounted over the bracket. The fasteners remain functional for securing the bracket to the wall but are hidden from external view, thus resolving the contradiction between mounting simplicity and aesthetic quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where the hollow member is mounted over the bracket, creating a nested arrangement. The hollow member contains and conceals the fasteners while the bracket remains nested within it, achieving both secure mounting and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If a single grub screw is used to secure the hollow member to the bracket, then the assembly is simple, but the mounting is not secure against rotation when substantial twisting force is applied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of fastening elementsVSAvoidsecurity against rotation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces asymmetric features in the form of a keyway and corresponding key. The keyway is an asymmetric recess in the bracket that receives an asymmetric key protruding from the hollow member. This asymmetric pairing prevents rotation by providing a mechanical interlock that is simple in form but effective in function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The key and keyway act as intermediary elements between the hollow member and the bracket. Rather than directly fastening the hollow member to the bracket with multiple screws, the key and keyway serve as mediating features that prevent rotation while maintaining assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple grub screws are used to lock the cover or accessory in position and prevent rotation, then security against rotation is improved, but the positioning of multiple screws may compromise the aesthetic quality of the mounting assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity against rotationVSAvoidaesthetic quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the anti-rotation function from the visible exterior by using a key and keyway system that is concealed within the nested structure. The keyway is hidden within the hollow member, so the anti-rotation mechanism does not compromise aesthetic quality while still providing reliable security against rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If many machined parts and welded components are used to produce a secure and aesthetically pleasing mounting assembly, then security and appearance are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidnumber of machined and welded parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into fewer components. The hollow member simultaneously serves as a decorative cover, a mounting element, and a structural component that provides anti-rotation features. The bracket integrates the mounting holes and keyway, combining multiple functions that would traditionally require separate parts, thus reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining security and aesthetics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11717117B2Mounting assembly

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 STYLE IN STAINLESS CC T A STEELCRAFT

AI summary

A mounting assembly (101, 201, 301, 401) for mounting an accessory (102, 202, 302, 402) is provided. The mounting assembly (101, 201, 301, 401) includes a mounting bracket (103, 203, 303, 403) with an aperture arranged to receive a fastener for fastening the mounting bracket (103, 203, 303, 403) to a surface. A supporting structure is provided between the mounting bracket (103, 203, 303, 403) and the accessory (102, 202, 302, 402) with an elongate hollow member (107, 207, 307, 407) substantially surrounding the supporting structure. The elongate hollow member (107, 207, 307, 407) is releasably secured to the mounting bracket (103, 203, 303, 403) with the mounting bracket (103, 203, 303, 403) and the elongate hollow member (107, 207, 307, 407) having complementary male-and-female mating formations which are arranged to inhibit rotation of the elongate hollow member (107, 207, 307, 407) relative to the mounting bracket (103, 203, 303, 403).