Multi-Line Suspension Bracket With Single-Fastener Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for suspending multiple lines, such as communication lines, often require multiple fasteners and attachments to structures that may not be owned by the line owners, leading to varying costs due to the number of brackets and attachments needed.
Innovation Solution
A bracket design that allows for the suspension of multiple line segments using a single fastener to penetrate a supporting surface, featuring a back portion with left and right segments, arms extending at acute angles, and multiple seats to accommodate line hanging appliances, minimizing the number of fastener penetrations and attachments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple brackets and fasteners are used to suspend multiple lines, then the line suspension capability is improved, but the cost and structural damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple line suspension functions into a single bracket structure. The bracket includes a back portion with multiple arms extending at different angles, each arm having seats that can accommodate multiple line hanging appliances. This merging of multiple suspension functions into one device reduces the total number of brackets and fasteners needed, directly addressing the contradiction between suspension capability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is designed as a universal support structure capable of suspending multiple lines simultaneously. The back portion engages against the supporting surface with a single fastener, while multiple arms extend to provide various seating positions for different line hanging appliances. This multi-functional design allows one bracket to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate brackets, reducing both complexity and cost
2Reliability
If multiple fasteners are used to attach brackets to structures, then the suspension stability is improved, but the cost and structural damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple attachment functions into a single fastener attachment point. The back portion of the bracket is designed to engage against the supporting surface and be secured by one fastener, while multiple arms extend from this single attachment point to provide stable support for multiple lines. This reduces the number of fastener penetrations from multiple to one, minimizing structural damage while maintaining suspension stability through the distributed arm structure
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket transitions from a two-dimensional attachment problem (multiple fasteners on a flat surface) to a three-dimensional solution. The arms extend at different angles and positions in space from the single back portion attachment point, distributing the suspension load across multiple spatial dimensions. This dimensional approach provides stable multi-line suspension while requiring only a single fastener penetration
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket for suspending multiple line segments at an elevated location is disclosed. The bracket has a back portion to engage against a supporting surface at the elevated location. The back portion has a left segment and a right segment. The bracket has at least one of a left arm extending from the left segment or a right arm extending from the right segment. The bracket has at least one of a first left seat extending from the left arm, a second left seat extending from the left arm, a first right seat extending from the right arm, or a second right seat extending from the right arm. At least one of the multiple line segments are supported by at least one of the first left seat, the second left seat, the first right seat, or the second right seat.