Mute Holder Quick-Release Locking Mechanism for Music Stands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mute holders on music stands are either inefficiently secured with clamps, prone to falling, or require cumbersome screw adjustments for detachment, lacking a simple and efficient quick-release mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A mute holder with a half-circular locking ring and U-shaped reinforced members, allowing for a one-step release mechanism where the locking screw biases against the music stand, enabling easy attachment and detachment without screw adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If clamps are used to hold the mute supporting plate on the music stand, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of mounting deteriorates as the mute holder easily falls down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening functions into a single integrated locking mechanism that uses both a clamp component and a screw component working together. The locking ring engages with the music stand through a clamp-like action while the screw provides additional securing force, creating a unified system that achieves both simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: a locking ring for initial engagement, a screw for securing, and a quick-release component for detachment. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system reliability without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If screws are used to lock the mute supporting plate on the music stand, then the reliability of mounting is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome screw adjustments required for detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static screw-only system to a dynamic system where the locking ring can rotate and the screw can be quickly adjusted. The quick-release component enables the user to detach the mute holder by simply rotating the locking ring, eliminating the need for cumbersome screw adjustments while maintaining secure mounting during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking ring serves as an intermediary component between the screw and the music stand. It translates the securing action of the screw into a rotatable locking mechanism that can be easily released by simply rotating the ring, thus mediating between the need for secure mounting and easy detachment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional screw locking mechanism is used, then the stability of mounting is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming screw adjustments for each attachment and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The locking ring is pre-configured to engage with the music stand in a specific orientation, and the quick-release component is pre-positioned to allow immediate detachment by rotating the ring. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for time-consuming screw adjustments, enabling rapid attachment and detachment while maintaining stable mounting during performance.
4Ease of manufacture
If clamps are used to mount the mute holder, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as the clamp mounting point is prone to malfunction after frequent use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the simplicity of clamp manufacturing with the durability of screw mounting by creating an integrated locking mechanism. The clamp-like locking ring provides easy manufacturing similar to traditional clamps, while the added screw component enhances durability and resistance to malfunction from frequent use.
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
The mute holder provides stable mounting and easy detachment with a single operation, addressing the inefficiencies of clamps and screw adjustments in traditional designs.
Implementation Method 1
a locking screw passing through the half-circular locking ring and to be biased against the music stand for locking thereon
Implementation Method 2
an opposite free end pivotably rotated with respect to the flat bottom edge of the mute supporting plate to lock the free end thereon and to release from the mute supporting plate
Data Source
AI summary
A mute holder for a music stand includes a mute supporting plate having a plurality of mute supporting through holes for holding mutes, a non-continuous flat bottom edge, and a curved front edge forwardly extended from the flat bottom edge; a locking mechanism having a half-circular locking ring having one end attached on the flat bottom edge of the mute supporting plate and an opposite free end pivotably rotated with respect to the flat bottom edge of the mute supporting plate to lock the free end thereon and to release from the passes supporting plate; wherein the locking mechanism further includes a locking screw passing through the half-circular locking ring and to be biased against the music stand for locking thereon.