Mobile Stand Locking Structure for Heavy Load Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile stands for heavy objects, such as umbrellas, are either too heavy and cumbersome to maneuver or lack sufficient stability and safety features, particularly when transitioning between stationary and mobile positions.

Innovation Solution

A mobile stand design featuring a roller carrier with locking elements that pivot in opposite directions, actuated by a mechanism with a preloaded spiral spring and lever system, ensuring secure locking and stability without requiring manual lifting of the stand's weight, even on uneven surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the base weight is increased to provide stable footing, then stability is improved, but the torque on the lifting device increases and operation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a force-assisting device in the form of a tension spring that acts as a counterweight mechanism. The tension spring is connected between the base and the roller support, generating an upward force that counteracts the gravitational force on the base. This reduces the net downward force that the lifting device must overcome, thereby reducing the torque required to raise or lower the base while maintaining the heavy weight for stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The tension spring serves as an intermediary element between the base and the roller support. Instead of the lifting device directly supporting the full weight of the base, the spring mediates by pre-loading and sharing the load. This intermediary mechanism reduces the peak forces and torques transmitted through the lifting device during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the base weight is increased to prevent accidental movement, then reliability is improved, but the force required to lift the base increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidforce
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The tension spring provides a counterweight effect by generating an upward elastic force that opposes the gravitational force on the heavy base. This force assistance allows the base to remain heavy for reliability and stability while reducing the applied force needed to move it between positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The tension spring enables the base to partially support itself through elastic recoil. When the base is lowered, the spring stores elastic energy; when raised, this stored energy assists in reducing the required input force. The system uses its own weight and the spring's elastic properties to reduce the external force requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If the locking elements are designed to prevent rotation and movement, then stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking elements are designed with asymmetric geometry featuring inclined surfaces rather than symmetric vertical surfaces. This asymmetric design allows the locking elements to engage with the ground at specific angles, creating mechanical interlocking that prevents both linear movement and rotation. The inclined geometry provides directional locking capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The locking elements are designed to be pivotable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adapt to the ground surface. This dynamic capability enables the locking elements to engage more effectively with uneven surfaces while maintaining structural simplicity. The pivotable design allows automatic adjustment to achieve optimal locking engagement without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design provides secure positioning and easy operation, preventing accidental movement or rotation, especially for heavy loads, while allowing flexibility on uneven terrain and reducing the risk of injury during use.

Implementation Method 1

the holding device is designed to counteract a movement of the actuating element from the first end position to the second end position and vice versa by a force effect to be overcome

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The axle pin is equipped with two sliding rollers that roll on two similarly designed rolling guides of the holding device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Roller

Implementation Method 3

the locking elements of the or each pair can be pivoted in opposite directions from the rest position into the locking position... in the locking position, are oriented obliquely and in opposite directions in contact with the ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4368871B1Mobile stand for an object to be held
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 NERTES GMBH MOBILE STAND TECH
  • EP4368871B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP4368871B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3
  • EP4368871B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a mobile stand (2) for a held object, comprising a roller carrier (4) with at least three rollers (6) which are provided to roll on a surface (8) so that the stand (2) is mobile, a receptacle (10) via which the held object can be coupled to the mobile stand (2), a locking device (12) with which the roller carrier (4) can be locked in a fixed position relative to the surface (8), wherein the locking device (12) is connected to an actuating device (14) with which the locking device (12) can be moved reversibly between a rest position without contact with the surface and a locking position with contact with the surface.The locking device (12) of the mobile stand (2) has at least one pair of longitudinally extended locking elements (16) and the locking elements (16) can be pivoted from the rest position to the locking position in opposite directions by actuating the actuating device (14) and in the locking position are inclined and oriented in opposite directions in contact with the substrate.