Photo Frame Support Element with Foldable Base for Easy Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional photo frames are prone to damage, complex to install, not easily customizable, and occupy unnecessary space, with images on physical media deteriorating over time due to environmental exposure.

Innovation Solution

A decorative frame with bendable or foldable base components that can be easily assembled and customized by the user, featuring a plate made of durable materials like glass or plastic, and a metal base with adjustable side fins for reduced dimensions and enhanced durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If photo frames are made with multiple rigid components (frame, support element, holding elements), then structural strength and stability are improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single base element that integrates support, attachment, and positioning functions. The base includes integrated holding elements and attachment means, eliminating the need for separate rigid components and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base is designed with foldable portions that can be segmented during installation to achieve the desired configuration. This allows the base to be transported in a compact state and then assembled into a stable structure, reducing device complexity during transport while maintaining strength during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If photo frames use glass or ceramic materials for plates and frames, then aesthetic appearance and durability are improved, but susceptibility to breakage from falls or knocks increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidsusceptibility to breakage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates protective elements in the base structure that can absorb or distribute impact forces before they reach the glass or ceramic plate. The design includes features that prevent direct transmission of shock to fragile components, reducing breakage risk while maintaining the aesthetic and durable properties of glass/ceramic materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Stability of the object's composition

If photo frames have multiple separate components for holding and support, then structural stability is improved, but ease of installation and customization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The base integrates multiple functions including support, image holding, and attachment capabilities into a single component. This reduces the number of separate parts that need to be assembled while maintaining structural stability, thereby improving ease of installation and enabling user customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Manufacturing precision

If photo frames are designed with fixed rigid structures, then manufacturing precision and structural integrity are improved, but adaptability and customization capability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoidcustomization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The base includes foldable portions that can be adjusted to different configurations, allowing the same manufactured component to adapt to various user needs and preferences. This dynamic capability enables customization while maintaining manufacturing precision in the base structure itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3909476B1Support element for holding images or photographs
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 MARTINI ROBERTO
  • EP3909476B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3909476B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3909476B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A support element for holding images or photographs, comprising a plate (1), made of glass or plastic material and formed by one or more layers, on which an image or photograph is shown or inserted, and a shaped base (2), fixed to the plate (1) at given positions by means of fixing means (3) which are inserted in respective seats (5, 6, 8) of the base (2) and of the plate (1); at least one portion (4, 7) of the base (2) is foldable and has seats (5, 8) for fixing with the plate (1), so that, by rotating and lifting the aforesaid portion (4, 7) of the base (2), a bend along a transversal direction of the portion (4, 7) of the base (2) is provided, so as to obtain a shape of said support element according to which, in use, the base (2) rests on a plane and the plate (1) is manually adjustable so as to be perpendicular or sloped at will with respect to the base (2).