Pivoting License Plate Frame Emblem for Fastener Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastener covers for license plate frames are aesthetically unpleasing, difficult to access, and prone to loss or damage, as they either obscure the frame's design or are easily removable, limiting artistic expression and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting fastener cover with an emblem that can be moved between two positions, one for concealing the fastener and another for accessing it, using a pivoting mechanism with a compressible spring and detents to securely attach the cover to the frame without tools, ensuring it remains attached and prevents loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fastener cover is placed over a fastener to conceal it, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but access to the fastener becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener cover is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot between a concealed position (aesthetic) and an access position (functional). The cover can be rotated about the fastener shaft to expose the fastener head when needed, while returning to cover it during normal display.
2Ease of operation
If a fastener cover is made easily removable to access the fastener, then access to the fastener is improved, but the cover is easily lost
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener cover is divided into functionally independent parts: the cover body and the fastener shaft are separable, allowing the cover to remain on the frame while the fastener is accessed independently. This prevents loss of the cover while enabling fastener access.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener shaft acts as an intermediary element that connects the cover to the mounting system. The cover can pivot on the shaft and be removed without tools, but the shaft remains embedded in the frame, preventing complete loss of the cover assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If the fastener cover area is used for artistic expression, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but the space for fastener access is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener cover pivots on the fastener shaft, creating a dynamic element that can rotate to expose the fastener head. This allows the cover area to serve dual purposes: aesthetic display when closed and access pathway when opened, maximizing both artistic expression and functional access.
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 pivoting fastener cover allows easy access to fasteners while maintaining aesthetic appeal, minimizing the risk of loss and damage, and enhances artistic expression by utilizing the fastener area for decorative elements, providing approximately 17% more space for design on license plate frames.
Implementation Method 1
a pivoting mechanism with a compressible spring and detents
Implementation Method 2
a pivoting mechanism with a compressible spring and detents to securely attach the cover to the frame
Data Source
AI summary
A specialized fastener cover is suitable for concealing a fastener used to attach one object to another. The fastener cover includes a decorative emblem and a method of pivoting the emblem between two positions. In one position, the decorative emblem conceals the fastener. When the emblem is pivoted to the second position, the fastener can be accessed so that it can be inserted in fastener receptacles in the objects to attach the objects to one another or removed from the fastener receptacles to separate the two objects. The fastener cover can be incorporated into an attachable object, such as a license plate frame to be attached to a vehicle.