Plant identification holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plant identification stakes are brittle, prone to breakage, and lack secure anchoring, leading to dislodgement and loss over time.
Innovation Solution
A plant identification holder with a metallic base portion and anchor system, featuring a sign-retention receptacle and elongated anchors for secure anchoring in the ground, designed to be more rigid and durable than traditional stakes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional plant identification stakes are made of thin flexible plastic, then they are easy to manufacture and insert, but they are brittle and prone to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The plant identification holder combines a rigid base portion (made of rigid material such as metal or hard plastic) with a flexible sign portion (made of flexible material such as vinyl or plastic sheet). This composite construction provides both the strength needed to prevent breakage and the flexibility needed for manufacturing and insertion, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and strength.
2Ease of operation
If conventional plant identification stakes are designed for temporary anchoring, then they are easy to insert, but they fail to provide secure anchoring for prolonged use
Solution Approach 1:
The plant identification holder is divided into distinct functional segments: a base portion for anchoring, a sign-retention receptacle for holding the identification sign, and an anchor portion for securing the holder in the ground. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function - the anchor portion provides reliable long-term anchoring while the overall structure remains simple to insert.
3Device complexity
If conventional plant identification stakes are made of brittle material, then they are simple in structure, but they are prematurely broken and degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from brittle plastic to a combination of rigid and flexible materials. The base portion uses rigid material (metal or hard plastic) to resist breakage and degradation, while the sign portion uses flexible material (vinyl or plastic sheet) that can withstand environmental conditions. This parameter change extends the duration of use while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Ease of operation
If conventional plant identification stakes lack secure anchoring, then they are simple to install, but they are easily dislodged and lost
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor portion is pre-attached to the base portion of the holder, creating a ready-to-install assembly. When installing, the user simply inserts the anchor portion into the ground alongside the base portion, securing the entire structure in one action. This preliminary attachment of the anchor resolves the contradiction by providing stable anchoring without complicating the installation process.
Data Source
AI summary
A plant identification holder that comprises a base portion that includes a sign-retention receptacle configured to selectively retain a plant identification sign. The plant identification holder also includes an anchor portion that includes at least one anchor coupled to and extending from the base portion.