Pliable Suction Cup with Integral Recess for Flush Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions fail to provide a reliable and easy method for attaching pliable materials, such as toys, to bathtub surfaces and walls without leaving a visible mount or requiring complex installation processes.
Innovation Solution
A pliable material body with integrally formed concave openings that allows suction attachment to surfaces by depressing the material over the openings, utilizing materials like rubber, silicone, or polyurethane, and designed to represent toys or other shapes, facilitating secure and removable attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pliable materials are attached to bathtub surfaces using conventional methods, then attachment is achieved, but visible mounts or complex installation processes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible suction cup made of pliable material (rubber, silicone, or polyurethane) that can be directly attached to bathtub surfaces without rigid mounting structures. The flexible nature of the material allows it to conform to curved surfaces and create effective suction seals, eliminating the need for complex installation hardware while maintaining reliable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs suction (negative pressure) to attach the pliable material to bathtub surfaces. By creating a vacuum seal through the flexible material, the attachment is achieved without mechanical fasteners or adhesive, simplifying both installation and removal processes while ensuring reliable attachment during use.
2Reliability
If pliable materials are attached to surfaces, then secure attachment is achieved, but the appearance may be compromised by visible mounts
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible suction cup material allows for a sleek, low-profile attachment that closely follows the contour of the bathtub surface. This eliminates the need for protruding mounts or visible hardware, maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the bathtub while providing secure attachment through the flexibility and seal-forming capability of the material.
3Reliability
If suction openings are formed in the body, then suction attachment is enabled, but the body thickness is reduced at the opening locations
Solution Approach 1:
The suction openings are strategically positioned and sized to provide adequate suction attachment capability only where needed. The openings extend partially through the thickness of the body, creating localized thin regions that maintain structural integrity elsewhere while enabling effective suction contact with the bathtub surface. This localized approach balances attachment functionality with overall body strength.
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
Enables easy, secure, and flush mounting of toys or decorative items on bathtubs and walls through suction, ensuring a clean appearance and simple detachment without damaging the surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one opening permits attachment by suction of the body to the attachment surface when the pliable material is depressed over the opening from the top surface towards the bottom surface.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus that can be easily attached to and flush mounted on an attachment surface such as a surface of a bathtub, bathtub rim, wall or the like is disclosed. The apparatus includes a body fabricated from a pliable material such as rubber, silicone or polyurethane, and is provided with at least one substantially concave openings extending partially through a thickness of the body from a bottom surface towards a top surface. Each opening is arranged so as to leave a reduced body thickness between an apex of the opening and the top surface. This configuration enables the apparatus to be attached to a surface by suction when the pliable material is depressed over the at least one opening from the top surface towards the bottom surface.