Pole and Base Assembly Segmented Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pole and base assemblies for temporary structures, such as queuing lines and net sports, are difficult to assemble and disassemble efficiently, requiring improved mechanisms for easy setup and storage.
Innovation Solution
A pole with upper and lower engagement portions, where the upper portion is slidable through vertical slots and the lower portion is constrained from vertical movement, combined with a biasing force to facilitate easy assembly and disassembly by aligning and locking into a base socket, allowing for quick attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pole is designed to be removable from the base for storage, then ease of storage is improved, but assembly and disassembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pole is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion that can be independently assembled and disassembled from the base. The engagement portions are segmented into upper and lower components with distinct functions, allowing the pole to be easily separated into storage-ready segments without requiring complex disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing force automatically engages the upper engagement portion with the base socket when the pole is inserted, eliminating the need for manual locking mechanisms. The system self-locks through the biased engagement, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining secure attachment for storage purposes.
2Reliability
If the lower engagement portion is constrained from vertical movement, then locking reliability is improved, but assembly operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lower engagement portion transitions from a constrained state during assembly to a locked state during operation. The vertical slots allow dynamic movement during insertion, then the biasing force and locking portion create a static locked position, providing both ease of assembly and reliable locking without permanent constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical slots are pre-positioned to guide the lower engagement portion during assembly, automatically aligning it with the locking portion before final engagement. This preliminary guidance reduces operational complexity by eliminating manual alignment steps while ensuring reliable locking through pre-configured geometric constraints.
3Ease of operation
If the upper engagement portion can move vertically through slots, then assembly ease is improved, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The upper engagement portion is designed to be dynamic during assembly, moving freely vertically through the slots to facilitate easy insertion. Once assembled, the biasing force pushes the upper portion against the base socket, creating a stable locked position that prevents unintended movement while maintaining the ease of assembly benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical slots have defined travel limits that change the positional parameter of the upper engagement portion. During assembly, the full range of motion is available for ease of insertion, but the biasing force changes the effective position to the lower limit of the slots, providing structural stability while preserving assembly ease.
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 rapid and secure assembly of poles with bases for various applications, including queuing lines and net sports, while allowing for easy storage by simplifying the assembly and disassembly process.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing force pulls the portions together so that the upper engagement portion is biased to the lower ends of the slots
Implementation Method 2
Downward force can then be applied to the pole, causing it to travel vertically downward relative to the upper engagement portion, against the biasing force
Implementation Method 3
The pole is then rotated, for example 90°, to align the lower engagement portion with a locking portion in the base
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure describe a pole and base assembly. The pole and base assembly includes a pole with an upper engagement portion and a lower engagement portion that are biased toward each other. A base includes a socket to receive the pole and a channel that allows the lower engagement portion to pass through the base. The upper engagement portion is retained on the top surface of the base. When the lower engagement portion is passed through the socket and aligned with a locking portion, the biasing force causes the upper and lower engagement portions to clamp together around the base and lock the pole to the base.