Portable Upright Stand With Ballast Reservoir for Stable Temporary Displays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Creating temporary string lighting or other displays is challenging, especially in areas lacking suitable structures for support, due to difficulties in transporting and erecting stable pole structures and accommodating electrical power.
Innovation Solution
A portable upright stand comprising a lightweight, durable base, a collapsible pole, and reservoirs that can be filled with ballast to stabilize the stand, with electrical wiring for connecting to an external power source, allowing for easy setup and aesthetic customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stable pole structure is used for support, then the reliability of the display is improved, but the ease of transportation and setup deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pole structure is divided into multiple collapsible sections that can be disassembled for easy transportation and reassembled for stable display. The reservoir is also segmented into stackable units that can be individually handled and transported.
Solution Approach 2:
The pole transitions from a static, fixed structure to a dynamic, collapsible structure that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The reservoir provides adjustable stability through water filling, allowing the structure to adapt between portable and stable states.
2Reliability
If permanent structures are used for suspending lights, then the reliability of support is improved, but the adaptability to various surfaces and locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base is designed with a universal footprint that can accommodate various surface types (grass, pavement, carpet, wood). The reservoir can be filled with different ballast materials (water, sand, rocks) to adapt to different terrain conditions, making the structure universally applicable across diverse locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The stability parameters of the structure can be adjusted by changing the ballast material and amount in the reservoir. Water provides portability and ease of handling, while sand or rocks provide enhanced stability on uneven surfaces, allowing adaptation to different operational conditions.
3Ease of operation
If a lightweight base is used for easy transportation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the stand deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir serves dual purposes: it provides ballast for stability when filled, and can be easily handled when empty for transportation. The structure is designed to be self-stabilizing through the water-filled reservoir without requiring additional anchoring mechanisms or heavy materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight and stability parameters of the base can be dynamically changed by filling or emptying the reservoir with water. When transportation is needed, the reservoir is empty making the base lightweight. When stability is needed, water is added to increase weight and lower the center of gravity.
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 the support of string lighting or other displays on various surfaces indoors or outdoors, providing a stable and aesthetically pleasing solution for temporary installations while allowing for easy transportation and setup.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more reservoirs can be filled with water to stabilize the portable upright stand
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include apparatuses for providing a portable upright stand. A portable upright stand can include a pole for suspending objects such as string lighting, protective coverings, etc. The pole can be coupled to a base such that electrical wiring may extend through the pole and the base. The portable upright stand can also include a reservoir that can enclose at least a portion of the pole such that the pole can be stabilized by the reservoir. The reservoir can have a first opening for filling the reservoir with water and a second opening for draining water. The portable upright stand can also have a shell that can be configured to surround the reservoir as décor or as a protective covering.