Vertical Post Assembly Pin-Slot Alignment

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for joining tubular sections of vertical posts or poles often result in variances in fit, leading to either a loose or too-tight connection, causing the post to curve or fail to assemble correctly.

Innovation Solution

A vertical post assembly design featuring a hollow lower tube with a swaged upper end and slots, and a hollow upper tube with pins that secure into these slots, ensuring perfect alignment and secure connection between the tubes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If swaged or reduced diameter end is used to join tubular sections, then the sections can be fitted together, but fit variances cause loose or too-tight connections leading to curvature or assembly failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pin is pre-positioned in the upper tube at a specific height above the lower end, and the slots are pre-formed in the swaged portion at predetermined angular intervals. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the upper tube is lowered onto the lower tube, the pin automatically engages the slots at the correct position, eliminating alignment errors and ensuring perfect straightness without requiring manual adjustment during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pin acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the upper tube and lower tube. By positioning the pin in the upper tube and having it engage with the slots in the swaged portion of the lower tube, the pin ensures precise alignment and prevents relative movement between the two sections, thereby eliminating curvature while maintaining ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If swaged end is used to join tubular sections, then connection is achieved, but fit variances cause loose fit leading to post curvature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidstructural straightness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The pin is pre-positioned in the upper tube at a specific height above the lower end, and the slots are pre-formed in the swaged portion at predetermined angular intervals. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the upper tube is lowered onto the lower tube, the pin automatically engages the slots at the correct position, eliminating alignment errors and ensuring perfect straightness without requiring manual adjustment during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pin acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the upper tube and lower tube. By positioning the pin in the upper tube and having it engage with the slots in the swaged portion of the lower tube, the pin ensures precise alignment and prevents relative movement between the two sections, thereby eliminating curvature while maintaining ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If swaged end is used to join tubular sections, then connection is achieved, but fit variances cause too-tight fit preventing correct assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidassembly reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pin is pre-positioned in the upper tube at a specific height above the lower end, and the slots are pre-formed in the swaged portion at predetermined angular intervals. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the upper tube is lowered onto the lower tube, the pin automatically engages the slots at the correct position, eliminating alignment errors and ensuring perfect straightness without requiring manual adjustment during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pin acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the upper tube and lower tube. By positioning the pin in the upper tube and having it engage with the slots in the swaged portion of the lower tube, the pin ensures precise alignment and prevents relative movement between the two sections, thereby eliminating curvature while maintaining ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9631768B1Vertical post or pole assembly

Publication Date: 2017.04.25 BROME BIRD CARE

AI summary

A vertically disposed post or pole which is comprised of a lower tube having upper and lower ends and an upper tube having upper and lower ends. The lower tube has a swaged upper end portion which is configured to receive the lower end of the upper tube. A novel connection structure is provided which ensures that the upper and lower tubes will be perfectly aligned when connected together. A plurality of the upper and lower tubes may be joined together if so desired.