Quick Attach Bracket System Using Hook Receivers for Dock Accessories
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for attaching accessories to boat docks are cumbersome and require extensive hardware and fasteners, lacking a simple and easy solution for secure installation.
Innovation Solution
A quick attach bracket system comprising a structural member with receiver points and an attachment bracket with downward-facing hooks and a bolt mechanism, allowing for easy attachment and secure fastening without drilling holes, enabling the affixing of various dock accessories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bracket attachment methods are used, then secure attachment of accessories is achieved, but installation becomes cumbersome and requires extensive hardware and fasteners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple attachment functions into a single integrated bracket design. The bracket integrates mounting holes, attachment surfaces, and structural support elements into one component that can be installed with minimal hardware, eliminating the need for separate mounting plates, multiple fasteners, and complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is designed with universal applicability to attach various accessories (ladders, stairs, flag poles, furniture, bumpers) to dock structures. The standardized bracket design with multiple mounting holes and attachment surfaces can accommodate different accessory types without requiring custom hardware for each application.
2Reliability
If traditional bracket attachment methods are used, then secure attachment of accessories is achieved, but installation process becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is pre-designed with pre-drilled mounting holes and pre-formed attachment surfaces during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site drilling, measuring, and complex alignment procedures, allowing installers to simply position the bracket and secure it with minimal fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system is segmented into the bracket component itself and the minimal required fasteners. By making the bracket a self-contained unit with integrated mounting features, the system separates the complex bracket design (done in manufacturing) from the simple installation process (done on-site), improving ease of operation.
3Reliability
If drilling holes is required for attachment, then secure fastening is achieved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
All necessary mounting holes are pre-drilled and pre-tapped during bracket manufacturing. The bracket arrives at the installation site ready to be mounted, eliminating time-consuming on-site drilling operations while maintaining secure fastening through the pre-prepared hole patterns and integrated fastener receptacles.
Data Source
AI summary
A quick attach bracket system has a structural member and an attachment bracket. The structural member is installed onto the edge of a dock or other appropriate location, and the attachment bracket may be quickly affixed to the structural member. Attachments may be affixed to the attachment bracket in order to secure the attachments to the structural member. One or more bracket hooks of the attachment bracket are received by corresponding bracket hook receivers of the structural member. A fastener flange connected to the lower end of the attachment bracket further secures the attachment bracket to the structural member through a fastener which can be tightened against a fastener receiver of the structural member. Various attachments such as flagpole brackets, ladders and other items may be attached to the attachment bracket in order to be secured to the structural member.