Quick Release Universal Mount for Outdoor Furniture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor furniture and equipment face damage from natural elements and are prone to being blown away due to high wind speeds, especially when not securely mounted to docks, boats, or decks, making removal and storage inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A quick release universal mount with a top plate featuring latch perforations and rotating latch carrying axles, allowing for secure attachment and easy detachment from surfaces using a retainer assembly with springs or locks, enabling secure mounting of various items like chairs, tables, and hammocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If furniture is securely mounted to docks or boats using traditional bolted mechanisms, then stability and protection from wind damage is improved, but ease of removal for storage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a base plate secured to the surface, vertical posts, and detachable clamp assemblies with latches. This segmentation allows the furniture to be firmly mounted when needed while enabling quick release by simply operating the latch mechanism without removing bolts or complex fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system transitions from a static bolted connection to a dynamic latch-based connection. The latches can be quickly engaged and disengaged, allowing the system to adapt between a secure fixed state during use and a easily removable state for storage, improving operational flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If furniture is left unmounted for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but protection from wind damage and accidental falling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate and vertical posts are pre-installed and permanently secured to the dock or boat surface. This preliminary action creates a ready-made mounting infrastructure that requires only the simple engagement of clamp assemblies and latches to secure furniture, balancing easy access with reliable protection.
3Reliability
If traditional bolted mounting mechanisms are used, then stability is improved, but device complexity and time required for assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates permanent components (base plate, posts) from removable components (clamp assemblies, latches). This segmentation allows the time-consuming permanent installation to be done once, while subsequent furniture assembly and disassembly requires only simple latch operation, dramatically reducing assembly time while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism serves as an intermediary between the clamp and the furniture. Instead of requiring direct bolted connections for each furniture piece, the latch acts as a quick-release mediator that provides stable mounting during use but enables rapid removal without complex disassembly procedures.
4Ease of operation
If furniture is designed to be detachable for storage, then ease of operation is improved, but stability and security against wind forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system uses dynamic latch mechanisms that provide a secure locked state during furniture use, resisting wind forces effectively. When storage is needed, the latches can be quickly released. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain high security during operation while enabling easy detachability when needed.
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
The universal mount effectively secures items during outdoor use while allowing for quick and easy removal for storage, protecting them from damage and preventing accidents due to wind or falling, and can be adapted for various surfaces and items.
Implementation Method 1
a spring extending between and coupled to these spring attachment flanges. The spring biases the latches toward their latch position (and stowed position).
Implementation Method 2
Each of the first and second latch carrying axles, when so mounted, is adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The first latch is adapted to move at least between a latch position and a release position by rotation of the first latch carrying axle about is longitudinal axis.
Data Source
AI summary
Furniture and other items are temporarily, but securely, fixed to any of a variety of surfaces using a quick release universal mount. The quick release mount includes a top plate, at least two rotatable latch carrying axles, latches carried by each of said axles extending through openings in the top plate, and means for biasing or holding the latches carried by said axles in a latched condition. The quick release mount is coupled to a surface and the latches engage the item to be fixed to the surface. The quick release application has broad application, but is particularly useful for mounting items to docks, piers and boats.