Releasable Hook and Bar Hinge for Tool-Free Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge-type connectors are complex, expensive to manufacture, limited in use, and difficult to disassemble or replace, often requiring tools and being unsuitable for linear linkages or applications like linking tiles.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with identical connecting pairs that form a rotatable hinge connection without the need for tools, using a hook element and bar configuration that allows engagement and disengagement at specific rotational positions, and optionally includes a lock element to prevent unintentional disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hinge-type connectors are used, then permanent or difficult-to-disengage connections are achieved, but the connectors are complex, expensive to manufacture, and require tools for assembly/disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two functional elements: a hook element with a channel and a bar element. These segmented components engage through a simple rotational motion, allowing the connection to be both reliable and simple in structure. The segmentation enables tool-free assembly while maintaining connection integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using traditional male-female or pin-based connectors that require complex interlocking mechanisms, the invention inverts the approach by using a hook-shaped channel that passively receives and retains a bar through rotational engagement. This inverted design simplifies the structure while maintaining reliability.
2Strength
If conventional connectors require tools or complex mechanisms for disengagement, then connection strength is maintained, but assembly and disassembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector uses dynamic rotational engagement rather than static interlocking. The bar rotates within the hook element's channel to engage and disengage, transforming a potentially complex multi-step process into a simple single-degree-of-freedom rotational motion. This maintains connection strength while dramatically reducing assembly and disassembly time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional male-female or pin-based connectors are used, then hinged link connections are achieved, but the connectors cannot provide linear linkage and are difficult to replace or repair
Solution Approach 1:
The hook element with channel and bar configuration serves multiple functions: it creates hinged links when rotated, enables linear linkages when aligned, and allows easy replacement by simply disengaging the bar from the channel. This universal design eliminates the limitation of traditional connectors that are specific to hinged applications only.
4Ease of manufacture
If identical connecting pairs are used on all parts, then assembly simplicity is improved, but unintentional disengagement may occur without rotational positioning control
Solution Approach 1:
While the connecting pairs themselves are identical (maintaining manufacturing simplicity), the engagement geometry creates an asymmetric rotational path. The bar must rotate within the hook element's channel to a specific position where engagement is secured, preventing unintentional disengagement. This asymmetric engagement path within identical components resolves the contradiction.
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
Facilitates quick and simple assembly and disassembly of identical connecting pairs, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost, enabling versatile linkage configurations without the need for pins or fasteners, and allowing for a range of applications including tile linking and other linear connections.
Implementation Method 1
The channel of the hook element is configured to receive the bar of another connecting means and when received a rotatable hinge connection is formed
Data Source
AI summary
Releasable connection means comprising a hook element and a bar both provided adjacent each other along an edge of a part to be connected. The hook element defines a channel having a complementary configuration to that of the bar and the hook element and the bar together define a connecting pair. The connection means is configured releasably to engage like connection means on another part to be connected, the like connection means comprising an identical connecting pair on an edge of the said another part to be connected. The engagement thereby defines a common axis coincident with the bars and about which the parts to be connected are relatively rotatable to form a hinge.