Retractable Banner Stand Tool-Free End Cap and Pole Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of retractable banner stands face difficulties in changing banners due to complex manipulation of components, often requiring tools and resulting in high costs and inventory management issues, as they need to either send them for replacement or purchase multiple stands for different banners.
Innovation Solution
The solution combines supporting legs and end caps, allowing them to engage and disengage without tools, and introduces a separate pole support with a gripping structure for easy attachment and detachment, simplifying the process of changing banners and eliminating the need for multiple stands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users follow the conventional process to change banners (removing end caps, manipulating clips, sliding banners through slots), then banners can be replaced, but the process becomes complex and difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The end cap assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the end cap itself, the support leg mechanism, and the banner retention clip. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manipulated and understood, reducing the overall complexity of the banner changing process
Solution Approach 2:
The support leg is designed with dynamic movement capability, allowing it to transition between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic feature enables the leg to automatically engage or disengage from the canister based on its position, simplifying the banner replacement process by eliminating manual manipulation of multiple components
2Ease of repair
If users send the stand back to a shop for banner replacement, then professional service is obtained, but cost and timing implications arise
Solution Approach 1:
The banner stand is designed to enable self-service banner replacement by the end user. The simplified mechanism with clearly defined components (end cap, clip, support leg) allows users to independently change banners without requiring professional service, eliminating shipping time and service costs
3Adaptability or versatility
If users buy multiple banner stands to have different banners available, then banner variety is achieved, but cost, storage and inventory implications arise
Solution Approach 1:
The banner stand is designed as a universal system where the canister, support leg, and end cap assembly can accommodate multiple different banners. The standardized interface and retention mechanism allow a single stand to serve multiple functions by simply replacing the banner material, eliminating the need to maintain multiple identical stands
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
This approach simplifies banner changes by eliminating the need for tools and complex manipulation, reducing costs and inventory requirements, while allowing multiple banners to be displayed using a single kit, thereby enhancing usability and reducing space and cost burdens.
Implementation Method 1
The banner is typically wound or coiled about an elongated spring mechanism or core extending within the canister
Data Source
AI summary
A retractable banner stand includes a canister with an extendable banner having an ad and/or message thereon viewable when the banner is extended. A kit comprised of a pair of end caps with foldable legs and a pole support are releasably engaged to the canister and can be removed without tools. The kit can be releasably engaged to a second canister, without tools, with the second canister containing a second banner with a different (or new) ad and/or message to thus facilitate changing banners.