Golf Car Scorecard Clip Assembly With Inverted Pivot Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional golf car scorecard holder assemblies are complex, difficult to operate, expensive, and provide insufficient clamping force, leading to easy scorecard displacement or loss.
Innovation Solution
A golf car scorecard holder assembly with a baseplate and retention clip having a pivot axis adjacent the underside face, utilizing a biasing device to exert a closing force, and a compression spring for enhanced clamping, without mechanical fasteners, allowing easy clip operation and improved retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the pivot axis is located above and adjacent the top surface of the baseplate, then the assembly structure is simpler, but the clamping force is insufficient and the scorecard can easily fall out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional pivot axis location from above the baseplate to below the baseplate. This inversion allows the clip to leverage the baseplate as a fulcrum, generating significantly greater clamping force on the scorecard while maintaining structural simplicity. The pivot axis is positioned adjacent the underside face of the baseplate, transforming the baseplate into a mechanical advantage element.
2Reliability
If two posts and two screws are used to secure the clip to the baseplate, then the connection is more secure, but the assembly complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clip and baseplate into a more integrated assembly where the clip is pivotally connected to the baseplate at its underside. This integration eliminates the need for separate posts and screws to secure the clip, reducing the number of parts while maintaining secure connection through the pivotal attachment and biasing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing device provides self-service by automatically maintaining the clip in the closed position with sufficient clamping force, eliminating the need for additional fasteners to secure the clip assembly. The spring-loaded mechanism self-regulates to maintain reliable connection between the clip and baseplate.
3Ease of operation
If the clip is manually operated with a pivot axis above the baseplate, then the operation is easier, but the clamping force is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the pivot axis location to below the baseplate, the system transforms the mechanical leverage relationship. The clip now uses the baseplate as a fulcrum point, which amplifies the clamping force applied to the scorecard while the biasing device ensures the clip remains easily operable through its spring-loaded return to closed position.
4Reliability
If the biasing force is increased to prevent scorecard loss, then the retention is more secure, but the clip becomes difficult to open
Solution Approach 1:
The inverted pivot axis configuration creates a mechanical advantage where the biasing force is applied more efficiently. The spring-loaded biasing device connected to the underside of the baseplate can maintain strong clamping force on the scorecard while requiring minimal effort to overcome for opening the clip, as the pivot geometry provides leverage.
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 assembly provides secure, removable scorecard retention with greater clamping force and easier operation, reducing assembly complexity and cost while preventing scorecard loss.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring structured and operable to exert a closing force on the retention clip to bias the retention clip to a Closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A golf car scorecard holder assembly, wherein the assembly includes a baseplate having a topside face, an underside face and a clip attachment portion. The assembly additionally includes a retention clip pivotally connectable to the clip attachment portion of the baseplate such that a pivot axis of the retention clip relative to the baseplate is adjacent the underside face of the baseplate. The assembly further includes a biasing device disposed between a backside of the retention clip and the topside face of the baseplate, the biasing device structured and operable to exert a closing force on the retention clip to bias the retention clip to a Closed position.