Self-Supporting Sign Target With Foldable Flaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing signs and targets require additional support or complex folding mechanisms, making them cumbersome and inefficient in terms of material usage and functionality, with issues such as material ricochet and displacement when used as targets.

Innovation Solution

A self-supporting sign and target design featuring foldable flaps and a secure surface attachment mechanism, allowing for easy setup and versatile use as both a sign and a target, with a unitary construction that minimizes material requirements and prevents displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a support structure is added to the sign, then the sign can stand on its own, but the device complexity increases and material requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesign stabilityVSAvoidsupport structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sign is divided into a base portion and a foldable portion that can be detached. The base portion remains on the surface while the foldable portion is folded back, creating a self-supporting structure without requiring additional external supports. This segmentation allows the sign to stand independently while reducing overall material usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foldable portion is nested within the base portion when not in use. The foldable portion is attached to the base portion and can be folded back against it, creating a compact storage configuration. This nesting approach allows the sign to be self-supporting during use while minimizing material requirements and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If complex folding mechanisms are used to make the sign stand without support, then the sign can be self-supporting, but the device complexity and material requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-supporting capabilityVSAvoidfolding mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex mechanisms to make the sign stand, the invention uses a simple detachment and folding approach. The foldable portion is detached from the base portion and folded back, creating a self-supporting structure through a simple inversion of the traditional support mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Strength

If the sign uses a lot of material to construct, then the sign is more durable, but the quantity of substance increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesign durabilityVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sign is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be used as a sign, as a target, or as both. The base portion and foldable portion can be configured for different uses, making the sign versatile and reducing the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall material usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the sign is designed to be versatile for multiple uses, then the adaptability increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesign and target functionalityVSAvoiddual-purpose design

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sign incorporates dynamic elements through the foldable portion that can be detached and folded back. This dynamic design allows the sign to be easily reconfigured for different uses, enhancing versatility without requiring complex mechanisms. The foldable portion can be quickly attached or detached as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9495887B2Targets and methods of manufacturing same

Publication Date: 2016.11.15 REKON LLC

AI summary

A target of unitary construction comprises a self-supporting sign having a middle portion that has a first side, a second side, an upper side, and a lower side. A first foldable flap extends from the first side and is configured to be folded along the first side in a use configuration. A second foldable flap extends from the second side and is configured to be folded along the second side in the use configuration. A front foldable portion of the sign extends from the lower side and is configured to be folded along the lower side in the use configuration. The front foldable portion is configured to be secured to a surface when the self-supporting sign is being used as a target. In the use configuration, each of the first foldable flap directly and the second foldable flap directly touch only the middle portion and the surface.