Shade Panel Lateral Support for Boat Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temporary sun shade systems for boats are limited by their two-dimensional shape and require additional support poles for increased coverage, which are costly, space-consuming, and reduce usable space, while also being less stable without mid support poles.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of removable mid-section lateral supports that span the width of the shade panel, providing tension without additional down supports, and a variable attachment position support pole system that allows for adjustable shade coverage and stability, enabling a three-dimensional shape and wider area coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If additional intermediate poles are added to increase shade coverage, then the shade coverage area increases, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible lateral support member that extends in the lateral direction (width-wise) rather than only in the longitudinal direction. This lateral support member includes multiple attachment points that can be secured to the shade panel at different positions, allowing the shade coverage to be expanded in the lateral dimension without adding intermediate poles along the length. This dimensional approach resolves the contradiction by providing area expansion without proportional increase in structural complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If mid support poles are added to improve shade stability, then the stability improves, but the usable space on the boat is reduced and storage weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible lateral support member that can be made from lightweight materials such as flexible cord, rope, strap, webbing, or fabric. This flexible support member provides the necessary stability to the shade panel without the weight and space requirements of traditional rigid mid support poles. The flexible nature of this component allows it to provide structural support while minimizing storage weight and maintaining usable space on the boat.
3Area of stationary object
If the shade panel is made wider to increase coverage, then the area coverage increases, but the longitudinal sides become less stable and require additional tension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lateral support function into multiple segments by providing multiple attachment points along the lateral support member. These attachment points can be secured to the shade panel at different longitudinal positions, creating distributed tension points that stabilize the longitudinal sides of the shade panel. This segmentation approach allows the shade panel to be made wider for increased coverage while maintaining side stability through distributed lateral support.
4Device complexity
If fixed attachment positions are used on support poles, then the structure is simpler, but the adaptability to different sun angles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability through multiple attachment points on both the lateral support member and the shade panel. These multiple attachment points allow the user to reposition and reconfigure the shade system to accommodate different sun angles and lighting conditions throughout the day. The ability to move attachment points along the lateral support member and re-secure them at different positions provides versatility without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A shade system for a structure includes a pair of support posts attachable to the structure, a shade panel including a plurality of attachment points around a periphery thereof, and at least one flexible lateral support member secured to the shade panel. The plurality of attachment points includes a fixture pair securable to a fixture of the structure, a post pair securable to the pair of support posts, respectively, and a side pair cooperable with the at least one flexible lateral support member and securable to the structure.