Two-Part Sign Support With Interlocking Hooks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supports for road and traffic signs are cumbersome and heavy, making them difficult to handle and transport, and they lack interlocking mechanisms to prevent disassembly upon impact, which compromises stability and safety.
Innovation Solution
A two-part support system with interlocking mechanisms in multiple directions (X, Y, Z) and ergonomic handling features, allowing for easier handling and secure assembly, and incorporating stackable and drainage features to enhance usability and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the support is made as a one-piece structure to ensure stability, then the stability is improved, but the weight becomes too heavy for one person to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The support is divided into two separate parts: a base part and an upper part. Each part can be handled individually, reducing the weight burden on a single person during transport and setup, while maintaining stability when assembled together.
2Ease of operation
If the support is divided into multiple parts to reduce weight and improve handling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability decreases due to potential disassembly upon impact
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a traditional pin-through-hole connection that allows accidental disassembly, the invention uses hook elements where one part actively engages with the other. The hook elements are designed so that the free end of one part fits into the intermediate part of the other part, creating a connection that resists accidental separation while still allowing intentional assembly and disassembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional pin-and-hole interlocking is used to connect parts, then the assembly simplicity is improved, but the stability against disassembly upon impact is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is inverted from a passive pin-through-hole system to an active hook engagement system. The hook elements with free ends and intermediate parts create a positive engagement that actively prevents disassembly under impact forces, while maintaining simple assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking system combines multiple connection elements (hook elements, male elements, female elements, dowels, apertures) working together in a composite fashion to achieve both simple assembly and strong resistance to accidental disassembly, surpassing the capability of any single connection method.
Data Source
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AI summary
Support for e.g. road and traffic signs, where the support comprises at least a first surface and a second surface, where the support further comprises at least two-parts, a first part and a second part with an assembly surface, where the first part and the second part are complementary to each other, where the first part makes up most of the second surface and the second part makes up most of the first surface and, where the first part and the second part comprise interlocking means, configured for locking the support in a first direction X and a second direction Y, whereby it is achieved that the support does not create problems when handled during setup and relocation, hence where the supports are better than prior-art technology.