Signpost Joint Device with Internal Elastic Restoring Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sign post mounting devices are unstable under normal conditions, prone to damage from wind and aesthetic issues due to external coil springs, and require complex and costly maintenance, with no ability to replace only the top section without removing the entire post.
Innovation Solution
A hinge device with an internal elastic system that allows the sign post to flex and return to its vertical position, providing stability under normal conditions and allowing for quick disassembly and replacement without removing the base, featuring a multi-directional articulation and disk springs for high return force in a compact space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external coil spring is used to connect two sign post sections, then the post can resiliently tilt upon impact and return to vertical position, but the post becomes unstable under normal conditions due to insufficient balancing force against wind pressure and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the elastic element (coil spring) inside the hollow interior of the sign post rather than externally. The spring is housed within the post's internal cavity, nested among other components like the pin, eyebolt, and base plate. This internal arrangement provides a compact structure that maintains post stability while preserving the restoring force capability, and additionally improves aesthetics by hiding the spring mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a U-shaped bolt and eyebolt arrangement is used for internal spring mounting, then the spring can be housed inside the post, but the pipe cannot be tilted evenly in all directions and the bolts may be deformed or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the articulation mechanism into distinct functional components: a pin inserted through the base plate, an eyebolt connected to the pin, and the spring acting on the eyebolt. This segmentation allows the post to articulate in multiple directions around the pin axis while keeping each component relatively simple. The pin-eyebolt-spring arrangement enables multi-directional tilting without requiring complex mechanisms, and the modular design facilitates easy assembly and maintenance.
3Ease of repair
If an external coil spring is used for post flexibility, then the post can return to vertical position after impact, but the entire post including substructure must be removed and reassembled for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sign post into modular sections: a base portion containing the spring mechanism and an upper portion that can be independently removed. The spring, base plate, and pin form a maintenanceable assembly at the base, while the upper post section can be detached and replaced without disturbing the substructure or the spring mechanism. This modular segmentation enables easy repair by allowing replacement of only the damaged upper section.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies extraction by removing the spring mechanism from the external environment and placing it inside the post's hollow interior. This extraction of the spring to an internal location allows the spring to be integrated with the base structure, creating a self-contained maintenance unit. The spring mechanism can be accessed and serviced by removing only the upper post section, without needing to extract the entire post from the ground or disassemble the substructure.
4Reliability
If an external coil spring is used for post flexibility, then the post can resiliently tilt, but the spring is visible and considered unaesthetic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the elastic element (coil spring) inside the hollow interior of the sign post rather than externally. The spring is housed within the post's internal cavity, nested among other components like the pin, eyebolt, and base plate. This internal arrangement provides a compact structure that maintains post stability while preserving the restoring force capability, and additionally improves aesthetics by hiding the spring mechanism.
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 solution provides a stable, aesthetically pleasing sign post system that remains upright under normal conditions, flexes under significant force, and returns to its vertical position, reducing maintenance costs and allowing for easy replacement of damaged components, while maintaining the base intact.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element which, when the second member is tilted, exerts on the second member a restoring force which returns the second member to the initial position
Implementation Method 2
a deforming element which deforms the elastic element during the movement caused by the bending or tilting of the two members
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 2~3
Figure 6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a joint device (9) for retaining a signpost (95) or the like, comprising a first member (1) that can be connected to a substructure (99) and a second member (2) that can be connected to a base section (96a) of the signpost (95). A joint connection (3) connects the first member (1) to the second member (2) in such a way that the second member (2) can be moved relative to the first member (1) between an aligned position and a tilted position. A restoring unit (4), which comprises an elastic element (40) and a deforming element (45) for interaction with the elastic element (40), restores the two members (1, 2) in the direction of the aligned position. The elastic element (40) is accommodated in an inner pipe receptacle (25), which is removed in the first member (1) and the second member (2).