Fastenerless Skid Plate Mounting Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing skid plate mounting systems in the motion picture and photography industries are inefficient due to the use of fasteners, which require significant time, tools, and can be destructive to the apple box, limiting the repositioning of fixtures and reducing the versatility of equipment mounts.
Innovation Solution
A fastenerless equipment mounting assembly that uses a retention system with rails and capture channels to securely attach a fixture mount to a mount support base, allowing for quick and efficient assembly, disassembly, and repositioning without damaging the apple box, and enabling the apple box to be used for other purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fasteners are used to mount the pin plate to the apple box, then the mounting process can be carried out, but the assembly and disassembly time becomes significant (30-90 seconds)
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into modular components: the apple box base, the pin plate with multiple holes, and removable fasteners. This segmentation allows the pin plate to be quickly attached and detached from the apple box by simply inserting or removing fasteners through aligned holes, reducing assembly time from minutes to seconds while maintaining secure mounting when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
Fasteners serve as intermediary elements between the pin plate and apple box, enabling quick connection and disconnection without direct permanent attachment. The fasteners can be rapidly inserted through pre-drilled holes in the pin plate and tightened against the apple box, providing reliable mounting that can be just as quickly removed by taking out the fasteners.
2Reliability
If fasteners are driven into the apple box for mounting, then secure attachment is achieved, but the apple box becomes damaged with holes and may break or chip over time
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of permanent holes in the apple box is eliminated by extracting the mounting function into removable fasteners. Instead of driving fasteners directly into the apple box material which creates permanent damage, the fasteners pass through holes in the pin plate and clamp against the apple box surface, securing the attachment without embedding objects into the apple box structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fasteners are designed to be removable and reusable rather than permanent. After use, fasteners can be taken out from the pin plate-apple box assembly, allowing the apple box to be recovered in its original undamaged state without holes or embedded objects, ready for reuse or other purposes.
3Reliability
If the pin plate is mounted to the apple box, then a functional skid plate is created, but the apple box and pin plate lose their individual versatility for other uses
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from a static permanent attachment to a dynamic removable connection. The pin plate can be quickly mounted to the apple box when skid plate functionality is needed, and just as quickly removed when the individual components need to be used for other purposes. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to switch between combined and separate usage modes as required by different production needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The apple box and pin plate are designed as universal, multi-functional components. The apple box serves as a versatile base that can support various pin plates and equipment configurations. The pin plate with its multiple holes can be mounted in different positions and orientations on different apple boxes, or used independently for other mounting purposes, maximizing the versatility and adaptability of each individual component across different production scenarios.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mounting and dismounting events occur, then repositioning is possible, but the apple box becomes worn out from fastener removal
Solution Approach 1:
The damaging action of fastener removal is extracted and isolated to the fasteners themselves rather than the apple box. By using removable fasteners that clamp against the apple box surface rather than being driven into it, the apple box material is not subjected to the mechanical stress of fastener insertion and removal, preventing wear, chipping, and structural degradation even after multiple mounting cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system incorporates protective design features that cushion and distribute the mechanical stresses of assembly and disassembly away from the apple box. The fastener design and mounting configuration prevent concentration of forces that could damage the apple box, allowing the apple box to withstand numerous mounting cycles without wear or degradation, thereby extending its service life indefinitely.
Data Source
AI summary
An equipment mounting assembly, such as a skid plate, for mounting and supporting motion picture production and other similar equipment without fasteners. The equipment mounting assembly can comprise a fixture mount having a mounting terminus defining a coupling interface; a mount support base having an upper surface; and a retention system operable to selectively and releasably secure the fixture mount about the mount support base. The retention system can comprise a position keep system, such that the fixture mount can be movable about the mount support base once secured within the retention system.