Spring-Tab Bracket Assembly for Reconfigurable Power Strip Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retail electronics displays frequently need to be reconfigured to showcase products effectively, but existing mounting systems fail to securely attach electrical components like power strips to support frames with varying hole patterns, lacking the flexibility to move products without altering the underlying support structure.
Innovation Solution
A universal bracket with a base member and elbow members featuring spring portions and tabs that flex to securely grip support frames with different hole patterns, allowing for adjustable mounting of electrical components without requiring changes to the underlying support system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing brackets are used to mount electrical components, then the mounting structure is simple, but the brackets cannot grip stanchion supports with vertical openings or accommodate different hole patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed with a universal mounting mechanism that can attach to multiple types of support frames including wire-frame supports with horizontal wires and stanchion supports with vertical openings. The elbow members with tabs and recesses can accommodate different hole patterns and support structures through a single bracket design, eliminating the need for multiple specialized brackets.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket incorporates spring portions that provide flexible, resilient engagement with the support frame. The spring portions can compress and expand to accommodate variations in hole positions and support frame dimensions, allowing the rigid tabs to dynamically adjust during installation while maintaining secure grip on the support structure.
2Ease of operation
If receptacle outlets are removably attached to wire-frame supports using brackets that grip the wires, then the mounting is flexible, but these brackets are unable to grip stanchion supports with vertical openings
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into distinct functional segments: a base member for mounting the electrical component, elbow members for angular connection, tabs for insertion into support frame openings, and recesses for gripping the support structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling the bracket to adapt to different support frame types while maintaining easy removal capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If displays are frequently reconfigured in retail stores, then product showcase flexibility is improved, but the underlying support system would need frequent changes or reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket serves as an intermediary component between the electrical component and the support frame. It provides a universal interface that allows frequent reconfiguration of displays by simply removing and relocating the bracket-mounted electrical components, while the underlying support frame remains unchanged and intact.
4Ease of manufacture
If other brackets are used for mounting, then installation is straightforward, but they fail to provide proper support for power strips having multiple outlets
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket combines multiple support functions into a single integrated structure. The base member provides a mounting surface for the electrical component, the elbow members provide angular connection to the support frame, and the tabs with recesses provide secure gripping. This merged design ensures proper support for power strips with multiple outlets while maintaining straightforward installation through a single bracket unit.
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
Enables flexible reconfiguration of product displays by securely attaching electrical components to various support frames, allowing for easy movement and adjustment without altering the underlying structure, thus enhancing display aesthetics and sales strategies.
Implementation Method 1
The spring portions flex with respect to the base member
Implementation Method 2
The spring portions bias the tabs outward away from one another such that the tabs securely grip opposed sides of the common hole
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical component support assembly that includes an electrical component and a bracket removably attached to the electrical component. The bracket is configured to couple to the electrical component and includes a base member that has a first side with a substantially planar shape. The bracket also includes a pair of elbow members that are located proximate to a second side of the base member. The elbow members are configured to be mounted to a support frame. Each of the elbow members is shaped to include a spring portion and a tab joined thereto. The spring portions flex with respect to the base member. The tabs on the pair of elbow members are arranged adjacent to one another and oriented to extend in a substantially common direction to be received in a common hole in the support frame. The tabs extend outward from the spring portions and have recesses for gripping the support frame.