Stackable Support Element With Interlocking Relief Projections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional support elements for elevated surfaces lack sufficient height adjustability and stability to effectively bridge large irregularities and maintain a stable distance between the raised and underlying surfaces, limiting their application to minor irregularities and small distances.

Innovation Solution

A support element comprising stackable connecting pieces with complementary relief projections and cavities, allowing for increased stability and height adjustability, combined with a base and supporting plate, and a control piece with a screw thread for stepless height control, enabling the element to bridge larger differences in height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional support elements with limited height adjustment are used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to bridge large irregularities and maintain stability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is divided into multiple stackable connecting pieces (at least two), each with standardized relief features. This segmentation allows the system to achieve variable height adjustment by stacking different numbers of pieces, while each individual piece remains structurally simple and easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting pieces are designed to nest together through complementary relief projections and cavities, forming a compact stackable assembly. This nesting mechanism enables multiple height adjustments within a confined space while maintaining structural integrity and simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional support elements with limited height adjustment are used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the ability to bridge large irregularities is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveirregularity bridging capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the support element into standardized connecting pieces, the system can bridge various irregularity sizes using different combinations of pieces, eliminating the need to manufacture custom-length support elements for each application scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized relief features (projections and cavities) create universal connecting pieces that can be used in any combination to achieve different heights and bridge various irregularities, making the system multi-functional without increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional support elements are used for small distances, then the stability is adequate, but the durability for long term applications with large irregularities is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidapplication range
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stackable connecting pieces can be selectively stacked to match the specific height requirements of different applications, ensuring optimal load distribution and structural stability for long-term durability while expanding the range of applicable scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3347547B1Support element for elevated surfaces
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 SOLIDOR RUBBER&PROD BVBA
  • EP3347547B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3347547B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP3347547B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a support element for holding an object at a distance from an underlying surface, the support element comprising the following parts: (a) a base which allows the support element to be placed in an upright position on an underlying surface, (b) on the base, an intermediate piece, consisting of one or more stackable connecting pieces, and (c) on the intermediate piece, a supporting plate, suitable as a support of an object at a distance from the underlying surface, characterised in that the one or more stackable connecting pieces exhibit a relief parallel to the underlying surface on both sides of one or more projections and/or one or more cavities that make it possible to stack several connecting pieces so that the projecting portions of one connecting piece fit in the cavities of an upper or underlying connecting piece. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a composition of components for a support element for holding an object at a distance from an underlying surface, including: (a) a base which allows the support element to be placed in an upright position on an underlying surface, (b) an intermediate piece consisting of one or more stackable connecting pieces to place on the base, and (c) a supporting plate to place on the intermediate piece, suitable as a support of an object at a distance from the underlying surface, characterised in that the one or more stackable connecting pieces on both sides that will lie parallel to the underlying surface exhibit a relief of one or more projections and/or one or more cavities that make it possible to stack several connecting pieces so that the projecting portions of one connecting piece fit in the cavities of an upper or underlying connecting piece.