Support foot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing height-adjustable support feet for shower trays and bathtubs are cumbersome to adjust, especially in inaccessible locations, and often require assembly steps that complicate installation.
Innovation Solution
A support foot design featuring a retaining dome with external threads that can be easily connected to a retaining bushing, allowing for quick assembly and adjustment, with a securing part to prevent unintentional release, and extension pieces for customizable height adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional height-adjustable support foot with threaded rod and nut is used, then height adjustment range is extended, but adjustment becomes difficult in inaccessible locations
Solution Approach 1:
The support foot employs a dynamic telescopic mechanism where the inner support body can extend and retract relative to the outer support body. This dynamic structure allows the support foot to adapt its height without requiring complex threading operations in hard-to-reach areas, as the telescopic action can be initiated and controlled more easily.
Solution Approach 2:
The support foot is divided into segmented components: an outer support body and an inner support body that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the height adjustment function to be distributed across multiple movable parts, making the adjustment process more manageable and accessible even in constrained locations.
2Ease of operation
If an actuator with worm shaft and worm gear is added for remote adjustment, then adjustment is possible in hard-to-reach places, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex actuator mechanism (worm shaft, worm gear) is extracted as a separate, optional component rather than being integrated into the basic support foot structure. This allows the support foot to maintain its simplicity for standard applications while enabling remote adjustment capability when needed, without unnecessarily increasing device complexity for all cases.
3Productivity
If a retaining dome with external thread is used for connection, then assembly speed is improved, but connection strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining dome is pre-positioned on the support foot during manufacturing, with its external thread already in place. This preliminary action allows the receiving piece to be simply screwed onto the pre-positioned retaining dome during installation, significantly speeding up assembly while maintaining adequate connection strength through the threaded engagement.
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 easy and secure connection to support frames, facilitating quick installation and customizable height adjustment without the need for complex assembly steps, even in hard-to-reach areas.
Implementation Method 1
The retaining dome has an external thread that can be screwed into an internal thread in the retaining bushing
Implementation Method 2
The securing part with the locking piece is spring-preloaded into a blocking position of the locking piece
Data Source
Figure 1a~3
Figure 4~5b
Figure 6~7b
AI summary
The invention relates to a support foot, in particular for support frames for showers and bathtubs, comprising a connecting piece (4) with a central bore (42) which has an internal thread (43) which engages with a threaded rod (31) which is connected to a support part (2), and a receiving piece (71) for connection with a support frame (7), characterized in that the connecting piece (4) has a retaining dome (41) which can be connected to a retaining bushing (72) arranged on the receiving piece (71) in a form-fit and/or force-fit manner.