Swimming Starting Block Mount Device Frictional Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mount devices for swimming starting blocks fail to provide a stable platform due to wobbling issues, especially when using round conduits, and previous solutions like wedges either do not work with round conduits or loosen with repeated use.
Innovation Solution
A mount device featuring an upper and lower mount conduit with an angled interface, where an expansion bolt aligns them coaxially, creating a frictional engagement with the receiver conduit, ensuring stability and secure attachment to the pool deck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single rectangular conduit is inserted into a receiving piece fixed in concrete, then the installation is simple, but the platform becomes unstable and wobbles
Solution Approach 1:
The single conduit is divided into two separate conduits: an upper conduit that connects to the starting block and a lower conduit that inserts into the receiver piece in the concrete. This segmentation allows each conduit to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining installation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower conduit is positioned within the receiver conduit fixed in concrete, creating a nested configuration. The upper conduit connects to the lower conduit, forming a nested structure that provides both simplicity of installation and stability through the embedded configuration.
2Stability of the object's composition
If stabilizing pegs are added to the conduit system, then platform stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing function is merged into the conduit structure itself through the nested configuration of the lower conduit within the receiver conduit. The concrete-embedded lower conduit provides stabilization without requiring separate pegs or additional stabilizing components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a wedge is used to secure round conduits, then initial stability is achieved, but the device loosens with repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The lower conduit is nested within the receiver conduit and secured through the expansion bolt mechanism. This nested configuration, combined with the expansion action, creates a reliable connection that maintains stability under repeated use without loosening.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion bolt changes the dimensional parameter of the lower conduit by expanding it radially within the receiver conduit. This parameter change creates a friction fit that maintains stability and prevents loosening under repeated use.
4Ease of operation
If the conduit bore diameter is larger than the shaft diameter, then assembly is easier, but connection strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion bolt changes the dimensional parameter of the lower conduit by expanding it radially after assembly. This allows easy assembly with a larger bore diameter, then increases connection strength through the expansion action that creates a tight friction fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection transitions from a loose fit during assembly to a tight friction fit after expansion. The dynamic change in the conduit's dimensional parameters allows both easy assembly and strong connection strength.
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 and secure attachment of the starting block to the pool deck, preventing wobbling and maintaining stability even with repeated use, and is adaptable to various conduit shapes, including round, rectangular, and polygonal forms.
Implementation Method 1
Upon tightening the expansion bolt, the lower mount conduit is urged along the common axis toward the upper mount conduit, such that the opposing long outside surfaces of the upper mount conduit and lower mount conduit are urged in opposite, substantially horizontal directions, thereby creating a frictional engagement with an inside wall of the receiver conduit.
Data Source
AI summary
A mount device is disclosed for securing a swimming starting block to a floor. In at least one embodiment, the mount device provides an upper mount conduit engagable with the starting block and sized for at least partially extending into a receiver conduit in the floor. A lower mount conduit is positioned below the upper mount conduit and has an outer diameter or width sized for being completely positioned within the receiver conduit. An expansion bolt extends through respective substantially coaxially aligned bores of each of the upper mount conduit and the lower mount conduit, each of the bores having a diameter that is relatively larger than a diameter the bolt. Upon tightening the expansion bolt, the lower mount conduit is urged along an angled common axis toward the upper mount conduit, such that opposing long outside surfaces of the upper mount conduit and lower mount conduit are urged in opposite, substantially horizontal directions, creating a frictional engagement within the receiver conduit.