Swinging Sign Apparatus with Counterweight for Wind Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind-resistant signs often obstruct viewing due to their design, which relies on heavy frames or vertical posts, and fail to maintain a vertical orientation on uneven terrain, compromising aesthetic appeal and visibility.
Innovation Solution
A portable sign apparatus featuring a base, a support with a horizontal axis, and a counterweight that rotates about the axis to secure the sign, allowing it to maintain a vertical position on uneven terrain and return to its initial orientation after wind or human interaction, with a counterweight design that ensures stability and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wind-resistant signs use heavy frames or elevated pivot points to resist wind forces, then wind resistance is improved, but the sign obstructs viewing and aesthetic appeal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a counterweight mechanism where a weight is positioned at the bottom of the sign structure to balance the upper portion of the sign. This creates a low pivot point near the ground, allowing the sign to rotate and swing in high winds without requiring heavy frames or elevated pivot points. The counterweight provides stability and wind resistance while keeping the visual frame minimal and unobtrusive, thus resolving the contradiction between wind resistance and visual obstruction.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If signs are designed with minimal frame components for aesthetic appeal, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but stability against wind forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight positioned at the bottom provides the necessary stability and wind resistance without requiring visible heavy frames. The minimal frame structure is aesthetically pleasing while the hidden counterweight mechanism ensures reliability against wind forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The sign is designed to dynamically rotate and swing on a low pivot point in response to wind forces rather than rigidly resisting them. This dynamic behavior allows a minimal frame structure to handle high winds effectively, maintaining both aesthetic appeal and wind resistance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If signs are placed on sloping terrain, then adaptability is improved, but the sign cannot achieve vertical orientation and viewing is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The low pivot point rotation mechanism allows the sign to dynamically adjust its orientation. When placed on sloping terrain, the sign can rotate to achieve a vertical or near-vertical viewing orientation rather than remaining fixed perpendicular to the ground. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains viewing accessibility while adapting to various terrain conditions.
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 apparatus allows for unobstructed viewing of the sign, maintains a vertical orientation on sloping surfaces, and provides enhanced aesthetic appeal by minimizing visible frame components, while ensuring stability against wind forces.
Implementation Method 1
The support and any attached components may be configured to rotate about a horizontal axis in response to, for example, high winds
Implementation Method 2
The rotatability and/or movability of the panel and the support may prevent the wind or other forces from knocking the sign over
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses are disclosed, including apparatuses providing a rotatable sign configured with a base, a display panel, and a support, where a portion of the support defines a horizontal axis and is secured to the panel. The base may be configured to hold the support to allow rotation about the horizontal axis, the height of the horizontal axis of the support may be equal to or lower than a midpoint of the panel height. In addition, apparatuses are disclosed that include a counterweight attached to a support, where some or all of the counterweight may be below the horizontal axis of the support when the support is in an initial rotational position, such that it is disposed to return a sign back to its vertical orientation when in use.