Quick-Release Swivel Fork Assembly for Rattle-Free Bimini Tops
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing solutions for securing a bimini top on boats, such as pin joints and ball and socket joints, often result in rattling during vessel operation due to the compound curvature and angular framework, and are either loose-fitting or expensive to implement, failing to provide effective multi-planar articulation.
Innovation Solution
A quick-release swivel fork assembly that includes a first portion and a body portion releasably coupled to the first portion, allowing relative rotation about a first axis while preventing separation, with a latch member to enable secure attachment and detachment, providing multi-planar articulation without rattling and at a lower cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If loose fitting pin joints are used to allow multi-planar articulation, then the bimini top can accommodate angular displacement, but the joints are prone to rattling during vessel operation
Solution Approach 1:
The joint is divided into two separate components: a fork member with a groove and a member with a projection. The projection fits into the groove to prevent separation while allowing rotation, eliminating the rattling issue of loose pin joints while maintaining multi-planar articulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove and projection interface acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fork member and the other component. This interface provides controlled articulation while preventing excessive movement that causes rattling, serving as a mediator between the need for movement and the need for stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ball and socket joints are used to allow limited angular displacement, then the frame can move in all directions, but the frame is free to move in all directions without stable positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The joint is segmented into a fork member and a separate member with defined rotation axes. This segmentation provides controlled articulation around specific axes rather than free movement in all directions, maintaining stability while allowing necessary angular displacement for multi-planar positioning.
3Manufacturing precision
If heim or rod end bearings are used to provide precise articulation, then the joint allows precise angular displacement, but the products require precise machining and are expensive to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive components (fork member with groove, member with projection) that can be manufactured using basic machining processes. These components provide sufficient precision for the application without requiring expensive heim joints or rod end bearings, making the solution cost-effective while maintaining functional precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using precision bearings to achieve precise movement, the invention inverts the approach by using precisely formed groove and projection interfaces to guide and constrain movement. The precision is built into the mating surfaces of the groove and projection rather than relying on precision bearings.
Data Source
AI summary
A quick-release swivel fork assembly for pivotably supporting a remote member. The quick-release swivel fork assembly includes a first portion, a body portion releasably coupled to the first portion, a pin supported by the body portion, and a latch member coupled to the body portion. The body portion is rotatable relative to the first portion about a first axis, while separation along the first axis is prevented. The pin defines a second axis for rotatably mounting the remote member. The latch member is biased to a first position in which the latch member blocks separation of the body portion from the first portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The latch member is operable to selectively enable separation of the body portion from the first portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first axis.