System for mounting, accessing, moving and folding away articles on, under or along a surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for mounting articles under downwardly facing surfaces are often inflexible, require tools for installation and adjustment, and lack standardization, making them difficult to move, adjust, and service, while also not efficiently utilizing available space or providing easy access.
Innovation Solution
A modular, standardized system using a tram-rail arrangement, lock-on carriage, anchor-post, and multi-surface easel-stand that allows easy installation, adjustment, and movement of articles along a surface, enabling height, tilt, and lateral positioning without tools, and accommodating various widths and depths of payloads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If articles are firmly and securely mounted under downwardly facing surfaces, then stability and reliability are improved, but ease of movement and repositioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from static permanent mounting to dynamic adjustable mounting. The carriage assembly can be moved along the tram-rail arrangement and locked at different positions, allowing the mounted article to be repositioned easily while maintaining secure mounting at each position. This resolves the contradiction by making the mounting system adaptable - firmly secured when needed, yet easily movable when repositioning is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the mounting function into separate components: the stationary tram-rail arrangement provides stable support, while the movable carriage assembly enables easy repositioning. The article is mounted on the carriage rather than directly to the surface, separating the stability function (tram-rail) from the movement function (carriage). This segmentation allows both contradictory requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
2Reliability
If specialized mounting systems are designed for specific articles, then mounting reliability is improved, but adaptability and interchangeability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tram-rail arrangement and carriage assembly constitute a universal mounting system that can accommodate multiple different articles. The standardized interface allows books, electronic devices, or other items to be mounted using the same system, achieving interchangeability while maintaining reliable mounting through the robust tram-rail and carriage connection mechanism.
3Device complexity
If articles are mounted in fixed positions, then structural simplicity is improved, but ease of access and adjustability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic positioning capability where the carriage can be easily moved along the tram-rail to adjust the article's position for optimal access. The locking mechanism maintains simplicity while enabling adjustment, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and ease of access.
4Strength
If tools and partial dismantling are required for installation, then mounting strength is improved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage assembly incorporates self-locking mechanisms and easy-release features that allow users to install and adjust the system without requiring tools or specialized skills. The design achieves both strong mounting and ease of installation through clever mechanical design - the carriage locks securely to the tram-rail but can be easily released and repositioned by hand.
Data Source
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AI summary
A support apparatus comprises: a carriage base (250) having a channel (252), said carriage base being secured to an underside of a cabinet with the channel facing down; an anchor-post (300) having a clamping knob (303) and a base (301) slidingly disposed within said channel; a multi-surface easel-stand (400) with a pivotally coupled shoe (401), said shoe being connected to said anchor-post and secured by said clamping knob; and a payload carrier comprising an easel (500, 500a). The easel (500, 500a) supports a payload at an adjustable height by sliding said easel along said easel-stand by hand to engage said multi-surface easel-stand at various positions.