Tapered Locking Support for Tool-Free Portable Platform Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable stages and platforms face challenges in easy assembly and disassembly, stability, misalignment, and the need for tools, which complicates transportation and use, especially for structures subjected to weight and lateral forces.
Innovation Solution
A portable support system with tapered ends and a receiving member featuring a support cone with tapered inner and outer surfaces, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement, and a latching feature for selective locking, enabling assembly and disassembly by hand without tools and minimizing misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional locking mechanisms are used to support heavy weight and resist lateral forces, then stability and strength are improved, but assembly and disassembly become difficult and require tools
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a tapered locking surface on the support leg, a corresponding tapered recess in the platform, and a spring-loaded latching feature. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while enabling tool-free assembly through simple insertion motions.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded latching feature automatically engages with the tapered locking surfaces when the support leg is inserted into the platform, creating a self-locking mechanism that requires no manual adjustment or tools. The spring force maintains continuous pressure on the tapered surfaces, ensuring automatic engagement and disengagement.
2Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms with multiple pieces are used to provide stability, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism integrates multiple functions into a single unified structure: the tapered surfaces provide both alignment and locking, while the spring-loaded latching feature combines retention and release functions. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining stability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered locking surfaces serve multiple purposes: they guide alignment during insertion, provide the locking action through friction, and enable easy release when force is applied. The spring-loaded latching feature simultaneously maintains engagement and allows quick disengagement, making the mechanism versatile for both assembly and disassembly operations.
3Strength
If perpendicular members are used to attach to the platform, then structural support is provided, but misalignment occurs causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The support leg features an asymmetric tapered cross-section that must be inserted in a specific orientation into the corresponding tapered recess. This asymmetric geometry provides built-in alignment guidance, preventing misalignment and ensuring proper orientation during assembly without requiring precise manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered surfaces act as an intermediary alignment mechanism between the support leg and platform. As the leg is inserted, the tapered surfaces guide the components into proper alignment through their geometric shape, mediating the connection and eliminating misalignment issues before the final locking engagement occurs.
4Reliability
If traditional assembly methods requiring tools are used to ensure proper engagement, then reliability is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded latching mechanism allows the support leg to be rapidly inserted into the platform through a single motion, skipping the traditional multi-step process of alignment, insertion, and manual locking. The spring automatically captures the leg in the locked position during the insertion motion itself, dramatically reducing assembly time while maintaining reliable engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism performs its own locking action automatically through the spring-loaded latching feature that engages with the tapered surfaces upon insertion. This self-locking eliminates the need for external tools or manual adjustment, ensuring reliable engagement while minimizing the time and skill required for assembly.
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 system facilitates quick and error-free assembly and disassembly, provides stability against lateral forces, requires fewer parts, and allows for easy adjustment and transportation, making it suitable for use by individuals with little technical skill.
Implementation Method 1
The inner surface and outer surface are engagable with mating tapered surfaces
Implementation Method 2
The support cone has a tapered inner surface and a tapered outer surface. The inner surface and outer surface are engagable with mating tapered surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable support system having a portable support having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a tapered portion, and the second end includes a footing structure. The system also includes a receiving member having a support cone configured to receive the tapered portion. The support cone has a tapered inner surface and a tapered outer surface. The inner surface and outer surface are engagable with mating tapered surfaces. The receiving member is capable of attachment to one or both of a frame and a panel for use as a platform.