Lever-Locked Telescopic Pole Caddy for Easy Tension Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tension-mounted poles with spring-biased designs are difficult to install and adjust, particularly for short users, as they require manual compression of strong springs to achieve vertical orientation and may damage support surfaces due to expansion forces.
Innovation Solution
A tension-mounted pole design featuring a first and second tubular body with a toothed rack and locking pawl mechanism, operated by a base-mounted lever, allowing for adjustable span lengths and easy installation and removal without manual spring compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-biased telescopic pole design is used to provide strong holding force in vertical position, then the pole stability is improved, but the installation difficulty increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring component from the tension pole design. Instead of using a spring-biased telescopic mechanism, the invention employs a simple telescopic pole without any spring element, eliminating the installation difficulty associated with compressing strong springs while maintaining the pole's ability to span between surfaces through friction and geometric constraints
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using a spring to actively push the pole outward to maintain tension, the invention inverts the approach by relying on passive friction between the pole and surfaces, combined with the geometric constraint of the telescopic mechanism itself to maintain stability without active spring force
2Reliability
If the spring force is increased to hold the pole more securely, then the pole stability is improved, but the risk of surface damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the spring component entirely, the invention eliminates the source of high expansion forces that could damage surfaces. The pole maintains stability through friction and geometric constraints rather than strong spring force, preventing surface damage while still providing secure holding
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the mechanism from active spring force to passive friction-based holding. This parameter change allows the pole to maintain stability through distributed contact forces rather than concentrated spring expansion forces, reducing the risk of surface damage
3Manufacturing precision
If the pole is designed to be adjustable over a small span with precise control, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different span lengths decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a telescopic mechanism that allows continuous adjustment of the pole length. The telescopic sections can slide relative to each other, enabling the pole to adapt to various span lengths while maintaining precision through the friction-based locking mechanism that holds the telescopic sections in position
4Shape
If the second pole is positioned high above the base to achieve proper orientation, then the pole alignment is improved, but the ease of operation for short users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention allows the pole to self-align through its telescopic mechanism and friction-based stability. Once installed between the surfaces, the pole automatically maintains vertical orientation without requiring users to manually adjust components at height, making it accessible to users of all heights
Data Source
AI summary
A tension-mounted pole caddy for mounting between two substantially parallel surfaces is disclosed. The pole device generally includes a first tubular body, a second tubular body, a toothed rack, a locking pawl, and a base-mounted lever for operation of the locking pawl. Preferably, the first tubular body includes a base end for contacting a surface and a telescoping end, while the second tubular body has a base end for contacting a second surface and a telescoping end coupled with the telescoping end of the first body. The toothed rack is affixed within the first body portion proximate the telescoping end, with the locking pawl within the second body and capable of movement to engage and disengage the toothed rack. The lever is coupled to the locking pawl via linkage, such that operation of the lever between a first and second position actuates the locking pawl to engage and disengage, respectively, from the toothed rack, wherein the lever is positioned at the base end of the second tubular body.