Telescopic Pole Clamp With Offset Hinge for Secure Length Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic poles for cleaning implements lack ergonomic design and effective locking mechanisms, making it difficult to adjust length and secure nested poles, which limits reach and usability during cleaning tasks.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates clamps with pin and locking extensions arranged alternately, a pivot handle with an offset hinge, and a multi-lobe geometry, allowing for adjustable length and secure attachment of nested poles through a clamp system that engages with clamping apertures and locking protrusions, ensuring stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing telescopic poles are used, then the cleaning implement can reach certain locations, but the pole lacks ergonomic design and effective locking mechanisms making it difficult to adjust length and secure nested poles
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is designed with a pivot handle that can rotate between locked and unlocked positions, transforming a static clamping mechanism into a dynamic one. The offset hinge creates a camming action that automatically engages locking protrusions with clamping apertures when the handle is rotated to the locked position, enabling easy adjustment without complex procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly utilizes the user's rotational motion of the pivot handle to simultaneously achieve two functions: (1) positioning the locking protrusions into engagement with the clamping apertures, and (2) applying clamping force to secure the nested poles. The mechanism serves itself by converting the same user action into both locking and clamping operations, eliminating the need for separate locking steps
2Reliability
If existing telescopic poles are used, then the pole can be extended for reach, but it lacks effective locking mechanisms to secure nested poles
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly transitions from an static design to a dynamic one where the pivot handle rotation automatically engages the locking protrusions with the clamping apertures. This camming action ensures reliable attachment while maintaining ease of operation, as the same rotational motion that positions the handle also secures the poles through the locking mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The locking protrusions and clamping apertures act as intermediary elements that mediate between the user's manual operation and the secure attachment of nested poles. The protrusions engage with the apertures to create a positive mechanical lock, ensuring reliable connection while the offset hinge translates user input into effective locking force
3Reliability
If a clamp system is added to secure nested poles, then attachment reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: (1) the pivot handle provides manual operation, (2) the offset hinge creates camming action, (3) the locking protrusions engage with clamping apertures for secure attachment, and (4) the clamping force secures the nested poles. This consolidation achieves reliable attachment without proportionally increasing complexity, as all functions are combined in one compact assembly rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot handle serves multiple functions: it acts as the manual operating lever, transmits force through the offset hinge to create camming action, and positions the locking protrusions into engagement with the clamping apertures. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving reliable nested pole attachment
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 solution provides an ergonomic and adjustable telescopic pole system that accommodates user height and reach, securely attaching nested poles, enhancing cleaning accessibility and reducing clamping pressure through anti-rotation geometry, thus improving usability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The hinge axis and the pivot axis are parallel but offset from each other, and the one or more locking extensions are arranged to be actuated by the offset hinge as the pivot handle is rotated about the pivot axis of the pivot pin
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Telescoping pole systems (100) and clamps (106, 206) thereof are described. The clamps include a body (218) having one or more pin extensions (240) and one or more locking extensions (242). The pin extensions and the locking extensions are arranged in an alternating manner. A pivot handle (220) is operably connected to the body and has a lever arm (344) that extends from an offset hinge (346), the offset hinge defining a hinge axis (Ah). A pivot pin (222) passes through the one or more pin extensions of the body and the offset hinge of the pivot handle. The pivot pin defines a pivot axis (Ap). The hinge axis and the pivot axis are parallel but offset from each other and the one or more locking extensions are arranged to be actuated by the offset hinge as the pivot handle is rotated about the pivot axis of the pivot pin. The poles of such systems may be multi-lobed.