Trellis Component With Bolted Connector And Detachable Clips

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trellis systems face challenges in attaching arms to posts with sufficient strength and removing wires for vine pruning, as current methods often lack ease of detachment and wire support for efficient vine management.

Innovation Solution

A trellis component featuring a tubular post with a connector and V-shaped arms, where the connector is fixed within the post using a bolt, and additional support elements like clips and a cross piece provide secure wire attachment and easy removal for pruning, utilizing metallic materials for durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If arms are attached directly to posts, then the structure is simple, but the attachment strength is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is divided into separate components: a connector with a skirt that fits inside the post, and arms that attach to the connector. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while providing sufficient attachment strength through the bolted connection between the connector and post.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector's skirt is inserted within the post, creating a nested structure where the connector resides inside the post's upper end. This nesting provides structural strength while maintaining relative simplicity, as the connector is contained within the existing post structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If wires are attached directly to arms, then the structure is simple, but wire removal for pruning is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire removal easeVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wire support system is segmented into clips that can be independently attached to and removed from the arms. This allows wires to be easily detached by removing the clips without affecting the structural integrity of the arms or requiring complex disassembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clips are designed to be dynamically attachable and detachable to the arms, allowing the wire support configuration to be changed as needed for pruning operations. This dynamic attachment system provides ease of operation while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If a robust attachment system is used, then attachment strength is sufficient, but ease of wire removal is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearm attachment strengthVSAvoidwire detachment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the permanent structural attachment (arms to post via connector) from the temporary operational attachment (wires to arms via clips). This segmentation allows the structural attachment to be robust and permanent while the operational attachment remains easy to detach and reattach for pruning purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10405503B2Trellis component

Publication Date: 2019.09.10 NZ TUBE MILLS

AI summary

A trellis component includes a tubular portion, a connector adapted to be inserted within an upper end of the tubular portion, at least two support arms, and a crop line, which are arranged such that the connector is within the upper end of the tubular portion, the arms are within and extend outwardly from the connector, and the crop line is supported by the arms in an elevated disposition to in turn support a crop.