Universal Thumb Release Cradle with Telescoping Spring Jaw
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mounting platforms are inefficient for securely releasably cradling larger and irregularly shaped devices, and they are generally application-specific, failing to provide universal cradling for various hand-held or personal devices.
Innovation Solution
A universal cradle apparatus with a spring-return clamping mechanism that includes a pair of opposing jaw structures with a telescoping male linear drive shaft and mating female linear drive frame, allowing for adjustable and secure cradling of different devices, with one or both jaw structures being adjustable along a common operating axis and one being stationary relative to the other.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current mounting platforms are used, then they can securely cradle devices, but they are inefficient for larger and irregularly shaped devices and lack universal applicability
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting platform is designed with an adjustable jaw structure that can accommodate various device sizes and shapes through telescoping movement along the longitudinal axis, enabling a single device to securely cradle multiple types of electronic devices including pocket PCs, bar code scanners, cellular telephones, and larger irregularly shaped devices
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw structure incorporates a spring mechanism that provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the jaw to move along the longitudinal axis to adapt to different device dimensions while maintaining secure cradling through elastic force
2Reliability
If application-specific mounting platforms are used, then they can provide secure cradling for specific devices, but they fail to provide universal cradling for various hand-held or personal devices
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting platform is divided into functional components including a base, a telescoping jaw structure, and a spring mechanism, allowing each component to perform its specific function while contributing to the overall versatility and secure cradling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable jaw design enables the single mounting platform to serve multiple device types by modifying its dimensional configuration, replacing the need for multiple application-specific platforms
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed jaw structure is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different device sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw structure incorporates a spring mechanism that provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the jaw to move along the longitudinal axis to adapt to different device dimensions while maintaining secure cradling through elastic force
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping jaw structure employs nested components that slide within each other along the longitudinal axis, enabling compact storage when not in use and extended configuration when accommodating larger devices
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 apparatus enables easy and secure cradling of various devices, including larger and irregularly shaped ones, with quick drawing and easy removal, while maintaining stability and adaptability to different device sizes and shapes.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded clamping mechanism arranged relative to a pair of jaw structures
Implementation Method 2
The spring-return clamping mechanism urges the movable jaw structure simultaneously urges the opposing clamping surfaces to approach one another
Implementation Method 3
at least a portion of the jaw structure is flexibly resilient to provide resilient clamping on the device
Data Source
AI summary
A universal cradle apparatus having a telescoping clamping mechanism formed of a drive frame and a cooperating drive shaft that is movable along a common operating axis with first and second mounting surfaces each positioned on a respective one of the drive frame and the drive shaft, and first and second jaw structures each being coupled to a respective one of the drive frame and the drive shaft adjacent to the respective mounting surface thereof, each of the jaw structures having a respective clamping surface thereon and forming mutually opposing interior clamping surfaces arranged adjacent to the mounting surfaces positioned therebetween, and the clamping surface on the second jaw structure being spaced above and inclined toward the respective mounting surface and resiliently flexible relative thereto.