Kitchen Utensil Hanging Bar Bracket for Flexible Tile-Safe Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing kitchen utensil hanging bar systems require drilling into specific locations on walls, often resulting in the risk of breaking earthenware tiles, as they necessitate fixed hole positions, and lack flexibility in installation locations or adaptability for different surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A fixing device comprising a bracket-support and a jumper, allowing for customizable hole placement at tile joints or other points, featuring a flat plate with a 90° fold, a U-shaped saddle, and a spacer for adjustable mounting, enabling hole-free installation and easy cutting of bars for various orientations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fixed hole positions are used in the bar for wall mounting, then the bar can be securely fixed to the wall, but the installation location is restricted and may require drilling into earthenware tiles which risks breaking them

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing securityVSAvoidinstallation location flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing device is divided into separate components: a bracket-support with mounting holes and a bar without holes. The bracket-support contains the fixation elements that engage with the wall, while the bar remains free of holes and can be positioned flexibly. This segmentation allows the mounting flexibility to be provided by the bracket-support while the bar maintains its structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket-support acts as an intermediary element between the wall and the bar. It provides the fixation function by engaging with the wall through screws or anchors, while simultaneously supporting the bar through lateral stops or engagement features. This intermediary allows the bar to be mounted without direct holes in it, enabling flexible positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the bar includes holes for fixing to the walls, then the bar can be mounted securely, but the bar cannot be easily adapted or cut to different lengths and configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidbar adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing function is segmented from the bar structure itself and placed in a separate bracket-support component. This allows the bar to be manufactured as a continuous piece without holes, making it easy to cut and adapt to different lengths. The bracket-support, which contains the mounting holes, is a separate element that can be positioned flexibly along the bar.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows for dynamic configuration where the bracket-support can be positioned at different locations along the bar to accommodate different installation requirements. The bar itself remains a flexible element that can be cut or adjusted without compromising its mounting capability, as the fixing function is provided by the movable bracket-support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If preformed side stops are used on the bar, then the bar can be engaged in fixing brackets, but the side stops impose fixed locations for holes in the wall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebar engagementVSAvoidhole location flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the bar impose fixed hole locations through its side stops, the invention inverts the approach by providing the lateral stops or engagement features on the bracket-support itself. This allows the bracket-support to adapt to different wall positions while the bar remains a flexible element without fixed positioning constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If holes are drilled in the middle of earthenware tiles, then the bar can be fixed to the wall, but there is a risk of breaking the tiles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing attachmentVSAvoidtile damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the positioning parameter of the mounting holes from fixed locations on the bar to adjustable locations on the bracket-support. This allows the installer to position the holes in optimal locations such as grout lines or areas less likely to cause tile damage, while maintaining secure fixation through the bracket-support's engagement features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP1993419B1Fixing system for hanging bar for kitchen utensils
Publication Date: 2009.05.27 CRISTEL
  • EP1993419B1 patent drawingFigure 1~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a fixing system for a hanging bar (4) for kitchen utensils such as, for example, ladles, skimmers, film dispensers, etc., characterized in that it basically comprises a bracket (1) and a staple (3): the bracket being in the form of a flat plate (5), one of whose edges is extended by a 90° bend (6), said plate having, on the face furthest from the bend (6), a means of engagement (7) and a central hole (9), the staple (3) being U-sectioned with a front face (10) connected by a bridge (11) to a rear face (12) containing an opening (13) leading to the bottom of said rear face, and in which the means of engagement (7) can engage and slide. The invention makes it possible, with an extra accessory, a spacer or tab, to fix the bar to a vertical planar support or to a horizontal support, and to choose the fixing locations.