Adjustable Barrier Brackets for Precise Screed Rail Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

The concrete paving industry faces inefficiencies due to the need for custom or oversized barrier brackets to support screed rails on barriers of varying widths, leading to increased costs and complexity in achieving a proper fit.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable barrier bracket system that allows for width adjustments before placement, eliminating the need for multiple bracket sizes and reducing the requirement for wedging material between the bracket and the barrier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If custom barrier brackets are used for each barrier width, then the fit between bracket and barrier is precise, but the number of different bracket sizes needed increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit between bracket and barrierVSAvoidnumber of bracket sizes needed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier bracket incorporates an adjustable mechanism that allows the width characteristic to be changed dynamically. The bracket can be adjusted to different widths by moving the second bracket portion relative to the first bracket portion along the barrier, enabling a single bracket design to accommodate multiple barrier widths precisely without requiring multiple custom bracket sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier bracket is designed as a universal component that can fit multiple barrier widths through its adjustable mechanism. A single bracket design serves multiple functions by accommodating different barrier widths, eliminating the need to purchase and store multiple different sizes of custom brackets for various barrier widths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If oversized barrier brackets are used, then a single bracket size can accommodate multiple barriers, but material must be wedged between bracket and barrier which requires more time and skill

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle bracket size for multiple barriersVSAvoidtime and skill to achieve adequate fit

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable mechanism allows the bracket to be configured to match the exact barrier width before placement, eliminating the need for oversized brackets and wedging material. The bracket is adjusted to the precise width needed, then placed directly onto the barrier without requiring additional fitting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The width of the barrier bracket is adjusted to correspond to the barrier width before the bracket is placed over the barrier. This preliminary adjustment eliminates the need for on-site wedging of material to achieve a proper fit, reducing both the time and skill required for installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple custom bracket sizes are purchased and stored, then precise fit for each barrier width is achieved, but inventory cost and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecise fit for each barrier widthVSAvoidnumber of bracket types to purchase and store

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal barrier bracket design with an adjustable mechanism replaces the need to purchase and store multiple different sizes of custom brackets. The bracket can be adjusted to fit various barrier widths, eliminating inventory requirements for multiple bracket types while maintaining precise fit for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11598053B2System and method for supporting a rail of a concrete paver from a series of barriers having differing barrier width characteristics

Publication Date: 2023.03.07 TEREX USA LLC

AI summary

A system for paving a bridge comprising a screed rail configured to support a concrete paver and a plurality of adjustable width barrier brackets to support the screed rail with a bridge barrier, where each adjustable width barrier brackets comprise a rail support bracket and an “L” barrier bracket which allows for width adjustment by translation of the rail support bracket through the “L” barrier bracket.