Adjustable Bracket Cavity for Multi-Size Barrier Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing canopy assemblies for barriers are limited in their ability to accommodate a plurality of differently dimensioned barrier top rails or wall surfaces while maintaining lateral stability, as they often rely on 90° angles and tightening screws, which restrict versatility and stability.
Innovation Solution
The canopy assembly features uniquely shaped brackets with adjustable angles and a tensioning system, allowing them to securely receive and constrain variously sized and shaped barrier top rails or wall surfaces, providing lateral stability and adaptability to different enclosure dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If 90° angle brackets with tightening screws are used, then the bracket structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ability to accommodate differently dimensioned barriers and maintain lateral stability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket design incorporates adjustable parameters including the angle between support surfaces (not fixed at 90°), the position of support surfaces along the cavity walls, and the dimensions of the cavity itself. These parameter adjustments allow the same bracket design to accommodate various barrier dimensions while maintaining lateral stability through optimized geometric configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket transitions from a static fixed-angle design to a dynamic adjustable-angle design. The support surfaces can be positioned at different angles relative to each other, allowing the bracket to adapt its geometry to match different barrier profiles and dimensions, thereby improving versatility without sacrificing structural integrity.
2Reliability
If tightening screws are added to prior art brackets, then lateral stability can be improved, but the number of components increases and versatility is still limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the lateral constraint function into the bracket structure itself through strategically positioned support surfaces that contact the barrier rails. This eliminates the need for separate tightening screws while achieving the same lateral stability objective, thereby reducing component count while maintaining or improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket design uses its own geometric structure and support surface positioning to provide lateral constraint, making the system self-sufficient. The cavity walls and support surfaces work together to naturally constrain the barrier rails laterally without requiring additional fastening components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If brackets are designed to accommodate multiple barrier dimensions, then versatility is improved, but maintaining lateral stability becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket employs local quality variations through support surfaces positioned at specific locations and angles within the cavity. Each support surface is strategically placed to contact specific portions of the barrier rail, providing localized lateral constraint that adapts to different barrier dimensions while maintaining overall stability through the distributed support system.
Data Source
AI summary
A canopy assembly for a barrier defined by at least two sides, wherein the canopy assembly including a cover assembly; and a bracket assembly, coupled to the cover assembly, wherein the bracket assembly includes at least a first bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the first side of the barrier and at least a second bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the second side of the barrier, wherein each of the at least first and second brackets have a cavity dimensioned to receive a plurality of differently dimensioned barrier top rails or wall surfaces.