System and apparatus for hanging heavy objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for hanging heavy objects from ceilings are cumbersome and expensive, particularly in retrofit situations where the location and construction of ceiling beams and joists are unknown, leading to increased costs due to custom installation requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a junction box and a crossbar secured to adjoining beams or joists via adjustable bracket housings with multiple aperture positions, allowing for flexible installation and accommodating varying beam heights, and using standard sheet metal processing techniques to form the components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard electrical box is secured directly to structural members, then installation is simple in new construction, but installation becomes cumbersome and expensive in retrofit situations
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket housing includes multiple apertures positioned at different vertical locations, allowing the crossbar to be installed at various heights. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to different beam positions in both new construction and retrofit situations, resolving the contradiction between installation simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is designed to work with standard electrical boxes and can be installed on various structural members (beams, joists, rafters) at different positions. The universal design with adjustable bracket housings allows the same system to serve both new construction and retrofit applications effectively.
2Manufacturing precision
If custom installation components are used in retrofit situations, then precise fitting to unknown structural members is achieved, but installation costs and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket housing is pre-manufactured with multiple apertures positioned at predetermined vertical intervals. This preliminary preparation of the mounting component allows installers to quickly select the appropriate aperture for the specific beam position without requiring custom fabrication or complex measurements during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is divided into separate modular components: the electrical box, the crossbar, and the bracket housing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the bracket housing providing the adaptation capability through its multiple apertures, while maintaining quick and simple assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple aperture positions are provided in bracket housing, then adaptability to different beam positions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complexity is localized to the bracket housing component, which contains the multiple apertures. The rest of the mounting system (electrical box, crossbar) remains simple and unchanged. This localized approach provides the necessary adaptability without making the entire system complex.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, architectures, mechanisms or apparatus adapted to suspend or otherwise hang heavy objects such as chandeliers such as from a ceiling via a junction box suspended therein from a crossbar secured to one or more adjoining beams or joists via respective bracket housings configured to adjust an inclination of the crossbar secured therein.