Adjustable Connecting Block for Decorative Railing Angle Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand railing systems lack the ability to be securely attached to vertical surfaces at angles other than 90°, and they do not allow for easy changes in appearance once installed.
Innovation Solution
A decorative hand railing system featuring an elongated extruded core with a H-shaped cross-section and a connecting block that can be secured to vertical surfaces at various angles, allowing for adjustable attachment and easy replacement of decorative sheet material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-point pivot attachment is used to allow angle adjustment, then adaptability to different angles is improved, but attachment strength and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment block is segmented into multiple mounting surfaces with different orientation angles (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°), allowing the railing to be securely attached to vertical surfaces at various angles through multiple contact points rather than a single pivot point
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment block provides multiple mounting surfaces oriented at different angles in multiple dimensions, enabling the railing to be attached at various vertical and horizontal angles while maintaining strong multi-point contact with the vertical surface
2Stability of the object's composition
If decorative sheet material is permanently attached to the railing, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of appearance change deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative sheet material is segmented into removable panels that can be independently detached and replaced, allowing appearance changes while maintaining structural integrity through the permanent aluminum extrusion core
Solution Approach 2:
The decorative sheet material is designed to be removable and replaceable, allowing homeowners to discard old decorative panels and install new ones with different colors or designs while retaining the permanent structural core
3Length of moving object
If a longer screw is used to attach the railing at an angle to a vertical surface, then attachment reach is improved, but attachment strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment function is segmented between the block (which provides multiple angled mounting surfaces) and shorter screws, eliminating the need for long angled screws while maintaining strong attachment through proper geometric alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The block serves as an intermediary component between the railing and the vertical surface, providing multiple angled mounting surfaces that enable strong attachment at various angles without requiring excessively long screws
Data Source
AI summary
The railing extends between and is secured to posts or other substantially vertical surfaces so as to function as a hand rail. It includes an elongated extruded structural core member which has a left vertical wall and a right vertical wall spaced therefrom. A horizontal wall extends between the vertical walls forming a substantially H-shaped cross-section with an open top and an open bottom. A block is secured to an end of the structural member and is adapted to attach the member to a vertical surface. The block has the ability to be secured to the structural member in a plurality of different orientations to thereby allow the structural member to be attached to the vertical surface in a plurality of different angles relative thereto. Top and bottom finishing caps close the top and bottom of the structural member. Each of the right and left walls includes opposing slots for holding elongated decorative sheet material so that the appearance of the railing can be changed.