Adjustable Demolition Head With Vibratory-Assist for Decking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decking and plank removal tools, such as crowbars, are inefficient for removing deck boards of varying sizes and require significant effort and time, especially when dealing with larger planks and rusted nails or screws.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable lever-type decking and plank removal tool with a vibratory-assist mechanism, featuring a demolition head with adjustable pins and a hook member, and a pneumatic vibratory module to assist in removing difficult planks, allowing for efficient prying of deck boards without damaging the underlying joists.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixed-size demolition head is used, then the tool can efficiently remove planks of a specific size, but it cannot accommodate planks of different sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The demolition head is made adjustable through a mechanism that allows repositioning along the handle. The head can be moved to different positions and secured using set screws, enabling the tool to adapt to various plank thicknesses and sizes while maintaining efficient removal capability for each specific size.
2Device complexity
If manual prying force is used, then the tool structure remains simple, but significant effort and time are required to remove rusted nails and difficult planks
Solution Approach 1:
A vibratory mechanism is incorporated into the demolition head that generates high-frequency vibrations. These vibrations are transmitted to the plank and fasteners, helping to break the bond between rusted nails and wood, and making it easier to remove difficult planks with minimal manual effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual prying action is supplemented by an electric motor-driven vibratory system. The motor replaces part of the manual mechanical effort with automated vibratory motion, reducing the physical strain on the operator while maintaining structural simplicity through modular components.
3Reliability
If gradual working from one end of the deck board is used, then the crowbar can effectively pry up boards, but the process takes hours and is unsuitable for professional demolition
Solution Approach 1:
The vibratory mechanism in the demolition head rapidly breaks the bond between multiple fasteners simultaneously across the plank width. This allows professionals to remove entire sections of decking much faster than gradual prying, while the leveraging action ensures reliable removal of each board.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibratory action performs preliminary work by loosening and breaking the bond of rusted fasteners before the final prying motion. This preliminary vibration weakens the connection between nails and wood, making the subsequent removal action faster and more effective.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tool enables quick and efficient removal of deck boards of various sizes with minimal effort, minimizing damage and effectively handling rusted nails, while allowing for upright operation and precise application of force to each fastener.
Implementation Method 1
a vibratory pry-head to assist in removing difficult planks
Data Source
AI summary
A versatile lever-type decking and plank removal tool for more efficiently prying floor-boards from deck foundations and floor-joists to which they are nailed. The decking and plank removal tool uses an adjustable demolition head having an offset inverted hook to tear off any deck board in any configuration in seconds with a minimum of effort, allowing the user to remain completely upright for the entire process. An optional vibratory-assist module is also disclosed.