Adjustable Gate System with Compression Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fall restraint equipment, such as gates, often cannot accommodate gaps of varying dimensions, limiting their adaptability and functionality when used to cover accessways in fall restraint systems like gangways and platforms.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable gate system featuring supporting arms with interior cavities and adjustable arms equipped with compression members or pin-locking mechanisms, allowing for infinite adjustment and secure locking in place, enabling the gate to fit different gap dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gate is manufactured to fit specific dimensions, then the gate provides secure closure for that specific gap, but the gate cannot be used to cover gaps with different dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The gate incorporates adjustable arms with compression members that allow the gate length to be dynamically changed. The compression members enable the adjustable arm to be compressed to different lengths and locked into place, transforming a static gate into a dynamic, reconfigurable structure that can adapt to various gap dimensions without requiring multiple different gate designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional gates are used, then the gate structure is simple, but the gate leaves gaps when not in use and cannot accommodate varying dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The gate is divided into separate components including supporting arms and adjustable arms that can be independently positioned. The adjustable arm can be inserted into the supporting arm and locked at different positions using compression members, allowing the gate to be segmented and reconfigured to fit different gap sizes while maintaining operational simplicity through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate utilizes compression members that can be adjusted to change the effective length of the adjustable arm. By compressing the rubber compression member to different degrees, the gate length parameter can be changed to match various gap dimensions, enabling the same gate structure to accommodate different measurements through parameter adjustment rather than physical redesign.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable compression member is used, then the gate becomes infinitely adjustable, but the locking mechanism must be secure to maintain reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The compression member acts as an intermediary element between the adjustable arm and the supporting arm. It provides both the adjustability needed for infinite length variation and the reliability needed for secure locking, mediating between these two requirements by compressing against the supporting arm to create friction-based retention while allowing controlled adjustment when force is applied.
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 adjustable gate system provides a versatile solution that can be easily customized to fit various gap sizes, ensuring secure closure and adaptability in different configurations, enhancing the usability and effectiveness of fall restraint equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The adjustable compression member is adjusted to compress against the interior surface so that the adjustable arm is fixed relative to the first supporting arm
Implementation Method 2
the adjustable compression member compresses against the interior surface so that the adjustable arm is fixed relative to the first supporting arm
Data Source
AI summary
A gate comprises a spring-loaded hinge arrangement defining a rotational axis. A gate structure having a first support arm connected to a first end of the hinge arrangement is also provided. The gate structure is rotatable about the rotational axis. A spring-loaded hinge arrangement includes an outer hinge tube fixedly connectable to an adjacent structure and an inner hinge tube received in the outer hinge tube. The inner hinge tube has a first portion and a second portion movable with respect to each other, the second portion of the inner hinge tube being fixed with respect to the outer hinge tube and the first portion of the inner hinge tube being fixed with respect to the support arm.