Adjustable Lally Column with Telescopic Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable columns require specialized tools and skilled labor for installation, are load-limited, and lack adequate uplift protection, often being installed without secure connections to the floor and beam, which is a concern under severe weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable column design featuring a lally column with a cap plate and selective retention mechanism, including a base plate and threaded adjustment fasteners that allow for height adjustment between a suspended and load-bearing position, providing uplift protection through secure connections to the floor and beam, enabling single-worker installation with readily available tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional lally columns are pre-fabricated and cut to size at the construction site, then the column can fit the actual height needed, but the cutting, assembling and installing process becomes time consuming and requires specialized tools and skilled labor
Solution Approach 1:
The column system transitions from fixed pre-fabricated segments to an adjustable telescopic design where the inner tube can slide within the outer tube, allowing dynamic height adjustment on-site without cutting or specialized tools, thus improving installation speed while maintaining height precision
Solution Approach 2:
The column is divided into telescopic segments (inner tube and outer tube) that can be adjusted independently, allowing flexible height configuration without requiring pre-cutting of solid column sections, enabling faster installation with standard tools
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable columns use telescopic design with crossbar and threaded bar, then height adjustment is possible, but the column becomes load limited compared to traditional lally type columns
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic mechanism allows dynamic height adjustment while maintaining structural integrity through properly designed tube walls and connection points, achieving both adaptability and sufficient load capacity for residential applications
Solution Approach 2:
The column is designed with pre-positioned connection points and reinforcement elements within the telescopic structure that prepare the system to handle loads at various heights, ensuring strength is maintained throughout the adjustment range
3Length of moving object
If adjustable columns are inserted with shim plates at the base, then height increase is achieved, but multiple personnel are required to retain the column in position while height is adjusted and alignment secured
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic inner tube serves its own alignment function during insertion, and the self-aligning connection mechanisms reduce the need for multiple workers to hold and position the column, simplifying the installation process while achieving height adjustment
4Ease of operation
If columns are simply placed in load bearing position without secure connection to floor and beam, then installation is simplified, but uplift protection is inadequate under severe weather or environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Anchor bolts are pre-installed in the floor and connection brackets are pre-attached to the column, so that when the column is placed, the uplift protection is already in position and requires only simple fastening operations, maintaining both simplicity and reliability
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 solution allows for efficient, single-worker installation of adjustable columns with enhanced uplift protection, addressing load limitations and installation complexities while ensuring secure connections to the floor and beam, thus improving structural integrity under various conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one threaded adjustment fastener is threadingly connected to the base flange. The adjustment fastener adjusts the distance between the base plate and base flange
Implementation Method 2
the first side of the cap plate can include a nut and the column can include a threaded anchor bolt that engages the nut to secure the cap plate and the column together
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable lally column apparatus is described that has a first end portion and an opposed second end portion. A cap plate has a first side and an opposed second side that is adapted to connect to a beam. The cap plate includes a selective retention mechanism. An adjustment mechanism connects to the second end portion of the column. The adjustment mechanism includes a base plate that is adapted to be positioned on a floor. The adjustable column has a first position wherein the cap plate is connected to the first end portion of the column and beam and the column is suspended from the beam. The adjustable column has a second position wherein the adjustment mechanism provides an adjustable load-bearing interface between the floor and a terminal end of the second end portion of the column. The adjustment mechanism adjusts to extend between the suspended column and the floor to place the column in a load bearing position between the beam and floor. A method of adjusting a column includes providing a column, a cap plate and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism connects to a second end portion of the column. The column is raised and a first portion of the column and the cap plate are connected to a beam. The column is then freely suspending from the beam. The height of the adjustment mechanism is adjusted such that the suspended adjustable column is moved between the suspended position and a load bearing position.