Adjustable Lock Bolt for Folding Closure on Uneven Floors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding closures face challenges in securely locking sections due to uneven floors, as existing adjustment mechanisms for lock bolts can be difficult to operate within space limitations.
Innovation Solution
A locking post with a tubular body featuring a bottom bolt lock assembly, a latch unit, and a spring-biased bolt that can be adjusted in length without altering the lock bolt, along with guide means for easier installation and operation, allowing the bolt to extend into floor holes securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustment nut is used to change the distance the lock bolt extends, then the lock bolt can be adjusted to accommodate uneven floors, but it becomes difficult to rotate the adjustment nut due to space limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The lock bolt assembly is segmented into a fixed portion and an adjustable portion. The adjustable portion includes a lock bolt of adjustable length that can be selectively positioned, allowing adjustment without requiring rotation of a nut in confined spaces. This segmentation enables the bolt extension distance to be changed by selecting different bolt lengths rather than rotating an adjustment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock bolt system transitions from a static fixed-length bolt to a dynamic adjustable-length bolt. The adjustable lock bolt allows the extension distance to be changed adaptively to accommodate uneven floor conditions, providing dynamic adjustment capability where previously only static configurations were possible.
2Device complexity
If the lock bolt extends a predetermined length from the end of the locking post, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate uneven floors resulting in insufficient locking
Solution Approach 1:
The key parameter of the lock bolt is its length, which is made variable rather than fixed. By providing a lock bolt of adjustable length, the system can change the extension distance parameter to match varying floor conditions, ensuring reliable locking while maintaining relatively simple construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock bolt system transitions from a static fixed-length bolt to a dynamic adjustable-length bolt. The adjustable lock bolt allows the extension distance to be changed adaptively to accommodate uneven floor conditions, providing dynamic adjustment capability where previously only static configurations were possible.
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
Enables secure locking of folding closure sections on uneven floors by allowing adjustable bolt extension, simplifying the adjustment process and ensuring effective locking without requiring complex nut adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring on said bolt beneath said operator biasing the bolt to the extended position
Data Source
AI summary
A locking post for a closure having a locking unit in the middle of the post. The locking unit carries a latch movable transversely of the post between locked and unlocked positions. A bottom lock rod unit is slidably mounted in the bottom part of the post. The lock rod unit has a moving block, a lock rod extending from the bottom end of the moving block, and a rigid strap extending from the top end of the moving block to the locking unit and past the latch. The lock rod unit is movable within the post to move the lock rod from an unlocked position within the post out of the bottom end of the post to a locked position and to move the strap down past the latch. The latch on the locking unit is movable transversely of the post to a locked position in the path of movement of the strap to prevent the strap from returning to is unlocked position. An adjustable connection connects the strap to its moving block in a manner to be able to adjust the length of the lock rod unit.