Adjustable Support Stand for Leveling Precast Wall Forms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pre-cast concrete wall forms with laterally movable side members face challenges in stabilization and leveling due to uneven production plant floors, leading to lost production time and potential deformation of support legs, which require frequent adjustment or replacement.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable support stand with a frame portion and a leg member that is movable relative to the frame, featuring a threaded rod and actuator mechanism for vertical adjustment, allowing for leveling and easy deployment, and a clamping apparatus for secure attachment to steel beam frame members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fixed length support legs are used to support the form, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the form cannot be properly leveled on uneven floors when the movable side member is re-positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The support leg is designed with an adjustable length mechanism that allows it to transition from a fixed state to an adjustable state. The telescopic structure with lockable segments enables the support leg to adapt its length dynamically based on floor unevenness and form positioning requirements, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support leg structure incorporates the ability to change its length parameter through telescopic segments and locking mechanisms. This parameter change capability allows the same support leg to function both as a simple fixed support and as an adjustable leveling device, eliminating the need for different support legs for different conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If shimming the support leg is performed to maintain proper positioning of the movable side member, then the form can be leveled, but production time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The support leg is designed with preliminary adjustment capabilities built into its structure, allowing operators to make length adjustments before the form is positioned or during setup phases. The telescopic design with multiple lockable positions enables preemptive leveling adjustments, eliminating the need for time-consuming shimming operations during production.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional shimming method (using separate wedge-shaped filler pieces) is replaced by an integrated telescopic adjustment mechanism built into the support leg itself. This mechanical substitution consolidates multiple components and operations into a single integrated system, reducing both the time and complexity of the leveling process.
3Reliability
If support legs are deformed or bent during manufacturing, then they must be cut off and replaced, but this requires additional time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The support leg is divided into multiple telescopic segments that can be independently adjusted or replaced. If one segment becomes deformed or damaged, only that specific segment needs to be replaced rather than the entire support leg, reducing repair time and resource requirements while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular telescopic design allows damaged segments to be easily discarded and replaced with new or refurbished segments. The standardized interface between segments enables quick replacement operations, and undamaged segments can be recovered and reused, reducing overall replacement costs and time.
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
Facilitates rapid deployment and replacement of support legs, ensures proper leveling of pre-cast concrete wall forms, and maintains stability even on uneven floors, reducing production downtime and extending the life of support structures.
Implementation Method 1
a threaded rod positioned fixed for rotation within the frame portion to drive a vertical movement of the leg member in response to rotation of the threaded rod
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable support stand is mounted on a pre-cast concrete wall panel form to facilitate the leveling of the form and the support of the form about the production plant floor. The adjustable support stand includes a frame portion that houses a threaded rod positional fixed for rotation within the frame portion to drive a vertical movement of the leg member in response to rotation of the threaded rod. The adjustable support stand further includes a clamping apparatus that detachably mounts the frame portion to the flanges of a steel beam frame member. The actuator member can be a nut welded to the top of the threaded rod to affect movement of the engaged leg member in response to manipulation with a powered or manually operated hand tool, or a gear set and an orthogonal drive shaft that transfers rotation from a hand tool to the threaded rod.