Anchor Pin Railing System for Concrete Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing railing installation methods face challenges such as corrosion, concrete degradation, and high installation costs due to the need for large equipment and permanent connections that prevent future adjustments or removals.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an anchor pin with a central shaft, a flared base, and upwardly extending arms with aligned holes for connectors, allowing for removable connections and adjustable height, which simplifies installation and facilitates future adjustments or replacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a post is embedded into concrete using traditional methods, then the railing is securely fixed, but large holes must be drilled which contact steel reinforcements causing galvanic reaction and concrete degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful steel reinforcement bars from the installation zone by using a mounting rod with diameter less than 1.5 inches, which is smaller than the typical 1.5-2 inch clearance around rebar. This allows the rod to be installed in concrete without contacting the reinforcement bars, eliminating the galvanic reaction problem while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting rod serves as an intermediary element between the concrete substrate and the aluminum post. It provides a secure anchor point in the concrete without directly contacting the harmful steel reinforcements, and then connects to the post through a press fit mechanism, thus mediating the connection while avoiding the harmful galvanic reaction.
2Strength
If a press fit connection is used to permanently secure the mounting rod, then the connection is strong and permanent, but thousands of pounds of pressure from large expensive equipment is required for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the installation process into two distinct phases: first installing the mounting rod in the concrete (which requires minimal force), then separately applying the press fit connection between the rod and post. This segmentation allows the use of smaller, more manageable equipment while achieving the same connection strength through a staged approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The press fit connection transitions from a static design requirement to a dynamic installation process. The mounting rod is first installed in the concrete with minimal force, then the post is pressed onto the rod to create the secure connection. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to installation conditions and reduces the peak force requirements compared to a single-step press fit installation.
3Strength
If the mounting rod is press fitted permanently into the post, then the connection is permanent and strong, but future removal for repair or adjustment is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic connection system where the mounting rod can be both securely fixed and later removed. The rod is press fitted into the post to provide strong initial connection, but the design allows for controlled removal when needed for repairs or adjustments, transforming a permanently fixed system into an adaptable one.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting rod is designed to be recoverable after serving its purpose. It can be removed from the post and reused or replaced, allowing for maintenance and adjustments while maintaining the structural integrity of the installation throughout its service life.
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor pin support for a post is provided. A central shaft has a flared base at an end of the central shaft. First and second arms extend upward from a top of the central shaft and define a gap therebetween. Each of the first and second arms having at least two sets of aligned holes, each shaped to receive a connector. An I-beam has two arms and a web, the web shaped to insert into the gap, the web of the I-beam having at least one hole. A connector is insertable into the first set of aligned holes of the anchor pin and one of the holes of the web of the I-beam to attach the anchor pin to the I-beam.