Angled Groove Weather Seal for Railing Base Shoe Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current weather seal systems for outdoor glass guard railings require installers to lean over the glass panel to install seals, posing safety risks, and often necessitate carrying and stocking multiple types of seals, increasing inventory and costs.
Innovation Solution
A railing base shoe and weather seal system with seal retaining grooves that allow for the installation of weather seals before or after the glass panel, using identical seals for both outboard and inboard gaps, and incorporating angled grooves for easy access and securement, enabling the use of a single type of seal and eliminating the need for dangerous leaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If weather seals are installed after the glass panel, then the seal can be properly positioned, but the installer must lean over the glass panel creating safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing seal retaining grooves pre-formed in the base shoe that allow the weather seal to be installed before the glass panel is placed. This eliminates the safety hazard of leaning over the glass panel while ensuring proper seal positioning through the pre-configured retention structure.
2Reliability
If multiple types of seals are used for outboard and inboard gaps, then each gap can be properly sealed, but inventory and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single weather seal that serves multiple functions - it can be installed in the base shoe to seal both the outboard gap (between base shoe and glass) and the inboard gap (between base shoe and framing member). This universal seal eliminates the need to stock multiple seal types while maintaining effective weatherproofing.
3Ease of operation
If traditional seal installation methods are used, then seals can be installed, but maintenance and cleaning access is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sealing function into distinct retention zones - the seal retaining groove in the base shoe and the seal retaining structure in the framing member. This segmentation allows the seal to be accessed and maintained from above through open ends of the retention structures, while each segment independently contributes to secure seal retention.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for waterproofing the interface between a base shoe and a panel is provided. The system includes a weather seal adapted to extend between an inner side wall of the base shoe and an adjacent surface of the panel to seal the gap therebetween. The system includes an elongate groove formed in the inner side wall at a downward offset angle and including a groove entrance that is accessible from directly above. The weather seal includes a foot adapted to be received into the elongate groove when the seal is configured to seal the gap. In this way, the seal may be installed from above and the seal's foot may be pressed into the groove via the groove entrance to secure the seal in place.