Articulating Support Bracket for Adjustable Structural Angles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional support brackets in construction require precise pre-cutting of structural members to achieve desired angles, leading to inefficiencies, material wastage, and the need for specialized equipment or skilled labor for adjustments.
Innovation Solution
The development of articulating support brackets with hinged or connecting brackets that allow structural members to be interconnected into a modular framework without pre-cutting, enabling adjustable angles and easy reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fixed connections are used to connect structural members, then structural stability and strength are improved, but adaptability and ease of adjustment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket incorporates a hinge mechanism that transforms the rigid fixed connection into a dynamic adjustable connection. The hinge allows the bracket to pivot between multiple angular positions, enabling the structural members to be connected at various angles while maintaining secure fastening. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by providing both structural stability through positive engagement and adaptability through adjustable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism enables change in the angular parameter of the connection between structural members. By allowing the bracket to rotate around the hinge axis, the connection angle can be adjusted to different values, providing versatility in assembly configurations while maintaining structural integrity through the fastening mechanism.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise pre-cutting of structural members is performed to achieve desired angles, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pre-cutting structural members to precise angles before assembly, the invention inverts the approach by using a hinge mechanism that achieves precise angular positioning during assembly. The hinge provides predefined angular positions that ensure manufacturing precision without requiring advance cutting operations, thereby improving productivity and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge acts as an intermediary component between structural members, providing the angular adjustment capability without requiring modification of the structural members themselves. This mediator enables precise angle achievement through the hinge's mechanical design rather than through pre-cutting the members, streamlining the assembly process.
3Device complexity
If fixed-angle connections are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket with hinge mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables angular adjustment, and allows reconfiguration of structural members. This multi-functionality achieves adaptability and versatility without significantly increasing device complexity, as the hinge is integrated into the bracket design rather than being a separate complex mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An articulating support bracket for building structures. The articulating support bracket includes supporting cap brackets each having a hollow interior for receiving a structural support member. A connection point disposed on each closed side of the supporting cap brackets that allow the support cap brackets to be connected to each other via a connecting bracket. The connecting bracket formed is formed by a pair of U-shaped members that can be pivotally secured to one another. The connecting or support brackets work by coupling the structural support members together in a way that allows a selectively change angles as needed without having to pre-cut the member or other materials to proper angles before erecting the building structure. The components of the articulating support bracket can be disassembled and reconstructed into the same structure in a different location or reconstructed into a different configuration with ease.