Balcony Railing Support Element Coupling for Adjustable Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing balcony railing support element constructions require high levels of advance planning and precision in connecting elements like screws, bolts, and welds, making installation complex and prone to stress peaks, with limited flexibility for adjusting positions post-assembly.

Innovation Solution

A support element construction that allows for guided relative displacement between elements using guide systems and locking devices, enabling flexible adjustment of positions and preventing unintentional release, while maintaining stability and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional connecting elements (screws, bolts, welds) are used to connect support elements, then high stability and safety are achieved, but installation complexity increases and positioning flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability and safetyVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling piece is divided into distinct functional components: a receiving region for the first support element and a projecting region for the second support element. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently - the receiving region provides guiding and positioning functionality while the projecting region provides connection functionality, thereby simplifying installation while maintaining stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling piece acts as an intermediary element between the first and second support elements. It mediates the connection by providing a receiving groove that guides the first support element and a projecting portion that connects to the second support element, eliminating the need for complex screw or weld connections while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If traditional connecting elements are used, then robust connection is achieved, but adjustment flexibility after assembly is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidposition adjustment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling piece incorporates dynamic characteristics through its geometric design - the receiving groove with guiding surfaces allows the first support element to be inserted and positioned with flexibility, while the projecting portion maintains a strong connection to the second support element. This enables adjustment during installation while ensuring structural strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the connection parameter from rigid fixed positioning (traditional bolts/welds) to guided flexible positioning. The receiving groove's geometric parameters are designed to provide both guidance for accurate positioning and freedom for adjustment, transforming the connection from static to dynamically adjustable while maintaining strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If precise initial positioning is required for traditional connections, then manufacturing precision is improved, but installation time and error correction capability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving groove is pre-formed with guiding surfaces that automatically guide the first support element into the correct position during insertion. This preliminary action of pre-forming the groove with integrated guiding features eliminates the need for precise pre-positioning and allows for easy adjustment and error correction during installation, significantly reducing installation time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3848530B1Supporting element structure for balcony railing and its use
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 BERGHOFER BERNHARD
  • EP3848530B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3848530B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3848530B1 patent drawingFigure 7~11

AI summary

The invention relates to a support element construction for a balcony railing (1) in order to connect several support elements (6) of the balcony railing (1) to each other for the construction of the balcony railing (1), wherein the support element construction comprises a first support element, a second support element and a coupling piece to connect the first support element and the second support element to each other with the coupling piece.To achieve high practicality and safe handling, the invention provides that, in a support element construction of the type mentioned above, a first guide system is provided to connect the first support element to the coupling piece in a positive fit, and a second guide system is provided to connect the second support element to the coupling piece in a positive fit, so that both the first support element and the second support element are guided and displaceable relative to the coupling piece in order to adjust the relative position of the first support element relative to the second support element. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of such a support element construction.