Banded Liner System with Shock Absorbing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current banded liner systems are inadequate in providing fall protection, as they often allow objects to pass through tears or gaps near the edges of the bay, concentrating the load on fewer anchor points and increasing the likelihood of failure when impacted.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a banded liner system with shock-absorbing features, including reinforced edges and additional support sheets that can deform without tearing, distributed across the rafter and eave struts, and incorporating springs or flexible materials to absorb impact forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a banded liner system is used to support insulative blankets, then the system provides fall protection and defines a vapor barrier, but the system allows objects to pass through tears or gaps near edges, concentrating load on fewer anchor points and increasing failure likelihood
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating energy-absorbing elements (such as elastomeric materials, foam, or spring mechanisms) into the banded liner system at critical locations like edges and anchor points. These elements are pre-installed to absorb impact energy before it reaches the anchor points, preventing tear propagation and reducing the concentration of load during impact events, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and impact resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining the banded liner fabric with energy-absorbing materials (elastomeric compounds, foam layers, or spring mechanisms) to create a multi-layered system. This composite structure maintains the vapor barrier and support functions while adding impact absorption capability, allowing the system to withstand falls and impacts without tearing or failing at anchor points.
2Reliability
If the support sheet is made from polyethylene film, then the system provides a vapor barrier and ceiling surface, but the sheet may tear under impact load from falling objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by layering energy-absorbing materials (elastomeric compounds, foam, or spring mechanisms) over or beneath the polyethylene film support sheet. This composite construction maintains the vapor barrier properties of the polyethylene while adding tear resistance and impact absorption capability, allowing the sheet to withstand falling objects without tearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by pre-installing energy-absorbing elements at critical locations on the support sheet, such as edges and areas prone to impact. These elements are positioned in advance to cushion against falling objects, preventing tear propagation through the polyethylene film while maintaining its vapor barrier function.
3Ease of operation
If workers stand on previously laid roof sections, then assembly is facilitated, but the roof structure must withstand impact forces from dropped objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating energy-absorbing elements into the banded liner system at locations where workers are likely to walk and where objects may be dropped. This allows workers to safely stand and work on the roof during assembly while the pre-installed cushioning elements absorb impact forces from dropped tools or materials, maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
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
Enhances the ability to retain falling objects by distributing impact forces and preventing tears, ensuring the system can withstand a 400-pound object dropped from 42 inches without failing, thereby improving worker safety on roofs.
Implementation Method 1
a shock absorbing member attached between the support sheet and one of the rafter beams or the eave struts
Implementation Method 2
additional support sheets that can deform without tearing
Data Source
AI summary
A roof structure of a building that has a pair of rafter beams and a pair of eave struts extending between and connected to the rafter beams includes a plurality of first banding strips. The first banding strips have opposite distal ends extending between and connected to the rafter beams. A plurality of second banding strips has opposite distal ends extending between and connected to the eave struts. A support sheet is supported on the first and second banding strips, and a shock absorbing member is attached between the support sheet and one of the rafter beams or the eave struts.