Beam Anchor Locking Arms for One-Handed I-Beam Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beam anchors require two hands for installation on an I-beam and involve time-consuming processes like tightening levers or clamps, posing a challenge for single-handed installation and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A beam anchor design featuring a pair of braces and arm assemblies with pivot joints and a locking mechanism, allowing single-handed installation and secure mounting on beams without the need for lever tightening, using a connector pin to distribute load and engage the beam's web.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional beam anchors use two hands for installation and require tightening levers or clamps, then secure mounting is achieved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The beam anchor is designed to be self-installing through a cam mechanism. When the installer pushes the beam anchor against the I-beam, the cam automatically engages with the beam flange and secures the anchor in position without requiring manual tightening of levers or clamps. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual operations while maintaining secure mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the time-consuming tightening lever or clamp component from the conventional beam anchor design. By extracting this unnecessary element and replacing it with a push-to-install cam mechanism, the design achieves secure mounting without the cumbersome tightening process, thereby reducing installation time and complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional beam anchors require manual tightening of levers or clamps, then secure mounting is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism automatically secures the beam anchor to the I-beam through a simple pushing motion. The cam's geometric design ensures that when force is applied, it naturally engages with the beam flange and locks into position, providing reliable mounting without requiring complex manual tightening operations or multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a tightening mechanism that requires rotational motion and manual effort, the invention inverts the approach by using a cam that converts linear pushing motion into automatic engagement and securing. This inversion simplifies the operation from complex multi-step tightening to a single intuitive pushing action while maintaining mounting security.
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
Enables secure, single-handed installation and removal of beam anchors on various beam types, enhancing safety and efficiency in fall protection systems by reducing installation time and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The pivot joints are frictionless, allowing smooth movement of the arm assemblies
Implementation Method 2
a locking mechanism, movable between a locked position in which the torque arm of one of the first or second arm assemblies is locked to the slotted arm of the same one of the first or second arm assemblies
Implementation Method 3
a load applied to the connector pin causes the slotted arms to pivot away from each other as the connector pin slides along the arm slots
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A beam anchor includes first and second arm assemblies, each comprising a torque arm having a jaw portion, and a slotted arm having slotted portions containing an arm slot. The jaw portions oppose each other, the slotted portions are side-by-side, and the torque arm and slotted arm of the first and second arm assemblies are coupled to a pair of braces respectively at a pair of pivot joints. The first arm assembly includes a locking mechanism, movable between a locked position locking the torque arm to its slotted arm, and an unlocked position in which the torque arm is freely pivotable. A connector pin extends into the arm slots, and a load on the connector pin causes the slotted arms to pivot away from each other, and the torque arms pivot to toward each other until the jaw portions engage a web of a beam.