Beam Anchor Clamping Mechanism for One-Hand 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 lever tightening, making them cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A beam anchor design featuring a pair of arm assemblies with pivotable torque arms and slotted arms, a locking mechanism, and a connector pin, allowing single-hand installation and secure clamping onto beams without lever manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional beam anchors are used, then secure attachment to beams is achieved, but installation requires two hands and lever tightening operations
Solution Approach 1:
The beam anchor is designed to be self-installing through a cam mechanism. When the installer applies downward pressure on the handle, the cam mechanism automatically engages with the beam flange and secures the anchor in place without requiring manual tightening of levers or additional hand operations. The system serves itself by converting the installer's pressing motion directly into the securing action.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex lever tightening mechanism and multiple hardware components from conventional beam anchors have been extracted and replaced with a simplified cam-based securing system. The invention removes the need for manual lever manipulation and multi-step installation procedures, retaining only the essential function of secure attachment through a single pressing motion.
2Productivity
If conventional beam anchors with lever tightening are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is pre-configured within the beam anchor body during manufacturing. The cam surface and engagement features are built-in advance, so that during installation, the installer only needs to apply downward pressure to activate the pre-designed securing action. This eliminates the need for time-consuming manual lever tightening operations and multiple adjustment steps.
3Reliability
If beam anchor installation requires two hands and lever manipulation, then secure attachment is achieved, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical lever tightening system has been replaced with a cam-based mechanism that converts simple downward pressing motion into secure attachment. The cam mechanism provides mechanical advantage and locking action through its geometric design, replacing the need for manual lever manipulation while maintaining secure attachment to the beam.
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 quick and secure mounting of beam anchors to beams using one hand, reducing installation time and ensuring stable attachment through a clamping mechanism that engages the beam's web.
Implementation Method 1
a torque arm and a slotted arm of the first and second arm assemblies are coupled to the braces respectively at a pair of pivot joints on opposite sides of the beam anchor
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, and the torque arms pivot toward each other until the jaw portions engage the web of the beam
Implementation Method 4
the torque arms pivot toward each other until the jaw portions engage the web of the beam
Data Source
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.