Rolling Support for Bleachers with Adaptive Wheel Strut

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seating apparatuses in mixed-use facilities with stepped surfaces face challenges in smoothly transitioning between elevated and base surfaces due to the step height, limiting their mobility and configuration flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A wheel arrangement system comprising a strut, strut spring, trigger arm, and trigger spring that pivots between locked and unlocked positions to adapt to the step height, allowing the seating apparatus to extend or retract for smooth movement between the base and raised surfaces, enabling efficient rolling and configuration changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the wheel arrangement uses a fixed strut position, then the structure is simple and stable, but the apparatus cannot smoothly transition between base surface and raised surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransition capability between surfacesVSAvoidwheel arrangement structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The strut is made dynamically adjustable between extended and retracted positions through a trigger mechanism. This allows the wheel arrangement to adapt its geometry to match different surface levels, enabling smooth transitions between the base surface and raised surface while maintaining structural stability when locked in position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel arrangement is divided into separable components (strut, trigger arm, springs, wheel) that can independently adjust their positions. This segmentation allows the strut to extend or retract as needed, providing the adaptability to handle stepped surfaces while keeping each component relatively simple in design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the strut is locked in extended position for base surface, then stability on base surface is maximized, but transition to raised surface becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability on base surfaceVSAvoidtransition operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger mechanism is designed to be automatically activated during the transition process. When the apparatus encounters the step edge, the trigger arm naturally pivots and releases the strut lock, allowing the strut to self-adjust from extended to retracted position without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger spring is pre-loaded to store energy that facilitates the strut transition. When the trigger arm is released, the pre-stored energy in the spring automatically drives the strut from the extended to retracted position, making the transition operation smooth and requiring minimal effort from the operator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If the trigger arm remains in locked position, then the strut maintains its position, but the apparatus cannot adapt to surface transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrut position stabilityVSAvoidsurface adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger arm acts as a feedback mechanism that detects when the apparatus encounters a surface transition. When the wheel hits the step edge, the trigger arm pivots in response to the change in terrain, automatically signaling the need for strut adjustment and initiating the transition sequence to adapt to the new surface level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger spring is pre-loaded in the opposite direction to the desired strut movement. When the trigger arm is released, this pre-loaded spring provides the counter-action force needed to rapidly extend or retract the strut, overcoming any resistance and ensuring a smooth, decisive transition that prevents instability during the adaptation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 seamless transition over steps and flexible configuration changes, allowing the seating apparatus to be easily converted between storage and bleacher configurations, enhancing mobility and usability in facilities with varied floor levels.

Implementation Method 1

The spring biases the strut for movement towards the extended position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The trigger spring biases the trigger arm for movement towards the locking position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 3

Each wheel arrangement includes a strut, a strut spring, a trigger arm and a trigger spring. The strut has a wheel rotatably mounted thereto

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10584505B2Rolling support for bleachers

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 DJOOS JIMMY

AI summary

A rolling support for bleachers apparatus. The apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of wheel arrangements, each wheel arrangement including a strut to which a wheel is rotatably mounted, the strut pivotally mounted to the frame for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. The wheel arrangement also includes a spring biasing the strut for movement towards the extended position, a trigger arm pivotable between a locked position and an unlocked position and a spring biasing the trigger arm for movement towards the locking position.