Adjustable Box Finishing Profile for Safe-to-Ceiling Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing finishing devices for building systems, such as roller shutters, face challenges in accommodating varying lengths and positions of safes relative to walls and ceilings, requiring adjustable angle irons that are cumbersome to cut and install.

Innovation Solution

A versatile finishing device with a profiled design featuring a base, separable planar elements, and receiving means, including rupture initiation zones and cutouts for folding and adjustment, allowing manual adjustment and secure positioning without tools, and accommodating different safe sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If angle iron is used to conceal the space between the safe and ceiling, then the space can be concealed, but the device cannot accommodate varying lengths and positions of safes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying safe lengths and positionsVSAvoidcomplexity of having multiple angle sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The profile is divided into multiple separable planar elements that can be detached from the base. This segmentation allows the profile to be adapted to different safe dimensions by using only the necessary number of planar elements, eliminating the need to stock multiple complete angle sizes while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The profile incorporates rupture initiation zones that allow dynamic adjustment of the planar elements' lengths. These zones enable clean separation at predetermined points, allowing the profile to be dynamically reconfigured for different safe positions and sizes without requiring pre-cut custom pieces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a very long angle iron is used to accommodate different lengths, then it can be cut to appropriate length, but cutting tools and irregularities are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to accommodate different lengthsVSAvoidease of cutting and finishing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The rupture initiation zones are pre-formed during manufacturing at specific locations along the planar elements. This preliminary action eliminates the need for field cutting operations, as the separation points are already prepared. The zones guide clean breaks without requiring cutting tools, avoiding the irregularities that would otherwise need to be finished.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The planar elements are designed to self-separate at the rupture initiation zones through manual pressure or simple tools. The structure itself provides the means for its own adjustment, eliminating the need for external cutting equipment and the associated manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If angle iron is fixed to accommodate one safe position, then installation is simple, but it cannot be adjusted for different ceiling distances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidadjustability to different ceiling distances
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The profile's separable planar elements allow simple assembly and disassembly. Installers can easily attach or detach elements from the base without special tools, maintaining ease of operation while enabling adjustment to different ceiling distances by adding or removing planar elements as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2743441B1Device for finishing a box
Publication Date: 2015.08.19 BUBENDORFF SA
  • EP2743441B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2743441B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2743441B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The device (1) has a base plate (3) that is intended to be fixed on a box. A set of separable type plane elements (4, 4', 4'') is arranged to laterally extend with regard to the base plate. A set of reception elements (5, 5', 5'') is allowed to laterally extend with regard to the base plate, where the set of reception elements start from the base plate. The set of reception elements is arranged for receiving the set of plane elements after the set of plane elements is separated from the base plate. The device is installed in a space between the box and the ceiling of the building.