U-Shaped Cable Guide Prevents Fraying and Lateral Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety solutions for guiding cables or ropes over building edges, such as using carpets or expensive swing-arm mechanisms, fail to securely and durably mitigate fraying and side-to-side motion, posing safety risks and being unsightly or costly.
Innovation Solution
A safety apparatus with a cable guide having a smooth channel or groove to constrain lateral movement, securely attached to a building using attach plates and fixing means, with an optional tethering feature for added security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If carpet or similar material is used to cover the building edge, then cable fraying is reduced, but lateral movement and slipping occur
Solution Approach 1:
A U-shaped cable guide made of durable material acts as an intermediary between the cable and the building edge. The guide's smooth interior surface prevents fraying while its rigid structure and attachment mechanism eliminate lateral movement and slipping problems associated with flexible carpet solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guide changes the physical parameters of the building edge by providing a smooth, constrained pathway. The guide's geometry (U-shape with specific dimensions) transforms the rough edge into a controlled channel that maintains cable position while protecting against fraying.
2Reliability
If swing-arm mechanisms are used to guide cable, then cable safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential function of cable guidance and protection from the complex swing-arm mechanism. By removing unnecessary mechanical components and simplifying the structure to a fixed U-shaped guide, the solution maintains cable safety while dramatically reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guide is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and installed. Rather than using expensive, complex swing-arm mechanisms, the guide provides effective cable protection at a fraction of the cost and complexity.
3Reliability
If swing-arm mechanisms are installed on building, then cable guidance is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the visually complex swing-arm mechanism and retains only the essential cable guidance function. The simple U-shaped guide has a much smaller profile and cleaner appearance compared to bulky swing-arm mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guide is designed to be compact and can be nested or integrated into the building structure. The U-shaped guide accommodates the cable within its confines, creating a neat, organized appearance that is aesthetically pleasing compared to exposed swing-arm mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A safety apparatus for secure attachment to a support structure includes: an attach plate securely attached to the support structure; a cable guide with a channel along the length of the cable guide for constraining a cable; and an attachment for attaching the cable guide to the attach plate, the attachment preventing any lateral movement of the cable guide in relation to the attach plate.