Hollow Section Column Fitting for Rapid Building Unit Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional poured concrete slab foundations are inaccurate, susceptible to movement, require skilled installation, and have long curing times, making them inefficient for modern building practices that demand quicker and more economical solutions, especially in sloping sites or when raising floor levels.
Innovation Solution
A fitting system comprising a body portion and rim portions that securely engage the upper end of a hollow section column, allowing for easy installation and load transfer, along with a seat that complements the column's cross-sectional configuration, enabling quick and versatile attachment of building units like floor panels or cassettes, without the need for welding, thus maintaining corrosion resistance and allowing for various load-bearing configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional poured concrete slab foundations are used, then the foundation provides structural support, but the installation time is long and the precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional poured concrete foundations with adjustable steel feet that can be quickly positioned and secured. These steel feet serve as temporary but sufficient support structures during construction and can be easily adjusted or replaced, eliminating the need for long curing times associated with concrete while providing adequate structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of foundation material from concrete to adjustable metal components. The steel feet with threaded rods allow for precise height and position adjustments, providing both high precision and rapid installation without the time-consuming curing process required by concrete foundations.
2Reliability
If traditional poured concrete slab foundations are used, then the foundation provides structural support, but the installation complexity is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex concrete pouring and curing operations with simple adjustable steel feet that require minimal skill to install. The modular design with threaded rods and nuts allows workers to easily adjust and secure the foundation points without needing specialized concrete working skills, while still providing reliable structural support.
3Strength
If fittings are welded to the column, then the connection strength is high, but the corrosion resistance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary fitting component that connects the column to the support without direct welding to the column itself. The fitting acts as a mediator that can be securely attached to the column (potentially through mechanical means rather than welding) and then connected to the support, thereby maintaining the column's corrosion resistance while still achieving a strong connection through the intermediary component.
Data Source
AI summary
A fitting for coupling an open upper end of a hollow section column to a support via which a building unit is to be supported on the column. The fitting comprises a body portion configured to be received in the open upper end of the column and rim portions that extend laterally outwardly from an upper end of the body portion so as to engage edge sections of the column at its upper end when the body portion is received in the open upper end.