Alignment tool

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of heavy-duty storage racks often damages fixed-in-ground anchor bolts due to misalignment, leading to costly repairs or replacements, and requires inefficient and time-consuming alignment processes.

Innovation Solution

An alignment tool with a conical shape and cylindrical body is designed to protect and align anchor bolts during storage rack installation, featuring a conical apex and cylindrical body that guides the rack into position without damaging the bolts, and can be easily removed after use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If straight anchor bolts are installed with holes only slightly larger than the bolt diameter, then strong support is provided for the storage rack, but the bolts are easily damaged during installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport strengthVSAvoidbolt damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an alignment tool as an intermediary device between the anchor bolt and the storage rack base plate. This alignment tool has a tapered portion that fits into the hole of the base plate and a cylindrical portion that protects the anchor bolt. The intermediary tool allows the hole to be larger than the bolt while maintaining strong support, preventing direct contact and damage between the bolt and the base plate during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple holes and bolts are precisely aligned simultaneously, then proper installation is achieved, but the process becomes very time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment tool features a tapered portion that automatically guides itself into the hole of the base plate through self-alignment. When the alignment tool is inserted, the tapered shape causes it to naturally orient itself and center on the hole, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment procedures. This self-aligning mechanism significantly reduces installation time while maintaining precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of repair

If damaged bolts are replaced at the same location, then replacement is achieved, but the floor structure is weakened and relocation is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebolt replacementVSAvoidfloor structure stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment tool with its cylindrical protective portion acts as a cushioning device that prevents damage to the anchor bolt during installation. By protecting the bolt threads and surface from contact with the base plate and other hard surfaces, the alignment tool eliminates the need for bolt replacement. This beforehand protection maintains the integrity of both the bolt and the floor structure, avoiding the need to relocate bolts due to floor weakening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11185163B2Alignment tool

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 FRAZIER INDUSTRIAL COMPANY

AI summary

An alignment tool that is easy to use during the installation and fastening of storage rack is disclosed herein. The alignment tool comprises a first end having a conical shape and a second end defining an opening therein, and the opening extending into said cylindrical body along the longitudinal axis. Once the storage rack is installed, the alignment tool can be easily removed with a removal tool through a hole in the alignment tool.