Portable Construction Tent Secured to Parapet Walls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable construction tents are not easily deployable, quick, inexpensive, or durable enough for use on roofs during inclement weather conditions, leading to potential delays in construction.

Innovation Solution

A portable construction tent system that unfolds, adjusts, and secures to parapet walls using steel rafters and a disposable/recyclable low-density polyethylene film or cellophane wrap, which can be heat-shrunk for a tight and secure fit, providing protection from various weather conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional portable tents are used for roof construction, then workers have some weather protection, but the tents are difficult to deploy, not quick to set up, and not durable enough for inclement weather

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability in inclement weatherVSAvoidease of deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tent is divided into multiple panels (first panel, second panel, third panel, fourth panel) that can be independently assembled and configured. Each panel can be separately deployed and secured to the roof structure, allowing for modular assembly that is both quick to deploy and structurally sound when combined.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Grommets are pre-formed at specific locations on the panels, and reinforcement patches are pre-positioned at high-stress areas. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex field modifications during deployment, enabling quick setup while ensuring durable construction for withstanding inclement weather.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If complex portable tent systems are used, then better weather protection is achieved, but the setup process becomes time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from weatherVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The weather protection system is segmented into four distinct panels that can be independently handled and assembled. This segmentation allows workers to deploy each panel separately and secure it to the roof structure using pre-positioned grommets and reinforcement patches, significantly reducing overall setup time while maintaining comprehensive weather protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tent panels utilize a disposable or easily replaceable design with reinforcement patches that can be quickly applied and removed. This approach reduces the need for complex, expensive, time-consuming assembly mechanisms while providing adequate weather protection for the duration of construction work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If existing construction tents are used, then some weather coverage is provided, but they lack durability to withstand high wind speeds and inclement conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Reinforcement patches are strategically placed at specific high-stress locations on each panel where wind loads are most concentrated. This localized reinforcement provides enhanced strength and wind resistance exactly where needed, rather than uniformly thickening the entire structure, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while improving durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The tent panels combine different materials with complementary properties: the main panel fabric provides basic weather resistance, while the reinforcement patches (made of different material with higher strength-to-weight ratio) provide enhanced wind resistance at critical areas. This composite approach achieves high wind resistance without excessive manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

The system allows for efficient and safe work on roofs in inclement weather, preventing delays by offering durable, waterproof, and wind-resistant protection for workers and the site, while being easy to use and environmentally friendly.

Implementation Method 1

the wrap may be heat shrunk around the poles (which may be steel rafters), which are bolted to the parapet walls

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat shrinking: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentUS10822821B2Portable construction tent and system

Publication Date: 2020.11.03 KELLY ROBERT J

AI summary

A portable construction tent is provided. The portable construction tent is especially suitable for use in inclement weather conditions. In particular, the portable construction tent is especially suitable for use on a building when construction or repair is being done to the roof of the building. The portable tent unfolds, is adjusted for size, and then is secured to the parapet walls of the roof and finally is locked into place. A discard-able, recycle-able wrap is draped over support poles of the tent and is secured. In an embodiment, the wrap may be a low-density polyethylene film or cellophane. Further, in an embodiment, the wrap may be heat shrunk around the poles (which may be steel rafters), which are bolted to the parapet walls. Once in place, the portable construction tent allows workers to work on the roof of a building in almost any weather condition.