Adjustable Crane Rail Brace Wedge Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crane rail securing systems require frequent inspection and maintenance due to loose bolts, leading to safety concerns and increased costs, as they fail to securely hold the crane rail in place without frequent adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable crane rail brace that uses a block and wedge mechanism with serrated portions and a resilient nose, along with spring means, to exert lateral forces and secure the crane rail to a tie plate without bolts, allowing for lateral movement and reduced maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bolt and rubber nose grip system is used to secure the crane rail, then the rail can be held in place, but the threaded bolt becomes loose requiring frequent inspection and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the threaded bolt from the securing system entirely, extracting the problematic component that required frequent maintenance. The new design uses a wedge-shaped block that is driven between the rail base and tie plate, eliminating the bolt-nose grip mechanism that loosened over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the securing mechanism from a threaded fastening system to a wedge-driven friction system. The wedge block is driven laterally to create frictional engagement between its serrated surfaces, fundamentally changing how the rail is secured without requiring periodic tightening.
2Reliability
If a bolted cantilevered plate system is used, then the crane rail can be secured, but frequent inspection and maintenance is required which is costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge block system is designed to be self-securing through frictional engagement of the serrated surfaces. Once the wedge is driven into position between the rail base and tie plate, the friction between the serrated surfaces maintains the securing force without requiring periodic inspection or adjustment, making the system self-maintaining.
3Ease of operation
If a friction-fit system with serrated portions is used, then maintenance requirements are reduced, but the device complexity increases with the wedge mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The securing system is segmented into distinct functional components: a wedge-shaped block with serrated surfaces, a member with complementary serrated portions, and a resilient nose. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while simplifying the overall maintenance requirements, as the modular design enables easy replacement of individual wear components.
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 solution provides a secure and stable crane rail attachment with reduced maintenance requirements, enhancing safety by eliminating the need for frequent inspections and minimizing the risk of accidents associated with loose rail clips.
Implementation Method 1
spring means, mounted to the block, for exerting downward force upon the top face
Implementation Method 2
The first and second serrated portions are in frictional engagement
Implementation Method 3
a wedge interposed between the block and the rail base, with the wedge being slidable longitudinally with respect to the rail base
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable crane rail brace that provides for lateral movement of a crane rail having a rail base resting upon a tie plate. The brace includes a block mounted to the tie plate and a wedge interposed between the block and the rail base. The wedge is slidable longitudinally with respect to the rail base. The block is mounted at an acute angle with respect to the lateral edge of the rail base, and the wedge has sides at this acute angle with respect to each other. The wedge also has a first serrated portion. The brace includes a member having a top face and having a second serrated portion. The first and second serrated portions are in frictional engagement, and the member has a resilient nose extending downwardly in contact with the rail base. The brace further has a spring for exerting downward force upon the top face.