Decking Hanger Gripper Tabs External Rib Engagement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hanger systems for metal decking assemblies are limited in their ability to attach load-bearing objects to external hollow rib chambers, lacking ease of installation, sufficient support, and aesthetic compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A hanger system comprising a gripper body with deformable tabs and a cradle body, secured by a threaded fastener and stop, allowing secure engagement and repositioning on external hollow ribs, with optional ties for alignment, enabling easy attachment and removal of load-bearing objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional wedge nut hanger is used with internal hollow rib chambers, then load-bearing objects can be supported, but the system cannot be applied to metal decking assemblies with external hollow rib chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger design inverts the conventional approach by attaching to external hollow rib chambers instead of internal chambers. The cradle engages with the external surface of the rib chamber, and the gripper tabs extend into the chamber to provide anchoring, effectively reversing the traditional internal-attachment methodology to achieve compatibility with external rib chamber configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger system achieves universality by designing a multi-functional structure that can adapt to different metal decking assembly types. The combination of external cradle engagement and internal gripper tabs allows the same hanger design to work with both external and internal hollow rib chamber configurations, eliminating the need for different hanger styles for different decking types
2Ease of operation
If a hanger system is designed for easy installation and repositioning, then ease of operation improves, but securing mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger system incorporates dynamic characteristics through the deformable gripper tabs that can flex during installation and then lock into place. The tabs are designed to be flexible enough to allow easy positioning and removal, yet rigid enough when engaged to provide secure holding, enabling the system to transition between installation and load-bearing states
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger is segmented into distinct functional components: the cradle body for external engagement, the gripper tabs for internal anchoring, and the securing mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the cradle for easy external attachment, the tabs for secure internal engagement, and the securing mechanism for controlled installation and removal
3Strength
If the hanger provides sufficient support for load-bearing objects, then structural integrity is maintained, but the hanger design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger design merges the attachment function (cradle engaging external rib chamber) with the anchoring function (gripper tabs extending into the chamber) into a single integrated structure. This combination allows the hanger to achieve both secure attachment and load-bearing capacity without requiring separate components, maintaining structural integrity while avoiding excessive complexity
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 hanger system provides secure, versatile, and aesthetically compatible support for load-bearing objects on metal decking assemblies with external hollow ribs, facilitating easy installation and reusability.
Implementation Method 1
Moving the stop in a first direction causes the cradle body to deform the gripper body and causes the plurality of tabs to move toward each other
Implementation Method 2
a threaded fastener passing through the cradle body and the gripper body
Data Source
AI summary
A hanger for attaching a load-bearing object to a rib includes a gripper having a gripper body, the gripper body having a plurality of tabs depending therefrom; a cradle having a cradle body, the cradle body defining a gripper body receiving recess for receiving the gripper body, the gripper body received within the gripper body receiving recess; a fastener passing through the cradle body and the gripper body; and a stop threadably secured to the fastener, wherein the cradle is positioned between the gripper and the stop, the fastener coacting with the gripper and the cradle, whereby movement of the stop in a first direction causes the cradle body to coact with the gripper body causing the plurality of tabs to move toward each other. A kit for assembling the hanger and a hanger system utilizing the hanger are also disclosed.