Door Support Assembly with Ratcheting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door support assemblies lack the ability to raise and lower doors in a series of discrete, measurable steps while providing adequate lateral and vertical stability, often requiring excessive labor and resulting in back pain and damaged door frames due to the weight and instability of doors during installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
A door support assembly featuring a vertical support structure with ratchet mechanisms and lateral straps for secure stabilization, allowing the door to be raised and lowered in successive, measurable steps, with rollers to reduce friction and a counterweight for enhanced mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a vertical support structure with ratchet mechanisms is used to raise and lower the door in discrete steps, then the door can be stabilized and positioned precisely, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical support structure is divided into multiple discrete height levels with ratchet mechanisms at each level. Each ratchet mechanism can independently engage to lock the door at a specific height, allowing precise positioning without requiring a complex continuous adjustment system. The segmentation of the support structure into modular sections with individual ratchets enables precise control while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized repeating units.
2Stability of the object's composition
If lateral straps with ratchets are added to secure the door laterally, then lateral stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral stability function is merged with the existing vertical support structure by integrating lateral straps that connect to the same ratchet mechanisms already present on the vertical supports. The ratchets serve dual purposes: vertical positioning and lateral securing. This merging eliminates the need for separate lateral stabilization components, achieving enhanced lateral stability while minimizing additional device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If rollers are added to the lateral bar to reduce friction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rollers are introduced as intermediary elements between the lateral bar and the door. These rollers reduce direct friction contact by converting sliding friction into rolling friction, which is significantly lower. The rollers act as mediators that facilitate smooth door movement while maintaining the structural integrity of the lateral bar. The addition of simple roller components achieves substantial ease of operation with minimal increase in overall device complexity.
4Strength
If a door brace is added to slide underneath the door, then vertical support is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door brace is designed to slide underneath the door and engage with the door's bottom edge, using the door's own weight and geometry to maintain positioning. The brace leverages the door's presence to provide vertical support, rather than requiring active mechanical engagement systems. This self-service approach allows the brace to provide strong vertical support while maintaining simplicity through passive mechanical engagement.
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
Facilitates the installation and removal of doors by providing calibrated, premeasured units of movement, reducing labor and preventing damage to door frames through improved lateral and vertical stability and reduced friction.
Implementation Method 1
The door support assembly utilizes a substantially vertical support structure and a series of ratchet mechanisms to raise and lower the door in a series of successive, measurable steps
Implementation Method 2
The inventor finally added a pair of rollers on the lateral bar to help diminish the effects of friction as the door was raised and lowered
Implementation Method 3
A door support assembly featuring a vertical support structure with ratchet mechanisms and lateral straps for secure stabilization, allowing the door to be raised and lowered in successive, measurable steps, with rollers to reduce friction and a counterweight for enhanced mobility
Data Source
AI summary
A door support assembly that raises and lowers a door in a series of measurable, successive steps through a ratcheting mechanism. The door assembly also includes additional lateral ratchets and straps that help secure the door against a vertical support structure for enhanced stability. The door support assembly is utilized for the installation and removal of a door from a door frame, and transport of the door.