Expandable Barrier Hinge Lock for Flexible Stable Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temporary barriers lack flexibility and customization in their deployment and functionality, particularly in delineating areas for safety or maintenance, and often require complex assembly or anchoring.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable barrier system with a central hinge, expandable sections, and a hinge lock mechanism that allows for articulation and customization, featuring a cylindrical post, connectors, and adjustable footings for stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing temporary barriers use fixed rigid structures, then they provide stable barrier function, but they lack flexibility and customization in deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is divided into multiple expandable sections that can be independently articulated relative to each other via hinges. Each section contains slats that can expand outward from a compact configuration to an expanded configuration, allowing the barrier to be segmented into different operational units that can be positioned at various angles to create customized barrier patterns while maintaining overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier incorporates movable hinges and expandable mechanisms that allow the structure to dynamically change its configuration. The sections can articulate around hinge axes to transition between different articulation angles, and the slats within each section can expand outward, transforming the barrier from a static fixed structure to a dynamic adaptable system that maintains stability through controlled movement
2Ease of operation
If existing barriers require complex assembly and anchoring, then they provide stable barrier function, but they reduce ease of operation and deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier incorporates self-standing capabilities through integrated footings that provide stability without requiring external anchoring. The expandable sections can support their own weight and maintain their configuration through the hinge mechanisms and internal bracing, allowing the barrier to be deployed without complex assembly or anchoring operations while maintaining structural stability
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an adjustable barrier having a central hinge having a cylindrical post and an axis of rotation; a first expandable section coupled to the cylindrical post of the central hinge by at least a first connector; a second expandable section coupled to the cylindrical post of the central hinge by at least a second connector; and a hinge lock. At least one of the first and second expandable sections is configured to articulate around the axis of rotation of the central hinge forming an articulation angle between the first and second expandable sections. When the first and second expandable sections are aligned within a single vertical plane, a spring button of the cylindrical post is received within an aperture of at least one of the first and second connectors preventing articulation around the axis of rotation.