Fence Fixing System with Sealing Cap Wedge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fence fixing systems are vulnerable to disassembly, allowing intruders to easily bypass the fence, which increases the risk of theft and burglary due to the simplicity of loosening the central bolt from the outside.
Innovation Solution
A fixing system with a sealing cap that wedges into a through hole, making the tightening element harder to reach and disassemble, combined with a support clasp part that can autonomously engage the fence support, allowing for easier installation and more secure attachment of the fence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single bolt is used to tighten the fixing system from the outer side, then the fence can be secured in a simple way, but the bolt can be loosened in a simple way as well, increasing the risk of theft and burglary
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing system is divided into separate functional components: a fixing element with a base, a support clasp part, and a complementary clasp part. This segmentation allows the bolt to be tightened from the outer side for easy installation, while the support clasp part engages with the support structure to prevent easy disassembly from the inner side, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of installation and security against disassembly
Solution Approach 2:
The support clasp part acts as an intermediary element between the fixing element and the support. It translates the tightening action from the outer side into a secure locked position, while its engagement with the support structure prevents easy loosening from the inner side, thereby maintaining both ease of installation and security
2Ease of operation
If the bolt is tightened at the outer side of the fixing element, then the fence can be secured simply, but the bolt can be accessed and loosened easily from the outer side, making the fence vulnerable to intruders
Solution Approach 1:
The system inverts the traditional bolt tightening approach by allowing the bolt to be tightened from the outer side while preventing access from the inner side. The support clasp part and complementary clasp part work together to lock the bolt in place, making it easy to tighten from the outside but difficult to loosen from the inside, thus addressing the vulnerability to intruder disassembly
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple fixing system is used, then the fence can be installed easily, but the system can be disassembled easily, increasing the risk of theft and burglary
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element, support clasp part, and complementary clasp part are merged into a single integrated fixing system. This merging allows the system to maintain simplicity for easy installation while the coordinated action of all three components creates a secure locked position that is difficult to disassemble, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and security against theft
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 significantly hinders disassembly attempts by an intruder, enhancing the security and reliability of the fence by making it more difficult to loosen the tightening element and disconnect the clasp parts, thus reducing the risk of theft and burglary.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing cap preferably comprises a deformable material. Preferably, a cap size of the sealing cap in its undeformed state is greater than a through hole size, e.g. a diameter, of the through hole. This allows the sealing cap to be wedged tight in the through hole, hindering the removal of the sealing cap from the through hole.
Implementation Method 2
The support clasp part is executed as a clip arranged to engage the support in an autonomously clasping way. The clip can, in other words, be arranged to claspingly engage the support without using the complementary clasp part.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Fixing system for fixing a fence to a support. The fixing system comprises a fixing element and a clasp part complementary to the fixing element. The fixing element comprises a base and a support clasp part. The base is provided with a first through hole that is provided with a constriction, such that a tightening element is blocked and allows securing by displacement of the tightening element along the end part. The fixing system is provided with a sealing cap. During the securing, the tightening element is entirely contained within the first through hole. The sealing cap, in use, is also entirely contained within the first through hole.