Sheet Metal Fence Panel Curved Wing Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet metal fences pose risks of finger pinching and vandalism due to exposed assembly areas where panels connect to posts, particularly in environments like sports fields and playgrounds intended for children.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a sheet metal panel with curved wings and a sheet tongue extending beyond the panel's edges, housing the assembly end piece, which makes the assembly area inaccessible, preventing finger pinching and vandalism by ensuring continuity between the panel and post without daylight gaps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the assembly end piece is exposed at the junction of panel and post, then the assembly area is accessible for adjustment and maintenance, but users risk finger pinching and vandalism can occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidaccessibility of assembly area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary element (the curved wing with sheet tongue) that mediates between the assembly end piece and the external environment. This intermediary structure allows the assembly function to be performed while preventing direct access to the hazardous assembly area, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly end piece is nested within the curved wing structure, which itself is integrated into the panel. This nested configuration allows the assembly function to be contained within a protective structure, eliminating exposed hazardous parts while maintaining assembly capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the assembly end piece is positioned to allow panel assembly on site, then adaptability to ground slope and geometry is achieved, but the exposed structure creates pinching hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to geometry and slopeVSAvoidfinger pinching risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The curved wing structure with its curved mounting face provides geometric adaptability to match various post shapes and ground slopes, while the curved form itself eliminates sharp edges and exposed joints that create pinching hazards, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of repair

If the assembly area is exposed for maintenance access, then repair operations are facilitated, but vandalism and damage risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility for maintenanceVSAvoidvandalism susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different functional qualities to different parts of the structure: the curved wing provides protective enclosure with specific geometric properties, while the assembly end piece maintains its functional properties for maintenance. This local differentiation allows maintenance access while protecting against vandalism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3162985B1Closure made up of sheet-metal panels mounted between posts

Publication Date: 2019.01.23 ETAB RENE BOSMY SOC NORMANDE DE CLOTURES

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AI summary

A fence comprises posts (11) and at least one sheet metal panel (10), the panel (10) being mounted between the posts (11) to form the fence, the fence having assembly end caps (12) for joining the panel (10) to said posts (11). The panel (10) comprises a web (13) and two curved flanges (14) extending respectively over two upper and lower longitudinal edges of the web (13), an assembly end cap (12) being housed at one end of the two curved flanges (14) for attaching the panel (10) to a post (11), the web (13) having a sheet metal tab (13c) extending in the height of the panel (10) and extending beyond the ends of the two curved flanges (14) of the upper and lower longitudinal edges of the web (13) of the panel (10). Use to create a modular fence.