Fence Panel Racking Mechanism for Sloping Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal fences are difficult to install on uneven or sloping terrain due to the need for custom panels or vertical offsetting, which complicates the installation process and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A metal fence panel design featuring elongate rails with a flat web and side walls forming a rail channel, combined with vertical upright members having apertures and pivot pins, allowing for adjustable racking to accommodate various terrain types without visible welding marks, enabling easy installation on both flat and sloping surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rigidly assembled metal fence panels are used, then manufacturing precision and structural strength are improved, but adaptability to sloping terrain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fence panel incorporates a racking mechanism that allows the panel to dynamically adjust its geometry from a rectangular configuration to a parallelogram configuration. This dynamic transformation enables the panel to adapt to sloping terrain while maintaining rigid structural connections through welded clips and pivot pins, thus preserving manufacturing precision while gaining terrain adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom fence panels are manufactured for sloping terrain, then terrain adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal fence panel design that can function on both flat and sloping terrain through its racking mechanism. The same standard panel configuration can be racked to accommodate various slope angles, eliminating the need for custom-designed panels for different terrain types. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity and standardizes manufacturing processes.
3Strength
If welding is used to join clip members to rails, then joint strength is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible welding marks
Solution Approach 1:
The welding operation is extracted from the visible exterior surface and relocated to the interior of the rail channel. Clip members are welded to the inner surface of the rail, removing the harmful welding marks from the aesthetic exterior while preserving the strong welded joint connection. This separation of the welding process from the visible surface resolves the contradiction between joint strength and appearance.
4Shape
If vertical posts and uprights are required to be vertically oriented, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but ease of installation on sloping terrain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The racking mechanism transforms the installation process by allowing the entire fence panel to be angled to match the terrain slope while keeping the posts and uprights vertically oriented. Instead of forcing vertical components onto sloping ground, the panel geometry dynamically adjusts to the slope, making installation easier while preserving the desired vertical appearance of structural elements.
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 design allows for flexible installation on different terrains, reducing manufacturing and installation complexities while maintaining aesthetic appeal by minimizing external markings, thus enhancing usability and economic viability.
Implementation Method 1
The pin and hole form a pivot which supports movement of the at least one vertical upright member relative to the at least one elongate rail
Implementation Method 2
resistance type welding is used so as to minimize (or eliminate) the presence of markings on the outer surface of the rail channel due to welding of the clip member therein
Data Source
AI summary
A barrier is formed from at least one elongate rail and at least one vertica upright member. The elongate rail includes a web and a pair of opposed side wall which extend from the web to define a rail channel. Each upright member includes a aperture formed therein. In one implementation, a pin extending from a clip i inserted into the aperture, and the upright member, with the clip, is at least partiall situated within the rail channel, wherein the clip is welded to an inside surface of the rail channel. In another implementation, a pin is inserted through the aperture, and the upright member, with the pin, is at least partially situated within the rail channel, wherein opposed ends of the pin are welded to an inside surface of the opposed side walls of the rail channel. The pin and aperture form a pivot point allowing the upright member to rotate with respect to the elongate rail. In a fence implementation, this allows the barrier to be racked in order to follow undulating terrain.