Fence Panel Rod-Locking Structure for Stable Bar Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fence systems, particularly for long panels, suffer from vertical bars that can move or deform over time, leading to instability and potential safety hazards, and lack modularity and ease of assembly.

Innovation Solution

A fence grid design featuring a rail with through holes for bars, secured by rods passing through subsets of bars and fixed by assembly accessories, with insulating foam filling gaps to enhance stability and soundproofing, and modular design allowing easy customization and length adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single rod or cable is used to lock vertical bars into a horizontal rail, then the assembly is simple, but the bars can move slightly or deform over time, reducing stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidbar stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single rod or cable locking mechanism is segmented into multiple rods, with each rod passing through a subset of bars rather than all bars. This segmentation allows for more precise localization and locking of bar positions, preventing movement and deformation while maintaining assembly simplicity through modular installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An assembly accessory is introduced as an intermediary component to facilitate the connection between rods and bars. The assembly accessory includes positioning elements that guide rod insertion and ensure proper alignment, making the multi-rod system as easy to assemble as a single rod system while significantly improving bar stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a rod passes through all bars to lock them in place, then bar immobilization is maximized, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebar immobilizationVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into multiple independent rods, each responsible for a subset of bars. This allows bars to be locked in groups rather than requiring all bars to be processed simultaneously, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining complete immobilization of all bars through the combined action of multiple rods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly accessory incorporates pre-positioned guide elements and positioning features that prepare the assembly path for rods before insertion. This preliminary positioning ensures rapid and accurate rod insertion without requiring complex alignment procedures, thereby increasing assembly speed while ensuring reliable bar immobilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If bars pass through the rail, then assembly is straightforward, but safety hazards and injury risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidsafety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dangerous protruding ends of bars that pass through the rail are extracted or removed by modifying the bar-rail interaction. Instead of bars passing completely through the rail with exposed ends, the bar mounting portions are housed within the rail cavity and secured by rods, eliminating the safety hazard while maintaining assembly simplicity through the same basic insertion process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rod-assembly accessory system serves as an intermediary mechanism that secures bars within the rail without requiring bars to protrude through it. The assembly accessory provides internal locking features that hold bars in place from within the rail structure, eliminating exposure hazards while maintaining ease of assembly through standardized insertion and locking procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution provides enhanced structural stability, soundproofing, and safety by preventing bar movement, while allowing for easy assembly and customization, including color variation and length adjustment.

Implementation Method 1

the cavity being filled with insulating foam extending between the bars

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

this helps to avoid sound vibrations due to the movement of the bars in the rail under the effect of the wind, for example

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 3

two rods and an assembly accessory, each rod passing through a subset of said bars through the through holes and being fixed at a first end of said assembly accessory

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3868982B1Screen fence
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 ETAB RENE BOSMY SOC NORMANDE DE CLOTURES
  • EP3868982B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3868982B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3868982B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A fence panel comprising at least one rail (2) and bars (3) mounted in said at least one rail (2), each bar (3) having a through hole (32) extending into a mounting portion (30) of the bar (3) housed in said at least one rail (2). The panel (1) further comprises two rods (4) and a joining accessory, each rod (4) passing through a subset of said bars via the through holes (32) and being fixed at a first end (41) of said joining accessory.