Fence Slat Fixing Element With Curved Tensioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing garden wire panel fences are tedious to assemble and prone to slat displacement due to wind, as the current fixing methods are not sufficient to withstand strong winds.
Innovation Solution
A fence system with a fixing element that includes a suspension and a support foot with a tensioning element, made with a curved part, which can be inserted into the slat's internal space, providing a secure and adjustable attachment to transverse wires, allowing for easier assembly and enhanced wind resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the current fixing method with hook-shaped fastening elements and lips is used, then the fence can be assembled, but the assembly process is tedious and requires additional time and dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element is divided into distinct functional segments: a suspension portion that attaches to the transverse wire and a support portion that secures the slat. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall assembly process by separating the attachment functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing element is designed to be self-aligning and self-securing. The support portion with its curved part automatically engages with the slat's internal space, and the tensioning element provides automatic tensioning without requiring precise manual adjustment or additional fastening steps.
2Reliability
If the current fixing method with transverse profiles is used, then the fence structure is simple, but the slats are not sufficient to withstand strong winds and may be carried away
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning element is pre-configured with the curved part that engages with the slat's internal space before the slat is fully installed. This preliminary engagement ensures that the slat is securely held from the beginning, preventing wind-induced displacement without requiring complex additional anchoring mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The support portion incorporates a curved part that complements the internal space geometry of the slat. This curved design provides optimal contact surfaces that distribute wind loads more effectively compared to flat or angular connections, enhancing the overall wind resistance of the fence structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the tensioning element with curved part is inserted into the slat's internal space, then slat displacement and vibration due to wind is prevented, but the fixing element requires more complex design
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension and support portions are merged into a single integrated fixing element. This combination eliminates the need for separate attachment components and reduces the overall number of parts, thereby simplifying the design while maintaining the stability-providing features of the curved engagement and tensioning mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the suspension portion attaches to the transverse wire, the support portion secures the slat, and the tensioning element provides both positioning and stabilization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying the overall design while ensuring slat stability against wind loads.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a fence intended to enclose a surface of land, comprising: a frame of vertically installed posts, arranged parallel and at a distance from each other and fixed by means of one or more transverse slats; in which a series of slats is provided between said posts, in which one or more slats are supported by a fixing element, said fixing element comprising a suspension corresponding to said transverse slat and a support foot corresponding to a lower end of a slat; as well as to a kit and a method for installing said fence.