Fixture Securing System with Simultaneous Locking Bar Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of securing and unsecuring bulky and heavy light fixtures to and from a dolly or storage rack is tedious and time-consuming, requiring individual hand tightening of clamps, which diverts time from more critical activities like stage building or dismantling.
Innovation Solution
A dolly and storage rack system with locking bars that can be moved between open and closed positions, allowing all clamps to be simultaneously secured or released with a single action, eliminating the need for manual tightening and speeding up the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual clamps are used to secure each fixture to the rod, then each fixture can be securely held in place, but the process of tightening each clamp manually is tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual clamp operations are merged into a single locking bar operation. The locking bar simultaneously engages with multiple clamps, allowing all fixtures on a rod to be secured in one action rather than requiring separate tightening of each clamp individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking bar serves as an intermediary mechanism between the operator and the multiple clamps. Instead of directly operating each clamp, the operator manipulates the locking bar which then transmits the securing action to all clamps simultaneously, greatly reducing the time and effort required.
2Reliability
If manual hand tightening of each clamp is required, then secure attachment is achieved, but time that could be used for stage building or dismantling is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The time-consuming individual clamp tightening operations are combined into a single locking bar actuation. This merging of operations maintains the secure attachment reliability while dramatically improving productivity by reducing the number of discrete actions required.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamps are pre-positioned on the rod in an open position, ready to be engaged. When the locking bar is actuated, all clamps are simultaneously secured without requiring individual adjustment, allowing workers to quickly move between securing multiple fixtures and other productive tasks.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple clamps are used on a single rod, then multiple fixtures can be held, but each clamp requires individual operation increasing task complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The operation of multiple independent clamps is merged into a single unified locking bar mechanism. This allows a large quantity of fixtures to be secured on a rod while reducing the operational complexity from multiple individual actions to one simple movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking bar serves as a universal control mechanism that can simultaneously engage and secure multiple different clamps on a single rod. This multi-functional approach allows the same mechanism to handle varying numbers and types of fixtures without increasing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for securing at least one fixture for transport or storage is described. The system comprises at least one rod from which the at least one fixture may be hung by an associated clamp that is attached to the top of the fixture. A locking bar associated with each of the at least one rod is provided, along with a locking mechanism, which may be actuated by a worker to move the locking bar between an open and a closed position. When the locking bar is in the closed position, it secures all clamps to the at least one rod simultaneously. When the locking bar is in an open position, any hung fixtures are released and can be removed from the rod. Described also is a method for securing a fixture.