Flexible Ramped Lip Panel for Trench Cover Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Load supporting panels used to cover trenches or uneven surfaces often pose trip hazards, slip or slide, generate noise, and are unstable, posing safety risks, especially for pedestrians with limited mobility or impaired vision, and require additional fixing methods that can damage the ground surface.
Innovation Solution
A load supporting panel with a flexible, ramped lip extending around its periphery, made of high-density flexible plastics material, which flexes to grip the ground and reduce slipping, and optionally reinforced with elongate members for enhanced stability and weight-bearing capacity, eliminating the need for additional fixings and minimizing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metallic material sheets are used to cover trenches, then weight bearing capacity is improved, but trip hazard increases and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible plastic sheet instead of rigid metallic sheets. The flexible material can conform to the trench opening and ground surface, eliminating the rigid edge that causes trip hazards. The flexibility also allows the sheet to settle smoothly without creating noise from rigid contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by using plastic instead of metal, which fundamentally alters the mechanical properties. The plastic material provides sufficient weight bearing capacity while being more compliant, reducing both trip hazards and noise generation through its ability to deform slightly under load and contact forces.
2Strength
If metallic sheets are used, then weight bearing capacity is improved, but slipping and sliding risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible plastic sheet can conform to irregularities in the ground surface and trench opening, creating better contact and friction. This flexibility allows the sheet to adapt to the supporting surface, improving grip and reducing slipping and sliding risks while maintaining adequate weight bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the sheet beyond the trench opening in all directions, creating an overlapping arrangement where multiple sheets support each other. This dimensional extension provides additional contact area with the ground surface, improving stability and preventing slipping through distributed friction forces.
3Reliability
If retaining pins are used to secure the cover, then stability is improved, but ground surface damage increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the retaining pins and other securing mechanisms from the design. The flexible plastic sheet achieves sufficient stability through its material properties and geometric arrangement alone, eliminating the need for additional fixing components that would damage the ground surface or increase device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sheet serves its own securing function through its ability to conform to the ground surface and the friction generated by its extended overlap arrangement. The system is self-securing without requiring external fixing elements, thereby avoiding ground surface damage and reducing complexity.
4Weight of moving object
If moulded plastics material covers are used, then weight is reduced and ease of handling is improved, but slipping and sliding risk remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the lower weight of plastic material by extending the sheet dimensions beyond the trench opening. The increased surface area in contact with the ground provides greater friction and distribution of forces, maintaining stability against slipping despite the reduced weight compared to metallic sheets.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible nature of the plastic sheet allows it to conform to the ground surface, maximizing contact area and friction. This flexibility compensates for the lower weight by creating better mechanical interlocking with the supporting surface, preventing slipping and sliding.
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 flexible lip design enhances stability, reduces slipping and noise, and ensures safe weight-bearing capacity without additional fixings, improving accessibility and safety for users while minimizing ground surface damage.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible lip extending alongside at least part of the periphery, wherein the flexible lip is of ramped form... the flexible lip... flexes to grip the ground
Data Source
AI summary
A cover comprises a load bearing panel (12) of generally square or rectangular form and having an upper surface (14a) and an underside surface (14b), at least some of the edges of load bearing panel (12) being provided with ramp members (22) which are molded onto the load bearing panel (12), the ramp members (22) each defining an upper ramped surface (22a) and a lower, ground engaging surface (22b), wherein the ground engaging surface (22b) is spaced beneath the underside surface (14b) of the load bearing panel (12).