Foldable Roof With Gravity Retention for Sukkah Compliance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a convenient deployment and folding mechanism for the wooden pieces used in constructing a Sukkah roof that complies with Jewish law, which prohibits fixing wood rods to a metal structure.
Innovation Solution
A foldable roof system comprising pivotally connected supporting members and gravity disposition elements allows the wooden plates to be deployed and folded without fixed connections, relying on gravity for attachment except at the fully folded state where adjacent plates apply pressure to secure the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If wooden pieces are fixed to a metal structure for stability, then structural stability is improved, but Jewish law compliance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the foldable support structure with gravity-based plate retention) that mediates between the need for structural stability and the requirement to avoid fixed wood-to-metal connections. The gravity disposition elements and pivotal connections serve as intermediaries that provide stability without direct fixed attachments between wooden pieces and metal structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The roof structure utilizes self-service mechanisms where gravity automatically retains the plates in their proper positions without requiring fixed connections. The pivotal connections between supporting members enable the structure to self-adjust and maintain stability through its own geometry and gravitational forces, eliminating the need for additional fastening elements that would violate Jewish law.
2Strength
If fixed connections are used between wooden pieces and metal structure, then structural strength is improved, but ease of deployment and folding deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic pivotal connections between supporting members that allow the structure to transition between deployed and folded states. These connections enable movement and reconfiguration while maintaining structural integrity during operation, eliminating the need for fixed connections that would prevent folding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The roof structure is segmented into multiple independent components (supporting members, plates, gravity disposition elements) connected through pivotal joints. This segmentation allows each component to move independently during deployment and folding operations while collectively maintaining structural strength when deployed.
3Ease of operation
If non-fixed gravity-based connections are used between wooden pieces and supporting members, then ease of deployment is improved, but reliability of connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gravity disposition elements are designed to work with gravitational force rather than against it. The geometric configuration of these elements creates a counterbalancing effect where gravity naturally retains the plates in their proper positions, providing reliable connection without requiring fixed attachments. The pivotal connections and gravity-based retention work together to ensure plates remain securely in place during normal operation while allowing easy deployment and folding.
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
Enables easy deployment and folding of the Sukkah roof while adhering to Jewish law, ensuring that the wooden pieces are not fixed to metal structures, thus maintaining Kosher compliance and facilitating convenient setup and teardown.
Implementation Method 1
gravity disposition elements configured to allow perpendicular displacement between the plate and the supporting member therefor
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable roof, including a plurality of elongated plates, for being disposed one aside the other, and a plurality of supporting members each for supporting one of the elongated plates, where each two adjacent supporting members of the supporting members are pivotally connected to one another, thereby allowing deploying and folding the elongated plates, and for each of the plates and its supporting member, gravity disposition elements configured to allow perpendicular displacement between the plate and the supporting member while limiting parallel displacement therebetween, thereby at any state of the foldable roof except for a folded state, each plate is connected to the supporting member thereof by gravity only.