Foldable Runner Web for Suspended Ceiling Shipping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Suspended ceiling runners with rigid inversed-T shapes are difficult to ship and assemble, leading to inefficiencies in volume usage and time-consuming installation due to their fixed lengths and reliance on wire suspension.

Innovation Solution

Designing runners with a foldable web hingedly connected to a base, allowing for flat configuration during shipping and easy unfolding for installation, and using cable fasteners with hooks for quicker suspension.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If runners are made with rigid inversed-T shape for structural strength, then strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in shipping and arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of shipping and arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The runner transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic foldable structure. The web is hingedly connected to the base, allowing the runner to change shape between a compact folded configuration for shipping and an expanded inversed-T configuration for installation, thus resolving the contradiction between structural strength and ease of shipping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The runner is designed to fold into a compact nested configuration where the web folds against the base, allowing multiple runners to be stacked efficiently for shipping. This nesting capability maintains structural integrity while dramatically improving shipping efficiency and ease of arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Manufacturing precision

If runners are manufactured in given standard lengths, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming end-to-end assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandard length consistencyVSAvoidinstallation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The runner is segmented into a base and a web portion that can be independently manufactured and then assembled through hinged connection. This segmentation allows for precise manufacturing of standardized components while enabling quick field assembly, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and installation productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If wire suspension is used for hanging runners, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to time-consuming suspension process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A hinged connection mechanism serves as an intermediary between the runner and the suspension system. This hinged web provides a reliable connection point for suspension while enabling faster installation compared to traditional wire suspension methods, thus resolving the contradiction between suspension reliability and installation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8820019B2Suspended ceiling system and foldable runner therefore

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 CORRUVEN CANADA

AI summary

A runner, a suspended ceiling system, and a method of installing a suspended ceiling, the runner having a base with two laterally opposite flanges for supporting ceiling tiles, a hinged web connected to the base between the flanges so as to be foldable between a flat configuration with the web folded against one of the flanges and an inverted-T configuration with the web normal to the base for suspension and use, the hinged web allowing for economies is shipping when compared to conventional rigid inversed-T shaped runners.