Formed support member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storage rack support members often loosen or rotate under heavy loads, compromising their ability to evenly and reliably support materials due to structural instability and manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A formed support member with a U-shaped body and integral securing tabs that securely engage with supporting beams, providing structural stability and ease of manufacturing, allowing for flexible adaptation to various storage rack sizes and beam configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional support members are used in storage racks, then they can provide basic support functionality, but they loosen or rotate under heavy loads causing structural instability
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is divided into distinct functional segments: a horizontal support portion for bearing loads and a vertical securing portion with tabs for attachment. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its function - the horizontal portion provides support while the vertical tabs provide secure attachment to beams, preventing loosening and rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing tabs are pre-formed as integral parts of the support member during manufacturing. These tabs are designed with specific geometries (such as L-shapes or U-shapes) that automatically engage with the beam structure upon installation, providing immediate anti-loosening and anti-rotation functionality without requiring additional fastening operations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If support members are designed to prevent loosening and rotation, then structural stability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member integrates multiple functions into a single component: load-bearing support, beam attachment, anti-loosening, and anti-rotation features are all combined in one piece. The securing tabs are formed as integral extensions of the support member body, eliminating the need for separate attachment hardware and simplifying both manufacturing and assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing tabs are designed to automatically engage with the beam structure through their geometric shape (L-shaped, U-shaped, or other configurations). Upon installation, the tabs self-align and self-lock into place on the beam support surfaces, providing automatic anti-loosening and anti-rotation functionality without requiring additional fasteners, welds, or complex assembly operations.
3Strength
If support members are made structurally steady to handle heavy loads, then load-bearing capacity improves, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member combines load-bearing and attachment functions in a single integrated component. The horizontal support portion is designed with adequate thickness and geometry to bear heavy loads, while the vertical securing tabs extend from the same piece, providing both structural strength and attachment capability without requiring separate components or complex assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing tabs are formed as integral parts of the support member through standard forming or cutting operations during manufacturing. Their geometric shapes (L-shaped, U-shaped, etc.) are created in the same manufacturing process as the main support body, eliminating the need for separate fabrication and attachment of fastening elements, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while ensuring load-bearing capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A formed support member that is structurally steady and easy to manufacture is disclosed herein. The formed support member comprises a downwardly facing U-shaped body, a first flat end, a first securing tab having one end integrally connected to the first flat end and another end extended downwardly to receive at least partially a first support surface of a first supporting beam, a second flat end, and a second securing tab having one end integrally connected to the second flat end and another end extended downwardly to receive at least partially a second support surface of a second supporting beam.