Play Structure Frame Notch Collar Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing play structure attachment systems face issues with collar slippage under axial and rotational forces, and the introduction of holes for fixing solutions leads to water infiltration and corrosion risks.
Innovation Solution
The attachment system incorporates a series of axially aligned notches on the frame's tubular wall, allowing the collar to interlock and prevent slippage while maintaining a solid structure to prevent corrosion, with notches formed by local deformation and stamping, ensuring axial and rotational immobilization without holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hole is drilled in the frame to allow the collar to be fixed by means of a pin or a through screw, then the collar can be securely fixed, but the frame is exposed to water infiltration which could corrode the frame
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is divided into two separate half-collars that are assembled around the frame, allowing the fixing mechanism to be implemented without drilling holes through the frame. The segmentation enables the collar to be fixed from the outside while maintaining the frame's integrity and preventing water infiltration.
Solution Approach 2:
Two bolts are introduced as intermediary elements to secure the half-collars to the frame. These bolts pass through the lateral lugs of the collar and are secured with nuts on the outside of the frame, providing secure fixation without creating holes in the frame structure that would allow water infiltration.
2Ease of manufacture
If the collar is fixed by tightening around the frame, then the installation is simple, but the collar may slip along the frame under axial tensile force
Solution Approach 1:
The collar design incorporates asymmetric features with the two half-collars having lateral lugs that position the eyelet at a specific offset from the frame axis. This asymmetric configuration, combined with the notches, prevents axial slippage while maintaining ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The half-collars are pre-assembled around the frame with the eyelet positioned in the correct location before final tightening. The lateral lugs and notches are pre-configured to prevent slippage, so that when the bolts are tightened, the collar is immediately secured in the correct position without requiring additional adjustment.
3Strength
If the circular cross-section of the armature is used, then the structure is simple and strong, but rotational sliding of the collar around the armature occurs under circumferential tensile force
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric positioning of the eyelet relative to the frame axis, created by the offset of the lateral lugs in the half-collars, prevents rotational sliding. The eyelet is positioned such that it cannot rotate freely around the frame, while the frame itself maintains its simple circular cross-section and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The notches in the half-collars act as intermediary features that engage with corresponding features on the frame to prevent rotation. These notches provide rotational stability without modifying the frame's circular cross-section, maintaining both the simplicity and strength of the frame structure.
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
This solution effectively prevents collar slippage and rotation, maintains structural integrity by avoiding holes, and prevents water infiltration, ensuring the play structure's durability and resistance to corrosion.
Implementation Method 1
the internal face of the collar comprising a counterpart of complementary shape to a notch which is intended to be nested with one of the notches when fixing the collar to immobilize the collar axially in a selected position
Implementation Method 2
each notch being obtained by local deformation of the wall of the armature
Implementation Method 3
each notch is obtained by stamping the tubular wall of the frame
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement for fixing equipment (22) on a play structure (10), the arrangement comprising: - at least one frame (14) having a tubular metal wall of constant cross-section on at least one fixing section; - at least one fixing collar (30) which is intended to be fixed by tightening around said fixing section; characterized in that at least a first external lateral zone of the wall of said section has a series of identical notches (50) regularly distributed axially, each notch (50) being blind, the inner face (32) of the collar (30) having a counterpart (52) of complementary shape to a notch (50) which is intended to be fitted with one of the notches (50) when fixing the collar (30) to immobilize the collar (30) axially in a selected position.