Gabion Basket J-Shaped Hooking Rod Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current baskets for inert materials, such as gabions, face challenges in maintaining structural integrity and stability under weight and stress, particularly during filling, lifting, and ground displacement, and require complex or costly connection methods.

Innovation Solution

The basket features J-shaped and U-shaped hooking portions for connecting vertical and horizontal rods, allowing for a stable and wide connection between walls, which distributes vertical stress and prevents accidental decoupling, along with pin insertion for enhanced stability and ease of manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If welding or spiral threadlike elements are used to connect walls, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rod ends are folded into hooking portions that automatically envelop and secure adjacent rods without requiring external connecting elements. The structure serves its own connection function through the folded rod ends that engage with horizontal rods of the bottom wall or vertical rods of adjoining walls, eliminating the need for welding or spiral threadlike elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using separate connecting elements to join the walls, the rod ends themselves are inverted into hooking portions that directly embrace and secure the adjacent rods. This reverses the conventional approach of adding external connectors and instead uses the structural elements themselves as the connecting mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If complex connecting means are used, then structural stability under stress is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The rod ends are formed with hooking portions that automatically provide the connecting function, eliminating the need for separate connecting means. The folded rod ends envelop and secure adjacent rods through their own geometry, providing structural stability without requiring additional components or complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than adding complex connecting means to ensure stability, the rod ends are inverted into hooking portions that directly provide the stabilizing connection. This approach achieves structural reliability through the inherent geometry of the folded rod ends rather than through additional complex components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If more connecting elements are added, then resistance to ground disruption is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to ground disruptionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The rod ends are formed with hooking portions that provide the connecting and stabilizing function without requiring additional elements. The folded rod ends securely envelop adjacent rods, providing resistance to ground disruption and structural movement through the self-contained geometry of the hooking portions themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding more connecting elements to improve resistance to ground disruption, the rod ends are inverted into hooking portions that directly provide this resistance. The folded rod ends create secure mechanical engagement with adjacent rods, achieving reliability without increasing manufacturing cost through additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2581499B1Gabion
Publication Date: 2014.05.14 NOVAPORFIDI SRL
  • EP2581499B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2581499B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2A
  • EP2581499B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3a

AI summary

It is described a basket (1) for inert material comprising in form of wire meshes composed by an intertwining of horizontal (4) and vertical (5) rods, a bottom wall (2) and several vertical walls (3), each one connected to the bottom wall at a respective lower edge (3a) and to the adjoining vertical walls at a respective side edge (3b, 3c), so that to define a space inside the basket filled with inert material (11). The vertical rods end with a hooking portion (6) comprising a first folding (7) externally enveloping the most outer horizontal rod (2a) of the edge of the bottom wall, a straight portion (8) beyond the first folding towards the rod end, and a second folding (9), in the same direction of the first folding, externally enveloping a subsequent horizontal rod (2b) of the bottom wall, more internal from the edge relatively to said most outer horizontal rod and parallel thereto, so that the hooking portions adopt a J-shaped configuration structured to connect the vertical wall to the bottom wall.