Glass Panel Securing System with Tapered Shim Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current frameless glass guard rail systems face challenges with removable rail systems that are difficult to install, require complex tools, do not provide uniform attachment pressure, and have a bulky appearance, leading to increased costs and labor when glass panels need replacement.
Innovation Solution
A securing system that includes a back plate, shim assembly, and adjustment assembly, allowing for easy installation and adjustment using simple tools, providing uniform attachment pressure, and maintaining a streamlined appearance by translating vertical forces into lateral motions to tighten or loosen the securing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If glass panels are permanently secured within rail systems, then structural stability is improved, but replacement cost and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The securing system transitions from a static permanent attachment to a dynamic removable attachment. The base shoe incorporates a removable securing mechanism that allows panels to be firmly held during use but easily released for replacement, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the glass panel from the rail system into independent replaceable components. The base shoe acts as a reusable connector that can be detached and reattached, allowing the panel to be replaced without replacing the entire rail system, thus improving ease of repair while maintaining structural stability.
2Ease of repair
If removable rail systems are used to facilitate panel replacement, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex securing mechanism from the main rail system structure and consolidates it into a separate base shoe component. This allows the rail system to remain simple while the base shoe provides the removable securing function, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The base shoe is designed as a reusable component that can be easily detached and reattached multiple times. This allows for simple panel replacement without compromising the integrity of the rail system, achieving ease of repair with minimal complexity through a straightforward discard-and-recover mechanism.
3Ease of repair
If current removable securing systems are used, then panel replacement is enabled, but uniform attachment pressure is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The shim assembly introduces a new dimensional element between the base shoe and glass panel. By adjusting the shim thickness, the system achieves uniform attachment pressure across the panel surface, solving the pressure distribution problem while maintaining removable functionality for ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses adjustable shims to change the physical parameters of the attachment interface. By varying the shim thickness and material properties, uniform attachment pressure is achieved, ensuring precise and reliable panel securing while maintaining the ability to remove and replace panels.
4Strength
If traditional base shoe designs are used, then structural support is provided, but streamlined appearance is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The base shoe is designed with a sleek, minimal profile that appears as a thin film or shell along the bottom edge of the glass panel. This streamlined design provides necessary structural support while maintaining a frameless appearance, resolving the contradiction between strength and aesthetic shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The base shoe design uses asymmetric positioning and profiling to achieve both structural effectiveness and aesthetic appeal. The asymmetric form allows the base shoe to provide maximum support where needed while maintaining a streamlined, minimal visual presence that enhances rather than detracts from the frameless appearance.
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
The system enables quick and easy installation and removal of glass panels, reduces stress on the glass under load, and minimizes breakage, while being resistant to chemicals, temperature extremes, and sun exposure, thus addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
adjustment assembly (12) that translates forces applied along a plane of a first axis into the plane of a second axis
Data Source
AI summary
A securing system for use with glass panels is provided. The securing system provides clamping and securing forces to a panel held within a base shoe system, e.g., of a frameless glass guard railing. The securing system includes a back plate with separately tapered portions, and a shim assembly including tapered shim members. Each tapered shim member overlays a separately tapered portion of the back plate and is laterally positionable thereupon. Downward forces applied to the shim members are translated into lateral forces causing the shim members to move laterally in relation to the back plate. These lateral translations cause the system's width to increase to secure the panel within the base shoe and/or decrease to release the panel from the base shoe. The system also includes tools to apply said downward forces.