Glass Storage Rack With Flexible Supports and Interlocking Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems for glass articles, such as harp racks, can damage coated glass sheets due to cord contact, and previous solutions lack efficient retention of glass sheets.
Innovation Solution
A storage rack with flexible supports and channels that accommodate glass sheets of various sizes, featuring slits and tabs to prevent movement and damage, allowing for parallel alignment and efficient stacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cords are used to separate glass sheets in the rack, then glass sheets are separated and stored, but the cords contact the glass articles and may cause damage to the coating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces glass beads as an intermediary substance between the cords and the glass sheets. The cords are covered with a layer of glass beads that prevent direct contact with the glass sheet coating, thereby eliminating coating damage while maintaining the separation function of the cords
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible cord structure that can be covered with protective material (glass beads). This flexible covering acts as a protective shell that allows the cord to maintain its separation function while preventing harmful contact with the glass coating
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid storage rack structure is used, then structural stability is achieved, but the rack cannot accommodate glass articles of various sizes without adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable support members that can be moved along the rack structure to different positions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the rack to adapt to glass articles of various sizes while maintaining structural stability through the rigid rack framework
Solution Approach 2:
The rack structure is divided into modular components with discrete support members that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows flexible configuration of the rack to accommodate different glass sizes while maintaining overall structural integrity
3Quantity of substance
If racks are stacked for efficient storage, then storage density is improved, but the upper rack may tip or move side-to-side relative to the lower rack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pre-designed interlocking features and support structures on the racks that prevent tipping and side-to-side movement before stacking occurs. These preliminary structural provisions ensure stacking stability while enabling efficient vertical storage configuration
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 rack effectively holds glass sheets without damaging coatings and accommodates multiple sizes without adjustment, ensuring secure storage and transportation while preventing tipping and side-to-side movement during stacking.
Implementation Method 1
The substantially horizontal portion of the rack includes one or more flexible supports, each including an elongated channel
Data Source
AI summary
A storage rack is provided for storing glass sheets. The rack includes substantially horizontal and vertical portions. The substantially horizontal and/or vertical portion(s) of the rack include(s) one or more flexible supports, each including at least one channel. Arms are attached to the left and right sides of the rack. The rear legs have tabs attached thereto, with lower lips extending away from the rack. The rack is stackable with another rack, e.g., with the upper rack's rear sitting on the lower rack's arms, and with the upper rack's front supported by a support member extending upwardly from tubing provided in the lower rack that is accommodated in holes/recesses of the upper rack. The arms are sized, shaped, and arranged to reduce the likelihood of tipping of the upper rack, and the tabs help mitigate the effect of side-to-side movement of the upper rack relative to the lower rack.