Glass Support Structure With Bolted Vertical Leg For Heavy Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass support structures are not suitable for heavy loads due to limited mechanical connection capacity, making them inadequate for supporting insulating glass panes with significant weight.
Innovation Solution
A glass support structure with vertically aligned openings on the vertical leg that engage a fastening bolt to clamp onto the vertical profile, combined with a support body on the horizontal leg to absorb and distribute weight, using multiple fastening means to enhance stability and prevent torsion, and optionally angled surfaces to ensure horizontal alignment under load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional mechanical connections (hooks, projections) are used to attach glass supports to profiles, then assembly is facilitated, but the load-bearing capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening mechanisms (projection-recess mechanical connection plus fastening bolts) into a unified attachment system. The projection inserted into the recess provides initial mechanical engagement and positioning, while fastening bolts through openings in the vertical leg provide additional clamping force, creating a composite connection that achieves both easy assembly and high load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system uses composite fastening elements combining different mechanical principles: the projection-recess interface provides geometric interlocking, while the fastening bolts provide tensile and shear resistance. This composite approach to the connection system allows the joint to withstand heavy loads (over 800 kg) while maintaining assembly simplicity.
2Strength
If the horizontal leg is designed to support heavy glass units, then load capacity increases, but the leg deflects downwards under weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the deflection problem by adding a support body beneath the horizontal leg, transferring loads to an additional structural element. This creates a three-dimensional load path where the horizontal leg receives support from below rather than relying solely on its own bending resistance, maintaining stability under heavy loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The support body acts as an intermediary element between the horizontal leg and the horizontal profile. It distributes the concentrated loads from the glass units across a larger area and provides additional structural support, preventing excessive deflection of the horizontal leg while maintaining the overall load-bearing capacity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple fastening means are used to secure the glass support, then stability and resistance to rotation increase, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening bolts serve multiple functions simultaneously: they secure the projection to the profile, prevent rotation of the vertical leg, and provide clamping force to maintain rigid connection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, managing complexity while achieving high stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a glass support structure (1) with a vertical profile (2) and a horizontal profile (3) connected to the vertical profile (2), to which an angled glass support (4, 4') with at least one vertical leg (5) and at least one horizontal leg (6) is fixed, wherein at least one opening (8, 16) is provided on the at least one vertical leg (5) of the glass support (4, 4') into which a fastening bolt (9, 10) engages for fixing the glass support (4, 4') to the vertical profile (2).