Grab Plate Telescoping Post Locking for Low-Damage Safety Fences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety fence systems for high-rise construction are difficult to erect and dismantle without causing significant damage to floors and ceilings, and they often require deeper anchor penetration, which can interfere with underlying infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A modular safety fence assembly with a support post assembly that includes an anchor system with a shallow anchor sleeve and elastomeric gripping segments, capable of withstanding at least 1000 pounds of pulling force, and a telescoping post with a grab plate assembly for secure engagement with ceilings and floors, minimizing damage and interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional anchor systems are used to secure safety fences, then the fences can withstand required loads, but the anchors penetrate deeply into floors causing damage and interference with underlying infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor system changes the anchoring parameters by using a shallow-deep hybrid configuration: a shallow anchor portion (0.5-1.5 inches) for concrete engagement and a deeper steel portion for structural engagement, achieving required holding strength without excessive penetration depth
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor is segmented into distinct functional portions: a shallow anchor portion for concrete engagement, a transition portion, and a deeper steel anchor portion for structural engagement, allowing each segment to contribute differently to the overall anchoring performance
2Ease of operation
If safety fences are made easily movable for repositioning, then setup and teardown become simple, but the anchoring strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor system incorporates a removable and reusable design that transitions between installed and removed states, allowing the safety fence to be easily repositioned while maintaining full anchoring strength when installed through the shallow anchor portion engaged with concrete
3Length of stationary object
If shallow anchors are used to minimize floor penetration, then interference with underlying infrastructure is reduced, but the anchoring strength may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor system uses composite construction combining concrete-compatible shallow anchor material for the embedded portion and high-strength steel for the deeper portion, achieving sufficient holding strength while limiting concrete penetration depth to protect underlying infrastructure
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 solution allows for easy setup and teardown of safety fences with minimal damage, while providing secure anchoring without penetrating too deeply into the floor, thus avoiding interference with underlying infrastructure and ensuring safety standards are met.
Implementation Method 1
The anchor sleeve may comprise a plurality of gripping segments. Each of the plurality of gripping segments may have a plurality of raised ridges. The anchor sleeve may further comprise at least one elastomeric member connecting the plurality of gripping segments.
Data Source
AI summary
A grab plate assembly for retaining an inner cylindrical tube in a fixed telescopic position relative to an outer cylindrical tube in a telescoping post. The assembly comprises a grab plate having a polygonal tube receiving opening therein, a lever arm integral with and angled relative to the grab plate, and an actuating rod. Turning the actuating rod in a first direction lifts the lever arm causing multiple side edges of the tube receiving opening to compressively engage multiple points on the inner cylindrical tube thereby resisting telescopic movement of the inner cylindrical tube relative to the outer cylindrical tube. Turning the actuating rod in a second opposite direction lowers the lever arm causing the side edges of the tube receiving opening to disengage from the inner cylindrical tube and to permit telescopic movement of the inner cylindrical tube relative to the outer cylindrical tube.