Gravel Stop Strip With Spring Plate Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gravel stop strips require complex manufacturing and assembly processes to secure multiple strip elements together, necessitating different end designs for a proper fit and additional effort.
Innovation Solution
A gravel stop strip design featuring a spring plate that partially overlaps adjacent strip elements, using angled leg sections and clamping mechanisms to facilitate easy assembly and height adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If bends are used to insert into each other to secure adjacent strip elements, then the strip elements are connected together, but additional manufacturing effort is required to design different end areas for a proper fit
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies homogeneity by making both ends of the strip element identical, each equipped with a bend that can engage with a spring plate. This eliminates the need for different end designs, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining connection functionality. The spring plate serves as a universal connector for all adjacent strip elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring plate acts as an intermediary component that mediates the connection between adjacent strip elements. Instead of modifying the strip ends to fit together directly, the spring plate provides a standardized interface that simplifies both manufacturing and assembly processes.
2Ease of operation
If different end designs are used to achieve a good fit, then adjacent strip elements can be pushed together while maintaining floor legs at the same height, but assembly effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both ends of the strip element are designed identically with the same bend configuration, allowing uniform assembly procedures. The spring plate provides a standardized interface that ensures proper fit and height alignment without requiring complex end designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring plate is designed with elastic properties, allowing it to be compressed during assembly and then spring back to provide a secure connection. This dynamic characteristic facilitates easy assembly while maintaining precise alignment and height consistency.
3Length of stationary object
If multiple strip elements are arranged next to each other, then coverage of longer terraces or balconies is achieved, but connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gravel stop is divided into multiple identical strip elements that can be arranged in sequence. Each element is self-contained with identical connection features, allowing scalable assembly for different terrace lengths without increasing connection complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring plate serves as a universal connector that can join any two adjacent strip elements regardless of position in the sequence. This multi-functional component simplifies the connection process across the entire length of the terrace or balcony.
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
Enables simple and stable connection of multiple strip elements with minimal effort, allowing for efficient alignment and secure installation without overlapping.
Implementation Method 1
a spring plate is arranged which only partially overlaps them and which, pressing against the wall legs of the strip elements, is clamped between the floor legs and the bends
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A gravel stop strip (1) has at least two strip elements (2, 3) arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction (L), each with a bottom leg (21, 31) and a wall leg (22, 32) adjoining the bottom leg (21, 31), the wall leg having a bend (23, 33) directed towards the bottom leg (21, 31) at its end facing away from the bottom leg (21, 31), wherein a spring plate (4) partially overlapping two adjacent strip elements (2, 3) is arranged to connect them, the spring plate (4) pressing against the wall legs (22, 32) of the strip elements (2, 3) being clamped between the bottom legs (21, 31) and the bends (23, 33), wherein the spring plate (4) has at least one wall leg (42) with two leg sections arranged at an obtuse angle (43, 44) and a clamping section (45) clamped in a receiving groove (26, 36) formed by the bends (23, 33) and an adjoining area of the wall legs (22, 32).