Gridlocked Unfurlable Platform for Joist Spanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable platforms for spanning between exposed joists or beams are often bulky and difficult to transport and maneuver, posing navigational and safety challenges during construction and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A rollable platform with support surface panels and underside joint panels that provide rigidity perpendicular to the support surface while allowing foldability and rollability, enabling it to be unfurled in various orientations over exposed joists and easily transported and positioned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unitary platforms are used to span between beams, then safety and support capability are improved, but the platforms become bulky and difficult to transport and maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is divided into multiple panels that can be folded together. Each panel is a separate component that can be easily handled and transported, yet when assembled they form a complete platform structure that provides the necessary safety and support capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform incorporates folding joints that allow the structure to transition between a compact folded state for transport and a rigid unfolded state for use. This dynamic capability enables the platform to adapt its form factor based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between compactness and platform integrity.
2Strength
If the platform structure is made rigid to provide stability, then load-bearing capability is improved, but foldability and rollability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is segmented into multiple rigid panels connected by folding joints. Each panel maintains its rigidity to bear loads effectively, while the joints between panels enable the overall structure to fold and roll for compact storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The design merges rigid panel structures with flexible folding joint mechanisms. The rigid panels provide load-bearing capability while the folding joints provide adaptability, creating a unified structure that exhibits both properties simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a rollable platform that may be unfurled in any orientation over exposed floor or ceiling joists. The platform may be constructed of a specific arrangement of support surface panels and underside joint panels to give the platform both (a) rigidity in a direction that is normal to the support surface via gridlock between the support surface panels and (b) foldability and/or rollability in a direction that is normal to the underside joint panels due to hinged interconnection.