Guardrail Securing Device with Pour Stop Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for securing guardrails to pour stops often damage the deck or floor surface and are not easily detachable, making it difficult to quickly remove them after construction is complete, which can lead to safety hazards and inefficient concrete pouring processes.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a 'U' configured base member with a gap to receive a pour stop's top portion, a bolt system that prevents cross-threading, and stanchion members to securely hold guardrail sections, allowing for quick and damage-free attachment and detachment from the pour stop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional fastening equipment is used to attach guardrail to the deck or floor surface, then the guardrail is securely attached, but the deck or floor surface is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces a pour stop as an intermediary element between the guardrail and the deck/floor surface. The pour stop serves as a mediator that receives the guardrail attachment forces without damaging the underlying deck or floor surface, thereby resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and surface protection
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system is segmented into separate components: the pour stop attached to the deck/floor surface, and the guardrail attached to the pour stop. This segmentation allows the attachment strength to be concentrated at the pour stop interface rather than directly at the vulnerable deck or floor surface
2Strength
If traditional fastening equipment is used to attach guardrail to the surface, then the guardrail is securely attached, but the device cannot be easily detached after construction
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system transitions from a permanent fixed connection to a dynamic, reversible connection. The pour stop with its aperture and bolt member allows the guardrail to be securely attached during construction and easily detached after construction is complete, accommodating changing operational requirements
3Reliability
If guardrail sections and securing devices are removed after construction, then the opening can be closed, but the process takes a relatively long period of time
Solution Approach 1:
The pour stop is preliminarily attached to the deck or floor surface before guardrail installation, creating a pre-prepared attachment point. This preliminary action enables rapid guardrail installation and subsequent rapid removal, significantly reducing the total time the opening remains unprotected
4Strength
If a device with complex fastening system is used to secure guardrail to pour stop, then the attachment is secure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex fastening system is extracted and simplified to its essential elements: a aperture in the pour stop and a bolt member. This extraction eliminates unnecessary complexity while maintaining secure attachment capability through the essential function of the bolt passing through the aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A device for securing multiple sections of a guardrail to a pour stop to ultimately form a guardrail about a predetermined surface includes a base member; a stanchion member or pipe integrally secured to a top wall of a top portion of the base member; and an angle member having a side portion and a top portion with a top wall integrally joined to a bottom wall of the top portion of the base member. The stanchion member slidably receives a tube portion of a guardrail section. The side portion of the angle member includes an outer wall disposed substantially parallel to and separated from an inner wall of a second side portion of the base member, thereby forming a gap for receiving a top portion of a pour stop having a bottom portion secured to a surface outside the predetermined surface enclosed by the pour stop.