Standardized Hand Rail Assembly for Grain Bin Roof Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cylindrical grain bins with inclined roofs require customized deck components for accessing power exhaust fans and vents, leading to increased costs, inventory complexity, and assembly time, as well as potential roof damage from debris or icing on vent screens, which necessitates frequent manual servicing using cherry pickers.
Innovation Solution
A hand rail assembly with standardized components, including elongate plates, ring segments, and gussets, that can be easily attached to the roof without customization, allowing service personnel to safely access fans and vents directly on the inclined roof, reducing the need for decks and custom components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If customized deck components are used to access power exhaust fans and vents, then access capability is improved, but assembly time and inventory complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hand rail assembly uses standardized components that can be universally applied to different grain bin configurations and manufacturers. The elongate plates, ring segments, and gussets are designed with standard dimensions and attachment methods that work across multiple applications, eliminating the need for custom customization while maintaining effective access to fans and vents.
2Ease of operation
If customized deck components are used to access power exhaust fans and vents, then access capability is improved, but inventory complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hand rail assembly uses standardized components that can be universally applied to different grain bin configurations and manufacturers. The elongate plates, ring segments, and gussets are designed with standard dimensions and attachment methods that work across multiple applications, eliminating the need for custom customization while maintaining effective access to fans and vents.
Solution Approach 2:
The deck structure is divided into modular components including elongate plates, ring segments, and gussets that can be independently manufactured using standard processes and stored in standardized inventory. These segmented components can be assembled in different configurations to accommodate various bin sizes and fan/vent locations without requiring custom inventory items.
3Ease of operation
If manual servicing with cherry pickers is used, then vent coverage is improved, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hand rail assembly serves as an intermediary structure that provides a stable, accessible platform for service personnel to reach vents and fans on the inclined roof. By creating a permanent access pathway with hand rails and decking, the system eliminates the need for mobile cherry pickers and their associated safety risks while maintaining comprehensive vent coverage capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A hand rail assembly for the roof of a grain bin includes plural units each having a plate having openings spaced from each other and adjacent each longitudinal edge of the plate. Some of the openings align with openings in the roof whereby the plate may be attached to the roof. A pair of ring segments extend substantially perpendicular to the plate and rest upon the plate. Openings in the ring segments align with openings in the plate whereby the ring segments may be attached to an upper face of the plate. A gusset extends upwardly from the ring segments, and the gusset and ring segments are attached together. A hand rail comprising a vertical post is attached at one end to the gusset, and a horizontal rail is attached to the post.