Hinged Latch Assembly for Adjustable-Angle Railing Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handrail and guardrail systems lack efficient and user-friendly mechanisms for secure attachment and detachment from support structures, particularly in applications requiring adjustable angles and quick installation/disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly with a latch body, laterally movable latch members, and a hinge bracket allows for angular adjustment and secure mounting to a support structure, featuring a spring-biased mechanism for easy engagement and disengagement, and user-operable latch release features for tool-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rigid mounting methods are used for rail attachment, then structural strength is ensured, but installation time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly is divided into distinct functional components: a latch body with mounting features, movable latch members for engagement, and a release mechanism. This segmentation allows pre-assembly of the latch unit which can then be quickly installed as a complete module, reducing on-site installation time while maintaining structural integrity through the coordinated action of multiple specialized parts
Solution Approach 2:
The latch members are pre-configured in the latch body with spring biasing and engagement features already in place. The mounting bracket and alignment features are prepared in advance, allowing the entire latch assembly to be pre-tested and pre-assembled before field installation. This preliminary preparation eliminates time-consuming adjustments during installation while ensuring the attachment meets strength requirements
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed-angle mounting structures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different railing configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket incorporates a hinge joint that allows the latch body to pivot relative to the mounting surface. This dynamic feature enables angular adjustment to accommodate different railing configurations (horizontal, angled, vertical) while the bracket itself remains a simple, easily manufactured component. The hinge mechanism adds adaptability without significantly complicating the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate multiple mounting orientations and configurations. By integrating the hinge joint and adjustable latch body, a single bracket design serves multiple functions: providing structural attachment, enabling angular adjustment, and supporting various railing types. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized mounting components
3Reliability
If permanent attachment methods are used, then connection reliability is maximized, but ease of disassembly and repositioning is eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The latch members are spring-biased to automatically engage with the mounting bracket when the latch assembly is installed. The system is self-actuating in the engagement direction, requiring no special tools or complex procedures to secure the connection reliably. For disengagement, a simple manual release mechanism actuates the latch members to disengage, providing ease of disassembly while maintaining connection reliability during normal use
Solution Approach 2:
The latch members serve as intermediary elements between the latch body and the mounting bracket. These movable members provide the actual engagement and disengagement action, mediating between the permanent-looking structural connection and the user-friendly release mechanism. The latch members can be firmly engaged for reliable connection or easily retracted for disassembly, bridging the contradiction between connection strength and ease of repositioning
4Device complexity
If manual latch release mechanisms are used, then device complexity is reduced, but operational convenience and speed are decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism uses a cam or lever system that converts a small rotational or pressing motion into lateral movement of the latch members. This mechanical substitution replaces the need for complex multi-component actuation systems while providing operational convenience through a simple user action (turning a cam or pressing a button) that quickly releases the latch members for disengagement
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 rapid and secure attachment/detachment of handrails to support structures with adjustable angles, reducing installation time and effort while ensuring robust weight-bearing connections.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-biased mechanism for easy engagement and disengagement
Data Source
AI summary
A latch assembly includes a latch body having a longitudinal wall portion extending from a front wall portion to a rear hinge portion, first and second latch members assembled with the longitudinal wall portion and laterally movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and a hinge bracket. The hinge bracket defines a mounting surface and is hingedly attached to the rear hinge portion of the latch body for angular adjustment of the latch body with respect to the mounting surface. When the latch body is oriented at a first angle, first and second mounting apertures in the front wall portion align with first and second mounting apertures in the hinge bracket, such that installation of mounting fasteners through the corresponding first and second mounting apertures of the front wall portion and the hinge bracket secures the latch body at the first angle.