Modular Inflatable Stairway with Hook and Loop Step Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inflatable stairways in fun houses and slides are prone to wear and damage, requiring costly replacement of entire stairways when individual steps or rungs need repair or replacement, due to the integration of stairways into the inflatable structure.
Innovation Solution
A modular stairway design featuring a stairway backing with paired step anchors and detachable step members secured by hook and loop fastener material, allowing individual steps or rungs to be easily replaced or repaired without affecting the entire stairway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If stairways are integrated directly into the inflatable slide structure, then structural stability is improved, but repair complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The stairway is divided into separate modular components: individual steps or rungs that can be detached and replaced independently from the rest of the stairway structure. This segmentation allows repair of only damaged portions without affecting the entire integrated structure, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and repair ease.
2Ease of repair
If individual steps or rungs are made replaceable, then repair cost and time are reduced, but structural integrity and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable step components are merged with the stairway backing through a combination mechanism that integrates both permanence and replaceability. The steps are securely attached to maintain structural integrity during use, yet can be detached for repair, combining the benefits of both integrated and modular designs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the entire stairway must be replaced when a step is damaged, then structural consistency is maintained, but material waste and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The damaged step or rung is extracted and removed from the stairway structure, allowing replacement of only the affected component rather than the entire stairway. This extraction approach maintains structural consistency of the remaining components while eliminating material waste from replacing functional portions.
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 cost-effective and efficient repair or replacement of individual steps or rungs without the need to replace the entire stairway, extending the lifespan of inflatable structures and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
The outer face of the anchor bases and anchor flaps are covered in hook and loop fastener material. The step flanges are interposed between the anchor base and the anchor flaps, which fold back over the anchor base. The mating hook and loop fastener materials on both sides of the step flanges and the step anchors securely hold the step members to the stairway backing.
Data Source
AI summary
The stairway includes a stairway backing, a plurality of paired step anchors affixed to the stairway backing, and a plurality of detachable step members secured between the paired step anchors. The step anchors are affixed to the stairway backing and are spaced vertically apart from one another and paired together to form top and bottom anchors for detachably securing the step members. Each step anchor has an anchor base, which is sewn or bonded directly to the stairway backing and an anchor flap, which is adapted and constructed to fold over the anchor base. The outer face of the anchor bases and anchor flaps are covered in hook and loop fastener material. The replaceable step members form the steps or rungs of the stairway. Each step member has a main body and pair of opposed step flanges covered with hook and loop fastener material for mating to the hook and loop fastener material of the step anchors. The step flanges are interposed between the anchor base and the anchor flaps, which folds back over the anchor base.