Adjustable Jack Post Top Plate for Uneven Ceiling Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jack posts are prone to disconnection and fall-off due to imperfect alignment with ceilings, posing safety risks during construction.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable top plate device for jack posts featuring a deformable and resilient protrusion that engages the top structure, with an insert body fitting into the rod, providing a secure and adjustable interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard flat metal plate is used at the top end of the rod, then the jack post structure is simple, but the connection to uneven ceilings is unreliable and prone to disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the protrusion from rigid to resilient/deformable. The protrusion is made of resilient material that can deform to accommodate uneven ceiling surfaces, then resiliently engages to provide reliable connection. This parameter change allows the same component to adapt to varying ceiling conditions while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The top plate device combines multiple materials with different properties: the plate member provides structural support, while the protrusion uses resilient/deformable material for adaptive engagement. This composite approach integrates rigid and flexible elements to simultaneously achieve structural integrity and reliable connection to uneven surfaces.
2Reliability
If the jack post is wedged tightly between floor and ceiling, then support stability is improved, but adaptation to uneven ceiling surfaces becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability through the resilient protrusion that can deform during installation to match uneven ceiling contours. Once positioned, the protrusion resiliently engages to provide stable support. This dynamic behavior allows the device to transition from adaptive positioning to stable locking, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion's deformable and resilient properties enable it to change its physical state during installation - deforming to accommodate uneven surfaces, then resiliently engaging to provide tight wedging. This parameter change allows the same component to fulfill both adaptive and stabilizing functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a piece of wood is screwed onto the flat metal plate, then connection to beams is possible, but the risk of disconnecting and falling remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adaptive engagement function from the traditional wood-screw connection system and integrates it directly into the top plate device through the resilient protrusion. This eliminates the need for separate wood pieces and screws, providing both versatile connection capability and reliable engagement in a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of the flat plate, wood piece, and connection mechanism into a single integrated top plate device. The plate member with resilient protrusion combines structural support, adaptive positioning, and secure engagement functions, eliminating the multi-component traditional system and its associated reliability risks.
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
The device ensures a tight and stable connection between the jack post and the ceiling, preventing disconnection and fall-off by accommodating uneven ceiling surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one protrusion comprising deformable and resilient material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5C
AI summary
An adjustable top plate device for a jack post for supporting a top structure when positioned on a floor structure. The adjustable top plate device comprises a plate member, at least one protrusion and an insert body. The plate member defines a top surface for interfacing and/or engaging the top structure and an opposite undersurface for engaging a top plate of jack post The protrusion protrudes from the top surface of the plate member for engaging the top structure and comprises deformable and resilient material. The insert body extends beneath the undersurface of the plate member for being inserted in an opening of the jack post. When the adjustable top plate device is mounted to the jack post, the insert body is inserted within the opening of the rod and the undersurface of the plate member engages the top plate of the rod.