L-Shaped Floor Spacer With Detachable Bracket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spacers for maintaining expansion gaps during rigid floor installations are prone to falling over due to uneven floors or soft sub-floors, making handling difficult and increasing the risk of improper installation.
Innovation Solution
A spacer system comprising a cuboid spacer element with a detachable bracket and support shaft, where the spacer element has a drill hole for the support shaft engagement, allowing the spacer to be securely positioned without falling and easily removable after installation, featuring a rotary drive contour for simplified pivoting and adjustable handle for orientation indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional block-like spacers are used to maintain expansion gaps, then the desired gap width can be achieved, but the spacers are prone to falling over on uneven floors or soft sub-floors
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer transitions from a static block-like structure to a dynamic L-shaped configuration where the support arm can be positioned at an angle to the spacer element. This dynamic positioning allows the support arm to extend further outward, creating a wider base of support that prevents overturning while maintaining precise gap width control through the spacer element's thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to the spacer structure by creating an L-shape with a support arm that extends perpendicular to the floor surface. This third dimension (height) provides additional stability by creating a larger moment arm against gravitational forces, preventing the spacer from toppling over on uneven or soft surfaces while the horizontal spacer element maintains precise gap width
2Manufacturing precision
If spacers are positioned upright against the wall, then the gap can be maintained, but the spacers may fall over when bumping against longer edge panels during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The L-shaped spacer with its angled support arm creates a more stable profile that resists lateral forces from edge panels during installation. The support arm's angle provides structural reinforcement that prevents the spacer from being knocked over, while the spacer element's thickness ensures precise gap maintenance throughout the installation process
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm is pre-positioned at an optimized angle before installation begins, creating a stable base that anticipates and resists the lateral forces that will be applied during panel installation. This preliminary structural configuration prevents overturning before it can occur, allowing installers to work more efficiently without needing to carefully maneuver panels around unstable spacers
3Ease of operation
If detachable bracket design is used, then the spacer can be easily removed after installation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into two separate components: a L-shaped bracket with support arm and a separate spacer element. This segmentation allows the spacer element to be easily detached from the bracket after installation by simply removing it from the support arm, enabling simple removal while the modular design actually reduces overall complexity compared to monolithic structures
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm acts as an intermediary component that temporarily holds the spacer element in position during installation but allows for easy release afterward. This intermediary structure provides the necessary support and positioning functionality while enabling simple detachment, balancing ease of removal with structural effectiveness without requiring complex locking or fastening mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a spacer for keeping a wall connection-side joint free, for example when laying a rigid floor covering, comprising a spacer element (2, 2.1) with a thickness, which corresponds to the width of the joint to be kept free, and an angle bracket (3, 3.1) with a strip-shaped holding limb (4, 4.1) and a holding shaft (5, 5.1) which is connected to the holding limb (4, 4.1) at the end thereof and which protrudes from the holding limb (3, 3.1). A bore (7) which extends in the vertical direction of the spacer element and into which the holding shaft (5, 5.1) engages is introduced into the spacer element (2, 2.1).