Ladder Cage Latching Members for Rapid Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ladder cages require time-consuming assembly and disassembly processes using bolts and nuts, leading to potential loss of fasteners and increased downtime for repairs, especially when replacing defective connecting members.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of self-contained latching members that allow for rapid attachment and removal of cage ring connecting members, enabling quick assembly, disassembly, and on-site repairs without the need for extraneous parts, using anchor plates and resilient members for secure retention and easy replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bolts and nuts are used to attach cage ring connecting members, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting member is segmented into a body portion and end portions with apertures, allowing the latching member to engage specific segments. This segmentation enables the latching member to securely hold the connecting member without requiring multiple bolts and nuts, thus reducing assembly time while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching member is designed to be self-contained with an internal resilient mechanism that automatically engages and disengages the connecting member. The resilient body portion compresses to allow insertion and expands to lock the connecting member in place, eliminating the need for separate fastening operations and reducing assembly complexity.
2Strength
If multiple extraneous fasteners are used for assembly, then the connection strength is improved, but the risk of losing fasteners increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching member combines multiple fastening functions into a single integrated component. The resilient body portion, aperture, and locking mechanism are merged into one piece that attaches the cage ring to the connecting member, eliminating the need for separate bolts, nuts, and washers, thus preventing fastener loss while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching member is self-contained with all necessary fastening elements integrated within its structure. The resilient body portion provides both the mounting interface and the locking mechanism, eliminating extraneous fasteners that could be lost during assembly or disassembly operations.
3Reliability
If traditional bolting systems are used, then the connection is secure, but the repair process requires complete disassembly of the cage ring
Solution Approach 1:
The latching member is designed as a separate, independently replaceable component that attaches to the cage ring at a specific location. This segmentation allows the latching member to be removed and replaced without affecting other parts of the cage ring assembly, enabling localized repairs while maintaining overall connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching member can be easily extracted from the cage ring assembly by compressing the resilient body portion, allowing defective components to be removed and replaced without disassembling the entire cage ring structure. This extraction capability significantly simplifies the repair process while maintaining connection reliability through the resilient locking mechanism.
4Productivity
If self-contained latching members are used, then assembly speed is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient body portion is designed with localized flexibility at specific regions while maintaining rigidity in other areas. This local quality allows the latching member to have a simple overall structure with a modest increase in complexity only where the resilient properties are needed, balancing assembly speed improvement with acceptable mechanism complexity.
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
Facilitates rapid assembly and disassembly of ladder cages, reduces downtime for repairs, and prevents loss of fasteners, allowing projects to proceed on schedule with minimal disruption.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member (42) disposed within the cavity (35)
Data Source
AI summary
A rapid release and rapid install latching member for use with ladder cages to couple the cage rings is provided wherein the latching members are capable of retaining the cage ring connecting members thereon without the use of external fasteners. The latching members are designed such that they may be removed from or installed on the ladder cage while the ladder cage is installed at the work site or otherwise for quick and easy repair or replacement. An exemplary ladder cage contains a plurality of ring members having a plurality of latching members interspaced around the circumference thereof, with adjacent ring members being coupled to each other through the interaction of cage ring connecting members with the latching members.