Ladder Step Fastening Assembly for Robust Safety Accessory Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ladders lack efficient and robust mechanisms to securely fasten safety accessories such as anti-fall safety rings and reinforcing straps to their steps.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical connection device comprising an outer piece with tabs and an inner piece, along with projections and slots, and a screwed attachment, allows for quick and robust fastening of safety accessories to ladder steps using a combination of forced insertion and threaded bolts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fastening methods are used for safety accessories on ladders, then the accessories can be attached to the steps, but the attachment lacks robustness and security
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device is divided into two separate pieces: an outer piece that attaches to the ladder step and an inner piece that attaches to the safety accessory. This segmentation allows each piece to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity and reliability of the attachment system.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner piece is inserted into the outer piece through a forced insertion process, creating a nested structure where the inner piece resides within the outer piece. This nesting provides a compact, robust attachment mechanism that secures the safety accessory to the ladder step while maintaining ease of installation.
2Strength
If a robust fastening mechanism is implemented to secure safety accessories, then attachment strength increases, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The outer and inner pieces are pre-formed with specific geometries including tabs, slots, and chamfers that enable the forced insertion process. This preliminary preparation of the components allows for rapid assembly during installation, achieving strong fastening without excessive installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening mechanism incorporates a dynamic insertion process where the inner piece is forced into the outer piece, creating a tight fit through controlled deformation. The chamfered edges facilitate this dynamic insertion while ensuring robust attachment strength once assembled.
3Ease of operation
If simple fastening solutions are used for safety accessories, then installation is quick and easy, but the attachment lacks robustness and cannot withstand significant force
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the fastening device into outer and inner pieces with distinct functions, the system achieves both ease of installation and high force resistance. The outer piece provides the mounting interface with the ladder step while the inner piece secures the safety accessory, allowing simple assembly that withstands significant force.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested structure of the inner piece within the outer piece creates a compact, secure attachment that is both easy to install and capable of withstanding high forces. The forced insertion process ensures a tight fit that maintains strength while keeping the installation process simple and quick.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device that comprises: an outer piece (5); an inner piece (6), and a screwed attachment (18, 19, 20). The outer piece (5) comprises a plate (7), with tabs (8) that protrude, and that define a housing (12) for the inner piece (6). The inner piece (6) comprises a base body (13), from which a shaft (14) with a decreasing cross section protrudes, to be housed in the housing (12) forcing the tabs (8) to deploy outwards. The screwed attachment (18, 19, 20) comprises a threaded bolt (18) and a nut (19). The bolt (18) passes through the outer (5) and inner (6) pieces, such that, when the bolt (18) is rotated, it is threaded into the nut (19) and the shaft (14) is inserted into the housing (12) that displays the tabs (8).