Length-Adjustable Platform With Nested Hollow Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing variable-length work platforms are complex, heavy, and have open slits when extended, posing tripping hazards and requiring many components, making them expensive and difficult to handle.
Innovation Solution
A work platform design featuring a rectangular hollow work surface element with internal pull-out element receptacles and sliding elements that form a closed surface when extended, using only three components and reducing weight and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hollow aluminum profiles are used to form the work surface, then the work platform can be adjusted in length, but the work surface becomes open with slits creating tripping hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The pull-out elements are nested within the work surface element. The work surface element has a hollow interior that receives the pull-out elements, allowing them to be stored inside when not in use and pulled out when needed. This nesting arrangement eliminates exposed connection points and creates a closed surface, removing the tripping hazard while preserving length adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing element merges the ends of the pull-out elements with each other to form a continuous, closed surface. This combining of separate components creates a unified work surface without gaps or slits, eliminating the tripping hazard while maintaining the ability to adjust the platform length.
2Area of stationary object
If many hollow profiles are used to form a sufficiently large work surface, then the work platform achieves adequate size, but the weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pull-out elements are stored nested within the hollow interior of the work surface element. This nesting design allows the platform to be transported in a compact form and only extends the full work surface area when the pull-out elements are deployed. The work surface area increases when needed, but the transport weight remains low since the additional surface area is collapsed inside the main structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple hollow profiles with connection lugs are used, then the work platform can be assembled, but the production becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple separate hollow profiles into a single integrated work surface element with a hollow interior. Instead of connecting multiple profiles with separate lugs and fasteners, the design combines the structural functions into one piece that receives the pull-out elements. This merging dramatically reduces the number of components and simplifies both production and assembly while maintaining the necessary assembly capability.
4Length of moving object
If the work platform is designed with extendable components, then the length can be adjusted, but the handling and transport become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pull-out elements are designed to nest within the work surface element, allowing the platform to be collapsed to a compact size for easy handling and transport. When adjustment is needed, the pull-out elements are simply pulled out to extend the length. This nesting mechanism makes the platform easy to maneuver in tight spaces and transport without requiring complex locking or securing mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The platform (20) has a base surface device with a work surface element (23) and an expansion surface device with extension elements (21, 22) that are received by the work surface element. The work surface element and the extension elements are a hollow profile with a rectangular cross section. A bar formed at the work surface element runs between the extension elements and forms extension element retainers for retaining the extension elements. The base surface device and the expansion surface device have a connecting element (28) with a rubber support at an outer end (26).