Locking Beam Gear Linkage for One-Lever Load Clamping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking bars require separate levers for each clamping receptacle, making handling cumbersome and inefficient, especially when securing loads by a single person.
Innovation Solution
A locking bar design with a gear-linked clamping lever that simultaneously moves both clamping pieces into or out of the clamping position using a single lever movement, and incorporates convexly curved clamping surfaces to allow for secure clamping at non-perpendicular angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate clamping levers are used for each clamping receptacle, then each clamping receptacle can be operated independently, but the handling becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple clamping levers into a single clamping lever that is gear-linked to both clamping receptacles. This allows one lever to simultaneously control both clamping pieces, reducing the number of components and simplifying operation while maintaining independent control capability through the gear linkage mechanism
2Ease of operation
If a single clamping lever is used for both clamping receptacles, then handling is simplified, but the clamping pieces may not reach their clamping positions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a synchronizing mechanism with gear linkages that provide feedback control. The gear teeth engage to ensure that when the single clamping lever is actuated, both clamping pieces move in a coordinated manner and reach their clamping positions simultaneously or in a controlled sequential manner, eliminating the synchronization problem
3Adaptability or versatility
If flat clamping surfaces are used, then the locking bar must be precisely aligned perpendicular to the crossbar, but this reduces adaptability to different installation angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies convex curvature to the clamping surfaces of the clamping pieces. This curved surface design allows the locking bar to be clamped securely at various angles (e.g., 10 to 15 degrees or more, or even up to 20 degrees or more) relative to the crossbar without requiring precise perpendicular alignment, thereby increasing adaptability while reducing alignment precision requirements
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The invention relates to a locking bar (1) for load securing, with substantially U-shaped clamping receptacles formed at opposite ends (5, 6), a first clamping receptacle (7) and a second clamping receptacle (8), wherein the first clamping receptacle (7) has a first clamping element (11) corresponding to a leg (9) of a U and the second clamping receptacle (8) has a second clamping element (12) corresponding to a leg (9) of a U, and the first and the second clamping elements (11, 12) are movable between a clamping position and a release position by means of a clamping lever (13). In order to design a locking bar that is easier to handle, it is proposed that the clamping lever (13) be gear-coupled to the first and the second clamping elements (11, 12) for moving the first and the second clamping elements (11, 12) into the clamping position by means of the same lever movement.Alternatively or in combination with this, it can be provided that in a cross-section through the clamping surface (18, 52) parallel to an opening plane (F) of the clamping receptacle (7, 8) a clamping surface (18, 52) of a first and/or second and/or third and/or fourth clamping piece (11, 12, 49, 50) is convexly curved in the direction towards the opposite clamping surface (52, 18) of the same clamping receptacle (8, 7).