Masonry Strap Protective Cap With Sleeve for Puncture Hazards

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective coverings fail to address puncture and laceration hazards posed by exposed masonry straps and similar hardware elements.

Innovation Solution

A protective cap with a base and a sleeve that fits over the exposed end of the hardware, featuring a slot for interference fit, cushioning material, and warning indicia to prevent damage and alert viewers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If existing protective coverings are used, then general protection is provided, but puncture and laceration hazards from masonry straps are not addressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepuncture and laceration hazardsVSAvoidcoverage of hardware types

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protective covering is divided into two distinct segments: a base portion and a sleeve portion. The base covers the main body of the masonry strap while the sleeve specifically covers the exposed end, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific protective function against punctures and lacerations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve acts as an intermediary element that specifically addresses the hazard of exposed metal ends. It fits over the exposed end of the masonry strap, providing a protective barrier that prevents direct contact with the sharp metal surface, thereby resolving the unaddressed puncture and laceration risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a protective covering is added, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety protectionVSAvoidcovering structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base and sleeve are designed to be combined as a single integrated protective covering assembly. The sleeve is coupled to the base, creating a unified structure that provides comprehensive protection while maintaining simplicity in installation and use, thus improving safety without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective covering utilizes flexible shell structures for both the base and sleeve portions. These flexible shells can conform to the shape of the masonry strap and its exposed end, providing effective protection while keeping the overall structure simple and adaptable to different hardware configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS20260028837A1Protective cap for masonry straps

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 SHERRITT SHANNON

AI summary

A cap apparatus for preventing punctures and lacerations caused by exposed sheet metal hardware includesa base with a top side, a bottom side, and a perimeter side. The perimeter side extends between the top side and the bottom side. A sleeve is coupled to and extends away from the top side of the base. The sleeve has a front wall, a back wall, and a pair of lateral walls. The lateral walls are coupled to and extend between the front wall and the back wall. The sleeve defines a slot which is surrounded by the front wall, the back wall, and the pair of lateral walls. The slot is open at a top end of the sleeve and is sized and configured to fit around the exposed end of the article of hardware.