Toolless Metal Profile Joining Device with Resilient Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal profile assembly and disassembly technologies for graphic display supports are inefficient, requiring tools and compromising structural integrity during repeated assembly and disassembly, and are cumbersome for transportation and storage due to their size and shape.
Innovation Solution
A device with metal supports featuring resilient bodies and actuation levers that allow manual, tool-free assembly and disassembly of metal profiles with square cross-sections, enabling easy length adjustment and angle formation while maintaining structural integrity, using a chassis with a rotation axis and attachment means for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional joining devices are used for metal profiles, then assembly and disassembly can be performed, but tools are required and structural integrity is compromised during repeated operations
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient body automatically engages with the profile groove when the lever is actuated, and automatically releases when the lever returns to initial position. The device performs assembly and disassembly operations without requiring external tools or additional energy input, utilizing the mechanical energy stored in the resilient body itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient body transitions between compressed and expanded states dynamically in response to lever actuation. This dynamic behavior allows the joining device to adapt its engagement force with the profile groove, maintaining structural integrity during operation while enabling easy assembly and disassembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If metal profiles are assembled into large frames for graphic display supports, then the frames can support different graphic elements, but transportation and storage become cumbersome due to size
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is divided into multiple separate metal profiles that can be independently handled and transported. The profiles are joined together using the joining device only when needed for display applications, allowing the frame to be segmented into manageable components for transportation and storage while maintaining full adaptability for assembly into various configurations.
3Ease of operation
If metal profiles are disassembled into smaller parts for ease of handling, then transportation and storage are simplified, but reassembly requires tools and time
Solution Approach 1:
The joining device enables users to perform assembly and disassembly operations manually without requiring specialized tools. The lever actuation mechanism allows any user to quickly join or separate profiles by simply moving the lever, eliminating the time-consuming process of tool selection, tool handling, and complex manual manipulation required by traditional joining methods.
4Ease of operation
If a resilient body is used for automatic engagement, then tool-free operation is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever and resilient body are integrated into a single unified component rather than being separate elements. The lever serves dual functions: actuating the resilient body for engagement and providing the release mechanism when returned to initial position. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the automatic engagement functionality.
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 quick and secure assembly and disassembly of metal profiles, preserving structural integrity and simplifying handling, transportation, and storage by allowing manual operation without tools, ensuring stability and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
the said profiles being joined by the actuation of the levers and the subsequent expansion of the resilient bodies, both transversely against the side walls of the respective groove, and perpendicularly
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Device for the assembly and disassembly of metal profiles provided with longitudinal surface grooves, said device comprising: a metal support (1) that can be inserted into the ends of the grooves of the profiles to be joined; a chassis (2) supported on each end of said metal support (1), whereon a lever (4) provided with a projection (9) and a coaxial cam (8) pivots (5); and a resilient body (3) inserted between the support (1) and the chassis (2). When the lever (4) is rotated into the represented closing position thereof, the protrusion (9) penetrates said resilient body (3), expanding it transversally against the side walls of the respective groove, and the cam (8) simultaneously compresses the resilient body (3), expanding the device in a direction which is orthogonal to the previous direction. The device allows a rapid, manual and toolless assembly and disassembly of the profiles, aligned or at an angle, in order to form frames such as those used in supports for displaying graphics.