Metal Support Piece for Outdoor Steps with Anchoring Spike
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor step solutions for hiking trails are either too costly, prone to weathering, slippery when wet, or pose safety risks due to material degradation and anchoring hazards, and lack efficient assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A support member design featuring a sheet metal surface with a tube for vertical anchoring, incorporating a grid of holes for traction and a spike and tube system for secure placement, with optional additional features like a bulge for deeper treads and modular components for adaptable railing support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If wooden structures are used for steps, then assembly is simple and initial cost is low, but they weather quickly and become slippery when wet
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines metal components (support part with tube and spike, railing post) with natural materials (log for stepping surface). This composite structure allows the metal parts to provide durable, weather-resistant anchoring and support, while the log provides a natural, slip-resistant stepping surface. The metal support part's tube and spike system ensures reliable ground anchoring that doesn't rot like wood, solving the weather resistance problem while maintaining assembly simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If wooden steps with vertical rods are used, then assembly is simple, but the rods pose injury risks and woodrots quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the traditional wooden log that requires rot-resistant treatment with a metal support structure designed to be permanently anchored. The metal support part with its tube and spike system provides durable, safe anchoring without the rot and splintering problems of wood. The log is still used for the stepping surface but is now supported by the reliable metal structure, separating the functions of anchoring (metal) and stepping (natural material).
Solution Approach 2:
The metal support part acts as an intermediary between the ground and the wooden log. Instead of directly anchoring the log with metal rods (which pose injury risks), the support part with its tube provides a protected interface. The tube allows the railing post to be inserted and anchored securely, mediating the connection between the visible wooden structure and the hidden metal anchoring system, thereby eliminating exposed sharp rods.
3Reliability
If metal sheet surfaces are used for steps, then weather resistance is improved, but slip resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different materials to different parts of the step structure based on local requirements. The metal support part (with sheet metal, tube, and spike) provides weather-resistant anchoring and structural support where durability is critical. The wooden log is used specifically for the stepping surface where grip and slip resistance are paramount. This local differentiation of material properties solves both the weather resistance and slip resistance requirements simultaneously.
4Quantity of substance
If steps are cut from terrain, then material costs are low, but assembly complexity increases and safety risks remain
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the step structure into separate functional components: a metal support part (with support part, tube, and spike as integrated components), a wooden log for the stepping surface, and a metal railing post. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and assembled in a standardized sequence, reducing overall assembly complexity compared to cutting and shaping monolithic terrain features.
Data Source
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AI summary
The support element has plate elements (1) whose vertical surfaces (1.1) are arranged at right angle to each other. The plate element is provided with several rows of vertically superposed apertures (1.3) with U-shaped cross sectional area. A tip of a skewer (2) is protruded downwards lower than the plate element. A tube (3) is provided for inserting rod in the vertical direction.