Modular Quick-Clamp Railing Support Post

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing safety devices for construction sites are limited in application, labor-intensive to assemble and disassemble, and not reusable, posing risks of injury and environmental impact due to the use of disposable wooden barriers.

Innovation Solution

A modular quick-release railing system with support posts featuring a clamping device and engagement element, allowing for easy and flexible installation on various structures, including gratings, with rotatable connections and adjustable tensioning mechanisms to secure to different surfaces without the need for horizontal alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional wooden barriers are used to secure construction sites on gratings, then the area can be secured against falling risks, but the assembly and disassembly become labor-intensive and the components must be disposed of after use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefall protection capabilityVSAvoidassembly and disassembly effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support post is divided into modular components: a base part with clamping device, a support tube, and a fastening means. This segmentation allows quick assembly and disassembly while maintaining fall protection capability, eliminating the need for labor-intensive wooden barrier construction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular support post system is designed to be reusable rather than disposable. After disassembly, all components can be recovered and reused on subsequent construction sites, eliminating the waste associated with single-use wooden barriers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Reliability

If traditional wooden barriers with attached boards are used, then fall protection is provided, but the components are single-use and must be disposed of, creating environmental impact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefall protection capabilityVSAvoidmaterial waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The support post system is explicitly designed as a reusable modular system. All components including the base part, support tube, and fastening means can be disassembled, transported, and reused on subsequent construction sites, eliminating material waste and environmental impact associated with disposable wooden barriers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The modular support post system can be universally applied to various construction site scenarios including gratings, floor openings, and stair landings. This multi-functionality increases utilization rate and reduces the need for multiple different barrier systems, thereby reducing overall material waste

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If existing safety devices are designed for specific structural edges only, then they can be securely mounted, but they cannot be used for other applications such as gratings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidapplication range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The base part is designed with a universal clamping device that can adapt to multiple mounting surfaces including gratings, concrete floors, and structural edges. The clamping means with engagement element provides secure mounting across different applications, achieving both reliability and versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping device allows adjustment of clamping force and engagement depth through the tensioning means. This parameter adjustment capability enables the same base part to securely mount on different surface types and geometries, expanding application range while maintaining mounting security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If a clamping device with engagement element is used to secure the base plate, then quick assembly and disassembly are enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidclamping mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping device is designed to be self-actuating through the tensioning means. When the tensioning means is activated, it automatically engages the engagement element with the grating bars and secures the base plate, enabling quick assembly without complex manual operations or additional tools

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement element is nested within the clamping means, which is integrated into the base part. This nested configuration compactly houses the quick-release mechanism while minimizing overall device complexity and maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3983626B1Support posts and quick clamp railing in modular construction
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 BASF SE
  • EP3983626B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3983626B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3983626B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a support post, comprising: a support tube (1), which has at least one fastening element (2) for a railing brace; a base part (3), which is connected to the support tube (1) and is delimited at the lower end of the base part by a bottom plate (4), the underside of which bottom plate is provided for being placed on a construction element in order to fasten the support post; and a clamping apparatus, which is connected to the base part (3) and comprises a clamping means (5) and an engagement element (6), wherein: the bottom plate (4) has at least one opening; the clamping means (5) and the engagement element (6) interact in such a way that the engagement element can be guided through the opening in the bottom plate onto a contact surface in the construction element; and the clamping means, in the clamped state, pulls the engagement element upward in the vertical direction such that the underside of the bottom plate (4) is clamped against the construction element. The invention further relates to a modular quick-clamp railing, comprising at least two support posts according to the invention.