Modular Sawhorse Support System with Keyed Rail and Slidable Deck
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional sawhorses lack structural integrity and flexibility in forming stable and adjustable work surfaces, often resulting in unstable and limited workspaces that are cumbersome to expand or modify.
Innovation Solution
A modular support system comprising pre-formed plastic sawhorses with slotted bases, slidably engaging support members, and adjustable decks and clamps, allowing for easy connection and configuration of multiple sawhorses to create varied work surfaces of different sizes and shapes, while being easily storable and accommodating various work implements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid sheet is laid across sawhorses to form a working surface, then the working surface can be quickly assembled, but the working surface becomes unstable and prone to shifting
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is divided into multiple discrete components: a base with legs, a support portion with slots, and a track portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to provide both ease of assembly and stability. The modular nature enables quick assembly while the interlocking components ensure stable working surface formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member acts as an intermediary component between the base and the working surface (rigid sheet). It provides a stable interface through its track portion that interfaces with the rigid sheet, preventing shifting while maintaining ease of assembly. The support member mediates between the need for quick assembly and the need for stability.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple adjacent sheets are used to increase working surface size, then the working surface area increases, but the surface becomes non-uniform and alignment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed as a universal component that can support various sizes and configurations of working surfaces. The slots and track portions are configured to accommodate different sheet sizes and arrangements, enabling the formation of uniform working surfaces of various areas using multiple sheets without alignment difficulties.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member provides dynamic adaptability through its slot configuration and track portion design, allowing it to accommodate different sheet arrangements while maintaining uniformity. The system can be dynamically adjusted to create uniform working surfaces of various sizes by positioning sheets on the standardized support structure.
3Strength
If pre-formed plastic sawhorses with pivoting legs are used, then structural integrity and collapsibility are improved, but the ability to form stable and adjustable work surfaces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is segmented into distinct functional portions: a base for stability, a support portion with slots for adjustability, and a track portion for surface formation. This segmentation maintains structural integrity while enabling versatility in forming different work surface configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member incorporates dynamic features including pivoting legs for collapsibility and adjustable slots for varying work surface heights and positions. This maintains structural integrity while providing adaptability for different work surface requirements.
4Ease of operation
If makeshift working surfaces are used, then assembly is simple and quick, but safety and functionality are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is pre-formed with integrated features including slots, track portions, and connection interfaces. This preliminary preparation ensures that when assembly occurs, safety and functionality are built-in from the start rather than added later, maintaining both simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between simple assembly and safe, functional work surfaces. It provides a standardized interface that ensures proper positioning and stability, making the assembly process simple while guaranteeing safety and functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A support system includes a base have a plurality of legs depending from a support portion. The support portion includes at least one slot formed therein, wherein a portion of a support member is received in the slot. A deck of the support system is configured to slidably engage a top portion of the support member. The support member may include a male key portion formed on a first end and female key portion formed on second end, the female key portion of one support member configured to receive the male key portion of another support member. A groove formed in each of the deck and the clamp is configured to receive the track portion therein, wherein the clamp can be slid along the support member via the track. The deck may comprise a plurality of panels coupled to each other using a coupling member.