Modular Scaffold Staircase With Detachable Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing staircase systems are difficult to handle and assemble/disassemble, especially for single persons due to their heavy weight and lack of efficient lift-off protection mechanisms, requiring additional components like screws and nuts for coupling connections.

Innovation Solution

A scaffolding stair system with detachable coupling connections between stair step elements and side walls, utilizing projections and recesses for lift-off protection, allowing each element to be secured and easily assembled/disassembled by a single person without additional components, and designed for quick and stable assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional staircase systems are used with squared timbers and multiple components, then structural strength and stability are improved, but weight increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of handling
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The staircase is divided into modular components (side walls, stair steps, connecting elements) that can be assembled and disassembled independently. Each component maintains structural integrity while reducing individual weight, allowing single-person handling of manageable sections that form a strong complete structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The material parameters and geometric parameters of the staircase components are optimized to reduce weight while maintaining strength. The side walls and stair steps are designed with specific dimensions and material properties that provide necessary structural strength at reduced weight, enabling easy handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional staircase systems are used with squared timbers, then structural stability is improved, but assembly complexity increases and productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting elements are pre-designed with integrated lift-off protection features (projections and recesses) that automatically engage during assembly. This preliminary design of the connection mechanism eliminates the need for separate fastening operations, allowing rapid assembly while ensuring stable structural composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling connection system is designed to be self-securing through the interaction of projections and recesses that automatically provide lift-off protection. The structure stabilizes itself through the detachable coupling mechanism without requiring additional components or complex assembly procedures, enhancing both stability and assembly speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If detachable coupling connections are used without lift-off protection, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of elements being lifted off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidlift-off protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lift-off protection function is merged into the detachable coupling connection itself. The connecting elements incorporate projections and recesses that simultaneously provide the detachable coupling mechanism and the lift-off protection, eliminating the need for separate fastening components while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling connection system provides its own lift-off protection through the geometric interaction of projections and recesses. The structure is self-securing, where the connection mechanism itself prevents unintended disengagement without requiring additional protective components, maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If additional components like screws and nuts are used for coupling connections, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling connection reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for separate fastening components (screws, nuts, bolts) from the coupling connection system. The lift-off protection function that would traditionally require additional components is integrated directly into the connecting elements through projections and recesses, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting elements are designed as multi-functional components that simultaneously provide structural connection, detachable coupling, and lift-off protection. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized components, reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable coupling connections.

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

Data Source

PatentEP1893827B1Scaffold staircase
Publication Date: 2012.08.29 PERI GMBH
  • EP1893827B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1893827B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1893827B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to scaffold steps, with two separate side pieces (11) and a plurality of separate step elements (13, 13', 13"), which can be detachably coupled to each other and to the side pieces.