Modular Scaffolding for Stackable Transport of Long Goods

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for transporting fragile long goods, such as roller shutters and carpets, result in waste due to disposable support materials and inefficient use of truck space, as these goods are typically not easily stackable.

Innovation Solution

A scaffolding module comprising side elements and cross-connecting elements with retaining features that secure standard pallets, allowing easy handling with forklifts and enabling stackable, stable transport configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If disposable support materials and padding are used to transport long goods, then the goods can be protected during transport, but resources are wasted after single use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegoods protectionVSAvoidsupport material waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The scaffold module is designed as a reusable system that can be disassembled and stored after use. The side elements and cross-connecting elements can be detached and stored in a space-saving manner for subsequent transports, eliminating the need to discard supportive materials after single use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The scaffold module is divided into detachable components including side elements and cross-connecting elements. This segmentation allows the structure to be assembled and disassembled repeatedly, enabling reuse across multiple transport operations while maintaining protective functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If long goods are transported using traditional methods, then they can be secured on transport mats, but the available transport volume in the truck is not used optimally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegoods securingVSAvoidtruck space utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The scaffold module enables vertical stacking of goods by providing a stable platform that extends vertically. Multiple scaffold modules can be stacked one above another, utilizing the vertical dimension of the truck cargo space to transport multiple goods simultaneously, thereby optimizing volume utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The scaffold module serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables stacking, facilitates secure transport, and allows for efficient space utilization. The standardized design with retaining elements allows the same scaffold structure to be used across different transport scenarios and goods types.

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

3Ease of operation

If standard pallets are used as transport platform, then easy handling with forklifts is achieved, but the pallet needs to be securely fixed to the scaffold module

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforklift handlingVSAvoidpallet fixation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Retaining elements act as intermediaries between the scaffold module and the standard pallet. These retaining elements engage with the pallet to secure it to the scaffold structure, providing both stability and compatibility with standard forklift handling procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4671150A1Scaffolding module and scaffolding system for transporting a transport item, in particular a long item
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 BUCK DIPL.-ING MARTIN
  • EP4671150A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4671150A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4671150A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A scaffold module (14) for a scaffold system (13) for transporting a transported item, in particular a long item, comprises two scaffold side elements (30) for laterally delimiting a transport area (15) and at least one cross-connecting element (20) which can be detachably connected to the two scaffold side elements (30) to create a transport state of the scaffold module (14) in order to position the scaffold side elements (30) on opposite sides of the transport area (15). The scaffold module (14) has a base area (26) in which, in the transport state of the scaffold module (14), a standard pallet (40) can be arranged such that a top surface of the standard pallet (40) forms the transport surface (15), wherein the cross-connecting element (20) and/or the scaffold side elements (40) further have at least one retaining element (23, 24) designed to hold the standard pallet (40) on the scaffold module (14).The scaffold module can be detachably connected to a longitudinally adjacent, essentially identical second scaffold module (14) such that the transport surface (15) of the first scaffold module (14) and a transport surface (15) of the second scaffold module (14) form a continuous, longitudinally continuous transport surface. The scaffold side elements (30) of the first scaffold module (14) and the scaffold side elements (30) of the second scaffold module (14) can be detachably connected by a common transverse connecting element (20).