Movable Barrier Cable Anchor With Clevis Pin Lock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing movable barriers face issues with attachment failure of lift cables due to reliance on fasteners, which weaken over time, and require unique left and right lower brackets, increasing manufacturing and inventory complexity.

Innovation Solution

An anchor system with a clevis pin and lock mechanism secures lift cables to a bracket, transferring weight through the rail rather than fasteners, and allows for interchangeable brackets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If fasteners are used to attach lift cables to the movable barrier, then the attachment is simple to implement, but the attachment strength deteriorates over time due to wear and repeated use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidattachment strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into multiple components: the lower bracket, clevis pin, and lock. This segmentation allows the weight-bearing function to be separated from the attachment function, with the bracket handling weight and the pin/lock providing secure attachment, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lock component provides beforehand cushioning by preventing axial removal of the clevis pin before any failure can occur. The lock engages with the pin and bracket to create a fail-safe mechanism that maintains attachment strength throughout the service life, addressing the reliability deterioration issue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If unique left and right lower brackets are used for each side of the movable barrier, then the attachment can be optimized for each side, but the manufacturing and inventory complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveside-specific optimizationVSAvoidnumber of unique parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lower bracket is designed with asymmetric features including a non-circular opening for the lock and asymmetric mounting hole patterns. This asymmetric design allows a single bracket component to function correctly on both left and right sides of the barrier when combined with the symmetric clevis pin and lock, reducing the number of unique parts while maintaining side-specific attachment capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The lower bracket is designed as a universal component that can be used on both left and right sides of the movable barrier. The bracket incorporates a symmetric body with asymmetric opening orientation that adapts to both sides, allowing one bracket design to serve multiple functions and locations, thereby reducing manufacturing and inventory complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12359481B2Anchor system for a bracket of a movable barrier

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 OVERHEAD DOOR CORP

AI summary

An anchor system for securing a lift cable to a bracket of a movable barrier is provided. The anchor system may include a clevis pin sized to be received in a loop of a lift cable of an upward-moving moveable barrier. In some aspects, the clevis pin may include a first interface portion. The anchor system may also include a lock having a longitudinally extending main body having a second interface portion. The second interface portion may be configured to interface with the first interface portion to prevent axial removal of the clevis pin from the loop of the lift cable.