Narrow-Slot Roller Guide for ADA-Compliant Mobile Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail-mounted mobile storage systems do not comply with Americans with Disabilities Act standards due to the requirement for wide floor openings to accommodate rollers, preventing their use in many applications.
Innovation Solution
A guidance arrangement with a narrow floor opening, featuring an axial guide and a drive rail with upwardly open slots, utilizing a roller arrangement and a guide member to guide storage units, and an anti-tip assembly to prevent tipping, all while maintaining a slot width less than ½ inch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional rail and roller support systems are used, then smooth movement of storage units is achieved, but floor openings must be wide (greater than ½ inch) which violates ADA standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism consisting of a guide member that extends through a narrow floor opening and a roller arrangement that receives the guide member. This intermediary system allows the storage unit to move smoothly along the guide member while the floor opening remains narrow enough to comply with ADA standards (½ inch or less). The roller arrangement acts as a mediator between the guide member and the storage unit, enabling smooth movement without requiring wide floor openings.
2Adaptability or versatility
If narrow floor openings are used to comply with ADA standards, then accessibility is improved, but the ability to accommodate traditional rollers is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the guidance system into distinct components: a guide member that extends through the floor opening, a roller arrangement with rollers that receive the guide member, and a storage unit with a downwardly extending guide member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together within the constrained space of a narrow floor opening, achieving ADA compliance without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional horizontal roller support system to a vertical dimension by having the guide member extend vertically through the floor opening and the rollers receive it from above. This dimensional change allows the system to accommodate narrow floor openings while maintaining smooth movement capability, as the guide member passes through the narrow opening in the vertical direction rather than requiring horizontal space.
3Reliability
If guide rails with wide openings are used, then roller accommodation is achieved, but susceptibility to derailment increases when transverse forces are applied
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member acts as an intermediary element that provides lateral guidance and stability. It extends through the narrow floor opening and is received by the roller arrangement, creating a stable guidance path that resists transverse forces. This intermediary structure prevents derailment by maintaining proper alignment between the storage unit and the track, even when wide floor openings are not available.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables ADA-compliant mobile storage systems with narrow floor openings, ensuring smooth movement and preventing tipping, thus allowing for wider application in disability-accessible environments.
Implementation Method 1
A roller arrangement is associated with the axial guide, and is located within the upwardly open slot... engages the roller arrangement so as to guide movement of the storage unit
Data Source
AI summary
A narrow slot roller and guide system for high density mobile storage systems having a plurality of storage units. The roller and guide system includes a longitudinally extending axial guide defining a first slot in a floor and a drive rail parallel thereto defining a second slot in the floor. The axial guide includes a roller arrangement adapted to engage a downwardly extending guide member coupled to the carriage of the storage units. The engagement of the roller arrangement and guide member serves as a guide for the storage units as the storage units are moved axially along the axial guide and drive rail. Further, the present invention limits the width of the first and second slots to a very narrow width, e.g. less than one half inch, thereby easily permitting disabled individuals to freely travel across a floor in which the roller and guide system is mounted. The roller and guide system may include an anti-tip assembly to prevent the tipping of the storage units as the storage units are moved along the axial guide and drive rail.