Universal Paver Collar for Slope Compensation and Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatus for establishing a paver surface are inadequate as they require multiple components, are not suitable for non-square pavers, lack precise height adjustment, and fail to effectively compensate for subsurface slope, leading to tedious installation and limited flexibility in spacing, orientation, and elevation.
Innovation Solution
A universal collar component with a truncated tubiform design featuring slanted steps and a receptacle for attachments, allowing for single-component support, stacking, slope adjustment, and integration with a riser for elevated and leveled paver placement with even spacing and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for supporting, elevating, and orienting pavers, then the functionality is comprehensive, but the device complexity increases and installation becomes tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (support element, elevation element, and orientation element) into a single integrated paver support apparatus. The support element features a top surface for supporting pavers, a side surface with a recess for receiving an elevation element, and a projection for receiving an orientation element. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate components and simplifies installation while maintaining comprehensive functionality for supporting, elevating, and orienting pavers.
Solution Approach 2:
The paver support apparatus is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions simultaneously. The single apparatus provides support for pavers, enables elevation through the recess for receiving elevation elements, and facilitates orientation through the projection for receiving orientation elements. This multi-functional design replaces multiple specialized components with one versatile unit, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If the entire apparatus is shifted to orient the paver array, then the orientation is achieved, but the operation becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the orientation function from the main support structure by providing a detachable orientation element that can be independently attached and rotated. The orientation element features projections that engage with corresponding recesses in the support element, allowing it to be separately adjusted without moving the entire apparatus. This segmentation enables quick orientation changes by simply rotating the orientation element, significantly reducing the time and effort required compared to shifting the entire apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation element is designed to be rotatable relative to the support element, introducing dynamic adjustability to the system. The projection and recess mechanism allows the orientation element to be easily rotated to different angular positions and locked in place. This dynamic feature enables rapid orientation adjustments without requiring the apparatus to be shifted or repositioned, making the operation much more efficient and less time-consuming.
3Length of moving object
If stacking apparatus is used to increase paver surface elevation, then the elevation is achieved, but the exact height adjustment is limited by the fixed dimensions of the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a telescoping elevation element that can be extended or retracted to achieve variable elevation heights. The elevation element features telescoping sections that can be adjusted to different lengths and locked in position, allowing for precise height adjustments beyond what fixed-dimension stacked apparatus can provide. This dynamic adjustment capability enables exact height customization while maintaining structural stability, overcoming the limitation of fixed elevation heights imposed by stacking standard apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevation element's length parameter can be changed continuously through telescoping adjustment, rather than being fixed at discrete values determined by apparatus thickness. This allows the elevation height to be precisely tuned to match specific design requirements or compensate for irregularities in the underlying surface. The ability to change the elevation parameter continuously provides manufacturing precision that cannot be achieved by stacking apparatus with fixed dimensions.
4Measurement precision
If screw-jack mechanisms are used for raising paver surface height, then the height adjustment is precise, but the cost of fabrication increases and height increase is limited to two-times the apparatus thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive screw-jack mechanisms with a simpler, more cost-effective telescoping elevation element. The telescoping design uses basic mechanical components such as nested tubes, lugs, and set screws that are much cheaper to fabricate than precision screw-jack mechanisms. While sacrificing some of the fine-adjustment precision of screw jacks, the telescoping element provides sufficient precision for paver elevation at a fraction of the cost, making the apparatus more economically viable for widespread use.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an improved component for apparatus for facilitating the elevated and leveled placement of a paver surface. Also disclosed are apparatus composed of the disclosed component. Yet further disclosed are related methods of use for the component and the apparatus composed of the same.