Pivoting Railing Brackets for Non-Perpendicular Rail Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional brackets struggle to securely attach rails to posts when they are not aligned colinearly or orthogonally, requiring different brackets for varying angles, leading to suboptimal fits.
Innovation Solution
The use of pivotable brackets with adjustable angles, allowing rails to be attached to posts at angles other than perpendicular, using pivot members and receiving portions that pivot about longitudinal axes to accommodate varying orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional brackets with predetermined angles are used to connect rails to posts at non-colinear angles, then different brackets are required for different angles, but the fit is suboptimal when the actual angle does not match the predetermined angle
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket incorporates a pivotable receiving portion that can rotate about a longitudinal axis of the pivot member, allowing the bracket to dynamically adjust to different rail angles rather than being fixed at a predetermined angle. This dynamic adjustment capability enables optimal fit across varying installation angles without requiring multiple bracket variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the angular parameter of the bracket by allowing the receiving portion to pivot relative to the plate. This parameter change enables the bracket to accommodate different angles between rails and posts, resolving the contradiction between angle adaptability and fit precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed-angle brackets are used, then the structure is simple, but the device cannot accommodate varying rail orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic one with a pivotable receiving portion that can rotate about the pivot member's longitudinal axis. This single degree of freedom adds minimal complexity while providing significant orientation flexibility for accommodating various rail angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is segmented into distinct functional portions: a plate for attachment to the post, a pivot member providing the rotation axis, and a receiving portion for the rail. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each portion while maintaining overall simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If brackets are designed for specific predetermined angles, then manufacturing is simplified, but installation flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket design achieves multi-functionality by incorporating a pivotable receiving portion that can accommodate multiple rail orientations with a single bracket type. This universal design eliminates the need to manufacture and inventory multiple angle-specific brackets, simplifying production while enhancing installation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic pivot capability allows a single bracket design to perform multiple angular configurations, providing installation flexibility across different scenarios without requiring complex manufacturing processes for each variant.
Data Source
AI summary
A railing system comprises first and second rails, a post, a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket connects the first rail to the post and comprises a first plate, a first pivot member, a first receiving portion, and a first base. The first receiving portion and the first base are adapted to pivot about a longitudinal axis of the first pivot member. The second bracket connects the second rail to the post, and comprises a second plate, a second pivot member, a second receiving portion, and a pin. The second receiving portion is adapted to pivot about a longitudinal axis of the second pivot member.