Flexible Plastic Cubicle Rails With Bracket-Supported Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cubicle systems for housing animals, particularly cattle, face issues with structural integrity and animal safety due to frequent contact between tubular steel rails and animals, leading to injuries and maintenance challenges as animals lean or bump into the rails.
Innovation Solution
A cubicle system featuring flexible unitary plastic rails with internal support provided by attachment brackets, eliminating the need for additional steel supports and allowing secure attachment to structures using clamping mechanisms, reducing the risk of injury and maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If tubular steel rails are used to define stall boundaries, then structural strength is improved, but animal safety deteriorates due to injuries from contact with rigid rails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the rails from rigid steel to flexible plastic, transforming the physical properties of the rail material. This allows the rails to bend and yield upon animal contact, reducing injury risk while maintaining adequate structural strength through the flexible material's elastic properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by integrating internal steel support members within the plastic rail structure. This combines the strength characteristics of steel with the safety characteristics of flexible plastic, creating a composite rail that provides both structural integrity and animal safety through material combination
2Strength
If internal steel supports are integrated into rails, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the steel support members with the plastic rail structure into a single integrated assembly. The steel supports are positioned inside the plastic rails and work together as a unified structural element, eliminating the need for separate support components and reducing overall device complexity through consolidation
3Reliability
If conventional attachment methods with extra tube lengths are used, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for extra tube lengths from the attachment process. The attachment brackets are designed to connect directly to the rail ends without requiring additional tube sections, simplifying the installation procedure while maintaining secure connections through the bracket's clamping and fastening mechanisms
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
The system provides a safer and more durable housing solution with reduced maintenance requirements, as the plastic rails are resilient and do not require internal or external steel supports, enhancing animal welfare and system stability.
Implementation Method 1
the rail is a flexible unitary plastic member
Implementation Method 2
the at least one attachment bracket comprises a support means for providing internal support to the rail
Implementation Method 3
the rail connection means is configured to be locatable on an outer surface of the rail
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A cubicle system 1 for partitioning an area. The cubicle system 1 comprises: at least one rail 2; and at least one attachment bracket 3 for attaching the at least one rail 2 to a structure. The at least one attachment bracket 3 comprises a support means for providing internal support to the rail and a rail connection means for securing, attaching and/or connecting the rail 2 to the at least one attachment bracket 3, wherein the rail connection means is configured to be locatable on an outer surface of the rail 2, in use.