Plastic Strip with Segmented Slots for Curved Wire Fence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plastic strips for fences formed from wire-like elements lack a secure and aesthetically pleasing method to attach and cover the curved sections, leading to gaps and instability.

Innovation Solution

A plastic strip with V-shaped cross-section and open-edged slots is designed to fit snugly over the fence, featuring flag-like sections that can be elastically deformed to engage with wire-like elements, providing a clamp-like mounting system that covers the fence's curved areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a plastic strip is attached to a fence with curved wire elements, then the strip can cover the fence for privacy or advertising purposes, but the attachment method becomes complex and the strip may not securely engage with the curved sections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to fence curvatureVSAvoidattachment method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plastic strip is segmented with open-edged slots that create flag-like sections, allowing the strip to be divided into functional zones: engagement zones with slots for wire insertion and a central closed area for privacy coverage. This segmentation enables the strip to adapt to curved fence sections while maintaining a simple single-piece attachment method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plastic strip is designed as a thin, flexible element that can elastically deform to conform to curved fence sections. The flexibility allows the strip to wrap around curved wire elements while the open-edged slots provide mechanical engagement points, solving both the adaptability and secure attachment requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If the plastic strip is made rigid to maintain a closed surface for privacy, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but the strip cannot elastically deform to engage with wire elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrity of closed surfaceVSAvoidelastic deformation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The strip is segmented into flag-like sections separated by open-edged slots. The central area between slots remains closed and structurally intact for privacy and aesthetic purposes, while the slots create flexible zones that allow elastic deformation for engagement with wire elements. This segmentation reconciles structural integrity with adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the plastic strip have different properties: the central area maintains a closed, rigid structure for privacy and aesthetics, while the regions with open-edged slots have local flexibility to enable elastic deformation and engagement with the fence wires. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If open-edged slots are formed in the plastic strip to enable engagement with wire elements, then attachment security is improved, but the strip structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidstrip structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The strip structure is segmented with simple open-edged slots that create flag-like sections. These slots provide reliable engagement points for wire elements while maintaining a relatively simple overall strip structure. The segmentation approach achieves attachment security without requiring complex mechanisms or additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution ensures a secure, aesthetically appealing attachment that maintains a closed surface, suitable for privacy or advertising purposes, while being easy to install and adaptable to the fence's curvature.

Implementation Method 1

the flag-like sections of the plastic strip formed by the elongated holes can bear against the wire-like element of the fence under resilient loading, preferably resulting from the given elasticity of the plastic strip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3112561B1Plastic strips and fence made of wire-shaped elements
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 EXTE EXTRUDERTECHN
  • EP3112561B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3112561B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3112561B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates firstly to an elongated plastic strip, essentially having a rectangular base as represented in a vertical projection, with two long sides and two short sides, wherein the plastic strip is elastically deformable. The invention further relates to a fence formed from wire-like elements in the form of meshes, wherein the wire-like elements are arranged, with respect to an assembled state of the fence, essentially horizontally and essentially vertically or essentially horizontally, and the essentially vertically extending elements are curved in cross-section over part of their extent.To further improve a plastic strip and a fence of the type in question, it is provided that, at regular intervals along the long sides, elongated holes open at the edges are repeatedly formed opposite each other and aligned longitudinally. These holes are closed at their ends, leaving a rectangular central area free of openings. It is also provided that the curved portion of the fence is covered by a plastic strip whose cross-section conforms to the curvature and which is held in place by engaging with mesh openings in the fence.