Detachable Pole Foot Assembly for Secure Temporary Barrier Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for supporting sheet material barriers with extensible pole assemblies are inefficient in maintaining a secure and temporary connection, particularly during the erection of barriers in construction environments where contamination control is necessary.

Innovation Solution

A detachable foot assembly system comprising a shaft portion, a ball portion, and a clip member that securely attaches to the extensible pole assembly, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of sheet material, utilizing a resilient foot member and magnetic attractable members for secure engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional foot assembly is used to attach sheet material to extensible pole assemblies, then the attachment is secure, but the attachment process is time-consuming and difficult to adjust

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidtime for attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The foot assembly is divided into separate components: a foot member with a body cavity, a clip member with arms, and a resilient member. This segmentation allows the clip member to be independently manipulated for quick attachment and detachment from the pole assembly without moving the entire foot assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clip member incorporates a resilient member that provides dynamic movement capability. The arms of the clip member can flex and move to engage and disengage from the pole assembly, enabling rapid attachment and detachment operations while maintaining secure connection during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the pole assembly is made extensible for easy adjustment, then the adaptability improves, but the reliability of sheet material attachment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of poleVSAvoidsecurity of attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clip member is pre-configured with arms that are biased by the resilient member into a positioning that facilitates engagement with the pole assembly. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the pole assembly is extended or adjusted, the clip member is already ready to maintain secure attachment without requiring additional adjustment actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The clip member acts as an intermediary between the extensible pole assembly and the foot member. It provides a stable connection point that accommodates pole extension while maintaining reliable attachment of the sheet material, bridging the gap between pole adjustability and attachment security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the attachment system is simplified for ease of use, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of detachmentVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clip member combines multiple functions into a single component: it attaches to the pole assembly, holds the foot member, and provides the detachment mechanism through its resilient arms. This merging reduces the need for separate fastening devices, release mechanisms, and adjustment components, simplifying the overall operation despite the additional clip member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reliable and efficient method to support sheet material barriers, ensuring effective separation of construction and non-construction areas by maintaining a secure attachment to extensible pole assemblies while allowing for easy disengagement and reconfiguration.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient member, the arms of the clip member being movable relative to one another and to the body of the clip member between engaged and disengaged positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

optional magnetic attractable members for secure sheet material retention

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS20120234996A1Systems and Methods for Attaching Barrier Sheet Material to Extensible Pole Assemblies

Publication Date: 2012.09.20 FASTCAP LLC

AI summary

A foot assembly is adapted to be detachably attached to a pole comprising a shaft portion and a ball portion. The foot assembly comprises a foot member defining a first body cavity and a clip member adapted to be detachably attached to the shaft portion of the pole assembly. With the clip member attached to the shaft portion of the pole assembly adjacent to the ball portion, the first body cavity of the foot member receives the ball portion, at least a portion of the shaft portion, and at least a portion of the clip member to detachably attach the foot member to the pole.