Frustoconical Polymer Support Foot with Spherical Snap-Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stabilizer support feet for equipment like cranes and scaffolding face challenges with complex and time-consuming mounting and dismounting processes, particularly due to irregular ground surfaces and the use of rigid or plastic materials that trap debris, leading to malfunctions and wear.
Innovation Solution
A support foot made of plastic or polymer material with a frustoconical shape and a spherical cavity that allows for snap-fit engagement with a hydraulic jack's spherical head, enabling quick attachment and detachment without tools, and incorporating a co-molded metal ball for secure retention, reducing the risk of debris entrapment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flange with bolts is used to secure the foot to the jack, then the connection is strong and reliable, but the mounting and dismounting operations become complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into a spherical head on the jack rod and a corresponding spherical cavity in the foot, allowing independent positioning and engagement of components. This segmentation enables quick snap-fit attachment while maintaining reliable connection through the spherical geometry that naturally centers and secures the joint.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of securing the foot to the jack through a complex flange-bolt system, the invention inverts the approach by having the spherical head of the jack snap-fit into the spherical cavity of the foot. This reversal simplifies the mounting process while maintaining connection reliability through the interlocking spherical geometry.
2Strength
If rigid plates are used as support feet, then the structure is simple and strong, but adaptability to irregular ground surfaces is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The support foot incorporates a spherical cavity at the connection point to accommodate the spherical head, creating a localized adaptive interface. This local quality change allows the foot to pivot and adjust to irregular ground surfaces while maintaining overall structural strength through the rigid foot body.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical cavity and spherical head combination introduces curvature to the connection interface, enabling rotational adjustment and adaptation to uneven ground. This spheroidality allows the support foot to self-align and accommodate ground irregularities while maintaining structural integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If plastic or polymer material feet are used, then adaptability to uneven ground is improved, but debris can become trapped leading to malfunctions and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical head and cavity connection system extracts the potential debris-trapping issue from the connection interface. The spherical geometry allows for easy removal of the foot from the jack, enabling quick inspection and cleaning of the connection area, thereby preventing debris-induced malfunctions while maintaining ground adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Support foot for stabilizers, comprising a frustoconical support member with a base of large diameter, made of plastic or polymer material, characterized in that it comprises means for the the effective and secure, but quickly and conveniently disengageable, connection of said foot to the end of the rod of a hydraulic or mechanical jack.