Portable Pathway Apparatus with Pliable Frame and Adjustable Steps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stairways and ladders used in industrial and residential settings are either too heavy and rigid, making them inflexible and difficult to move, or too light and flimsy, leading to damage and safety hazards when used on contoured surfaces such as tank farms and coastal areas, where they hinder access and cause erosion.
Innovation Solution
A portable pathway apparatus with a pliable frame member and adjustable steps that can conform to varying contours, secured with elements like spikeable structures or adhesives, allowing for easy installation and adjustment to provide a traversable path without damaging surrounding structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heavy-duty reinforced concrete or large metal grid-like structures are used for stairways, then durability and safety are improved, but weight and difficulty of movement increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The stairway is divided into multiple modular steps that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each step is a separate component that connects to the frame through removable fastening mechanisms, allowing the structure to be segmented for easy transport while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The stairway transitions from a static, fixed structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. The frame and steps incorporate movable connections that allow the structure to be quickly assembled, disassembled, and repositioned, providing adaptability while maintaining durability through robust connection mechanisms.
2Strength
If rigid one-piece stairways are used, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility and ease of repositioning deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid one-piece structure is segmented into modular components (frame sections and individual steps) that can be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation allows the stairway to adapt to different locations and surface conditions while each component maintains sufficient structural strength for safe use.
Solution Approach 2:
The stairway design incorporates multi-dimensional adjustability, allowing configuration changes not only in position but also in orientation and orientation of individual steps. This enables adaptation to various contours and access requirements while maintaining structural integrity through reinforced connection points.
3Weight of moving object
If lightweight portable stairways are used, then ease of movement is improved, but strength and susceptibility to damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stairway employs composite construction combining lightweight materials (such as aluminum or composite polymers) with strategic reinforcement elements. This creates a structure that is significantly lighter than traditional concrete or heavy metal stairways while maintaining adequate strength through optimized material distribution and structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than uniformly thickening the entire structure to increase strength, the design applies localized reinforcement only at critical stress points and connection areas. This allows the majority of the structure to remain lightweight while specific areas provide the necessary strength and damage resistance.
4Ease of operation
If conventional fixed stairways are installed on barriers, then access is provided, but the barriers hinder ingress and egress and require users to walk around to access tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The stairway system transitions from fixed, static installations to dynamic, mobile units that can be quickly deployed and repositioned. This allows the stairways to be moved to optimize access to different tanks or operational areas, reducing the time users spend walking around barriers and improving operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable pathway apparatus for providing a path over a surface, the portable pathway comprising: a pliable frame member; a row of mating holes disposed on each side of the pliable frame member; a set of steps coupled to the pliable frame member; wherein one or more of the set of steps is coupled to the pliable frame member with a mount that aligns with the row of mating holes on each of the corresponding sides of the pliable frame member.