Portable Adjustable Stair Railing with Telescopic Balusters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing railings lack the necessary adjustability and portability to effectively support individuals with injuries or disabilities on stairs, as they cannot be easily installed or removed without causing structural damage.
Innovation Solution
A portable adjustable stair railing with telescopic balusters featuring a spring latch for height adjustment, a balustrade receptacle with pitch adjustment, and various attachment means such as adhesive pads, suction cups, and flanged fasteners, allowing for secure and temporary installation on stairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing railings are installed on stairs, then they provide structural support, but they cause structural damage and cannot be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The railing system is divided into separate modular components including balusters, handrails, and attachment means that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows the railing to be installed and removed without permanent structural alterations, resolving the contradiction between providing support and causing damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment means incorporates adjustable parameters such as adhesive strength, suction cup vacuum levels, and fastener tension that can be modified to achieve secure attachment without permanent damage. This allows the same attachment mechanism to provide strong support while remaining removable without structural harm.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed railings are used, then they provide stable support, but they lack adaptability to different stair configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The railing system incorporates adjustable components including telescopic balusters with variable heights, rotatable attachment means for different angles, and modular sections that can be reconfigured. These dynamic features enable adaptation to various stair configurations while maintaining structural stability through secure locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment means is designed with multiple functions: adhesive pads for smooth surfaces, suction cups for various materials, and flanged fasteners for structural attachment. This multi-functionality allows the same railing system to adapt to different stair types and materials while maintaining stable support.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable components are added to the railing, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The baluster design incorporates nested telescopic sections where inner tubes slide within outer tubes, allowing height adjustment through simple extension and retraction. This nested structure provides adjustability without complex mechanisms, as the telescopic action is achieved through basic friction-fit or spring-loaded locking within the nested tubes.
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
Enables easy mounting and dismounting of the railing on stairs, providing necessary support for injured or handicapped individuals while being non-invasive and adaptable to different stair configurations, ensuring safety and temporary use without permanent alterations.
Implementation Method 1
The fastening means is selected from the group of adhesive pad, suction cup and flanged fastener
Data Source
AI summary
A portable adjustable stair railing includes a plurality of telescopically adjustable balusters having structural attachments at the bottom of each, such as, for example, adhesives, suction cups, or removable fasteners, such as bolts. The height adjustment for each baluster is set by spring-biased buttons and cooperating apertures located on the two sleeved portions of the baluster. The top balustrade receiving end of each of the balusters includes a collar-like receiver and a set screw to hold the balustrade in the desired position. This balustrade collar further includes a pitch or angle adjustment for allowing pitch lines, or runs, on various staircases.