Rail storage system with end caps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rail storage systems lack sufficient horizontal and vertical spacing between adjacent rails, limiting the use of accessories like hooks and baskets, and causing improper weight distribution on wall surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A storage rail assembly with end caps that include a concave pocket and a projection, allowing for horizontal and vertical alignment and spacing between rails, thereby enabling the use of various accessories and ensuring proper weight distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If rails are placed closer together to save wall space, then the area occupied by the storage system is reduced, but insufficient spacing prevents the use of accessories like hooks and baskets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewall space occupiedVSAvoidaccessory compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rail system is segmented into modular components with standardized spacing intervals. Accessories are designed to attach at specific segments or intervals along the rail, allowing versatile accessory placement while maintaining consistent spacing between rails that optimizes wall space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If rails are placed closer together, then wall space is conserved, but proper weight distribution over the wall surface deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewall space occupiedVSAvoidweight distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting mechanism incorporates localized reinforcement zones at specific intervals along the rail. These reinforcement zones concentrate mounting points at strategically positioned locations, ensuring that weight is properly distributed to wall anchor points even when rails are placed closer together, thereby maintaining structural integrity while conserving wall space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If sufficient spacing is maintained between rails, then accessory usage is enabled, but more wall space is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessory compatibilityVSAvoidwall space occupied

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes vertical spacing between rails more effectively than horizontal spacing, allowing accessories to be arranged in vertical stacks or layers. This dimensional approach enables diverse accessory configurations while maintaining tighter horizontal rail spacing, thereby reducing overall wall space consumption while preserving full accessory compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250107642A1Rail storage system with end caps

Publication Date: 2025.04.03 TECHTRONIC CORDLESS GP

AI summary

A storage rail assembly and an end cap system for a storage rail assembly are provided. A storage rail assembly includes a first rail configured to be coupled to a wall. The first rail extends from a left end to a right end along a first longitudinal axis. The assembly further includes a first left end cap coupled to the left end of the rail, the left end cap including a concave pocket extending inwardly from a left face of the first left end cap and having a pocket contact surface; and a right end cap coupled to the right end of the rail, the right end cap including a projection extending outwardly from a right face of the right end cap, wherein the projection is configured to be received in a pocket of a second left end cap to form a horizontal rail assembly.