Railing Panel Height Adjustment via Lateral Screw Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing railing systems face challenges in adjusting the height of panels without compromising the mechanical connection to the ground, and this process is often laborious and risks damaging the panels.
Innovation Solution
A height adjustment device for railings that includes a shoe with an external surface adjusted to fit the rail's vertical walls, a support surface for the panel, and a screw that can be accessed without removing the panel, allowing for vertical translation and easy height adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional shims are used for height adjustment, then the panel height can be adjusted, but the adjustment process requires lifting and removing the panel from the rail, increasing the risk of damage and labor intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shoe as an intermediary component between the panel and the rail. The shoe contains an adjustment mechanism with a screw that can be accessed laterally through the rail, allowing height adjustment without directly handling the panel. This intermediary device protects the panel from damage during adjustment while enabling precise height control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides lateral access to the adjustment mechanism through the rail structure, changing the dimension of access from vertical (requiring panel removal) to horizontal (accessible through the rail). This allows the screw to be turned from the side to adjust the shoe's vertical position, eliminating the need to lift or remove the panel.
2Adaptability or versatility
If panels are frequently handled for adjustment, then height can be modified, but the labor intensity and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe acts as a mediator that remains in place within the rail during adjustment. The adjustment mechanism is accessible through the rail without removing the panel, allowing quick height modifications without the time-consuming process of lifting, removing, and reinstalling heavy panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism allows the shoe's vertical position to be dynamically changed by turning the screw. This enables quick, on-demand height adjustments without static reconfiguration, significantly reducing the time required to modify panel height compared to traditional methods.
3Ease of operation
If the adjustment mechanism is accessible from the front, then it is easy to use, but it compromises the aesthetic transparency of the railing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the access point for the adjustment mechanism from the front vertical dimension to the lateral horizontal dimension through the rail. The screw can be accessed and turned from the side, keeping the front view of the railing transparent and aesthetically pleasing while maintaining full adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail structure is designed with specific local qualities: it provides lateral access channels for the adjustment mechanism while maintaining overall transparency. The housing within the rail contains the adjustment components, allowing access from the side without compromising the front aesthetic appearance.
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 device simplifies the height adjustment process, reduces the need to handle heavy panels, and maintains the solidity of the mechanical connection, while being easy to use and integrate into existing railing kits.
Implementation Method 1
a lateral drilling, vertical and transversely offset relative to the support surface for the panel, passing through the shoe and having a thread, a screw, configured to be inserted into the lateral drilling and pass through it, and to cooperate with the thread of the lateral drilling
Implementation Method 2
an outer surface adjusted at least in sections to a bottom and vertical walls of the housing, so as to form a guide in vertical translation with walls of the housing of the rail by pressing the outer surface on the vertical walls of the housing
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a guardrail (100), comprising: - at least one panel (1), - a rail (3), configured to be attached to a floor and having a housing (31) for the panel (1) when installed, - means for fixing the panel (1) to the rail (3), characterized in that it further comprises a height adjustment device (7) for the panel (1), said device comprising - a bracket (71), having: * an outer surface fitted at least in sections to a base and vertical walls of the housing (31), so as to form a guide in vertical translation with the walls of the housing (31) of the rail (3) by bearing the outer surface on the vertical walls of the housing (31), * a bearing surface (11) for the panel (1) when installed, * a lateral hole (13), vertical and transversely offset with respect to the bearing surface (11) for the panel (1), passing through the bracket (71) and having a threaded hole (17), * a screw (15),configured to be inserted into and pass through the lateral hole (13), and to cooperate with the tapped hole (17) in the lateral hole (13).