Railing Sheet Element Adjustment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for fixing and adjusting sheet-shaped elements in railings, balustrades, and dividers face challenges such as requiring multiple base bodies for alignment, compromising aesthetic appearance, necessitating uncomfortable working positions, and prolonging installation time due to repeated adjustment phases.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a single base body with a U-shaped cross-section channel and L-shaped resting elements, featuring adjustable pins and a triangle-shaped adjusting element, allows for the adjustment and fixing of sheet-shaped elements from the inner side, eliminating the need for protective casings and enabling comfortable operation while ensuring correct inclination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If multiple base bodies are used for fixing sheet-shaped elements, then the structural stability is improved, but the alignment complexity and aesthetic appearance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidalignment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple base bodies into a single integrated base body structure. This single base body includes a channel that can accommodate multiple sheet-shaped elements, eliminating the need for separate base bodies and their associated alignment issues while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single base body is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple sheet-shaped elements simultaneously. The channel structure within the single base body can receive and position multiple plates, making one base body serve the function previously requiring multiple base bodies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If adjustment mechanisms are provided on the lower part of sheet-shaped elements, then the inclination adjustment capability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to uncomfortable working positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinclination adjustment capabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the adjustment mechanism location from the lower part of the sheet-shaped elements to the upper part. The adjusting means are now positioned on the upper surface, allowing operators to access and operate the adjustment mechanisms from a comfortable standing position rather than requiring work from below.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism is repositioned from a horizontal/low-access dimension to a vertical/high-access dimension. By placing adjusting means on the upper surface accessible from above, the patent changes the operational dimension from requiring ground-level access to allowing overhead access, improving operator comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If repeated adjustment phases are required for correct alignment, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidinstallation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates preliminary action by providing pre-adjustable components within the single base body structure. The adjusting means are pre-positioned and designed to allow inclination adjustment during a single installation phase, eliminating the need for repeated adjustment cycles while maintaining alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous adjustment during the installation process itself, rather than requiring interruption for repeated measurement and adjustment phases. The adjusting means allow operators to make real-time inclination corrections while installing, maintaining continuous productive action without stopping for separate alignment phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Shape

If protective casings are used to cover base bodies, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the base body structure with the aesthetic covering function. The single base body is designed with an integrated channel and adjustment mechanism arrangement that inherently provides a clean, unified appearance, eliminating the need for separate protective casings to cover multiple base bodies and their components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4067600B1System for adjusting and fixing sheet-shaped elements for railings
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 ALUVETRO SRL
  • EP4067600B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4067600B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4067600B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for adjusting and fixing sheet-shaped elements for railings comprising containment means (10) for a protective sheet-shaped element (160) which are provided with a channel (140) for housing the sheet-shaped element (160) and adjusting means (20) for adjusting the position of the sheet-shaped element (160), wherein the adjusting means (20) comprise at least one resting and retaining element (180) with substantially L-shaped cross-section provided with seats for the passage of two pins (29) and with two planes (28) for the sliding of adjusting elements (240), in such a way that the combination of the movements of the adjusting elements (240) caused by the pins (29) generates a rotation of the resting and retaining element (180) which in turn causes a rotation of the sheet-shaped element (160).