Rectangular Tube Debris Chute with Flaccid Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional debris chutes for re-roofing operations suffer from deformation and wear at tight curves, requiring manual handling and slowing down the disposal process, especially due to their circular cross-sections and design that necessitates hand-picking debris.
Innovation Solution
A debris disposal chute with interconnected tubes of decreasing rectangular cross-sections, flaccid members, and a pivotally mounted casing with hangers and removable weights, allowing for efficient debris flow and alignment without curving, enabling faster and more efficient debris removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional chutes use circular cross-sections with tight curves at lower ends, then debris can be directed to dumpsters, but the chutes suffer from wear and deformation at the curve areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the opposite of curvature by using straight, angular rectangular tubes instead of curved circular sections. The rectangular tubes maintain straight alignment throughout the chute system, eliminating the tight curves that cause wear and deformation in conventional circular chutes while still enabling effective debris flow through gravity and proper angling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cross-sectional geometry parameter from circular to rectangular, and modifies the arrangement from curved to straight angular sections. This parameter change eliminates the wear-prone curved areas while maintaining debris flow capability through proper angular positioning and gravity-assisted movement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional chutes are positioned close to the building for structural support, then the chute maintains stability, but the roofer must be in closer proximity to the roof edge which slows down the operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the chute into multiple separate rectangular tube sections that can be independently positioned and connected. This segmentation allows the chute to be extended further from the building while maintaining structural integrity through the modular design, enabling roofers to work from safer positions without compromising chute stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces flaccid members as intermediary flexible connection elements between the rigid rectangular tubes and mounting points. These flaccid members allow the chute to maintain stability while accommodating movement and extension, enabling the chute to reach dumpsters positioned further from the building without requiring the roofer to be near the edge.
3Ease of operation
If conventional chutes require hand-picking of debris pieces, then debris can be fed down the chute, but the operation speed decreases and labor time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cross-sectional geometry from circular to rectangular, creating a wider opening that accommodates larger debris pieces and allows for faster feeding. The rectangular configuration with increased width enables roofers to drop larger chunks of roofing material directly into the chute without manual picking, significantly reducing labor time while maintaining ease of operation.
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 chute allows for quicker disposal of re-roofing debris without the need for manual handling, reduces wear, and maintains alignment with dumpsters, enhancing material handling efficiency and reducing labor time.
Implementation Method 1
flaccid members connected between the first tube and the casing, and flaccid members connected between the lower tube and the flaccid members connected to the upper tube
Implementation Method 2
removable weights are received in first and second weight basins located on opposite sides of the open entry of the chute and connected thereto by leverage connectors
Data Source
AI summary
A debris disposal chute includes a plurality of tubes having rectangular cross sections of a decreasing size attached together. Flaccid members are connected between hangers pivotably mounted to a casing and the first tube and between the flaccid members of the upper tube and the next lower tube. The casing is pivotably mounted to a receptacle about an axis perpendicular to the hanger axis and the center line of the chute. A header is removably connected to the receptacle by attachment bars and includes a surface inclined towards the open entry. Weight basins are removably connected to the header by leverage connectors on opposite sides of the open entry and the attachment bars.