Releasable Pry Bar for Sheet Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for aligning and joining large sheets of metal or non-metallic materials are time-consuming, costly, and prone to surface damage, as they require complex processes involving clamps, welding, and removal of anchor points, which are impractical for large sheets and often result in structural damage and high labor costs.

Innovation Solution

A switchable magnetic device with a handle and fork, or a vacuum box with a handle and fork, allows for easy alignment and attachment to sheets, enabling rotation to apply a pushing or prying force without welding or additional tools, using magnetic fields for ferrous metals and vacuum attachment for non-ferrous materials, thus facilitating quick and precise alignment without surface damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional methods using blank nuts, key-plates and bull-pins are used to align large metal sheets, then alignment can be achieved, but the process becomes extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidalignment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the alignment function from the complex traditional system of blank nuts, key-plates and bull-pins, consolidating it into a single integrated tool that combines a magnetic anchor with an adjustable arm mechanism, thereby dramatically reducing alignment time while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment tool serves multiple functions: it provides magnetic attachment to the metal sheet, offers adjustable positioning through the arm mechanism, and enables both alignment and securing operations with a single device, replacing multiple separate tools and operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If blank nuts are welded into place and then removed, then alignment can be achieved, but the metal sheet surface is damaged and requires inspection and grinding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidsurface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical welding system with a magnetic field-based attachment system. The magnetic anchor attaches to the metal sheet without welding, and the fork secures the position mechanically without damaging the surface, eliminating the need for welding, cutting and grinding operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic anchor acts as an intermediary between the alignment tool and the metal sheet, providing secure attachment without direct mechanical contact that would cause damage. The magnetic field serves as the mediating force that holds the tool in place during alignment operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the complex process of welding blank nuts and using key-plates is used, then alignment is achieved, but labor costs and equipment requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidtool complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of multiple separate tools (blank nuts for attachment, key-plates for positioning, bull-pins for securing) into a single integrated alignment tool that combines magnetic attachment with an adjustable arm mechanism, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining alignment precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment tool is segmented into functional components: a magnetic anchor for attachment, an adjustable arm for positioning, and a fork for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while being part of a simplified integrated system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If traditional alignment methods are used on large sheets, then joining can be accomplished, but the process requires multiple repetitions at each joint location

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoining speedVSAvoidtotal alignment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment tool enables preliminary positioning and securing to be completed in one operation rather than requiring multiple separate steps. The adjustable arm allows the tool to be positioned precisely and the fork secures it in place, enabling the alignment to be completed in a single pass without needing to repeat the process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution enables rapid and precise alignment of sheets for joining, reducing time and labor costs, eliminating the need for complex setups and surface inspections, and preventing damage to the materials being joined.

Implementation Method 1

using magnetic fields for ferrous metals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic fields: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

using vacuum attachment for non-ferrous materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum attachment: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS7587800B2Releasable pry bar

Publication Date: 2009.09.15 ROMAR MEC LLC

AI summary

An apparatus for releasably attaching a pushing tool to one work piece such that a pushing force can be applied to a second work piece and allow alignment of the two work pieces for joining the work pieces together.