Removable Cap for Concrete Masonry Unit Core Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In construction, gravel and debris often improperly enter the core spaces of concrete masonry units (CMUs), preventing the proper filling of these spaces with liquid concrete and compromising the strength, stability, and durability of CMU wall structures.
Innovation Solution
A removable cap, called the CELL BLOCKER, designed to fit into the top of CMU cores, preventing gravel and debris from entering until concrete is poured, constructed from materials like plastics or rubber, and featuring a grip for easy installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gravel is propelled into the enclosed floor area using a specially designed truck or heavy equipment, then the gravel placement process is efficient and quick, but gravel improperly encroaches into the individual cells or core spaces of the CMUs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a removable cap as an intermediary device that fits into the core spaces of CMUs to prevent gravel encroachment. This mediator allows the gravel placement process to proceed efficiently while blocking the harmful effect of gravel entering the core spaces, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is installed before gravel placement to preemptively prevent the harmful effect. By placing the protective cap in advance, the system ensures that even though gravel is propelled with high efficiency, it cannot encroach into the core spaces, thereby maintaining both productivity and manufacturing precision.
2Device complexity
If gravel is placed without protective measures, then the construction process is simple and quick, but the strength, stability, and durability of the CMU wall structure is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed as a simple, inexpensive, and easily removable protective element. Although it adds a step to the construction process, the cap itself is a low-cost component that can be easily installed and removed without complicating the overall construction workflow significantly, while effectively protecting the structural integrity of the CMU walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap serves as a temporary intermediary protective measure that bridges the gap between simple gravel placement and reliable structural outcomes. It provides the necessary protection during construction without requiring complex systems, thus maintaining relative simplicity while ensuring reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If a removable cap is installed to prevent gravel encroachment, then gravel and debris are kept out of the core spaces, but an additional step is added to the construction process
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed to be a simple, inexpensive component that adds minimal complexity to the construction process. Its ease of installation and removal, combined with low cost, makes the additional step acceptable in exchange for the precision benefit of keeping core spaces free from gravel encroachment.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a cap 10 having a face 20, a rear 30 and a core space insertion tab 100. In an alternate embodiment, the present disclosure provides a cap for a concrete masonry unit comprising a face, a rear and a core space installation tab, a lower sloped face and a lower edge, wherein the face further comprises a grip and wherein the lower sloped face and lower edge below the grip.