Removable Deck Railing Infill with Carbon Fiber Shear Struts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing deck railing systems are challenging to maintain due to their permanent attachment to the deck, making it difficult to clean, refinish, or replace components like balusters, which can lead to increased maintenance costs and potential material degradation.

Innovation Solution

A removable deck railing system featuring a removable infill assembly with carbon fiber shear struts that are attached to the railing frame using threaded inserts and lock-down screws, allowing for easy installation and reinstallation without compromising structural integrity, and utilizing spring-loaded binding elements for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the infill is permanently attached to the rails and posts, then the structural integrity and safety of the deck railing system is ensured, but the maintenance and replacement of infill components becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The railing system is divided into separate modular components: the permanent frame structure (posts and rails) and the removable infill assembly. The infill assembly can be detached and reattached without damaging the frame or the infill, enabling easy maintenance while maintaining structural integrity when installed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system transitions from a permanent fixed connection to a dynamic removable connection. The infill assembly is designed to be securely attached during normal use but can be easily removed when maintenance is needed, allowing the system to adapt between two operational states: installed for structural support and removed for access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the infill is permanently attached to the rails and posts, then the safety and stability of the deck railing system is maintained, but the cost of maintenance increases due to difficulty of access

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the railing system into a permanent frame and a removable infill assembly, the design enables cost-effective maintenance. The infill can be easily removed and replaced without requiring expensive professional services or specialized equipment, reducing overall maintenance costs while preserving safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If the infill is permanently attached to the rails and posts, then the structural strength of the deck railing system is ensured, but the time required for maintenance and replacement of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a dynamic attachment mechanism that provides strong structural connection during normal operation but allows rapid removal when maintenance is needed. The infill assembly can be detached in minutes without tools or damage, dramatically reducing maintenance time while maintaining full structural strength when installed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If the infill is permanently attached to the rails and posts, then the stability of the deck railing system is maintained, but the ability to replace components with different materials or styles is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidcomponent replaceability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The modular design separates the stable permanent frame from the replaceable infill assembly. This segmentation allows the frame to maintain structural stability while the infill can be freely replaced with different materials, styles, or configurations to match changing aesthetic preferences or functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized attachment system creates a universal interface that accommodates various infill types and materials. The same frame structure can support different infill assemblies, providing versatility in material selection (wood, metal, composite) and design styles while maintaining system stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11802409B2Systems and methods for deck railings and deck railing sheer strut hardware

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 PRICE CHRISTOPHER LANGE

AI summary

A hardware system for use on a deck railing includes two pair of flat shear struts, one pair on each the lower and upper main rail each extending up to the length of each main rail between the deck posts. Both the upper and lower main rail shear strut pairs are identical and a mirror image of one another. The hardware system further includes an infill embodiment that includes a sub-rail that houses one of the shear struts in each pair, is attached to the sub-rail which is further attached to the balusters between the upper sub-rail and the lower sub-rail. The second shear strut in each pair is attached to the underside of the main upper rail and on top of the main lower rail. When the infill embodiment is placed into the deck railing frame opening, screws hold the railing infill in place creating a removable deck railing.