Retrofit Brace Fitting Anti-Rotation Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current brace fittings for attaching braces to struts often require unnecessary components like hinges, which are weak points and fail to prevent rotation, and existing designs like hooked and slotted washers lack load capacity and rotational stability.
Innovation Solution
A retrofit brace fitting assembly featuring a platform with posts and tabs that engage with a brace fitting and strut, respectively, to prevent rotation and distribute load, using a reinforcement post for threaded rod engagement, eliminating extra hardware and labor costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hinges are used to pivot two elements into an installed position, then the elements can be connected together, but the hinge adds unnecessary components and labor, and is often a weak point of the overall fitting, and may not prevent rotation relative to the strut
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the connection and anti-rotation functions into a single integrated fitting assembly consisting of a plate and a brace, eliminating the need for separate hinges. The plate is secured to the strut while the brace is simultaneously connected and prevented from rotating, reducing the total component count and simplifying installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting is divided into distinct functional segments: the plate for strut attachment, the brace for structural connection, and the slot mechanism for anti-rotation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hooked and slotted washer solutions are used, then braces can be connected to struts, but these designs typically don't have load capacity in all directions, and the hooks/slotted washer fail to prevent rotation when coupled to the strut
Solution Approach 1:
The plate features an asymmetric slot geometry that is specifically designed to engage with the brace in a way that prevents rotation. The slot is positioned and dimensioned to provide rotational constraint while maintaining load capacity, creating an asymmetric connection that addresses both reliability and adaptability requirements.
3Reliability
If a retrofit brace fitting is designed to attach a brace to a strut and prevent rotation, then rotational stability is improved, but the design must work with existing strut systems without disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is designed with universal compatibility features, including multiple holes for various attachment configurations and a slot that can accommodate different brace types. This allows the same fitting to be used with existing strut systems while maintaining rotational stability, making it adaptable to multiple applications.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a retrofitable brace fitting assembly. In one approach, a brace platform has a first side, a second side, and a platform slot extending inwardly from an outer edge. The brace platform further includes a post disposed on the first side of the platform for engagement with a corresponding opening in a brace fitting, and a tab disposed on the second side of the platform for engagement with a strut. To restrict rotation of the platform relative to the strut, the tab may extend into an opening of the strut for engagement with an inward turn edge of the strut, or the tab may extend along and abut an exterior surface of the strut. The brace platform may further include a reinforcement post for engagement with a threaded rod, the reinforcement post extending through a corresponding opening in the brace fitting.