Rotatable Anchor Limb Assembly That Prevents Lateral Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchor assemblies for fall protection applications lack stability and security, particularly in situations where lateral movement may occur, which can lead to detrimental engagement with fixing bolts or pins.
Innovation Solution
The anchor assembly features first and second mounting limbs that are rotatably connected, allowing them to rotate about a rotation axis and fix in one of multiple operational positions. The limbs have concentric engagement portions that permit rotation while inhibiting lateral displacement, ensuring secure fixation and reduced risk of damage to fixing components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the limbs are rigidly fixed to prevent lateral displacement, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to adapt to different roof configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting limbs are designed to be rotatable relative to each other about a rotation axis, allowing the assembly to adapt to different roof configurations. The limbs can be positioned at various angles and then fixed using securing formations, providing both adaptability during installation and stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor assembly is divided into separate mounting limbs that can be independently positioned and secured. Each limb has securing formations that can be independently engaged with the roof structure, allowing flexible configuration while maintaining overall structural stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the limbs are allowed to rotate freely to adapt to different configurations, then adaptability is improved, but the risk of lateral displacement and detrimental engagement to the fixing bolt is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The limbs are designed to be rotatable during installation to achieve the desired configuration, but once positioned, they can be secured in place using securing formations (such as holes for bolts or pins). This allows the system to be dynamic during installation but static and reliable during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The limbs are positioned and oriented in the desired configuration before final securing. The securing formations are designed to be engaged after the limbs are correctly positioned, ensuring that the configuration is established before lateral displacement risks arise.
3Reliability
If concentric engagement portions are used to inhibit lateral displacement, then reliability is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
Concentric engagement portions are provided on the mounting limbs, where one engagement portion is nested within or engages with another concentric engagement portion. This nesting arrangement provides lateral displacement inhibition through a relatively simple geometric feature rather than a complex mechanical constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The concentric engagement portions utilize circular or curved geometric features that naturally provide lateral constraint through their shape. The concentric circular profiles engage in a way that inherently prevents lateral displacement without requiring additional complex components.
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
This design enhances the stability and structural integrity of the anchor assembly, preventing lateral movement-induced damage to fixing components and ensuring reliable fall protection by allowing secure fixation in various operational positions.
Implementation Method 1
the limbs rotate one about another primarily in contact with one another on bearing surfaces of the limbs and lateral movement is inhibited
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor assembly, or mounting for an anchor assembly, particularly for a fall protection apparatus, has first and second mounting limbs connected to be rotatably mounted with respect to one another in order to rotate such that the limbs can be fixed in position at one of a variety of operational positions. The limbs have concentric engagement portions arranged to engage one another in order to permit rotation of the limbs about the rotation axis and inhibiting relative displacement of the limbs in a direction transverse to the rotational axis.