Rotating Gate Support for Solo Agricultural Gate Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-person installation of agricultural gates is challenging due to difficulty in propping up the gate and manipulating hardware simultaneously, as existing methods require two people to hold the gate in position and manage hardware.
Innovation Solution
A gate holding device with an elongate attachment member and a foot piece that can rotate from a parallel to a perpendicular position, allowing a single person to securely hold and position the gate during installation, enabling the gate to be swung into place without assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two people are used for gate installation, then the gate can be held in position and hardware manipulated, but the device complexity and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gate holding device acts as an intermediary tool between the installer and the gate, providing mechanical assistance to hold the gate in position. The device includes a holding member that engages with the gate and a support structure that stabilizes the gate during installation, allowing one person to perform tasks that previously required two people.
2Productivity
If a single person installs the gate, then labor requirements are reduced, but the ability to hold and manipulate hardware simultaneously is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The gate holding device enables self-service installation by providing automatic self-holding capability. The holding member engages with the gate structure and maintains position through its own mechanical design, requiring no additional operators. The device includes features like engagement hooks and support surfaces that automatically secure the gate when positioned.
3Device complexity
If the gate is held manually without assistance, then labor costs decrease, but the stability and safety of gate positioning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gate holding device segments the installation function into distinct components: a holding member for engaging the gate, a support structure for stabilization, and a positioning mechanism for alignment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while keeping the overall device relatively simple and easy to operate.
Data Source
AI summary
A gate holding device for holding an agricultural gate (1) during installation is disclosed. The device (7, 57, 207) takes the form of an elongate attachment member defining a first axis and having a first hinge member (20, 70, 270) connected thereto adjacent a lower end of said attachment member, an elongate foot piece (8, 58, 208) defining a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis and having a second hinge member (21, 71, 121) connected to the foot piece intermediate the ends thereof and perpendicular to the second axis, the first and second hinge members being connected together to permit rotation of the foot piece relative to said attachment member between an initial position where the foot piece is substantially parallel to the gate and a final position in which the foot piece is substantially perpendicular to the gate. Preferably a pair of such devices is used. A method is also disclosed.