Safety Post Locking Device with Integrated Release Protrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety post locking devices rely on external stop pins for alignment and support, limiting their versatility and ease of use, especially in situations where the safety post needs to be adjusted or removed without risking further insertion into the post holder.
Innovation Solution
A two-step operation locking device with a lever and bias spring, where the release protrusion provides a support surface to maintain the safety post's position independently of the post holder, allowing for distinct operation forces to achieve locking, releasing, and adjusting the safety post's position within the holder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking device uses an external stop pin for support and alignment, then the alignment and support function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and versatility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the support function and locking function into a single integrated release protrusion structure. The release protrusion serves dual purposes: it provides the support surface against the post holder and simultaneously acts as the locking mechanism when positioned in the locked state. This eliminates the need for separate stop pins and reduces dependency on external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The release protrusion is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides support against the post holder, enables locking when in the locked position, and allows for height adjustment when moved to intermediate positions. This multi-functional design increases versatility and reduces the need for additional specialized components.
2Reliability
If the safety post relies on the post holder for support, then the support function is provided, but the ease of operation decreases due to risk of accidental further insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device employs a dynamic two-position mechanism where the release protrusion can be actively moved between a locked position and an unlocked position. The biased lever automatically maintains these discrete positions, preventing accidental intermediate positioning. The user must deliberately actuate the release protrusion to change states, eliminating accidental further insertion while maintaining reliable support.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple locking mechanism is used, then the ease of manufacture increases, but the functionality decreases due to lack of adjustment capability
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism allows dynamic positioning of the release protrusion along the post holder surface. While the basic locking mechanism remains simple with only two primary positions, the ability to move the release protrusion to intermediate positions provides height adjustment capability. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while adding adaptability for different application requirements.
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
The solution enhances the safety post's independence from post holder arrangements, reduces the risk of accidental further insertion, and allows for easy height adjustment in temporary barrier systems, improving usability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a bias spring device (109) biasing the lever (107) against an inner surface (131) of a wall (103) of the tubular member (103)
Data Source
AI summary
A safety post mountable in a post holder includes an elongate tubular member and a locking device arranged inside of the tubular member. The locking device includes a lever and a bias spring device biasing the lever against an inner surface of the wall of the tubular member. The lever has a lock protrusion and a release protrusion extending through a first and second aperture portions of the wall, respectively. The lock protrusion is retractable to a release position inside of an outer surface of the tubular member by operation of the release protrusion in a counter biasing direction. The release protrusion has a support surface arranged to support the safety post against a support surface of the post holder, and the release protrusion is related to the lock protrusion such that, in the release position, the release protrusion is still protruding from said outer surface to an extent.