Scaffold Height Adjustment via Ball Screw Jack and Spring-Latch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scaffold systems require complex and costly arrangements, such as pulley and motor systems or hydraulic cylinders, to adjust height, which are cumbersome and increase material and labor costs, and often compromise safety during repositioning.
Innovation Solution
A height-adjustable scaffold system utilizing first and second wall mounts with spring-biased bars, a slide post with a hook, a main post with hooks, and a ball screw jack, allowing for vertical movement without the need for excessive components, with safety features like limit switches and safety lugs to ensure secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complex pulley and motor systems or hydraulic cylinders are used to adjust scaffold height, then the scaffold can achieve vertical movement, but the device complexity and material costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of vertical movement from complex systems (pulley-motor, hydraulic) and implements it through a simplified mechanical arrangement using a single telescoping pole with latch mechanisms. This removes unnecessary components while preserving the core functionality of height adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping pole system is designed to be manually operable without requiring external power sources, complex controls, or auxiliary systems. The latch mechanisms automatically engage and disengage to secure the pole at desired heights, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for motors, hydraulics, or electrical components.
2Length of stationary object
If additional elements or frames are added to increase scaffold height, then the overall height increases, but the material costs and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping pole employs a nested structure where smaller diameter poles are inserted within larger diameter poles, allowing multiple sections to be stored within each other. This enables the scaffold to achieve great heights using a compact set of materials that can be easily transported and assembled without requiring a large quantity of separate frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The pole system transitions from a static assembly of discrete frames to a dynamic telescoping structure that can continuously adjust its length. This allows the scaffold height to be varied as needed without adding or removing entire frame sections, reducing the total material required while maintaining flexibility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If static scaffold structures are used, then the structure is simple and stable, but the scaffold cannot be moved to different locations without disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The scaffold incorporates a dynamic telescoping pole system with movable latch mechanisms that allow the structure to be easily reconfigured and repositioned. The latches can be quickly engaged and disengaged to adjust pole lengths, enabling the scaffold to adapt to different locations and configurations while maintaining structural stability during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The pole system is divided into multiple telescoping sections that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the scaffold to be configured in various heights and shapes, providing versatility for different applications while each section maintains its structural integrity to ensure overall stability.
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
Enables safe and efficient vertical movement along the full height of a structure with reduced material and labor costs, maintaining safety through simplified and controlled adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
each of the wall mounts having a bar and at least one spring biasing the bar in a first direction
Implementation Method 2
a ball screw jack having a mounting plate and a lifting screw, the mounting plate secured to the first deck and the lifting screw secured to the hanging pad
Data Source
AI summary
A scaffold system adapted for securing to a structure and for vertical movement relative to the structure. The scaffold system includes first and second wall mounts, each of the wall mounts having a bar and at least one spring biasing the bar in a first direction, a slide post having a slide hook, a slide arm and a hanging pad secured to the slide arm, the slide post arranged for vertical axial movement within at least one of the first and second wall mounts, a main post having at least one post hook, a first deck fixedly secured to the main post, and a ball screw jack having a mounting plate and a lifting screw, the mounting plate secured to the first deck and the lifting screw secured to the hanging pad. The main post is arranged to complementarily fit within slide post, the slide hook is adapted for releasable engagement with the first wall mount bar or the second wall mount bar and the at least one post hook is adapted for releasable engagement with the first wall mount bar or the second wall mount bar.