Reducing Sleeve and Pipe Connector for Quick-Lock Scaffold Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scaffolding systems face challenges in being easily producible, stable, and cost-effective, with components often requiring complex manufacturing steps and being difficult to assemble and disassemble, especially when worn parts need replacement.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a reducing sleeve and pipe connector designs featuring latching devices with springs and cylindrical or circular ring latching lugs, allowing for quick installation and removal without additional manufacturing steps, and a two-part pipe connector design with a metal core sleeve for stability and ease of production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional scaffolding components are used, then structural stability is achieved, but assembly and disassembly require complex manufacturing steps and are difficult to perform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly and disassembly easeVSAvoidmanufacturing steps complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reducing sleeve is divided into functional segments: a body portion for structural support and locking lugs for connection. This segmentation allows the locking lugs to be independently designed as spring-loaded elements that can engage with scaffold components through simple insertion, eliminating complex manufacturing steps while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking lugs are designed with spring-loaded mechanisms that automatically engage with the scaffold component's holes upon insertion. The springs provide automatic locking action without requiring additional fastening steps, tools, or complex assembly procedures, enabling workers to quickly assemble and disassemble the scaffolding system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of repair

If traditional connection methods are used, then structural stability is achieved, but worn parts are difficult and costly to replace

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworn parts replacement easeVSAvoiddowntime for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The reducing sleeve is designed as a modular component where the body and locking lugs are integrated but functionally separable. When wear occurs, the entire reducing sleeve can be quickly removed from the scaffold component by releasing the spring-loaded locking lugs, and replaced with a new unit without affecting the underlying scaffold structure or requiring complex disassembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reducing sleeve is designed as a consumable component with a defined service life. When worn, it is replaced rather than repaired, similar to disposable components in other industries. This approach reduces maintenance complexity and downtime, as workers simply remove the worn reducing sleeve and install a new one without needing specialized repair tools or procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Weight of moving object

If lightweight materials are used for scaffolding, then ease of assembly is improved, but structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescaffolding component weightVSAvoidscaffolding structural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The reducing sleeve employs composite construction combining plastic material for the body (providing lightweight properties) with metal locking lugs (providing high-strength connection). This composite approach allows the main body to remain lightweight for easy handling while the metal locking lugs ensure stable, reliable engagement with the scaffold components, achieving both weight reduction and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 the rapid assembly and disassembly of scaffolding components, ensuring stability and cost-effectiveness, with the ability to easily replace worn parts, thus improving the efficiency and longevity of scaffolding systems.

Implementation Method 1

the locking lug projects outwards beyond the outer surface in a locking position and is spring-loaded on the sleeve body such that it can be pressed into the sleeve body from the locking position against a restoring force of the spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3556965B1Reducing sleeve, pipe connector, connecting system, scaffold component, scaffold system and method for manufacturing a scaffold component
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 ALTRAD PLETTAC ASSCO
  • EP3556965B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3556965B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3556965B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The invention relates to a connection system comprising at least one first installation part (121; 122) and at least one second installation part (221; 222), wherein the connection system is provided for connecting a first scaffold frame (102), which includes at least one hollow profile bar (103; 104), and a second scaffold frame (202), which includes at least one hollow profile bar (203; 204). The first installation part (121; 122) is designed as a pipe connector (123, 124) and can be installed in the lower scaffold component (101). The second installation part (221; 222) is designed as a reducing sleeve (223, 224) and can be installed in the upper scaffold component (201), and the pipe connector (123, 124) can be inserted into the reducing sleeve (223, 224).