Scaffolding Railing Fastening Element with Undercut Pin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional scaffolding railings lack ease of assembly, secure attachment, and adequate safety features, leading to potential occupational hazards during construction.

Innovation Solution

A fastening element with a retaining pin and stop surface for detachable attachment to scaffolding elements, featuring an undercut design for secure engagement and a locking mechanism for precise positioning without additional tools, ensuring easy assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional flange connections are used for attaching railings to scaffolding, then the railing can be attached to the scaffolding, but the attachment process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming due to complex assembly procedures and additional positioning tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidcomplexity of attachment procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening element is divided into functionally independent components: a fastening pin for insertion into the scaffolding element, a retaining pin for securing the railing, and a stop surface for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening element is pre-configured with the fastening pin, retaining pin, and stop surface in fixed spatial relationships. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for additional positioning tools and complex assembly procedures during installation, as the component is ready for immediate attachment to the scaffolding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional flange connections are used for railing attachment, then the railing can be secured, but the attachment process requires additional positioning tools and time for precise measurement and alignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidtime for assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The stop surface is pre-positioned on the fastening element at a predetermined location, establishing the correct positioning relationship before attachment. This eliminates the need for additional positioning tools and measurement procedures during installation, achieving precise alignment quickly and efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a simple pin connection is used for fastening the railing, then the assembly is simple, but the connection lacks security and may detach accidentally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of structureVSAvoidsecurity of attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into a fastening pin for structural attachment to the scaffolding and a retaining pin for securing the railing, with the retaining pin featuring an undercut geometry. This segmentation provides both simplicity in overall structure and enhanced security through the specific geometric features of each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining pin employs an asymmetric undercut geometry where the cross-sectional dimensions vary along the length of the pin. This asymmetric design creates a mechanically locked connection that prevents accidental detachment while maintaining structural simplicity, as the varying cross-section provides both insertion ease and retention security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Ease of operation

If conventional flange connections are used, then the railing can be attached, but the overall weight of the attachment system increases due to the cumbersome nature of the flanges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidweight of fastening system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening element is segmented into minimal essential components (fastening pin, retaining pin, stop surface) rather than using a bulky flange structure. This segmentation achieves ease of assembly through simple insertion and retention mechanisms while significantly reducing the overall weight of the attachment system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2949833B1Fastening element for railings for detachable attachment to a frame element, frame element, assembly of a railing and a fixing element and method for fixing and for securing a fastening element
Publication Date: 2018.01.31 TOBLER
  • EP2949833B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2949833B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2949833B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening element (1) for railings (20) for detachable attachment to a scaffolding element. The fastening element (1) comprises a stop surface (10), a retaining pin (11), and a fastening pin (12). The fastening pin (12) has an undercut (121) in the area of ​​the stop surface (10) for engaging an opening (31) in the scaffolding element.