Sheet Metal Anchor Member for Stable Slatted Floor Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fastener devices for securing equipment in hog pen facilities are costly, difficult to install, and can harm animals due to protruding components, while also risking damage to slatted floors under heavy animal loads.

Innovation Solution

A compression-style fastener device featuring a one-piece sheet metal anchor member with a C- or U-shaped design, a threaded fastener, and a washer, which is inserted between slats and secured with a nut or attachment member, providing stability and minimizing material costs without the need for multiple installers and reducing the risk of animal harm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional t-bolts with welded-on anchors are used, then equipment can be secured to slatted floors, but the threaded shaft protrudes upward and can harm hogs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment securingVSAvoidanimal harm from protruding shaft

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded shaft portion is extracted from protruding above the floor plate and instead extends downward to engage with the anchor member below the slatted floor. This removes the harmful protruding element from the animal-accessible area while maintaining the securing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The conventional configuration is inverted: instead of the threaded shaft extending upward from the floor plate, it extends downward to engage the anchor below the floor. This inversion eliminates the harm to animals while achieving the same anchoring purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If welded construction is used to attach threaded shaft to crosspiece, then fastening function is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides the engagement surface for the threaded shaft, spans across slats to distribute load, and eliminates the need for separate welding operations. This merging reduces manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor member is designed as a simple, replaceable component that can be manufactured cost-effectively without expensive welding processes. If damaged, the entire anchor can be replaced as a unit rather than repairing welded joints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If conventional t-bolts are installed, then equipment can be anchored, but installation requires multiple people and is complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveanchoringVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is segmented into distinct components (floor plate, threaded shaft, anchor member) that can be independently positioned and assembled. The anchor member is inserted through the floor plate first, providing a stable base for subsequent shaft installation, allowing sequential single-person operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor member is preliminarily positioned and secured to the slatted floor before the threaded shaft is installed. This preliminary action creates a stable foundation that simplifies the subsequent shaft installation and eliminates the need for coordinated multi-person installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If molded or cast anchors with threaded bolt attachment are used, then fastening strength is achieved, but material cost and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening strengthVSAvoidmaterial cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor member concentrates material and strength where needed: it has sufficient mass and structural integrity to span across slats and withstand compression forces, while minimizing material elsewhere. The design achieves adequate strength with reduced material volume compared to fully molded or cast anchors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor member uses dimensional and geometric parameters optimized for strength-to-material-ratio: its span length, thickness, and configuration are specifically designed to provide adequate mechanical strength for fastening while minimizing material usage and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11525474B1Fastener device for securing articles to a slatted floor

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 HOPS INC DBA SCHICK ENTERPRISES

AI summary

A cost-effective anchor member formed of sheet metal for use with a compression style fastener device for securing equipment such as hog penning and gates to a slatted floor, the anchor member having an elongated body with a curved center section and opposed inclined sections extending upwardly and outwardly from the center section, and a cutout formed in the curved center section in which an internally threaded attachment member is secured against rotating, wherein in use the anchor member is positioned extending laterally against the underside of the slatted floor with spaced apart contact locations supporting the anchor member and providing improved stability.