Shelf Support Repair Rail for Straightening Deformed Uprights

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for repairing deformed supports or struts in shelves are costly and time-consuming, often requiring the removal of existing base plates and complete replacement of support frames, especially when minor damage occurs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a repair and reinforcement set comprising a rail, counter-plates, and screws that can be attached to the support or strut without needing separate straightening, allowing for on-site assembly and adjustment to eliminate deformation, with washers and nuts providing additional stability and collision protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complete replacement of the support frame is performed, then the structural integrity is restored, but the cost and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidrepair time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The repair solution segments the support frame into deformable sections and rigid reinforcement sections. The reinforcement set (rails, counter-plates, screws) acts as a separate segment that can be attached only to the deformed area, avoiding complete replacement while restoring structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts only the necessary reinforcement components (rail, counter-plate, screws) from a complete support frame replacement solution. This allows repairing only the deformed section rather than the entire structure, reducing time and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a complete replacement of the support frame is performed, then the structural integrity is restored, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidrepair cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement set uses relatively simple, easily replaceable components (standard rails, counter-plates, screws) that are cheaper than a complete support frame. These components can be manufactured at lower cost and provide sufficient reinforcement for the deformed area.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement is applied locally only where deformation occurs, rather than reinforcing the entire support frame. The rail and counter-plate are positioned to provide targeted support at the deformed section, reducing material consumption and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of repair

If existing base plates are removed for repair, then the repair can be performed, but the complexity and time of the repair process increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepair accessibilityVSAvoidrepair process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement set is designed to be pre-assembled or pre-positioned on the deformed section before final attachment. The rail can be positioned around the support and the counter-plate aligned with existing holes, allowing repair without removing base plates and reducing process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement set components are designed with universal features (standard hole patterns, adaptable rail sections) that can be attached to various support frame configurations without requiring removal of existing base plates or custom fabrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Manufacturing precision

If alignment aids are used for precise positioning, then the repair precision is improved, but the device complexity and processing effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidalignment aid complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement set components (rail, counter-plate) are designed with self-aligning features such as predetermined hole patterns that match standard support frame configurations. The components guide their own positioning through these pre-established alignment features, eliminating the need for separate alignment aids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment function is merged into the reinforcement components themselves through integrated hole patterns and geometric features. The rail and counter-plate include built-in alignment features that combine positioning and reinforcement functions, eliminating separate alignment aids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2214534B1Method for repairing a support or a brace for a shelf
Publication Date: 2015.09.30 KLEIN EGON
  • EP2214534B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2214534B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2214534B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for repairing a deformed, especially vertical, support (1), or a horizontal or inclined brace (2, 3) of a shelf. There is at least one rail (5) surrounding the support (1) or the brace (2, 3) in the region of the deformation, and on the opposite side, at least one counter-plate (6) or washer to be screwed to the support (1) or the brace (2, 3) and the rail (5), or another rail (5) to be screwed to the first rail (5). The screwing process enables the support (1) or the brace (2, 3) to be straightened.