Erectable Shelter Rib Assemblies with Toggle Clamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing erectable shelter structures face challenges with weight, ease of assembly and disassembly, modularity, and cost due to preassembled cross members and complex joint designs, which hinder efficient handling and storage.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates rib assemblies with folding elements at the peak and eave bends, allowing for easier assembly and disassembly, and uses a minimal number of joints to reduce weight and construction costs while maintaining structural integrity, featuring rotatable arch rail and leg arrangements and toggle clamps for secure attachment of purlins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If purlins and cross rail assemblies are preassembled and attached to rib assemblies, then structural integrity is improved, but weight increases and ease of handling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shelter structure is divided into separate modular components: rib assemblies and purlins are kept as distinct units that can be handled independently. Rib assemblies include only the necessary joint assemblies and arch rails, while purlins are separate cross members that are connected during assembly, eliminating the need to transport preassembled heavy units.
Solution Approach 2:
Joint assemblies are preattached to the rib assemblies during manufacturing, which simplifies the assembly process on-site. The joint assemblies are prepared in advance with all necessary components, so that during field assembly, workers only need to connect the rib assemblies to purlins using the preprepared joint mechanisms, rather than assembling everything from scratch.
2Ease of manufacture
If purlins are attached only to one side of the rib assembly, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but modularity and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The joint assemblies are designed with universal attachment capabilities on both sides of each rib assembly. Each joint assembly can connect to purlins regardless of which side of the rib assembly they are attached to, allowing the same rib assembly design to be used in various configurations and positions within the shelter structure, thereby achieving modularity and adaptability without complicating manufacturing.
3Ease of operation
If a top double pivot design is used to permit parallel folding, then ease of storage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The folding mechanism is segmented into multiple simple hinge joints distributed at different locations (peak joint assembly and side joint assemblies) rather than using a single complex double-pivot mechanism. Each hinge joint performs a simple rotational function, and their coordinated action enables the rib assembly to fold into a compact configuration for storage or transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib assembly incorporates hinge joints that allow dynamic folding and unfolding movements. The joint assemblies enable the arch rails and leg arrangements to rotate relative to each other, transforming the structure from an extended shelter configuration to a compact folded configuration for storage, providing operational flexibility without requiring complex mechanical systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Erectable shelter frame structures including a plurality of rib assemblies. Preferably, each rib assembly has a receptacle for receiving a respective end of a purlin arrangement, the other end of which is attached to a receptacle of a subsequent rib assembly. The joints are formed by toggle clamps that assist in facilitating the ease by which the shelter structure can be assembled or disassembled. Methods of construction and disassembly of the shelter frame structure are also disclosed.