Metal Shelving Base Anchoring for Load-Safe Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal shelving systems face issues with anchoring stability under heavy loads, as the means of attaching the base to the post often concentrate stress on a small area, leading to potential failure, and require complete disassembly for reconfiguration, which is cumbersome and inefficient due to varying foot types and dimensions.
Innovation Solution
The anchoring system integrates a unique metallic component with integral hooks and wings, produced from opposing metallic plates, which distribute mechanical stress across a wider area, allowing safe assembly and disassembly even when loaded, and features a unified base with adjustable feet that can support posts of varying depths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the base is anchored to the post through screws or welding on a limited surface area, then the anchoring is simple to implement, but the concentrated load causes mechanical failure and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring system is divided into multiple functional components: an L-shaped anchoring element with a horizontal portion (wings) and vertical portion (hook), allowing the load to be distributed across multiple attachment points rather than concentrated on a single surface area
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring element extends in multiple spatial dimensions with wings projecting laterally and a hook extending vertically, transforming a two-dimensional surface attachment into a three-dimensional distributed anchoring system that engages with the post at multiple locations
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of feet with different shapes and dimensions are used for different shelving configurations, then the shelving can adapt to various post types, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable foot is designed as a universal component that can accommodate different post types (gondola shelving with bases on both sides, wall shelving with bases on one side) through a single standardized interface, eliminating the need for multiple specialized foot types
Solution Approach 2:
The foot includes an adjustable height mechanism that allows it to adapt to varying post depths and configurations, enabling a single foot design to serve multiple shelving types by changing its vertical position rather than requiring different foot geometries
3Ease of manufacture
If the base hook and wings are produced from bent plate sheet, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the bent areas become fragile and prone to cracks under mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring element is constructed as a composite assembly welding the horizontal wings and vertical hook portions to the base, combining multiple metal components into a unified structure that distributes stress across welded joints rather than relying on fragile bent areas
4Adaptability or versatility
If the shelving must be completely disassembled for reconfiguration, then all components can be reorganized, but the process becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving system is segmented into independently replaceable modules (bases, shelves, posts) with standardized anchoring interfaces, allowing individual components to be swapped or repositioned without requiring complete disassembly of the entire structure
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~3d
Figure 2
AI summary
Metal shelving for displaying goods, of the kind comprising a post (1) having dimensions variable in depth and height, with engagement openings (14, 17) and lateral bores (5); a height-adjustable screw foot (7) to be mounted on the lower end of the post; a base (3) having dimensions variable in depth and height, resting on the ground with at least a height-adjustable foot (24) placed at its distal end, comprising on its proximal end a pair of hooks (12) and a couple of wings (13) having orifice bore (15), and a pin (4), the coupling between post (1) and base (3) occurring through the insertion of a couple of said hooks (12) into said engagement openings (14) of the post (1) and with the insertion of said wings (13) into the corresponding engagement openings (17) of the post (1), and wherein the solidity of the coupling is ensured by said pin (4) transversally inserted in the aligned bores (5) of the post (1) and in the orifice bore (15) of said wings (13), characterised in that said pair of hooks (12) are downwardly opened and that said hooks (12) are realized in a unique piece with opened wings (13), and in that the two resulting pieces (A, B), having hooks and wings (12, 13), are fixed on the sides of a vertical body (23), forming the supporting front (3) and the pieces (A, B) themselves are provided with respective horizontal extensions (25, 125) inserted in the longitudinal cavities of the base (3) and fixed to it with welding (27, 127).