Mobile Shelving Track End Stop With Elastomeric Impact Buffer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing end stop brackets for mobile shelving tracks are prone to dislodgment or damage due to impact forces from moving shelving units, leading to further damage and misalignment of rollers and track lifting issues over time.
Innovation Solution
An end stop bracket with a main body designed to cap the track end, featuring transversely extending elastomeric ribs to absorb impact loads, and a secure attachment mechanism using elongate joining pins and locking bolts to prevent dislodgment, ensuring the bracket remains securely attached to the track.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid end stop bracket is used to cap the track end, then the bracket provides structural support and prevents shelving unit over-travel, but the bracket is dislodged or damaged by impact forces from moving shelving units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an elastomeric buffer between the runner and the end stop bracket that deforms under impact loads, absorbing shock before it reaches the bracket attachment points. This beforehand cushioning prevents the bracket from being dislodged or damaged by direct impact forces while maintaining reliable end-of-travel stopping functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple end stop bracket design is used, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the bracket cannot absorb impact loads and causes track damage over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a rigid bracket body (for structural support and shape) with an elastomeric buffer material (for impact absorption). This composite construction allows the bracket to maintain its simple geometric form for easy manufacturing while the elastomeric component provides the necessary impact load absorption to prevent track damage over time.
3Reliability
If a secure attachment mechanism is added to prevent bracket dislodgment, then the bracket retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the attachment system into separate functional components: the bracket body, the elastomeric buffer, and the attachment mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the attachment mechanism can use simple coaxial apertures and locking bolts for reliable retention, while the elastomeric buffer handles impact absorption, reducing the complexity requirements for the attachment system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces impact-related damage and maintains the stability of the shelving system by absorbing impact forces and preventing the end stop bracket from being dislodged, ensuring the track remains securely capped and the shelving unit remains aligned.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of transversely extending ribs forming an elastomeric buffer to absorb the impact load when the mobile shelving unit is urged towards the end stop bracket
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an end stop bracket for a longitudinal mobile shelving track adapted to moveably support a mobile shelving unit thereabove, the end stop bracket including a main body shaped to cap an end of said longitudinal track, a means of attachment to the end of the longitudinal track, and a means of reducing impact loads resulting from contact between the mobile shelving unit and the end stop bracket.