Slat Fastening Guide with Friction-Locked Sliders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for fastening slats to surfaces are laborious and time-consuming, requiring screw-fastened locking elements, and are not adaptable to slats of different dimensions, leading to high warehouse and logistical costs.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a guide with sliders that can be locked in a desired longitudinal position using spring locking means, allowing for easy and quick adaptation to various slat dimensions without the need for dedicated components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If locking elements are fastened to support elements in fixed positions, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot adapt to slats of different dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different slat dimensionsVSAvoidcomplexity of installation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking elements are made movable along the support element rather than being fixed in position. This allows the locking elements to be repositioned to accommodate slats of different widths while maintaining a simple overall system structure without requiring multiple dedicated components for each slat dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support element is designed to work with slats of any dimension by allowing the locking elements to move along its length. This universal design eliminates the need for different installation elements for different slat widths, reducing warehouse and logistical costs while maintaining system simplicity.

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

2Productivity

If locking elements are fastened with screws after positioning each slat, then the fastening is secure, but the installation procedure is laborious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking elements are pre-fastened to the support element before installation begins. This preliminary action eliminates the need to fasten locking elements with screws after positioning each slat during installation, significantly reducing installation time and labor while maintaining secure fastening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning and fastening operations are merged into a single step. By pre-fastening the locking elements to the support element, the system combines the fastening function with the support structure, eliminating separate fastening steps for each slat and improving both installation speed and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of repair

If locking elements are fastened with screws to each slat, then the fastening is stable, but replacing a slat requires unscrewing multiple screws which is inconvenient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of slat replacementVSAvoidtime for slat replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The locking elements are pre-fastened to the support element before slat installation. This preliminary fastening creates a stable connection that requires only simple unlocking action during slat replacement, eliminating the need to unscrew multiple screws and significantly reducing replacement time and inconvenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables fast and efficient installation of slats of any dimension with reduced production, storage, and transport costs, while allowing for easy adjustment and locking of slats to the guide.

Implementation Method 1

spring locking means of the one or more sliders, configured to be lockable by friction in a desired longitudinal position with respect to the guide, so as to prevent the sliding of the one or more sliders longitudinally to the guide in at least one direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4245943A1System for fastening slats
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 PONTAROLO ENG SPA
  • EP4245943A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4245943A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4245943A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention concerns a system (1) for fastening slats (3) to a surface (2), comprising: a guide (7), having an elongated shape, having a support surface (8) which can be positioned above said surface (2); one or more sliders (13), provided with first locking means (14) to a slat (3), slidingly associated or associable to the guide (7), on the opposite side to the support surface (8), in such a way as to be able to take a desired longitudinal position with respect to the guide (7); spring locking means (35) of the one or more sliders (13), configured to be lockable by friction in a desired longitudinal position with respect to the guide (7), so as to prevent the sliding of said one or more sliders (13) longitudinally to the guide (7) in at least one direction.