Slot-Channel Overhead Storage Platform With Adjustable Supports
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overhead storage platforms are complex to install and adapt to varying and irregular overhead structures, requiring numerous parts and adjustments, limiting their ease of use and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An overhead storage platform using slot channel beams with adjustable vertical supports affixed via clamping nuts, allowing flexible placement and length adjustment to accommodate different ceiling structures, and enabling easy expansion by connecting multiple platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If predrilled holes are used to affix vertical supports to horizontal supports, then assembly is simplified, but adaptability to varying overhead structures is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical support members are designed to be adjustable in position along the horizontal supports, allowing dynamic repositioning to accommodate different overhead structures. The supports can be moved to various locations along the horizontal members rather than being fixed at predetermined drill holes, providing flexibility while maintaining simple assembly through the adjustable mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If special adapters with cantilever brackets are used to affix vertical supports to overhead members, then adaptability to irregular overhead structures is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for special adapters and cantilever brackets by directly allowing vertical support members to be affixed to horizontal supports at various positions. The complex intermediary components are extracted from the system, replacing them with a simpler adjustable vertical support that can directly interface with the overhead structure at multiple locations along the horizontal members.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical support members serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, allow positional adjustment to accommodate different overhead structures, and eliminate the need for separate adapter components. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability to various overhead configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If numerous parts and adjustments are required for installation, then adaptability to varying overhead structures is improved, but ease of installation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable vertical support members allow installers to dynamically position supports at optimal locations along the horizontal members without requiring multiple pre-configured components. This dynamic positioning capability simplifies the installation process by reducing the number of parts that need to be assembled while maintaining the ability to adapt to different overhead structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An overhead storage platform supported by vertical members that includes slotted support beams supporting the platform deck. The vertical support members are affixed to a ceiling or other overhead structure on one end and to the slotted support beams on the other end with a cradle clamp, where they are adapted to be adjustably moved and affixed within a slot channel in the slotted support beams. The vertical support members can be adjustable in length as well. These two adjustment dimensions allow more adaptability to affixing the platform to overhead supports of varying configurations. Multiple platforms may be abutted to provide a larger and substantially continuous platform deck.