Adjustable Spacing Device for Rail Support Vapor Barrier Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bracing devices for maintaining a rail support for facing elements like plasterboard require multiple fasteners, compromising the vapor barrier seal and making adjustments complex, as they often necessitate screwing or unscrewing during spacing adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A bracing device design featuring a tubular base with a screw that secures to the reference surface using a single fixing member, where the screw head forms a retaining stop and maintains a seal during adjustments, allowing adjustable spacing without compromising the vapor barrier integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple fasteners are used to fix the bracing device to the reference surface, then the fixation security is improved, but the vapor barrier seal is compromised and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single fixing member (screw). The screw head simultaneously serves as the fixation element that secures the bracing device to the reference surface and as the sealing element that maintains the vapor barrier. This merging eliminates the need for separate fasteners that would compromise the seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw head is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides mechanical fixation by engaging with the reference surface, maintains the vapor barrier seal by pressing against the membrane, and serves as a retaining stop for the support. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving secure fixation without compromising the seal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the support is made adjustable along the tubular body, then the spacing adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases and the risk of support separation during adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support is designed to be dynamically adjustable along the tubular body through threading engagement. The support can be moved axially to different positions and locked at any desired spacing, providing continuous adaptability without complex mechanisms. The screw head acts as a dynamic retaining stop that moves with the support during adjustment.
3Device complexity
If the screw seat is integrated into the support, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adjustment operation becomes more difficult as the screw must be moved with each spacing adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fixing function from the support structure. The screw is a separate element that engages with the tubular body, while the support threads onto the body independently. This segmentation allows the support to be adjusted along the body without moving the screw, as the screw remains fixed relative to the reference surface.
4Ease of manufacture
If the base is made removable at one end for support insertion, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the sealing guarantee becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular body is pre-formed with an open end that allows the support to be inserted by simple threading. The sealing action is performed preliminarily by the screw head pressing against the vapor barrier membrane before the support is fully installed and adjusted. This preliminary sealing ensures reliability without requiring complex sealing mechanisms at the removable end.
Data Source
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AI summary
The device has a support (5) on which a U-shaped metal rail (6) is retained. A base (3) fixes the support on a reference surface (1) e.g. wall. A tapped tubular body (9) is provided with a supporting end of a supporting surface (17) of the reference surface. The supporting surface extends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body. A screw (4) is provided with units forming a stop (18) for retaining the support on the body at a mounted state of the support and at a screwed state of the screw in the body. USE : Spacing device for adjustably maintaining a U-shaped metal rail at distance of a supporting facing element i.e. gypsum board, with respect to a reference surface e.g. wall or ceiling, to cover a supporting facing element. Can also be used with respect to a floor. ADVANTAGE : The device allows fixing the base on the reference surface, thus maintaining the support on the base while preventing dissociation of the support from the body of the base during the adjustment in spacing the support. The device enables obtaining a sealed connection between the screw and the base in an easy manner, thus guaranteeing maximum efficiency of the vapor barrier to cover the facing. The base and the support are positioned in any type of metallic material such as composite or synthetic. The device enables providing easy installation without harming the sealing of the vapor barrier. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows a sectional view of a spacing device at a fixed state of a facing element to a reference surface in minimum distance position of a support with respect to a reference surface. 1 : Reference surface 3 : Base 4 : Screw 5 : Support 6 : U-shaped metal rail 9 : Tapped tubular body 17 : Supporting surface 18 : Stop.