Spherical Clamps for Inclined Scaffolding Posts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Playground installations and climbing frames often require vertical and horizontal alignment of components due to modular designs, limiting design flexibility and creativity, especially when mimicking familiar objects, and custom solutions are complex and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A scaffolding system using inclined posts and spherical clamps composed of identical hemispheres with inclined equatorial surfaces, allowing components to be connected at varying angles, featuring screw connections and recesses for attachments, ensuring horizontal alignment of attachments despite the inclination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If modular components with vertical and horizontal alignment are used, then manufacturing simplicity and ease of assembly are improved, but design flexibility and creativity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical clamp is segmented into two hemispheres that can be assembled around the post, allowing the clamp to be installed on posts at any angle while maintaining the same horizontal mounting interface. This segmentation enables the universal joint to accommodate inclined posts without requiring custom solutions for each angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical clamp serves multiple functions: it secures attachments to vertical posts, inclined posts, and curved surfaces, while always providing a horizontal mounting plane. This universal capability eliminates the need for different clamp designs for different post orientations, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and design flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom solutions are used for inclined arrangements, then design flexibility is improved, but device complexity and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical clamp with its inclined equatorial surfaces provides a universal solution that works for vertical, inclined, and curved posts. The two hemispheres can be oriented at any angle to match the post inclination, yet always present a horizontal mounting plane. This single universal design replaces the need for multiple custom solutions, reducing device complexity while maintaining design flexibility.
3Shape
If posts are arranged at angles to achieve organic designs, then aesthetic appeal and creativity are improved, but alignment precision and structural stability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical clamp incorporates asymmetric equatorial surfaces that are inclined relative to the post axis. This asymmetry is deliberately designed to compensate for the inclination of angled posts, allowing the mounting plane to remain horizontal even when the post is at an angle. This resolves the contradiction by enabling organic, angled designs while maintaining precise horizontal alignment for attachments.
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 more organic and creative design of playground installations and climbing frames with flexible component arrangement, providing stable and aesthetically pleasing structures without the need for custom solutions.
Implementation Method 1
The spherical clamp prevents slipping along the inclined post by means of friction
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a scaffolding system (10) comprising posts (20) and spherical clamps (25), in which one or more posts (10) are positioned at an angle. The spherical clamps (25) are formed from two hemispheres (30) each comprising at least two elements (30A, 30B) which each surround the posts (20). The bases (32) of the hemispheres (30), each of which is formed by the at least two elements (30A, 30B), deviate at the angle (α) from a plane perpendicular to an inclined post (20), at which angle this same post (20) is inclined. As a result, the bases (32) are aligned horizontally. Furthermore, the hemispheres (30) of the clamps (25) have receptacles (40) for the insertion of attachment parts (60).