Splice Plate for Suspended Ceiling Beam Joining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for splicing main beams in suspended ceilings often require pre-engineered fastening means, are difficult to assemble, and lack consistency in providing a secure and sturdy connection, especially when combining beams from different manufacturers.

Innovation Solution

A splice plate design that allows for secure and precise joining of beams with an inverted T-shape, featuring a central channel for longitudinal insertion of beam bulbs and webs, enabling secure connection without pre-engineered fastening means and accommodating beams from different manufacturers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If pre-engineered fastening means are used for splicing beams, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity and ease of manufacture worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidfastening means complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes complex pre-engineered fastening means from the beam splicing system and replaces them with a simple splice plate that utilizes the beam's own structural features (bulb and web) for connection, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining connection strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The splice plate design allows beams to serve themselves in the connection process by utilizing their inherent bulb and web structures to interface with the splice plate, eliminating the need for additional fastening components and simplifying the overall assembly process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If pre-engineered fastening means are used for splicing beams, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture and assembly worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The splice plate is designed as a universal component that can connect beams from different manufacturers by accommodating variations in bulb and web dimensions through its geometric design, ensuring reliable connections without requiring manufacturer-specific fastening means

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding complex fastening means to ensure reliable connections, the patent inverts the approach by using the beam's own structural features (bulb and web) as the connection interface, thereby simplifying manufacture and assembly while maintaining connection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If beams from different manufacturers are joined, then adaptability is improved, but connection consistency and reliability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam compatibilityVSAvoidconnection consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The splice plate serves as a universal adapter that interfaces with beams from different manufacturers by accommodating variations in bulb and web dimensions through its geometric design, ensuring consistent and reliable connections across different beam sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The splice plate design incorporates geometric parameters (channel dimensions, plate thickness) that can accommodate a range of beam dimensions from different manufacturers, allowing the same splice plate design to maintain connection consistency across varying beam specifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9151050B2Splice plate

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 SANTERAMO JOHN

AI summary

The present invention provides a splice plate suitable for use in joining beams for use in a grid that supports panels and ceiling fixtures in a suspended ceiling. In particular, the present invention provides a splice plate suitable for use in joining main beams together for use in a grid that supports panels and ceiling fixtures in a suspended ceiling.