Spring-Actuated Wire Shelf Support Assembly for Tool-Free Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support assemblies for wire shelving units often interfere with the shelving unit's use, require additional tools for installation and removal, and are costly to produce, with plastic elements prone to warping during molding.
Innovation Solution
A spring-actuated telescoping column with a receiving collar that engages upper and lower shelf wire members, allowing for secure attachment without tools and reduced material usage through rib elements for improved tolerance and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing support assemblies are mounted on wire shelving units, then additional storage options are provided, but the accessories interfere with shelving unit use and impede access to the front of the shelving area
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is nested within the front wire members of the shelving unit, with the telescoping column fitting inside the receiving collar. This nesting arrangement allows the support to be mounted on the shelving unit without extending into the top shelving area, thus providing additional storage options while maintaining easy access to the front of the shelving unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing accessories with multiple-element structures are used, then additional storage functionality is achieved, but separate fasteners and tools are required for installation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly merges the support function and attachment function into a single integrated structure. The telescoping column with receiving collar combines the support element and fastening mechanism, eliminating the need for separate fasteners and tools. The spring mechanism is integrated within the telescoping column, allowing the entire assembly to be installed and removed by hand without additional tools.
3Ease of manufacture
If plastic elements are formed with reduced amounts of material, then production costs are reduced, but the elements may warp during cooling steps after molding
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving collar is designed with non-uniform wall thickness, having a first wall thickness at the top portion and a second wall thickness at the bottom portion. This local variation in quality allows different sections of the plastic element to cool at different rates during molding, compensating for warping tendencies while using reduced amounts of material to lower production costs.
4Quantity of substance
If given solid plastic elements are made uniformly thin, then material usage is reduced, but warping risk increases during cooling
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the plastic element uniformly thin throughout, the receiving collar features localized thickness variations with a first wall thickness at the top and a second wall thickness at the bottom. This allows material reduction in certain areas while maintaining sufficient thickness in other areas to prevent warping during cooling, optimizing both material usage and structural stability.
5Strength
If close fit tolerance is used between sliding elements, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping column is designed to slide within the receiving collar with a dynamic fit that provides sufficient structural integrity without requiring extremely tight tolerances. The spring mechanism and telescoping action allow for controlled movement and adjustment, maintaining strength while facilitating easier manufacturing with reasonable tolerances.
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
The solution enables secure attachment and removal of the support assembly without interfering with the shelving unit's use, supports heavy loads, and reduces production costs by using less material while preventing warping during molding.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-actuated telescoping column fitted within a receiving collar that facilitates engagement with upper and lower shelf wire members
Implementation Method 2
A spring-actuated telescoping column with a receiving collar that engages upper and lower shelf wire members, allowing for secure attachment without tools
Data Source
AI summary
A support adapted for mounting to wire shelving units, particularly a support adapted to be securely coupled and repositioned on upper and lower horizontally-extending wire members located at the front of wire shelving units. The support does not interfere with use of a shelving unit including the storage of items on the shelving unit or handing items under the shelving unit.