Stackable Roof Warning Stanchion with Nested Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roof hazard warning systems fail to adequately withstand wind, slippery surfaces, and casual contact while maintaining mandatory height and tipping requirements, and lack a compact storage solution.
Innovation Solution
A stackable roof edge warning device with a reversibly deformable base and stanchions that can withstand lateral forces over 16 pounds, featuring a stepped design for enhanced rigidity and stacking, and includes frictional engagement means to prevent rotation and over-stacking, allowing for compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a roof hazard warning stanchion is designed to withstand lateral forces and maintain upright position, then stability and reliability are improved, but the device occupies more space and cannot be compactly stored
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple stanchions are designed to nest within each other when not in use, with each stanchion containing the previous one. This nesting arrangement allows multiple warning devices to be stored in a compact configuration, reducing the overall storage volume while maintaining the full size and stability of individual stanchions when deployed
2Reliability
If a roof hazard warning stanchion is designed to resist wind and casual contact forces, then reliability is improved, but the device becomes more complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The stanchion is divided into multiple segments or sections that can flex relative to each other. This segmentation allows the structure to absorb lateral forces through controlled flexing rather than requiring a completely rigid design, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The stanchion utilizes material properties and geometric parameters such as wall thickness, diameter variations, and material selection to achieve the required force resistance. By optimizing these parameters, the stanchion meets OSHA tipping requirements without requiring complex structural designs
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a roof hazard warning stanchion is designed to maintain mandatory height for visibility, then hazard detection is improved, but the device becomes taller and occupies more storage space
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple stanchions nest within each other in a vertical arrangement, allowing tall stanchions that meet height requirements for hazard visibility to be stored in a compact vertical stack. This maintains the required operational height while minimizing storage footprint
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 device effectively maintains stanchions upright under various conditions, including wind and casual contact, while allowing for efficient storage and deployment, exceeding OSHA's tipping requirements and enhancing visibility with reflective materials.
Implementation Method 1
frictional engagement means to prevent rotation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a device for displaying hazard indicia, having a stanchion defining a first end and a second end, whereby the first end defines a first cross section that is smaller than a second cross section of the second end; a base adapted to removably receive the second end of the stanchion so as to maintain the stanchion in a vertical position; and a means for allowing the device to be collinearly stacked on top of a second device such that only the second end of the device and the second end of the second device contact.