Removable barrier for a shelf
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current safety systems for modular storage racks, particularly in automated warehouse environments, fail to securely retain inventory due to loose elastic straps and dislodged mounting brackets, leading to inventory falls and potential injuries.
Innovation Solution
A strap anchor assembly with mounting brackets and strap retainers that include studs and holes for secure attachment to vertical supports, along with locking bars to maintain strap tension, ensuring the straps remain effective over time and prevent dislodgment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic straps are used to retain inventory on shelves, then inventory retention is improved, but the elastic loses effectiveness over time due to loss of elasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from elastic to non-elastic (rigid) strap material, eliminating the degradation issue while maintaining the retention function. The non-elastic strap maintains consistent tension and does not lose effectiveness over time like elastic material does.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap system is segmented into multiple components: mounting brackets with studs for attachment, non-elastic straps for retention, and locking mechanisms (cotter pins or set screws) for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without the drawbacks of using elastic material throughout the entire system.
2Reliability
If mounting brackets are used to attach straps to storage racks, then strap attachment is improved, but the mounting brackets can become dislodged from mounting holes
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting brackets are pre-equipped with studs that protrude from the bracket surface, designed to insert into mounting holes before final securing. The locking mechanism (cotter pin or set screw) is pre-configured to lock the bracket in place, preventing dislodgment before the strap even begins its retention function.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism (cotter pin or set screw) provides preliminary anti-action by preventing the mounting bracket from becoming dislodged. This counter-measure is built into the design to oppose the potential harmful effect of bracket displacement before it can occur.
3Device complexity
If elastic straps are used without retightening capability, then device complexity is reduced, but the straps become ineffective over time and require replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The non-elastic strap system with locking mechanism serves itself by maintaining consistent tension without requiring retightening. The locking mechanism (cotter pin or set screw) secures the strap in place, allowing the system to maintain its retention effectiveness throughout its service life without human intervention for adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
A strap anchor assembly is disclosed herein and configured to be coupled to a storage racking having a plurality of vertical supports with retaining holes defined therein. The strap anchor assembly may comprise at least one mounting bracket and a plurality of strap retainers. The at least one mounting bracket including a plurality of holes and one or more studs configured to be received by certain ones of the retaining holes of the storage racking. Each of the plurality of strap retainers configured to be received by one of the plurality of holes of the at least one mounting bracket. An end portion of a strap is configured to be received through one of the plurality of holes and wrapped at least partially around one of the plurality of strap retainers prior to the one of the plurality of strap retainers being received by the associated hole.