Support Foot with Movable Catch for Quick Profiled Section Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support feet for rooftop installations are time-consuming to fix lying profiled section elements and often require piercing the roof insulation, which can compromise moisture resistance.
Innovation Solution
A support foot with a base part and a securing element that includes a movable catch member to quickly secure profiled section elements, allowing for both upstanding and lying configurations without the need for screws, and featuring a rubber underlay for improved grip and vibration insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bolts or threaded rods are used to fix a lying profiled section element to a support foot, then the profiled section element is securely fixed, but the fixation process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The catch member is designed to be movable between a pre-assembly position and a locking position, allowing it to dynamically adapt during installation. This dynamic mechanism enables quick fixation without time-consuming fasteners by simply moving the catch member to engage with the profiled section element's aperture edge
Solution Approach 2:
The securing element is designed to automatically engage and lock the profiled section element in place through the movable catch member mechanism. The system serves itself by using the insertion motion itself to trigger the locking action, eliminating the need for separate fastening operations with bolts or threaded rods
2Adaptability or versatility
If the support foot is designed to accommodate both upstanding and lying profiled section elements, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The socket and securing element are designed with universal functionality to accommodate both upstanding and lying profiled section elements. The socket's geometry and the securing element's movable catch member can adapt to different orientations and types of profiled section elements, allowing one support foot design to serve multiple purposes without requiring separate specialized components for each configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The support foot is divided into distinct functional components: a base part with the socket and a separate securing element with the movable catch member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall versatility, and enables the securing element to be omitted when supporting upstanding elements, simplifying the structure when full versatility is not required
Data Source
AI summary
A support foot for supporting a free standing structure on a support surface such as a rooftop includes a holding means for holding a profiled section to which other parts of said structure can be mounted. The profiled section comprises at least one wall having apertures formed in it. The support foot comprises a base part having a socket. The support foot furthermore comprises a securing element adapted to be received in the socket and having at least one movable catch member to catch an edge of one of said apertures so as to secure the profiled section element to the support foot. The catch member is movable from a pre - assembly position, in which it can be inserted through the aperture, to a securing position, in which it engages over the edge of the aperture.