Support Profile Grooves for Tool-Free Surface Attachment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support profiles for short-term mobile structures are cumbersome to assemble and disassemble, and they lack efficient methods for attaching different surface elements and routing technical connections, which complicates the creation of wall systems and free-standing structures while exposing cables visually and posing safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A support profile with an open cross-section featuring multiple grooves allows for easy attachment and switching of surface elements and routing of technical connections within the profile, ensuring secure, visually appealing, and safe installation of plate-like and textile elements, as well as lighting elements, without requiring extensive dismantling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If special clamping profiles are screwed onto support profiles to attach textile surface elements, then secure attachment is achieved, but tools are required and additional alignment effort is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidattachment process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the fastening function from separate screwed clamping profiles and integrates it directly into the support profile structure through recesses and protrusions. This eliminates the need for separate fastening components and tools, allowing direct attachment of textile surface elements while maintaining secure connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support profile is designed with built-in fastening features (recesses and protrusions) that enable self-fastening of surface elements without requiring external tools or additional alignment operations. The structure itself provides the fastening mechanism, making the attachment process tool-free and alignment-free.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If support profiles are closed by connecting elements to secure technical connections, then cable routing is enabled, but the ends of support profiles are additionally closed preventing cable access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routingVSAvoidcable access
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the support profile structure into distinct functional zones: open ends for cable access and closed sections for secure cable routing. The groove system divides the profile into accessible regions that allow cable insertion while maintaining structural integrity and visual concealment of technical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If plate-like surface elements are attached to scaffolding structures, then wall systems can be created, but the structure must be detached to insert plates or special support profiles are needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface element attachmentVSAvoidsupport profile variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal support profile design with standardized recesses and protrusions that can accommodate multiple types of surface elements (textile, plate-like, lighting elements) without requiring different support profiles or special fastening elements. The same groove system handles all attachment types, simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If textile surface elements are stapled or glued to wooden strips or threaded onto profile bars, then attachment is achieved, but the process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidattachment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support profile incorporates self-fastening features with recesses and protrusions that enable direct attachment of textile surface elements without requiring stapling, gluing, or threading operations. The integrated fastening system allows quick snap-fit attachment, dramatically reducing installation time while maintaining secure connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3034710B1Frame of supporting profiles for creating short term mobile structures
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 SORG HARTMUT
  • EP3034710B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3034710B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3034710B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a support profile (10) for constructing temporary mobile structures, and to a kit with support profiles for constructing temporary mobile structures. The support profile has an open cross-section and at least one first and one second groove (14, 16), wherein the first and the second groove each extend in the longitudinal direction of the support profile, and the first groove has undercuts (15) and the second groove has side walls running parallel to each other.