Telescopic Latch Mechanism for Fence Support Posts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support posts for safety barriers in construction sites are often cumbersome to install, expensive, prone to unintentional dislodging, and difficult to transport and reassemble, with inefficient clamping mechanisms for fence panels.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic support post system with a spring-biased ceiling engaging member and a latch mechanism that allows secure attachment between ceiling and floor structures, and a fence lock for securing panels, enabling easy installation, secure locking, and efficient reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing support posts are used to secure safety barriers, then the barriers can be installed between ceiling and floor structures, but the support posts are cumbersome to install and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The support post is divided into multiple segments including an outer tube, inner tube, and intermediate sections that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing processes and reduces complexity while maintaining structural integrity for securing safety barriers between ceiling and floor structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic mechanism employs nested tubes where the inner tube slides within the outer tube, with intermediate sections nested between them. This nesting arrangement reduces the overall complexity of the support post while enabling easy extension and retraction for installation between different ceiling and floor heights.
2Reliability
If existing support posts are used, then they can provide structural support, but they are easily intentionally or accidentally unlocked or dislodged
Solution Approach 1:
The support post incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism with a latch member that can be positioned in locked or unlocked states. The latch is biased by a spring to automatically engage with the telescopic mechanism, providing reliable security that resists intentional or accidental dislodging while still allowing controlled operation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock the telescopic sections together through the latch member and spring bias system. This self-locking feature enhances reliability by ensuring the barrier remains secured without requiring constant external monitoring or intervention, while preventing unauthorized unlocking.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing support posts are used, then they can support safety barriers, but they are not easily removed and transported to different floors for reinstallation
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic support post features movable inner and outer tubes that can be easily extended and retracted. This dynamic structure allows the barrier to be quickly disassembled by collapsing the telescopic sections, facilitating simple removal and transport to different floors for reinstallation, thereby enhancing reusability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented telescopic design with separable outer tube, inner tube, and intermediate sections enables the barrier to be easily broken down into manageable components for transport. This segmentation allows quick assembly and disassembly operations, making the barrier highly adaptable for relocation between different construction floors.
4Strength
If existing fence panels are wired together or attached through clamps, then adjacent panels can be connected, but the clamps or fastening mechanisms are frail, cumbersome or inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fence panel design integrates the fastening mechanism directly into the panel structure itself, merging the panel and connection elements into a unified component. This eliminates the need for separate external clamps or wires, providing strong panel-to-panel connections while significantly reducing the complexity and number of separate fastening parts required.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated fastening mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides strong structural connection between adjacent panels, enables easy assembly and disassembly, and maintains structural integrity during transport. This multi-functional design replaces frail or cumbersome separate clamps with a unified system that achieves both strength and operational efficiency.
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 system provides a robust, cost-effective, and secure method for installing and reconfiguring safety barriers, reducing the need for complex locking mechanisms and minimizing unauthorized access, while allowing for easy transportation and reassembly.
Implementation Method 1
a spring biasing said ceiling engaging member in a direction away from said upper end of said first elongate member
Data Source
Figure 1a~1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~3a
AI summary
A support post for releasably securing between a ceiling structure and a floor structure, the support post comprising a first elongate member telescopically mounted to a second elongate member that comprises a portion of a fence panel, a ceiling engaging member positioned at the upper end of said first elongate member and a floor engaging member positioned at the lower end of said second elongate member, a spring biasing said ceiling engaging member in a direction away from said upper end of said first elongate member, a lock, when in its locked position said lock maintaining said spring in a compressed configuration and when in its unlocked position said lock releasing said spring from its compressed configuration and permitting said spring to apply a biasing force to said ceiling engaging member urging said ceiling engaging member away from said upper end of said first elongate member, and a latch, said latch allowing for the telescopic movement of said first elongate member relative to said second elongate member when said lock is in said locked position, said latch resisting the telescopic movement of said first elongate member relative to said second elongate member when said lock is in its unlocked position.