Telescoping Sleeve Assembly with Interlocking Locking Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sleeve assemblies for tie rods in concrete construction are prone to human error in measurement and cutting, leading to inefficiencies and safety hazards due to the use of plastic materials that can be brittle and hazardous to cut.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve assembly comprising an inner tubular member with a first locking component and at least one outer sleeve that telescopically engages the inner tubular member in non-expanded and expanded positions, using interlocking projections and recesses to secure the outer sleeve, allowing for adjustable lengths and improved safety through reduced need for cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional plastic sleeves are cut to desired length using circular saw, then the sleeves can be sized for specific wall widths, but shards from the plastic can penetrate skin, eyes, and clothing causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is divided into multiple telescoping segments (inner tubular member and outer sleeves) that can be assembled in different configurations. This segmentation eliminates the need to cut the sleeve to specific lengths, as the segments can be telescoped to accommodate various wall widths, thereby eliminating the safety hazard of cutting plastic shards.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve assembly transitions from a static fixed-length design to a dynamic telescoping design. The outer sleeves can be extended or retracted relative to the inner tubular member, allowing the overall length to be adjusted dynamically to match different wall widths without cutting, thus eliminating the harmful cutting operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional plastic sleeves are cut to precise lengths, then the sleeves fit specific wall widths, but human error in measurement and cutting slows down production and may result in unusable sleeves
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sleeve into telescoping parts, the system eliminates the need for precise cutting operations. The segments can be quickly assembled in different configurations to match various wall widths, removing the time-consuming measurement and cutting steps that cause production delays and errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve length parameter is changed from a fixed value determined by cutting to an adjustable parameter achieved through telescoping. This allows the effective length to be modified by extending or retracting the outer sleeves, eliminating the need for precise pre-cutting and associated human errors.
3Length of moving object
If conventional plastic sleeves are cut in cold environments, then the sleeves can be sized for installation, but the plastic becomes brittle and may shatter causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented telescoping design eliminates the need to cut the sleeve in cold environments. The pre-manufactured segments remain in their controlled factory environment where the plastic maintains its ductility, and are simply assembled on-site by telescoping, avoiding the brittle shattering that occurs when cutting cold plastic.
4Device complexity
If sleeves are made as single fixed-length pieces, then the structure is simple, but the sleeves cannot be adjusted to different wall widths requiring multiple sleeve sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is segmented into an inner tubular member and multiple outer sleeves that can telescope relative to each other. This segmentation enables a single assembly to provide multiple length configurations, increasing adaptability to different wall widths while maintaining relatively simple individual component structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve assembly transitions from a static fixed-length structure to a dynamic telescoping structure. The outer sleeves can be extended or retracted to adjust the overall length, providing versatility for different wall widths while keeping the base structure simple and modular.
Data Source
AI summary
A sleeve assembly is provided comprising an inner tubular member and at least one outer sleeve that receives at least a portion of the inner tubular member. The outer sleeve may longitudinally telescope with the inner tubular member to move between a non-expanded position and at least one expanded position. In some embodiments, the inner tubular member comprises a first locking component and the at least one outer sleeve comprises a second locking component that interlocks with the first locking component to secure the outer sleeve in the non-expanded position and/or at least one expanded position. Related methods for making a sleeve assembly are also provided.