Terrace Retaining Element Guide Tabs Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terrace system holding parts face challenges in handling and stability, particularly when dealing with uneven terrace profiles and small distances between them.

Innovation Solution

The holding part features a base body with assembly openings for secure fastening to the substructure, and strategically aligned stops that ensure stability and accommodate variations in terrace profile dimensions, including those with sources and waning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the retaining element is designed with elastic retaining webs that exert clamping force on terrace profiles, then the holding stability of the terrace profiles is improved, but the retaining element shifts position during insertion, making it difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding stabilityVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces guide elements (tabs) on the retaining element that engage with corresponding guide grooves on the rail. These guide elements act as intermediaries that prevent lateral shifting of the retaining element during the insertion of terrace profiles, while the elastic retaining webs continue to provide clamping force for holding stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the retaining element is designed to accommodate swelling and shrinkage of terrace profiles, then the universality and adaptability are improved, but the positioning stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to swelling and shrinkageVSAvoidpositioning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs elastic retaining webs that can dynamically adjust their clamping force in response to swelling and shrinkage of the terrace profiles. The elasticity allows the retaining element to maintain a stable average position while accommodating dimensional changes of the profiles through flexible deformation of the webs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the retaining element uses a plate-shaped base body with projecting retaining webs, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to shifting during clamping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide elements (tabs) serve as intermediaries between the retaining element and the rail, preventing lateral displacement during the clamping operation. This simple additive feature to the plate-shaped base body maintains structural simplicity while significantly improving positioning accuracy by eliminating shifting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This design enhances the stability and universality of the holding part, allowing for easy handling and effective clamping of terrace profiles, even with uneven surfaces and small inter-profile distances, without damaging the profiles.

Implementation Method 1

two elastic retaining webs projecting from it, which engage in grooves on the cladding components under clamping action

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4361374B1Terrace system and holder element for same
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 GAISBAUER GUNTHER
  • EP4361374B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4361374B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4361374B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terrace system (1, 101) and a retaining element (4, 104) for connecting a first and a second terrace profile (2, 3) to a substructure (5) of the terrace system (1, 101) are shown. To achieve high stability, it is proposed that the retaining element (4, 104) on the base body (6) has at least one, in particular continuous, mounting opening (11) for connecting the retaining element (4, 104) to the substructure (5) by means of a fastening element (12), and that the first and second retaining webs (7, 8 and 107, 018 respectively) on the top surface (6a) of the base body (6) are aligned with respect to their width extension (B7, B8) essentially along a common straight line (G), which straight line (G) passes through the mounting opening (11).