Torsional Joint Mounting Bracket for Curved Structure Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional fastening methods for communication and electrical equipment on elevated structures are unsafe, costly, and cause structural damage, obstructing access and leading to exposure to radio-frequency waves, while existing brackets do not effectively match the curved and angled surfaces, resulting in inadequate corrosion protection and structural instability.

Innovation Solution

The use of a torsional joint-based apparatus with distal pads and a main body, allowing for rotational alignment and optimal surface contact, reducing the need for additional parts and enabling secure fastening on various surfaces, including curved and angled ones, while minimizing material strain and preventing passive intermodulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional fastening methods (welding, banding, clamps) are used to secure communication equipment to elevated structures, then the equipment can be firmly attached, but the worker access structures become obstructed and unsafe for workers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidworker safety and mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a bracket system as an intermediary component that attaches to the steel structure away from worker access areas. This mediator allows communication equipment to be secured without directly obstructing ladders, rungs, or handrails, thus maintaining both attachment strength and worker safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system is divided into separate functional components: a bracket body that attaches to the structure, and mounting points for equipment. This segmentation allows the attachment function to be separated from worker access areas, reducing obstruction while maintaining secure fastening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If traditional fastening methods are used on coated steel structures, then equipment can be secured, but the corrosion-resistant coating is damaged and requires expensive maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidcoating maintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket uses sacrificial zinc-rich primers and galvanneal coatings that corrode preferentially to protect the underlying steel structure. These consumable protective layers are designed to degrade over time, providing corrosion protection while allowing the main structure to maintain its coating integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket incorporates zinc-rich primers and galvanneal coatings as pre-applied protective layers that sacrifice themselves to protect the steel structure from corrosion. This beforehand cushioning prevents direct contact between corrosive elements and the expensive structural coating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Area of stationary object

If brackets are designed to match curved and angled surfaces, then surface contact is maximized, but the bracket design becomes complex requiring multiple parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface contact areaVSAvoidbracket design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket incorporates curved and angled surfaces that match the geometry of typical steel structure surfaces. By integrating these curved geometries directly into the bracket body, the design achieves maximum surface contact without requiring multiple separate components or complex assembly procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 solution provides a safe, cost-effective, and adaptable fastening system that maximizes surface contact, reduces material strain, and mitigates passive intermodulation, ensuring secure attachment and corrosion protection on diverse surface geometries, enhancing structural stability and reducing maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

The distal pads are connected by at least two outwardly extending legs by longitudinally opposed first and second torsional joints, also known as tendons. In operation, the torsional joints are rotatable thereby allowing alignment of the attachment device with the surface of the structure to maximize surface contact.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsion: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11746808B2Apparatus and system for securing hardware to a structure utilizing torsional joints

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 STECHMANN ERIC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for mounting hardware to a surface of a structure. The apparatus includes a main body with an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer edge. The apparatus also includes a distal pad with an upper and a lower planar surface, the distal pad being attached to the main body by at least two torsional joints. The apparatus also includes an attachment device with a contact surface, the attachment device is mounted to at least one of the planar surfaces. The contact surface is for engagement with the surface of the structure. The at least two torsional joints and distal pad may be manually rotated to achieve maximal surficial contact between the surface of the structure and the contact surface of the attachment device.