U-Bolt Handrail Clamp With Concealed Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing railing stirrups are inefficient for installing railing rails due to the need to manually guide and tighten the rail, which can be tedious and unsuitable for long or heavy rails, and often result in an unsightly protruding vice system.
Innovation Solution
A stirrup design featuring a first jaw fixed to the upright with a through-hole and anchoring member, allowing easy introduction of the rail between two jaws, with the second jaw pivotally mounted on the first jaw, enabling easy positioning and clamping without requiring manual support of the rail's weight, and providing an aesthetic and adjustable fixing mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a split ring stirrup is used to fix the rail, then the rail can be engaged in the ring, but the introduction of the smooth must be carried out in the direction of the length of the smooth which is particularly tedious when the smooth has to be introduced into several successive stirrups
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of introducing the rail end-first through the ring as in conventional stirrups, the invention inverts the approach by providing a V-shaped groove that guides the rail laterally into position between the jaws. The rail is introduced sideways rather than lengthwise, dramatically simplifying the installation process especially when multiple stirrups are involved.
Solution Approach 2:
The V-shaped groove acts as an intermediary guiding element that facilitates the introduction of the rail between the jaws. This groove provides a predetermined path that directs the rail into the correct position, eliminating the need for manual alignment and reducing installation complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a single lower jaw forming a retaining hook is used for fixing an intermediate or low rail, then the rail can be fixed, but the operator must maintain the lower jaw by himself for the time to introduce the beam and then finally to tighten the jaw in the vertical rail of the upright which can prove to be particularly unsuitable with very long and/or heavy healds
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs two jaws that can move relative to each other along the vertical rail, transforming the static single-jaw system into a dynamic two-jaw system. This allows the jaws to be positioned and adjusted independently, reducing the effort required by the operator during installation and making it suitable for long and/or heavy rails.
Solution Approach 2:
The single lower jaw is segmented into two separate jaws that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows each jaw to be maintained and positioned separately, reducing the operator effort required and improving the overall ease of operation for installing heavy or long rails.
3Ease of operation
If a vice system is used to fix the first jaw to the post, then the jaw can be fixed, but the vice forms a protruding part around the upright and creates an unsightly appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding vice system is extracted and replaced by a more compact fixing mechanism. The jaws are fixed directly to the upright using a concealed attachment system that does not create protruding parts, thereby maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the upright while still providing secure fixation.
4Strength
If the through hole opens into the clamping surface so that the rail ultimately conceals the through hole and the anchoring member, then the fixing is secure, but the position of the anchoring member is not accessible for adjustment without removing the smooth
Solution Approach 1:
The through hole is positioned in a specific location that allows the anchoring member to remain accessible for adjustment while still providing secure fixation. The local quality of the hole placement enables both security and adjustability, allowing maintenance personnel to access and adjust the anchoring member without removing the rail.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
The clamp has an anchoring element (46) extending in a through-hole (45) to abut against a wall of a post groove and to plate an abutment element (44) against another wall to anchor a jaw (4) on the post. A curved clamping surface (42) is formed to engage a part of a stringer section when another jaw (5) is in a tight position. Side surfaces (43) connect the clamping surface to a posterior face (41). The through-hole emerges in one of the side surfaces below the clamping surface, so that the anchoring element is accessible below the stringer when the anchoring element is clamped between jaws.