U-Head Bearing Surface for Stable Angled Beam Support

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional U-heads provide unstable support for beams that are angled relative to shoring posts, focusing load eccentrically on the peripheral edges, leading to instability and potential slippage.

Innovation Solution

A U-head with a bearing surface featuring a flat central region and angled or convexly curved edges, along with a wedge adapter, provides secure support for beams at non-perpendicular angles, enhancing stability and reducing slippage through textured surfaces and lip undercuts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a conventional flat bearing surface is used in the U-head, then the structure is simple, but the support stability for angled beams deteriorates due to eccentric load concentration on peripheral edges

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveU-head structureVSAvoidbeam support stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing surface is designed with different geometric zones: a flat central region for perpendicular beam support and angled/convexly curved peripheral edges for angled beam support. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its load-bearing characteristics for specific beam orientations, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and support stability for angled beams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing surface incorporates convexly curved edges that can better accommodate and distribute loads from beams at non-perpendicular angles. The curvature allows the load to be distributed more evenly across the bearing surface rather than concentrating at the peripheral edges, thereby improving support stability while maintaining a relatively simple overall U-head structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of manufacture

If the bearing surface has only a flat central region, then manufacturing is simple, but the adaptability to angled beams deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing surface fabricationVSAvoidbeam angle accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing surface incorporates different geometric zones: a flat central region for perpendicular beam support and angled/convexly curved peripheral edges for angled beam support. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its load-bearing characteristics for specific beam orientations, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and support stability for angled beams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing surface is designed to perform multiple functions: the flat central region supports beams perpendicular to the shoring post, while the angled and convexly curved edges support beams at non-perpendicular angles. This multi-functionality allows a single bearing surface design to accommodate various beam orientations without requiring multiple specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If conventional U-head design is used, then the number of parts is small, but the load-bearing capacity for angled beams deteriorates due to load eccentricity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidload-bearing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing surface is designed with different geometric zones: a flat central region for perpendicular beam support and angled/convexly curved peripheral edges for angled beam support. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its load-bearing characteristics for specific beam orientations, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and support stability for angled beams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing surface incorporates convexly curved edges that can better accommodate and distribute loads from beams at non-perpendicular angles. The curvature allows the load to be distributed more evenly across the bearing surface rather than concentrating at the peripheral edges, thereby improving support stability while maintaining a relatively simple overall U-head structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS20250223817A1U-head for supporting concrete formwork

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 TITAN FORMWORK SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

A U-head can include various elements. In some example, the U-head can include a bearing surface with a flat, central region and with one or more sloped faces. In examples, the flat, central region can support beams in at a first orientation, and the sloped face(s) can support the beams at a second orientation that is different from the first orientation. In addition, in some examples, the U-head can be used together with a wedge adapter, such that the U-head can be positioned at the lower end of a shoring post and can, in combination with the adapter, support the shoring post at an angle atop a box stringer (or other rectangular beam(s) or support structures).