Vertical Stake Anchoring via Cross-Beam Screws

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stake anchoring arrangements for vehicles transporting lumber are cumbersome, expensive, and prone to rattling and shaking when unloaded, with sockets reducing the inner width between stakes and screws being subjected to shearing forces.

Innovation Solution

A vertical stake arrangement that eliminates sockets by using screws extending through the stake into the cross-beam, allowing for increased inner width and accessible screw heads, with a design that ensures screws only experience tension and are easily accessible for handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sockets are used for anchoring stakes, then the anchoring arrangement provides secure locking, but the inner width between stakes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure locking of stakesVSAvoidinner width between stakes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the socket component from the anchoring system. Instead of using sockets that protrude into the loading space, the patent uses a crossbeam with transverse openings that allow stakes to pass through directly, removing the space-consuming socket element while maintaining secure anchoring functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If locking mechanisms are arranged in each stake, then secure anchoring is achieved, but the stake becomes expensive and complicated to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure anchoringVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the locking mechanism into the crossbeam structure rather than incorporating it into each individual stake. The transverse openings in the crossbeam serve as the locking feature, allowing multiple stakes to use the same anchoring principle without each stake needing its own complex locking mechanism, thereby simplifying stake manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If bolts are used from below to secure stakes, then anchoring is achieved, but the bolts are cumbersome to access and may come loose when unloaded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure anchoringVSAvoidaccessibility of fastening components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional anchoring approach by having stakes pass through the crossbeam from top to bottom rather than using bolts from below. The stake ends with threading extend through the crossbeam and can be secured with nuts accessible from the top/side, making the fastening components easily accessible for operation and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Stability of the object's composition

If stakes are secured tightly to prevent rattling, then stability is improved, but the system becomes more complex and heavier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of rattling and shakingVSAvoidcomplexity of anchoring arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by providing bearing surfaces and friction contact at specific locations where stakes interface with the crossbeam. The transverse openings and stake geometry are designed to create sufficient friction and contact pressure to prevent rattling, while the rest of the system remains simple and lightweight without unnecessary components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4079610A1A vertical stake arrangement for rigidly connecting a lower end of a vertical stake to a horizontal cross-beam

Publication Date: 2022.10.26 TIMBTECH INT AB

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AI summary

This invention relates to stake arrangement for connecting a lower end of a vertical stake (2) to a horizontal cross-beam (1) adapted to be attached to a beam in a carrying structure of a vehicle, said arrangement comprising: - said cross-beam (1) having an end surface (15); - a plurality of bores provided with threads in said end surface (15), said threaded bores extending in a longitudinal direction of the cross-beam (1), preferably in parallel to one another, - a plurality of openings (23, 24) provided at said lower end of the stake (2), said plurality of openings extending crosswise in relation to a longitudinal axis (III) of the stake and being aligned with the threaded bores; and - a plurality of screws (30) extending through the openings (23, 24) of the stake and engaging the threads of the threaded bores in the cross-beam (1) to connect the lower end of the stake arrangement to the end surface (15) of the cross-beam, wherein said stake arrangement (2) comprises an upper stake member (20) and a lower stake end member (21), which are attached to each other by welds (206, 207, 208, 209), wherein said lower stake end member (21) includes a body member (29) including said plurality of openings (23, 24), and that a longish reinforcement member (28) is included in said lower stake end member (21), said reinforcement member (28) having an upper portion (28B) protruding a distance (d) into an open inner space of said upper stake member (20).