Modular Wire Grating Connector for Adjustable Vehicle Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for securing large vehicles during transportation, such as semi-trailer trucks and railway cars, face challenges in maintaining correct length spacing and alignment on varying surfaces with inclines and changes in height, and require versatile attaching surfaces that can adapt to different dimensions and avoid unnecessary material usage.
Innovation Solution
A modular apparatus with cavities and ridges allows for adjustable spacing and connection of wire gratings, enabling multiple configurations to accommodate varying inclines and heights, and can be used to space gratings apart or from other objects, ensuring proper alignment and efficient use of space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a long pre-defined shape attaching surface is used to ensure correct length spacing, then spacing accuracy is improved, but adaptability to varying heights and inclines deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attaching surface is divided into multiple discrete gratings of standardized lengths connected by adjustable connectors. This segmentation allows each grating to maintain precise manufacturing dimensions while the modular connection system adapts to varying heights and inclines through adjustable spacing and orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector apparatus enables dynamic adjustment of the attaching surface configuration. Connectors can be positioned at various distances from gratings and adjusted to accommodate different heights and inclines, transforming a static pre-defined shape into a dynamic, adaptable structure that maintains spacing accuracy while conforming to varying surfaces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a predefined shape attaching surface is used, then spacing consistency is improved, but versatility across different transportation devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The modular grating and connector system serves multiple functions: it provides consistent spacing through standardized grating dimensions while simultaneously adapting to various transportation device surfaces (walls, floors, ceilings, ramps, wheel wells) through adjustable connector positioning and orientation. The same basic components can be configured for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a fixed predefined shape to a dynamic modular configuration. Connectors can be adjusted along the length of gratings and positioned at varying distances from surfaces, enabling the same attaching surface components to accommodate different transportation device geometries while maintaining consistent spacing between attachment points.
3Adaptability or versatility
If disjointed apparatus portions are used to vary in length and adjust to changes, then adaptability is improved, but alignment maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment features such as ridges and cavities are pre-formed on the gratings and connectors during manufacturing. These preliminary alignment structures guide the connection process and ensure proper alignment is maintained as the modular system is assembled and adjusted to varying configurations, preventing cumulative alignment errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs visual alignment indicators (ridges and cavities that fit together) to guide proper positioning of modular components. These physical guides provide tactile and visual feedback to ensure correct alignment during assembly, maintaining precision even as the system is adjusted to different lengths, heights, and inclines.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus, system, and method of using the same for connecting and spacing grating and the like. Specifically, the present invention relates to connecting and spacing wire gratings, for example wire gratings used as vehicle tire support material or for mounting wheel chocks thereon in the transportation of automobiles. Even more specifically, the present invention may be used to connect a plurality of wire gratings together and to space in a first direction the plurality of gratings apart from each other at multiple selectable distances in one configuration. In a second configuration, the present invention may be used to space in a second direction the plurality of gratings from other objects, such as a wall or guard rail. The second configuration may be used in multiple orientations in order to provide multiple different spacing distances.