Adjustable Through-Bolted Hardware for Hidden Bolt Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional through bolted connection hardware has fixed shaft lengths, leading to excess length issues and a utilitarian appearance, making it difficult for consumers to achieve adjustable and aesthetically pleasing connections without high costs or specialized skills.
Innovation Solution
A through bolted connection hardware system featuring adjustable length components with a nut-bolt-washer connector, threaded connectors, and a friction pin to prevent free-spinning, allowing for customizable assembly and hiding the bolt components for a cleaner appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional fixed-length bolts are used, then manufacturing and installation are simple, but excess length creates safety issues and aesthetic problems
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt is divided into two separate components: a shaft portion and a threaded portion. The shaft portion passes through the workpiece while the threaded portion engages with a nut. This segmentation allows the shaft length to be optimized for structural strength while the threaded portion can be adjusted to eliminate excess length exposure, resolving the safety and aesthetic issues without compromising installation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces adjustability to the bolt system through the separable shaft-threaded portion design combined with a adjustable nut mechanism. This allows the effective length of the bolt to be dynamically adjusted during installation to match the exact thickness of the workpiece, eliminating the need to select from fixed size increments and preventing excess length exposure while maintaining ease of installation.
2Shape
If architectural hardware components are used to improve appearance, then aesthetic quality improves, but cost and installation complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a functional copy of architectural hardware aesthetics by applying decorative coatings (such as brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, or antique finishes) to the bolt and nut surfaces. This copying approach replicates the visual appearance of expensive architectural hardware without the associated high cost and installation complexity, making aesthetic improvements accessible to typical consumers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the surface parameters of the hardware components through various coating and finishing techniques. By modifying surface texture, color, and finish characteristics, the bolt and nut can achieve architectural-grade aesthetic appearance while maintaining the simplicity of standard hardware installation procedures.
3Ease of manufacture
If larger size increments are used for bolts, then manufacturing variety is reduced, but selected fasteners become much longer than required
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bolt into shaft and threaded portions, the invention decouples the length selection from a single fixed component. The shaft portion can be manufactured in standard lengths for structural adequacy, while the threaded portion length can be adjusted during assembly to achieve precise length matching with the workpiece thickness, eliminating the need for multiple bolt size increments.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable nut mechanism enables dynamic length adjustment of the bolt assembly during installation. This allows the effective bolt length to be precisely matched to the workpiece thickness regardless of the shaft portion length, achieving high length matching accuracy while maintaining simple manufacturing of standard-length shafts.
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
The system provides adjustable length solutions that eliminate excess length issues and offers an aesthetically pleasing architectural appearance at a lower cost, enhancing ease of assembly and safety while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a friction pin to prevent free-spinning
Data Source
AI summary
A through bolted connection hardware includes a bolt having an at least partially threaded shaft and a head. At least one nut connector defines a shaft hole and a head hole that is coaxial with the shaft hole, and the shaft hole is sized to receive the shaft of the bolt and not to allow the head to fit through the shaft hole. An outer surface of the at least one nut connector has a hexagonal shape. A tube defines an axially extending threaded bore that is configured to matingly receive the shaft at a first end of the threaded bore.