Adjustable Box Clamp with Telescoping Arms for One-Person Taping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for closing shipping boxes with adhesive tape either require third-party assistance or are inadequate for larger boxes, and existing user-based methods are inefficient or impractical.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable clamping apparatus with extendable arms and a middle portion that can be locked into position to hold box flaps together, allowing for easy application of adhesive tape, accommodating various box sizes and being foldable/collapsible for storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an adjustable clamping apparatus is designed to accommodate various box sizes, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to extendable arms and locking mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of various box sizesVSAvoidstructure with extendable arms and locking mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arms of the clamping apparatus are designed with nested sections that can slide within each other, allowing the arms to extend and retract to different lengths. The locking mechanism secures the arms at desired positions, enabling the apparatus to accommodate various box sizes while maintaining a compact form when collapsed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the clamping apparatus is made foldable/collapsible for easy storage, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability may worsen due to additional moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeasy storage and portabilityVSAvoidstructural integrity with moving parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping apparatus is divided into separable components including the middle portion, arms, and locking mechanism. These segmented parts can be easily assembled and disassembled, allowing the apparatus to be collapsed for storage while maintaining structural integrity through secure connection points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the arms are made extendable to hold larger boxes, then the adaptability is improved, but the weight of the apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to hold various box sizesVSAvoidweight of the clamping apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The arms are designed as dynamic, telescoping structures that can adjust their length based on the box size being clamped. This allows the apparatus to handle both small and large boxes without requiring a fixed, heavy structure, as the arms only extend to the necessary length for each specific task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260048886A1Box clamping apparatus and method thereof

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 ADEIGBE OMOWUNMI

AI summary

An adjustable clamping tool for holding a shipping box in a closed position to facilitate a user to apply tape onto the shipping box. The apparatus comprises adjustable arm members configured to align along the box's sidewalls and to position the box's outer flaps together and in a closed position so that the user can easily and properly apply tape onto the box. The apparatus can be adjustable in width between the first arm and second arm along a middle portion to accommodate various box sizes.