Adjustable Clamping Bolt Structure for Elongated Hole Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bolts with adjustable clamping ranges for clamping adjacent parts with openings are prone to damage from transverse forces, especially when using elongated holes, and do not guarantee secure clamping.

Innovation Solution

The bolt design includes a section without an external thread extending into each adjacent part, ensuring the bolt is guided by its full outer circumference, absorbing transverse forces and allowing for adjustable clamping, particularly in elongated holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the external thread extends into the opening of the adjacent part, then the clamping range is adjustable, but the external thread is damaged by transverse forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustable clamping rangeVSAvoidexternal thread damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bolt is segmented into distinct functional zones: a threaded section for adjustment and a smooth full-diameter section for force bearing. This segmentation allows the external thread to be positioned outside the opening while the smooth section extends into the opening, enabling adjustable clamping range without exposing the thread to damaging transverse forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The smooth bolt section acts as an intermediary between the threaded adjustment mechanism and the clamped parts. It transmits the adjustment motion while protecting the external thread from direct contact with transverse forces, thereby mediating between the need for adjustability and the need for thread protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the bolt extends with external thread into the opening, then clamping can be achieved, but secure clamping cannot be guaranteed in elongated holes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping capabilityVSAvoidsecure clamping in elongated holes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bolt is divided into a threaded portion for clamping force generation and a smooth full-diameter portion for stable guidance in elongated holes. This segmentation ensures that the smooth section provides reliable positional guidance without the weakness of threaded sections, guaranteeing secure clamping even in elongated hole configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the external thread is provided on the bolt, then adjustable clamping is enabled, but transverse forces act on the external thread causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustable clampingVSAvoidtransverse forces on external thread
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The external thread is extracted from the region that extends into the opening of the adjacent part. Instead, the smooth full-diameter bolt section extends into the opening, completely removing the external thread from the path of transverse forces while preserving the adjustable clamping function through the threaded section positioned elsewhere on the bolt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The smooth bolt section serves as an intermediary that extends into the opening to bear transverse forces, protecting the external thread from these harmful forces while still enabling adjustable clamping through the threaded mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This design prevents damage to the external thread by distributing transverse forces across the full diameter of the bolt, ensuring secure clamping and a wide clamping range, suitable for attaching laser templates to perforated tables.

Implementation Method 1

a threaded sleeve (5) that projects radially outwards beyond the bolt-like part (2) and is positionally changeable and fixed in the longitudinal direction of the bolt-like part by the threaded sleeve (5) engaging with an internal thread (6) in an external thread (7) provided on a partial area of ​​the outside of the bolt-like part (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreading: Screw

Implementation Method 2

an actuating means that acts on the at least one clamping element to clamp the adjacent parts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4051912B1Bolt with an adjustable clamping region
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 BERND SIEGMUND GMBH
  • EP4051912B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4051912B1 patent drawingFigure 3~7b
  • EP4051912B1 patent drawingFigure 8~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a bolt (1) with an adjustable clamping region for clamping together parts (19, 20) which bear against each other and have openings (21, 22), comprising a bolt-like part (2) and a threaded sleeve (5) which protrudes radially outwards from the bolt-like part (2) and can be varied in position and fixed in the longitudinal direction of the bolt-like part (2) in that the threaded sleeve (5) engages by means of an internal thread (6) in an external thread (7) provided on a portion of the outside of the bolt-like part (2). The bolt is advantageously refined in that the bolt (1) introduced into the openings (21, 22) of the parts (19, 20) bearing against each other extends at least partially by means of a bolt component without an external thread into each of the parts (19, 20) bearing against each other.