Adjustable Threshold Fastener with Flanges for Jam-Free Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable threshold fasteners tend to jam in curvilinear tracks due to weight, momentum, and dimensional variance, leading to shingling and jamming issues during delivery.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a threaded stud with raised flanges on both ends and a rectangularly shaped nut with interior threads, along with a U-shaped nut in the delivery track, which includes forward and rearward flanges to prevent excessive rotation and vertical displacement, thereby preventing shingling and jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fasteners are delivered through a curvilinear track using gravity feed, then delivery speed and productivity are improved, but the fasteners tend to jam and shingle due to weight, momentum, and dimensional variance
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is segmented into distinct functional components: a delivery head for track engagement, a neck portion for dimensional control, and a threaded stud for fastening function. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the head for reliable track delivery and the stud for fastening performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener employs asymmetric geometry with a substantially rectangular delivery head having different dimensions in orthogonal directions, and a neck portion with controlled dimensional variance. This asymmetric design ensures proper orientation in the curvilinear track while limiting excessive rotation and shingling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fastener design allows for adjustment of threshold height, then adaptability is improved, but the complexity of the fastener structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism merges the threaded stud, nut, and head into a single integrated fastener assembly. The threaded stud integrates the adjustment thread, the nut provides threaded engagement, and the head provides both delivery engagement and adjustment access, combining multiple functions into one component system.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery head serves multiple functions: it engages with the curvilinear track for gravity-fed delivery, provides a reference surface for threshold contact, and allows screwdriver engagement for rotation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components while maintaining adjustability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the fastener dimensions are standardized for manufacturing, then manufacturing precision is improved, but dimensional variance still causes shingling and jamming in the track
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener applies local quality control by specifying precise dimensional tolerances for the delivery head and neck portion while allowing more variance in the threaded stud portion. The delivery head dimensions are tightly controlled to ensure proper track engagement, while the functional fastening portion has appropriate manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The neck portion acts as an intermediary element between the delivery head and threaded stud, providing a transition zone with controlled dimensions that limits the transmission of dimensional variance from the stud to the head, thereby reducing shingling and jamming in the track.
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener comprising a threaded stud and a rectangular nut having raised flanges is disclosed. Raised flanges enable passing the fasteners in a curvilinear dispensing track. The rectangular nut resides in a channel in a threshold device and is restrained against rotational movement. The threaded stud includes a flat head adjustable in a plurality of positions which, in turn, enables positioning of the threshold.