Ball and Socket Fastener with Anti-Release Arms for Conduit Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clip fasteners lack adjustability, making it difficult to align and attach electrical or fluid conduits to substrates, especially in applications where components are not consistently aligned, and existing solutions either restrict movement or increase production costs.
Innovation Solution
A swivelable and pivotable ball and socket fastener formed through a one-shot injection molding process, allowing 360 degrees of rotation and pivoting, with anti-release arms to prevent misalignment and unintended removal, and optionally formed from different materials to minimize production expenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional clip fasteners are used with fixed clip ends, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but adjustability and alignment flexibility are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener incorporates a ball and socket joint that enables dynamic movement between the first and second clip ends. The ball portion can rotate 360 degrees and pivot within the socket portion, allowing the clip ends to adjust their relative positions and orientations to accommodate misaligned conduits during installation, while still being manufacturable as a single integrated component
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener is divided into functionally independent segments: a first clip end, a second clip end, a ball portion, and a socket portion. These segments are connected through the ball and socket joint, allowing each segment to perform its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity through integral molding
2Adaptability or versatility
If a two-piece rotatable clip is used, then adjustability is improved, but production cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first clip end, second clip end, ball portion, and socket portion are merged into a single integrally molded fastener component. This eliminates the need for separate parts and assembly operations while maintaining the rotational and pivoting adjustability provided by the ball and socket joint mechanism
3Adaptability or versatility
If a two-piece rotatable clip is used, then adjustability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener components are combined into a single piece manufactured through integral molding, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing processes and joining operations. This single-shot injection molding process reduces production complexity and cost while preserving the ball and socket joint's rotational and pivoting capabilities
Data Source
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AI summary
A swivelable and pivotable clip fastener for attaching two or more articles together is disclosed. The articles being attached may include electrical or fluid conduits or a substrate. The swivelable and pivotable clip fastener comprises a ball and socket construction for attaching a first article to a second article. The swivelable and pivotable clip fastener is easy to use. The clip fastener may be produced by additive manufacturing or a one-shot injection molding process. The ball and socket arrangement allows 360 degrees of rotation and pivoting of one article relative to the other. One or more slots are formed in the ball. The socket includes anti-release arms that are offset from one another. Optionally, the ball may be formed from a first material and the socket may be formed from a second material. A flash gate may attach the ball to the socket when the ball and socket are formed.