Universal Beam Clamp Connector for Threaded Rod Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beam clamps are limited in their design, requiring separate clamps for fixed or pivotal attachments and are not adaptable to various commercially available beam clamp sizes, making them inconvenient for industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A universal beam clamp connector that allows for fixed, swivel, or pivoting attachment of a threaded rod to a support beam, featuring a cylindrical threaded rod extender and a connector portion with a hexagonal tool-engaging portion for easy installation and removal, accommodating different beam clamp sizes and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate clamps are used for fixed or pivotal attachments, then attachment functionality is achieved, but device complexity and variety of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate both fixed and pivotal attachment methods through a single device. The connector portion interfaces with various beam clamp types while the rod extender provides multiple attachment configurations, eliminating the need for separate specialized clamps for different attachment styles.
2Reliability
If clamps are designed for specific beam sizes, then securement is achieved, but adaptability to various beam clamp sizes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector portion is designed with a universal interface that can interface with various commercially available beam clamp types and sizes. This allows a single connector design to work across multiple beam clamp variants while maintaining secure attachment through the standardized interface geometry.
3Ease of operation
If installation and removal procedures are simplified, then ease of operation improves, but attachment strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate components: a connector portion and a rod extender. This segmentation allows for tool-less or simplified assembly and disassembly operations while maintaining strong attachments through threaded connections and precise fitting interfaces between the segmented components.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal beam clamp connector accommodates either a fixed attachment or a swivel attachment of a threaded rod to a support beam clamp. The beam clamp connector includes a connector portion and a threaded rod extender. A threaded rod extender has a cylindrical shape and an exterior surface with threading thereon. The connector portion includes a topside, a tool engaging portion and a central body extending therebetween. The threaded rod extender protrudes from the top side and the tool engaging portion protrudes from the central body. The central body includes an opening therethrough. The opening is defined by a top inner surface, a bottom inner surface and two opposing side inner surfaces. A nut is used to secure a threaded rod of a device to the beam clamp connector.