Bridge Clip With Vertical Tabs For Upward-Facing Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bridge clips are not suitable for channels facing upward, which limits their use in holding cabling and electrical wires, and they fail to prevent studs from shifting or bending parallel to the wall effectively, especially in fire conditions where studs lose structural integrity.

Innovation Solution

A bridge clip design that nests inside the channel, featuring a web with flanges and vertical tabs that allow secure fastening to both the channel and stud, providing stability against twisting and bending, and optionally includes a gusset for enhanced support, allowing the channel to be used as a wiring trough.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If existing bridge clips are used, then studs are stabilized against twisting, but they cannot be used with channels facing upward and fail to prevent studs from shifting parallel to the wall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestabilization of studs against twistingVSAvoidcompatibility with upward-facing channels and prevention of parallel shifting

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge clip design inverts the traditional configuration by positioning the channel-opening-facing surface opposite to conventional designs. This inversion allows the clip to properly engage with upward-facing channels while maintaining stud stabilization capability. The first and second engagement surfaces are positioned to contact opposite sides of the stud, with the channel-opening-facing surface oriented to work with upward-facing channels rather than downward-facing ones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge clip extends in multiple dimensions beyond the simple plane of the channel. It has engagement surfaces that extend beyond the channel-opening-facing surface in directions perpendicular to the channel axis, creating three-dimensional engagement with the stud. This multi-dimensional geometry allows simultaneous prevention of twisting (rotational movement) and parallel shifting (linear movement along the wall), addressing both stability requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If simple right angle sheet metal brackets are used to prevent bending or shifting, then stud stability is improved, but installation becomes labor intensive and positioning accuracy depends on installer skill

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of stud bending and shiftingVSAvoidinstallation complexity and positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge clip is designed to be self-aligning and self-positioning during installation. The engagement surfaces are configured to automatically guide the clip into correct positioning on the stud as it is installed, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment. The geometry of the engagement surfaces ensures proper orientation without requiring installer skill or additional positioning tools, making installation straightforward while maintaining high positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If bridge clips are designed for downward-facing channels, then they can be manufactured and installed, but they are unusable for upward-facing channels needed for cabling and electrical wires

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturability of bridge clipsVSAvoidcompatibility with upward-facing channels for wiring

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge clip design achieves universality by configuring engagement surfaces that can effectively engage with channels regardless of their facing direction. The first engagement surface extends beyond the channel-opening-facing surface in a first direction, while the second engagement surface extends in a second direction, creating a geometry that works with both upward-facing and downward-facing channels. This multi-functional design allows the same clip to serve wiring applications (upward-facing) and traditional applications (downward-facing), eliminating the need for different clip variants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10563401B2Bridge clip

Publication Date: 2020.02.18 TELLING IND LLC

AI summary

It is described herein a bridge clip comprising a web, a first flange, and a second flange. The web having a web first edge substantially parallel to a web axis, and a web second edge substantially parallel to the web axis. The first flange extends from the web first edge while the second flange extends from the web second edge. Each of the flanges comprises a tab having a vertical tab having a vertical tab face in a vertical tab plane substantially perpendicular to the web axis and oriented in a vertical tab face direction substantially parallel to the web axis. The first vertical tab face direction opposes the second vertical tab face direction. It is also described that there is a positive distance value between the first vertical tab face and the second vertical tab face.