Breakaway Cable Stacker Bracket for Staple-Safe Stud Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing electrical cables using metal staples can lead to damage of the cables, particularly when staples are improperly positioned or driven too far into the stud, and can result in cables being placed near the edges of studs, making them vulnerable to damage during installation.
Innovation Solution
A cable stacker comprising a mounting bracket and a cable holder with slots designed to hold multiple cables, allowing for secure fastening to a stud using built-in nail features and fastener device holes, enabling flexible attachment to studs of varying widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal staples are used to fasten electrical cables, then cables can be securely attached to studs, but cables may be damaged by staples cutting insulation or by improper positioning near stud edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mounting bracket as an intermediary component between the staple and the cable. The bracket is fastened to the stud with staples, but the cables rest in channels on the bracket rather than being directly contacted by the staples. This mediator protects the cables from direct contact with the fastening elements, eliminating the risk of staple-induced cable damage while maintaining secure attachment.
2Quantity of substance
If cables are placed close to the edges of studs to accommodate multiple cables, then more cables can be attached, but cables become vulnerable to damage during dry wall installation
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket serves as a mediator that decouples the cable positioning from the stud edge proximity. The bracket extends outward from the stud, creating a platform that holds cables away from the vulnerable edge zone. This allows multiple cables to be attached while maintaining a safe distance from the stud edges, protecting them from damage during subsequent dry wall installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the cable attachment from a two-dimensional arrangement directly on the stud surface to a three-dimensional structure using the bracket. The bracket creates additional spatial dimensions (depth and height) for cable placement, allowing cables to be positioned optimally for both quantity and protection, rather than being constrained to the limited two-dimensional surface of the stud.
3Strength
If staples are driven too far into the stud, then secure fastening is achieved, but cable insulation is cut and cables are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket acts as a protective intermediary that physically separates the cable from the staple driving process. Staples are driven into the bracket or through the bracket material, not directly into the cable. The bracket's structure absorbs the driving force and provides a cushioning effect, preventing excessive staple penetration from reaching and cutting the cable insulation, thus allowing secure fastening without cable damage.
4Ease of operation
If standard mounting methods are used, then installation is simple, but they cannot accommodate studs of varying widths
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed with universal adaptability to accommodate various stud widths. The bracket can be configured with different channel arrangements and mounting hole patterns to suit different cable quantities and stud dimensions. This multi-functional design allows the same basic bracket structure to serve multiple purposes: accommodating single or multiple cables, adapting to different stud widths, and providing consistent protection regardless of installation variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable stacker may be provided. The cable stacker may comprise a mounting bracket and a cable holder. The mounting bracket may comprise a first side, a front side, and a second side. The second side may be operable to break away from the front side. The cable holder may be attached to the mounting bracket. The cable holder may comprise a plurality of slots operative to hold a corresponding plurality of cables.