Cam Nut Clamp Assembly for Structural Member Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of U-bolts for clamping structures is cumbersome and time-consuming, as installers must hold multiple pieces together while tightening nuts, often in an awkward position, which complicates the process.
Innovation Solution
A clamp assembly featuring a rotatable cam nut and T-bolt design, where the structural member is lowered over a pre-installed clamping head, and the rotatable nut is turned to secure the clamp, eliminating the need for individual nut tightening and improving ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If U-bolts are used to clamp structures, then the clamping function is achieved, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening components (U-bolt, nuts, washers) into a single integrated clamp assembly with a cam mechanism. The cam nut and cam arm work together to simultaneously secure both sides of the U-bolt, eliminating the need to separately install and tighten multiple nuts on opposite sides, thus improving installation speed and reducing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly is pre-configured with the U-bolt positioned through the mounting base, and the cam arm is pre-positioned to engage with the cam nut. This preliminary arrangement allows the installer to simply lower the structural member and turn the cam nut, rather than having to align and assemble multiple components during installation
2Reliability
If multiple nuts and washers are used with U-bolts, then secure clamping is achieved, but the installer must hold multiple pieces together in awkward positions
Solution Approach 1:
The cam arm and cam nut mechanism merges the function of securing both sides of the U-bolt into a single operational element. When the cam nut is turned, the cam arm simultaneously applies clamping force to both sides, maintaining clamping security while requiring the installer to manipulate only one component rather than holding multiple pieces together
Solution Approach 2:
The cam arm acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cam nut and the U-bolt sides. Instead of directly tightening nuts on both sides of the U-bolt, the installer turns the cam nut which then uses the cam arm as a mediator to translate this single rotational motion into simultaneous clamping action on both sides, improving operator convenience
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a first structure and a clamp configured to clamp the first structure to a second structure. The clamp may include a top portion configured to extend through the slot, where the top portion includes a head, a neck portion coupled to the head and a cylindrical body coupled to the neck portion. The clamp may also include a rotatable nut located adjacent the slot, where the rotatable nut has an opening to receive the cylindrical body. The clamp may further include a spring nut configured to receive a portion of the cylindrical body. The rotatable nut is configured to be turned such that when the head of the clamp is aligned with the slot in the first structure, the top portion of the clamp is configured to lower into the opening and clamp the first structure to a second structure.