Clip With Biasing Spring And Threaded Adjustment Knob
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clips are unable to move and retain opposing jaw members to an open position with a wide degree of separation, limiting their ability to accommodate thicker materials and objects of varying shapes and sizes due to locking members or integrated tightening bolts.
Innovation Solution
A fastening clip with hingedly connected jaw members, a movably mounted receiver, and a threaded shaft with an adjustment knob, allowing for user-controlled closure force and separation between the jaw members, enabling a range of approximately ninety degrees for easier loading and gripping of different objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If locking members or integrated tightening bolts are used to provide controlled clamping force, then the clamping force is improved, but the ability to open jaw members to a wide degree is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed locking members with a dynamic system featuring a biasing spring that automatically opens the jaw members to a wide degree (approximately ninety degrees) and a movable receiver that can be positioned along a threaded shaft to control clamping force. This dynamic mechanism allows the jaw members to be adequately opened for loading while providing controlled clamping force when closed, resolving the contradiction between maintaining wide jaw opening capability and applying controlled clamping force.
2Force
If conventional clips use locking members to maintain clamping force, then the clamping force is improved, but the versatility to accommodate different shapes and sizes of objects is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable receiver that can be positioned at different locations along the threaded shaft enables the clip to adapt to various object thicknesses and shapes. Combined with the wide jaw opening capability (approximately ninety degrees), this dynamic adjustment mechanism provides versatility to accommodate different objects while maintaining controlled clamping force, resolving the contradiction between maintaining clamping force and achieving versatility.
3Force
If integrated tightening bolts are used to provide controlled closure force, then the closure force control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the biasing spring, threaded shaft, and movable receiver into an integrated fastening mechanism. The biasing spring provides automatic jaw opening, the threaded shaft provides force control, and the movable receiver provides adjustment capability - all merged into a single mechanism that can be operated with one hand, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining controlled closure force.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing spring automatically opens the jaw members to a wide degree, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms to achieve jaw separation. This self-service feature reduces device complexity while the movable receiver on the threaded shaft provides simple force control, resolving the contradiction between controlled closure force and device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The clip provides a controlled clamping force and improved gripping capabilities, allowing it to securely hold various shapes and sizes of objects by allowing the jaw members to be biased open and adjusted without the need for tools, enhancing its versatility and usability.
Implementation Method 1
opposing jaw members are biased in an open position with a spring or similar element
Implementation Method 2
a threaded shaft of a keeper is journaled through an aperture in the first jaw member and is operably coupled with the movably mounted receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A clip having a first jaw member hingedly connected to a second jaw member wherein the clip is biased in an open position. The clip further includes a keeper having a knob and shaft wherein the knob is superposed the first jaw member. The shaft of the keeper engages with a receiver that is pivotally mounted to the second jaw member so as to facilitate the movement of the clip. A passage network and connectors are configured in the bottom of the second jaw member to facilitate the securing of the clip to a somewhat vertically oriented rope. The bottom of the second jaw member is also configured with arm members and a channel to facilitate the suspension of the clip from a somewhat horizontally oriented rope. The second jaw member is further configured with a series of slots to facilitate attachment of the clip to a strap.