Clip Apparatus with Biasing Spring for Secure Light Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for affixing holiday lights to houses are problematic due to issues with dislodgment in strong winds, the need to remove and reattach clips each year, and the insecurity of non-penetrating clips.
Innovation Solution
A clip apparatus with a fastening member, a clip member, and a biasing spring that allows for easy attachment and reattachment of light strings to a house surface without the need for removal, providing a secure and reusable solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-penetrating clips are used to attach lights to the house, then the installation process is simple and requires no tools, but the clips are insecure and easily dislodged in strong winds
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into distinct components: a fastening member that penetrates the surface for secure attachment, a biasing spring for maintaining force, and a clip member for holding the light string. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together as a unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip member is nested within the fastening member assembly, with the biasing spring positioned between them. The clip member can move along the fastening member between a default position (secured) and a non-default position (released), allowing easy attachment and removal of light strings while maintaining secure fastening to the house surface.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional clips are used to secure lights, then lights can be attached to the house, but the clips must be removed and reattached each year, requiring time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The clip member is designed to be movable along the fastening member, transitioning between a default position where it secures the light string and a non-default position where it releases the light string. The biasing spring provides continuous force to maintain the clip in the default secured position, enabling easy yearly removal and reattachment without requiring complete disassembly of the fastening system.
3Reliability
If a secure fastening system is used to prevent dislodgment in winds, then attachment reliability improves, but the system becomes more complex requiring additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening member, biasing spring, and clip member are combined into a single integrated apparatus that functions as one unit. The fastening member provides the penetrating secure attachment, the biasing spring provides continuous securing force, and the clip member provides the light string holding function. This merging of functions into a single apparatus achieves reliable wind resistance without requiring multiple separate components or systems.
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 apparatus securely attaches light strings to a house surface, allowing for easy hanging and removal each holiday season without the need for reattachment or tools, ensuring stability over time.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing spring coiled around the fastening member and positioned between the first end surface of the body of the clip member and the first end of the fastening member, to bias the clip member along the fastening member against the stop member
Data Source
AI summary
A clip member has a body having a hole extending therethrough, and a securing element extending from the body. A stop member is positioned against the body of the clip member and has a hole concentric with the hole extending through the body of the clip member. A fastening member extends through the hole of the body of the clip member and through the hole of the stop member, and has a securing portion to secure the fastening member to an external surface, and a sliding portion along which the clip member is movable. A biasing spring is coiled around the fastening member and positioned between the body of the clip member and the fastening member to bias the clip member along the fastening member against the stop member.