Construction Fastener With Nested Locking Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing construction systems fail to effectively join or orient construction elements in the same plane or advantageous angular orientations, limiting their versatility in building complex designs.
Innovation Solution
A construction system featuring elements with passageways and a fastener body with resilient portions that telescope and lock into place, allowing for secure attachment and adjustable orientations using a locking member with deformable parts that fit within the passageways, enabling elements to be fixed or rotatable as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fastener body with resilient portions is used to join construction elements, then the ability to secure elements in fixed or rotatable orientations is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the locking member and deformable parts
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is nested within the fastener body, with the locking member's deformable portions fitting inside the fastener body's resilient portions. This nested configuration allows the locking mechanism to be integrated within the existing fastener structure, providing multiple orientations and locking capabilities without requiring a completely separate external locking device, thus managing complexity while enhancing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener body incorporates resilient portions that can deform elastically to accommodate the locking member's deformable portions. This dynamic, elastic deformation capability allows the fastener to transition between locked and unlocked states and to accommodate different orientational configurations, providing adaptability while using a relatively simple elastic mechanism rather than complex mechanical locking components.
2Reliability
If a locking member with deformable portions is introduced to secure the fastener body, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism utilizes elastic deformation as a temporary state during assembly, which then transitions to a stable locked configuration. By leveraging the material's elastic properties and controlling the deformation parameters during the locking process, the system achieves reliable connections through a simple deformable geometry that can be manufactured using standard molding techniques without complex multi-step manufacturing processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the fastener body allows elements to be oriented in the same plane or advantageous angles, then the adaptability of the construction system is improved, but the ease of operation increases due to the locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient portions of the fastener body automatically engage with the locking member's deformable portions through elastic deformation and mechanical interference. This self-locking mechanism eliminates the need for separate locking actions or complex assembly procedures, as the connection secures itself through the inherent elastic properties of the materials and the geometric design of the interacting components, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving configurable flexibility.
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
Enables the creation of complex structures by allowing multiple construction elements to be securely joined and oriented in various configurations, enhancing the versatility and functionality of built products.
Implementation Method 1
a fastener body having first and second resilient portions which are individually dimensioned for telescoping, mating receipt within the passageway
Data Source
AI summary
A construction system is described and which includes a first construction element which has at least one passageway which extends therethrough; a fastener body having a first and a second portion, and wherein the first portion of the fastener body is received in the passageway defined by the first construction element; and a locking member having first and second portions which individually matingly cooperate with the respective first and second portions of the fastener body to secure the fastener body to the first construction element.