Curved Resilient Cable Clip for Skirting Board Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cable clips for attaching cables to skirting boards often leave marks when installed or removed, and they can be difficult to install without damaging the skirting board or wall.

Innovation Solution

A cable clip designed as a curved resilient strip with planar end sections that can be easily positioned and tensioned to secure cables without damaging the surrounding surfaces, featuring a U-shaped slit for cable clamping and a bead for enhanced curvature, allowing for secure fastening without exerting force on the cable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cable clips with nails or pins are used to attach cables to skirting boards, then the cables are securely fastened, but marks are left on the skirting board or wall during installation or removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable fastening securityVSAvoidmarks on skirting board
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the nail or pin component from the cable clip design. Instead of using a separate fastening element that penetrates the skirting board, the clip itself is designed as a self-contained unit with integrated fastening features (teeth or gripper elements) that engage with the skirting board surface without requiring penetration, thereby eliminating marks while maintaining secure cable attachment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable clip incorporates localized fastening features (teeth or gripper elements) at specific positions on the clip body that are designed to engage with the skirting board surface. These localized features provide the necessary mechanical interlocking for secure attachment without requiring the entire clip or a separate nail to penetrate the surface, thus avoiding marks while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If conventional cable clips with small pins are used, then the cables can be attached, but it is difficult to hammer the pins without leaving hammer marks on the skirting board or wall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidhammer marks on skirting board
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The nail or pin component is completely removed from the design. The cable clip is designed as a standalone unit with integrated fastening features that can be directly pressed or snapped onto the skirting board without requiring a hammer or any impact tool, eliminating both the difficulty of installation and the risk of hammer marks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable clip incorporates self-installing features such as spring-loaded bodies, elastic deformation capabilities, or snap-fit mechanisms that allow the clip to automatically engage with the skirting board when pressed into place. This self-service installation eliminates the need for external tools like hammers and prevents damage to the skirting board surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the cable clip uses a resilient strip design with planar end sections, then easy installation and removal without marks is achieved, but sufficient retaining force must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage to skirting boardVSAvoidretaining force
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient strip is pre-formed with specific geometric features (curved lockup section, teeth, or gripper elements) during manufacturing that are designed to engage with both the skirting board and the cable. When installed, these pre-configured features automatically provide the necessary retaining force through elastic deformation and mechanical interlocking, ensuring sufficient holding power while maintaining surface integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cable clip incorporates a curved lockup section in the resilient strip that provides mechanical advantage. The curved geometry allows the strip to deform elastically during installation and creates a locking action that enhances retaining force. The curvature enables the clip to flex and conform to the installation space while maintaining strong engagement with both the skirting board and cable, balancing gentle surface interaction with firm cable holding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 cable clip provides easy installation and removal without marking the skirting board or wall, with sufficient tension to securely hold cables in place, reducing the risk of cable damage and allowing for multiple uses.

Implementation Method 1

a curved resilient strip comprising a first substantially planar end section, a second substantially planar end section, and a curved lockup section formed to embrace at least one cable. In a tension-free state the first substantially planar end section and second substantially planer end section are at distance from each other to form a passage to enable positioning of a cable in the curved lock-up section. In placement state, the first substantially planar end section and the second planar end section are brought together and parallel to each other and tension is built up in the curved lockup section giving a retaining force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the tension force in the curved lock-up section acting on the first and second substantially planar end section give a retaining force comprising the frictional force between the first substantially planar end section and a first side of the gap, being for example the floor below the skirting board, and the frictional force between the second substantially planar end section and the opposite second side of the gap, the lower side of the skirting board

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4068539A1Cable clip
Publication Date: 2022.10.05 SIEPERMANN ERIK DANIËL
  • EP4068539A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4068539A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5B
  • EP4068539A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a cable clip (100) for insertion in a gap between a skirting board (600) or the like and a wall, floor or ceiling (8). The cable clip is in the form of a curved resilient strip and comprises a first substantially planar end section (102), a second substantially planar end section (104), and a curved lockup section (106) formed to embrace at least one cable. In a tension-free state the first substantially planar end section and second substantially planer end section are at distance from each other to form a passage to enable positioning of a cable in the curved lock-up section. By bringing the planar end sections together, tension is built up in the curved lockup section giving a retaining force after installation of the first substantially planar end section and the second substantially planar end section in the gap.