Decking Clip With Composite Metal-Plastic Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decking board clip systems lack a cost-effective and durable solution for securely fastening decking boards to support structures while allowing for easy installation and flexibility in board movement due to limitations in material choice and installation methods.
Innovation Solution
A clip system comprising a metal inner part with a stainless steel or galvanized mild steel structure coated with a plastics material, featuring a T-shaped design with resilient retaining formations and a secondary bore for screws, allowing for gangable connection and easy installation using a clip magazine and installation apparatus that ensures secure fastening and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal clip structure is used for fastening decking boards, then load capacity and strength are improved, but corrosion resistance and durability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The clip comprises a metal inner part (stainless steel or galvanized mild steel) providing structural strength and load capacity, coated with a plastics material outer part providing corrosion resistance. This composite structure combines the advantages of both materials to resolve the contradiction between strength and corrosion resistance.
2Reliability
If a plastics material clip is used for fastening decking boards, then corrosion resistance is improved, but load capacity and strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The clip uses a metal inner part coated with plastics material, where the metal provides the necessary load capacity and strength while the plastics coating provides corrosion resistance. This resolves the contradiction by combining materials rather than using plastics alone.
3Ease of operation
If traditional clip installation methods are used, then installation flexibility is improved, but installation time and labor cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple clips are pre-assembled into a gangable strip configuration with connection formations linking them together. This preliminary assembly allows for faster installation as multiple clips can be installed simultaneously or in sequence without repeated handling, reducing installation time while maintaining flexibility through the gangable design that allows easy separation.
4Manufacturing precision
If individual clips are installed separately, then installation precision is improved, but productivity and installation efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple clips are merged into a single gangable strip assembly with connection formations. This combining allows the installer to work with one assembled unit rather than multiple individual clips, improving productivity while the pre-assembled nature ensures consistent positioning and alignment (precision) for all clips in the strip.
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 system provides enhanced weather resistance, reduced manufacturing costs, and improved load capacity with corrosion protection, allowing for flexible installation and easy removal of individual boards while maintaining consistent load interaction and preventing fatigue or creep over time.
Implementation Method 1
the first retaining formation being resiliently moveable between an engaged position in which it engages in a groove of a decking board to provide a bias onto part of the groove
Implementation Method 2
a metal inner part with a stainless steel or galvanized mild steel structure coated with a plastics material
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to clip (1) and clip installation apparatus and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a decking board clip for securing decking boards to a support structure and apparatuses for installing decking board clips. The clip comprising a body having an inner part (3) made of a first material and an outer part (4) made of a second material, the body having a first retaining formation and a second retaining formation (8), the first retaining formation being resiliently moveable between an engaged position in which it engages in a groove of a decking board to provide a bias onto part of the groove and a disengaged position wherein it is not engaged inside the groove of the decking board and extends freely from the body, the body also having a receiving formation (5) for receiving a fastener to fasten the clip to a support.