Directional Hook Fastener Hanging for Damage-Free Picture Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wall-hanging systems often damage surfaces upon removal, particularly when dealing with rigid objects like framed pictures, and lack the ability to adjust the orientation of hung objects without repositioning fasteners.

Innovation Solution

A releasable hanging system utilizing a combination of loop and hook fastener components with a significant majority of male touch fastener elements oriented in a single direction, allowing for adjustable and damage-free hanging and removal, featuring a flexible patch with engageable fibers and an adhesive-backed resin base with non-reentrant tips for enhanced peel resistance and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If adhesive hanging systems are used to hang rigid objects on walls, then the objects can be removed without damage to most wall surfaces, but rigid objects cannot be flexed to peel them from the wall making removal difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewall damageVSAvoidremoval ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is divided into two separate components: a loop fastener component that adheres to the wall surface and a hook fastener component that attaches to the object. This segmentation allows the loop component to be peeled from the wall without damage while the hook component remains attached to the rigid object, solving both the wall damage prevention and removal ease problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The loop fastener component acts as an intermediary between the wall surface and the rigid object. It provides a flexible interface that can be peeled from the wall without causing damage, while still maintaining secure attachment to the rigid object through the hook-fastener mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional adhesive hanging systems are used, then objects can be hung on walls, but care must be taken to properly align and place the hanging components so that the object ends up level and at the desired height

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehanging securityVSAvoidalignment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The loop fastener component is designed to be flexible and adaptable during the hanging process. Users can adjust the position and orientation of the hook component relative to the loop component before final attachment, allowing for easy alignment and positioning of the object at the desired height and level without compromising hanging security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If male touch fastener elements are oriented in multiple directions, then engagement can occur from any direction, but the fastener elements cannot efficiently bear weight in a single direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengagement directionVSAvoidweight bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The male touch fastener elements are asymmetrically oriented with a significant majority extending in a single common direction. This asymmetric configuration optimizes weight-bearing capacity in the vertical direction while still allowing engagement from multiple directions through the distributed array of elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the fastener component have different element orientations optimized for their specific functions. The majority of elements are oriented to bear weight efficiently, while the distributed array provides engagement capability from various directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 secure, adjustable, and damage-free hanging of objects on vertical surfaces, allowing for easy orientation adjustments and secure engagement with minimal shear slack, providing high peel force and resistance while maintaining surface integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The loop fastener component includes a flexible patch carrying a field of engageable fibers exposed on a front side of the patch and an adhesive on a back side of the patch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The hook fastener component includes a resin base carrying an array of male touch fastener elements... engageable by the male touch fastener elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP2621311B1Releasable hanging system
Publication Date: 2014.06.18 VELCRO IND BV
  • EP2621311B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2621311B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2621311B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A releasable hanging system having a loop fastener component (106) and a hook fastener component (114). A significant majority of the male touch fastener elements (116) of the hook component each extend to a distal tip (408) to overhang the component base (406) in a single, common direction. The fastening system can be used to hang an object (118) such as a picture on a vertical surface (112) but still allow adjustment by raising at least part of the hung object with respect to the vertical surface.