Tethered Edgefold Fastener Assembly for Serviceable Reuse

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-component fasteners that secure dissimilar materials, such as soft and rigid objects, can be difficult to service and reuse without damaging the assembly, leading to performance issues.

Innovation Solution

A fastener assembly where various components are affixed or tethered together, featuring a pin, retainer, and cap configuration that allows for secure attachment and easy disassembly without damaging the components, using a strap to alternate between open and closed positions, and incorporating flexible legs or fins for secure engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multi-component fasteners are provided in a loose configuration, then assembly flexibility is improved, but components can become lost or misplaced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidcomponent loss prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fastener components (cap, body, strap) into a single integrated unit where the strap connects the cap to the body, ensuring all components remain together during assembly and service operations while maintaining operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If components are affixed or tethered to one another, then component loss is prevented, but servicing and reuse become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent loss preventionVSAvoidservicing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fastener into distinct functional components (cap, body, strap) that are tethered together but can be independently accessed and serviced. The strap acts as a flexible connector that allows component separation for maintenance while preventing complete loss during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The strap provides dynamic connectivity between components, allowing the fastener to transition between connected and separated states. This enables easy servicing by allowing components to be detached when needed while maintaining connection during normal use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If existing tethered multi-component fasteners are used, then component loss is mitigated, but damage or performance degradation occurs during servicing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent loss mitigationVSAvoidfastener performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible strap to connect the cap and body, allowing the strap to bend and flex during servicing operations without permanent deformation. This flexibility enables repeated assembly and disassembly cycles while maintaining the structural integrity and performance of the fastener components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS20240044353A1Serviceable Edgefold System
Publication Date: 2024.02.08 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • US20240044353A1 patent drawing
  • US20240044353A1 patent drawing
  • US20240044353A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Described is a fastener assembly configured to fasten a soft component to a rigid component. The fastener assembly having a pin, a retainer, and a cap. The cap is coupled to the retainer via a strap and alternates between an open position and a closed position to secure the soft component. The retainer has a body portion, a base portion, and a fastener to engage the component opening. The retainer defines a passageway to receive the shank and the fastener receives a distal end of the shank. The cap defines an opening to receive and engage at least a portion of the body portion in the closed position.