Elastic Clip With Integrated Clamping For Stable Paper Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clips, such as the Gem clip and those described in Japanese Utility Model Publication Laid-open No. S56-163565, are prone to coming off due to weak gripping force and increased cost, with the Gem clip being inexpensive but lacking stability and the magnetic attraction-based clip having high costs and weak gripping force.
Innovation Solution
A clip with an insertion piece, front-side clamping piece, and back-side clamping piece elastically and integrally formed in a spiral shape, providing strong gripping force by clamping paper pieces between these components, and optionally featuring crossing portions for increased pressure and a base end portion with three extending clip pieces, allowing for easy attachment and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic attraction members are used to provide gripping force, then the clip can hold paper pieces, but the cost increases and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces magnetic attraction members with an elastic mechanical structure. The clip body is made of elastic material that can be deformed to open the clamping pieces and return to its original shape to provide gripping force, eliminating the need for magnetic components and reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid (with magnetic members) to elastic. The elastic material allows the clip to deform and store mechanical energy, providing gripping force through elastic recovery rather than magnetic attraction, thereby simplifying the structure.
2Reliability
If the insertion piece, front-side clamping piece, and back-side clamping piece are formed continuously so as to be foldable, then the clip can clamp paper pieces, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the clip into separate components: an insertion piece and multiple clamping pieces that are not continuously formed. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simpler processes, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining clamping functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses elastic deformation of separate components to achieve clamping, rather than relying on continuous foldable structure. The elastic material allows the clamping pieces to move and apply force dynamically without requiring complex continuous forming.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple spiral wire structure is used, then the clip is inexpensive, but the gripping force is weak and the clip is liable to come off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent concentrates the gripping force at specific locations where the clamping pieces contact the paper pieces. The elastic structure is designed to apply localized pressure at the clamping points rather than distributing force uniformly, increasing grip strength at critical locations while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a spiral or curved structure that leverages elastic deformation more effectively. The curved geometry allows the material to store and release mechanical energy more efficiently, providing stronger gripping force compared to a simple straight wire while maintaining ease of manufacture.
4Device complexity
If gripping force is applied only between insertion piece and back-side clamping piece, then the structure is simpler, but the overall grip strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple clamping actions at different locations: the insertion piece clamps with the back-side clamping piece, and the front-side clamping piece provides additional clamping. These multiple clamping forces work together synergistically to provide strong overall grip strength while maintaining relatively simple structure.
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 achieves a strong gripping force, resistance against tensile forces, and cost reduction through the use of low-strength materials and simplified structure, while being easy to manufacture and attach/remove, with enhanced stability and reduced likelihood of paper pieces slipping off.
Implementation Method 1
the insertion piece, the front-side clamping piece, and the back-side clamping piece are elastically and integrally formed so that the paper piece portion on the front side and the paper piece portion on the back side with respect to the valley are clamped between the front-side clamping piece and the insertion piece and between the insertion piece and the back-side clamping piece
Data Source
AI summary
A clip includes an insertion piece insertable into a valley formed by folding a corner of a stack of a plurality of paper pieces, a front-side clamping piece contactable with a paper piece portion on a front side of the valley, and a back-side clamping piece contactable with a paper piece portion on a back side of the valley. The insertion piece, front-side clamping piece, and back-side clamping piece are elastically and integrally formed so that the paper piece portion on the front side and the paper piece portion on the back side of the valley are clamped between the front-side clamping piece and the insertion piece and between the insertion piece and the back-side clamping piece, respectively, and both of the paper piece portion on the front side and the paper piece portion on the back side of the valley are clamped between the front-side and back-side clamping pieces.