Elastic Mounting Clip Assembly for Stable Plank Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mounting systems for wooden floors and walls, such as interlocking panels and loose mounting clips, lack flexibility and stability during installation, leading to potential displacement and increased likelihood of errors.

Innovation Solution

A mounting system with symmetrically arranged elastic holding elements and a fastening arrangement, featuring preloaded wings and a screw mechanism, that securely attaches to receiving elements in mounting pieces, allowing for adjustable height and precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mounting clips are used to connect mounting pieces, then flexibility of arrangement and shape is improved, but the mounting clips become loosely connected and can be displaced or fall out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of arrangement and shapeVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting clip is pre-assembled with the fastening element (screw) before installation. This preliminary action ensures that the fastening element is already in position and correctly oriented, eliminating the risk of displacement during installation while maintaining the flexible mounting clip design for various arrangements and shapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting clip and fastening element are combined into a single pre-assembled unit. This merging ensures that the flexible mounting clip structure and the secure fastening mechanism work together as an integrated system, preventing displacement while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If mounting clips are used as separate elements, then flexibility of arrangement is improved, but installation complexity increases due to loose connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of arrangementVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting clip and fastening element are merged into a pre-assembled unit, simplifying installation by reducing the number of separate components that need to be handled. This maintains the flexibility of the mounting clip design while eliminating the installation complexity associated with loose connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening element is pre-installed on the mounting clip before the mounting process begins. This preliminary action reduces installation steps and complexity, making the process easier while preserving the adaptive arrangement capabilities of the mounting clip.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If interlocking design is used for mounting pieces, then installation simplicity is improved, but flexibility of design is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidflexibility of design
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into two independent components: the mounting pieces with their interlocking structures and the separate mounting clips with fastening elements. This segmentation allows the mounting pieces to maintain their simple interlocking design for easy installation while the mounting clips provide the necessary flexibility for various design arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting clip acts as an intermediary between the mounting pieces. It connects to the receiving element of the mounting piece and provides the fastening mechanism, thereby enabling flexible design arrangements without complicating the interlocking design of the mounting pieces themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If elastic holding elements are used, then secure fastening is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fasteningVSAvoidholding arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic holding elements automatically engage with the receiving element and the fastening element through their own elastic properties. This self-service mechanism secures the mounting piece without requiring additional complex fastening mechanisms, achieving reliable fastening while minimizing added complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic holding elements utilize changes in elastic parameters (deformation and recovery) to achieve secure fastening. When the fastening element is tightened, the elastic elements deform and then recover, creating a secure connection. This parameter-based approach provides reliable fastening through a relatively simple elastic mechanism rather than complex mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Facilitates efficient, precise, and stable assembly of mounting pieces by ensuring automatic centering and secure fastening, reducing installation errors and enabling use across varying plank heights.

Implementation Method 1

the first holding element and the second holding element are designed to be elastic in order to be held by means of a prestress within the first receiving element and the second receiving element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the first upper preload element and the first lower preload element are opposite one another to generate the preload for the first holding element when received in the first receiving element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPreload: Spring

Implementation Method 3

the screw is configured to exert a force on the holding arrangement by tightening within the thread, thus adjusting the height of the first holding element and the height of the second holding element to the height of the first and second mounting pieces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3936681B1Mounting system
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 SCHMITT GÖTZ S
  • EP3936681B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3936681B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3936681B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Mounting clip for mounting mounting pieces (72) comprising a holding arrangement (10) with a first holding element (11) and a second holding element (21), wherein the first holding element and the second holding element are arranged symmetrically within the holding arrangement, wherein the first holding element is configured to engage with a first receiving element of a first mounting piece and the second holding element is configured to engage with a second receiving element (73) of a second mounting piece (72), wherein the first holding element and the second holding element are elastically designed to be held by means of a preload within the first receiving element and the second receiving element, and corresponding mounting system comprising the mounting clip and at least one fastening element.