Retainer for a cabinet, a drawer, a bin, or furniture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knobs, pulls, and handles for cabinets, drawers, and furniture often require complex installation processes and may not securely fasten to support surfaces, leading to instability and ease of removal.
Innovation Solution
A retainer system with a body having two spaced portions, one of which is elastically deformable, is designed to compress upon installation between a support surface and a fastener head, securing the fastener and the knob or handle in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If threaded fasteners are used to install knobs, pulls, and handles, then the fastening strength is improved, but the installation complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into separate functional components: a retainer that remains on the support surface and a fastener that attaches the knob/pull/handle. This segmentation allows the retainer to be pre-installed without tools, while the fastener provides the actual fastening function, simplifying the overall installation process while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is designed to be pre-installed on the support surface using simple snap-fit or friction engagement, creating a prepared mounting structure before the actual fastening operation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for tools during the main installation step, reducing installation complexity while maintaining fastening strength.
2Strength
If threaded fasteners are used to install knobs, pulls, and handles, then the fastening strength is improved, but the installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is pre-installed on the support surface in advance, creating a ready-to-use mounting structure. When installing the knob, pull, or handle, the user simply needs to attach the fastener to the pre-positioned retainer, dramatically reducing installation time while maintaining fastening strength through the threaded fastener engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the mounting function (retainer) from the fastening function (fastener), the system allows the time-consuming threaded fastening operation to be performed on a pre-positioned component rather than requiring precise alignment and tool operation from scratch, reducing overall installation time.
3Ease of operation
If a retainer with elastically deformable portion is used, then the ease of installation is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer incorporates an elastically deformable portion that changes its physical state from flexible during installation to rigid during operation. This parameter change allows the retainer to be easily inserted or snapped into place during installation, then maintain its position and provide structural support during use, achieving ease of installation without excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer transitions from a dynamic, deformable state during installation to a static, stable state during operation. The elastically deformable portion allows the retainer to adapt to the support surface during installation, then maintains a fixed, reliable position during use, balancing ease of installation with operational simplicity.
4Ease of operation
If the retainer is designed for tool-free installation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the fastening strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the installation function (tool-free retainer attachment) from the fastening function (threaded fastener engagement). The retainer provides tool-free installation to the support surface, while the threaded fastener maintains full fastening strength when attaching the knob, pull, or handle, resolving the contradiction between ease of installation and fastening strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is pre-installed using tool-free methods to create a stable mounting base, then the threaded fastener is attached to provide the required fastening strength. This two-stage approach with preliminary action allows both ease of installation and adequate fastening strength to be achieved.
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 retainer system provides a quick and semi-permanent solution for affixing knobs, pulls, or handles to furniture, ensuring secure fastening without the need for tools and allowing for easy installation and removal.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the two portions is elastically deformable relative to the other portion for compression upon installation between a support surface and a head of a fastener
Implementation Method 2
at least one portion of the two portions is at least partially flat to contact the support surface
Data Source
AI summary
A retainer for a cabinet, a drawer, a bin, or furniture, is provided with a body with two portions that are spaced apart from each other and at least one of the two portions is elastically deformable relative to the other portion for compression upon installation between a support surface and a head of a fastener, wherein a slot is formed within the body and sized to receive a shank of the fastener such that the elastically deformable portion is compressed to retain the fastener, and wherein at least one portion of the two portions is at least partially flat to contact the support surface.