Enclosed Gutter Clip With Expandable Bulb Holder for Fast C7/C9 Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative lighting clips are tedious to install and remove, especially for bulbs with asymmetric shapes like C7 and C9, and often require unscrewing each bulb from its socket, limiting installation efficiency and the number of homes that can be decorated.
Innovation Solution
The clips are designed with a resilient material and a bulb holder that expands to accommodate bulbs of larger diameters, allowing easy installation by pushing over the bulb without unscrewing, and efficient removal by pulling the entire strand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional clips are used to attach decorative lighting, then the bulbs can be securely held, but the installation and removal process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The clip incorporates a resilient bulb holder that can dynamically expand and contract. During installation, the bulb holder expands to accommodate the bulb being pushed through. During removal, the bulb holder contracts to release the bulb easily. This dynamic behavior eliminates the need for unscrewing operations, significantly reducing installation and removal time while maintaining secure attachment during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip changes the physical state of the bulb holder from rigid to resilient, allowing it to deform elastically under applied force. The bulb holder material exhibits elastic deformation when expanded during installation and returns to its original state during removal. This parameter change enables quick installation and removal without damaging the bulbs or consuming excessive time.
2Reliability
If traditional rigid clips are used, then structural stability is maintained, but bulbs with asymmetric shapes like C7 and C9 are difficult to install and remove
Solution Approach 1:
The bulb holder transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic resilient structure that can adapt its shape. When installing asymmetric bulbs, the resilient material deforms to accommodate the bulb's unique geometry, allowing easy insertion. Once installed, the elastic recovery provides stable holding force, ensuring reliable attachment without compromising structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip utilizes resilient material that combines the flexibility needed for easy installation with the strength required for stable attachment. The material properties are engineered to provide both elasticity for deformation during installation and sufficient rigidity to maintain secure holding, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and attachment stability.
3Strength
If clips are designed for secure attachment, then the lights remain firmly in place, but removal requires unscrewing each bulb which is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient bulb holder provides strong holding force through elastic recovery after the bulb is inserted. During removal, the same elastic property allows the bulb holder to be compressed, releasing the bulb without unscrewing. This dynamic behavior maintains strong attachment during operation while enabling rapid removal, significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip exploits the reversible elastic deformation of the resilient material to switch between strong holding state and easy release state. When the bulb is inserted, the material deforms and stores elastic energy, creating strong holding force. During removal, external force compresses the material, releasing the stored energy and allowing easy bulb extraction without unscrewing, thus improving removal efficiency.
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 quick and efficient installation and removal of decorative lighting without damaging the lights or structures, reducing installation time and increasing the number of homes that can be decorated.
Implementation Method 1
The clips are designed with a resilient material and a bulb holder that expands to accommodate bulbs of larger diameters
Data Source
AI summary
A decorative removable lighting enclosed clip made for mounting a light to a support surface such as gutters, shingles or a building structure. The enclosed clip allows for an aesthetically pleasing display of lights with rapid and easy installation and removal of the lighting. This eliminates falling debris from broken clips or clips that fall off the lights during the removal process. A support tab is inserted between the side portions of the structure, at longitudinally spaced intervals along the strip, and are frictionally gripped and retained by the facing side portions of the gutter, shingle or structure. The clips have enclosed end portions which support the light elements of a decorative light string along structure. The enclosed clip is capable of mounting onto a wide variety of gutters, eaves and building structures. The spacing is adjustable and provides a plurality of discrete angular positions.