Fastening device template
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening methods for joining mosaic pieces, such as those used in flooring and furniture, are not easily installable by unskilled labor and do not accommodate the dimensional changes in wood due to drying, leading to instability in the assembly.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device comprising an elongated clip core with wing members and protruding tips that can flex and fit within grooves of mosaic pieces, allowing for frictional holding and accommodating volume changes in wood, made from materials like plastic, metal, or wood, enabling flexible assembly in various planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional fastening methods are used for joining mosaic pieces, then the connection strength is sufficient, but the installation complexity increases and requires skilled labor
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device is divided into separate components: a clip with protruding tips that insert into grooves of mosaic pieces. This segmentation allows unskilled workers to simply snap pieces together without complex alignment procedures, while still achieving strong connections through the interlocking geometry of multiple contact points between the clip and groove features.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip acts as an intermediary fastening element between mosaic pieces. Rather than requiring direct joining of the mosaic pieces themselves (which would demand precision and skill), the clip mediates the connection by engaging with pre-formed grooves, simplifying the installation process while maintaining connection strength.
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid fastening devices are used to join mosaic pieces, then the initial connection precision is high, but the assembly cannot accommodate wood dimensional changes
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device transitions from a rigid to a dynamic system that can adapt to dimensional changes. The resilient leg members are designed to flex and deform elastically, allowing the fastening device to maintain precise connections during assembly while automatically adjusting to accommodate wood expansion and contraction during service.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the fastening device (specifically the shape and position of the protruding tips within the grooves) are designed to change in response to dimensional variations in the wood. The exterior angles and interior contours of the groove features allow the resilient legs to deform and reposition, maintaining secure engagement despite changes in the mosaic piece dimensions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If resilient leg members are added to accommodate wood transformation, then the adaptability increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device utilizes resilient leg members that function as flexible elements. These legs are designed with specific geometric features (protruding tips with exterior angles) that allow them to flex and deform in a controlled manner, providing adaptability to wood dimensional changes while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure that is easy to manufacture and install.
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 solution allows for easy installation by unskilled labor and maintains a secure connection of mosaic pieces across wood transformations, ensuring stability and durability in assemblies like flooring and furniture.
Implementation Method 1
The wing member consisting of a resilient leg member adapted to flex and be inserted within the groove of the mosaic piece
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening device template for joining mosaic pieces together having two variants that are easy to install by unskilled labor so as to help them achieve professional result. The device can be for assembling individual planks that together make up a floor covering such as solid wood flooring and engineered flooring, or it can be used for tiles. It can also be used to assemble individual parts which, together, create a piece of furniture. In this application, the generic term “mosaic” or “mosaic units” will be used to describe the individual pieces which, as indicated hereinabove, have a multitude of possible uses. Mosaic units can be assembled in all possible XYZ plans: side-to-side, side-to-face, side-to-end, end-to-end, end-to-face. In order to do so, the invention has an elongated clip core. At least one wing member attached to and extending a portion of the length of the clip core, and resilient leg members adapted to be frictionally inserted within a groove of a mosaic piece.