Frame Fastener Sleeve with Sloped Channel for Stable Screw Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing frame fasteners face issues with insufficient contact and fitting between the screw and sleeve, leading to poor force transfer, instability, and vibrations, and require different fasteners for various wall materials, limiting their multi-purpose application.

Innovation Solution

A sleeve with a threaded outer surface and a through-channel featuring a sloped portion angled relative to the central axis, combined with a screw having a hardened cutting thread for masonry and a tapered portion for wood, enhances contact stability, pull-out resistance, and reduces vibrations, allowing for use across different materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional frame fastener with a straight through-channel is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the contact area between the sleeve and screw is insufficient, leading to poor force transfer and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidsleeve structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The through-channel incorporates a sloped portion with a curved surface instead of a straight cylindrical channel. This curved geometry increases the contact area between the sleeve and screw head, improving force transfer and reducing vibrations while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard machining processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If different frame fasteners are used for different wall materials, then the fastener can be optimized for each material, but the device complexity increases and multi-purpose application is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-material compatibilityVSAvoidfastener variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame fastener is designed with a universal sleeve structure that can accommodate different screw types and wall materials. The sloped through-channel design provides improved contact and force transfer that benefits all applications, while the system allows selection of appropriate screws for specific materials, reducing the need for multiple specialized fastener designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If the screw and sleeve have insufficient contact, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the pull-out strength is reduced and vibrations occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepull-out strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sloped portion of the through-channel creates a tapered geometry that increases the surface area of contact between the sleeve and screw head. This curved contact surface distributes loads more effectively, improving pull-out strength and reducing vibrations without requiring complex manufacturing processes beyond standard capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP4528116A1Sleeve and frame fastener
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP4528116A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4528116A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP4528116A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A sleeve for receiving a screw to secure a frame, for example a window frame or a door frame, to a wall, comprising: a threaded outer surface configured to screw into the frame; and a through-channel defining a central axis of the sleeve, comprising a sloped portion that is angled relative to the central axis for central alignment of a screw when the screw is inserted into the through-channel of the sleeve.