Friction-Clamp Bracket for Tool-Free Garage Storage Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organizational systems for spaces like garages, basements, and sheds lack flexibility in installation, require skilled installation, and provide limited reconfiguration options, leading to misplacement of stored items.

Innovation Solution

An organizational system bracket with a clamp foot and rotatable knob that allows easy attachment to elongated members, featuring a channel for receiving the member and a clamp foot that can be translated between engaged and released positions, along with a rotatable knob for torque transmission, enhancing engagement and release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing organizational systems are installed using nails and screws, then the installation provides secure mounting, but the installation becomes difficult and requires skilled installers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidinstallation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical fastening system (nails and screws) with a friction-based clamping system. The clamp foot applies friction force to the elongated member to secure the bracket, eliminating the need for penetration fasteners and skilled installation while maintaining secure mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket system is designed to be self-installing through the friction-based clamping mechanism. The clamp foot automatically grips the elongated member when positioned correctly, allowing installation without specialized tools or skills while ensuring secure mounting through the friction engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If existing organizational systems are installed using nails and screws, then the mounting is secure, but the relocation and reconfiguration become limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidrelocation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic clamping system where the clamp foot can be adjusted between engaged and released positions. This allows the bracket to be securely mounted when needed while enabling easy relocation and reconfiguration by releasing the clamp, providing both mounting security and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket is designed as a modular system with separable components including the clamp foot, bracket body, and storage components. This segmentation allows individual components to be adjusted, relocated, or reconfigured independently while maintaining secure mounting through the friction-based clamping mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If a rotatable knob with torque transmission is used to move the clamp foot, then the engagement and release become easier, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamp foot translationVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a rotatable knob with a curved or spherical interface that translates rotational motion into linear movement of the clamp foot. This simple curved mechanism provides easy operation for engagement and release while adding minimal complexity to the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable knob acts as an intermediary mechanism that converts easy rotational input into the required linear motion of the clamp foot. This simple intermediary component enhances ease of operation without significantly increasing device complexity, as it uses basic mechanical advantage principles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 easy, tool-free installation and flexible reconfiguration of storage components on walls and ceilings, providing secure and adjustable mounting solutions for various items.

Implementation Method 1

a rotatable knob drivingly coupled to the clamp foot to cause translation of the clamp foot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Implementation Method 2

The clamp foot may include a friction-enhancing foot surface for engagement with the elongated member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

The rotatable knob may be in torque-transmitting engagement with a stem connected to the clamp foot via a swivel connection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS12486943B2Organizational systems and components

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 CANADIAN TIRE

AI summary

Organizational systems and associated components and methods for garages, sheds, basements or other spaces that have exposed wall or ceiling elongated members are provided. One such component includes a bracket having a first wall, a second wall facing the first wall and spaced apart from the first wall, and a third wall interconnecting the first and second walls. The first, second and third walls cooperatively define a channel for receiving the elongated member. The bracket includes an interface for releasable attachment of a storage component to the bracket. A clamp foot is movably coupled to the first wall. The clamp foot is translatable between an engaged position and a released position to respectively engage and release the elongated member received in the channel.