Gangable Composite Deck Clip Material Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deck clip technologies do not provide a gangable composite solution for attaching decking, lacking a method to form a secure attachment between different materials without additional fastening means.
Innovation Solution
A gangable composite clip comprising a bottom made of one material and a top made of another, where the materials engage during manufacturing to form a T-shaped structure with bonding through bores and a mounting through bore, allowing secure attachment without external fastening, and can be ganged together for easy installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional deck clips use separate materials for bottom and top with additional fastening means, then secure attachment is achieved, but device complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bottom and top materials into a single integrated clip structure where the first material bottom and second material top are bonded together to form one unified component. This eliminates the need for separate fastening means to attach the bottom to the top, reducing device complexity while maintaining secure attachment through the bonded structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by bonding dissimilar materials (first material for bottom, second material for top) to create a gangable composite clip. This composite structure provides the secure attachment needed for decking while integrating multiple material properties into a single functional unit that reduces overall complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional deck clips require additional fastening means, then secure attachment is achieved, but installation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the bottom and top into a pre-bonded integrated structure, the clip eliminates the need for additional fastening operations during installation. The single unified component can be installed directly onto the decking, maintaining reliable attachment while significantly improving installation speed and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding of the bottom and top materials is performed in advance during manufacturing, creating a pre-assembled integrated clip. This preliminary action eliminates the need for additional fastening steps during field installation, thereby improving installation efficiency without compromising attachment reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate materials are used for bottom and top, then material optimization is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials with the bottom made of a first material and the top made of a second material, allowing optimization of each section for its specific functional requirements. The bonding process integrates these different materials into a single manufacturable component that can be produced through extrusion or molding, balancing material versatility with manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by selecting different materials for the bottom and top sections, optimizing each for its specific role. The bonding process parameters are controlled to ensure proper adhesion between dissimilar materials, achieving material optimization while maintaining ease of manufacture through established bonding techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
A composite clip for attaching decking. The clip includes a bottom and a top. The bottom is made of a first material. The top is made of a second material. The first material of the bottom is different than the second material of the top. The clip has a generally T shape in a side view with a central bore passing through the top member and the bottom member, and a series of posts that extend from the top surface of the bottom member to pass through a corresponding through bore in the top member.