Glass Panel Clamp Assembly with Floating Nut for External Installation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glass panel clamp assemblies require access to both the interior and exterior of the shower enclosure for installation, increasing installation time and cost.

Innovation Solution

A glass panel clamp assembly that can be installed entirely from outside the shower enclosure, utilizing a clamp base with a floating nut and trim panels to secure the glass panel between a vertical plate and a clamp plate, allowing for external installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional clamp assembly is used that requires access to both interior and exterior of the shower enclosure, then the glass panel can be securely installed, but the installation time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglass panel installation securityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp assembly is divided into separate components: a clamp base with a slot for the floating nut, a clamp plate with a hole, and a clamp screw. This segmentation allows the floating nut to be positioned in the slot from the exterior side, enabling the clamp screw to be inserted and tightened entirely from outside the shower enclosure while still securely fastening the glass panel between the clamp base and clamp plate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The floating nut acts as an intermediary element that enables external installation. By allowing the clamp screw to engage with the floating nut through the slot in the clamp base, the system transfers the fastening action from the interior side to the exterior side, eliminating the need for interior access during installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a traditional clamp assembly requiring interior access is used, then proper clamping can be achieved, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp assembly is divided into separate components: a clamp base with a slot for the floating nut, a clamp plate with a hole, and a clamp screw. This segmentation allows the floating nut to be positioned in the slot from the exterior side, enabling the clamp screw to be inserted and tightened entirely from outside the shower enclosure while still securely fastening the glass panel between the clamp base and clamp plate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The floating nut acts as an intermediary element that enables external installation. By allowing the clamp screw to engage with the floating nut through the slot in the clamp base, the system transfers the fastening action from the interior side to the exterior side, eliminating the need for interior access during installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If a clamp assembly allowing external installation is used, then installation time is reduced, but the complexity of the clamp base increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation timeVSAvoidclamp base structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp assembly is divided into separate components: a clamp base with a slot for the floating nut, a clamp plate with a hole, and a clamp screw. This segmentation allows the floating nut to be positioned in the slot from the exterior side, enabling the clamp screw to be inserted and tightened entirely from outside the shower enclosure while still securely fastening the glass panel between the clamp base and clamp plate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250271010A1Glass Panel Clamp Assembly

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 C R LAURENCE COMPANY INC

AI summary

An improved glass panel clamp assembly which may be entirely installed from the outside of a shower enclosure, is presented. The improved glass panel clamp assembly includes a clamp base and a clamp plate where the clamp base is configured with a slot for the receipt of a floating nut. The use of a floating nut on the clamp base eliminates the need for an installer to access the interior of the shower enclosure to secure a glass panel between the clamp base and the clamp plate. The improved glass panel clamp assembly also includes trim panels which secured to exposed faces of both the clamp base and the clamp plate to provide for improved aesthetic appearance.