Hardware mounting bracket, assembly and hardware

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hardware mounting systems for surfaces like walls often suffer from instability and rattling due to point contact and visible fasteners, which can lead to unwanted movement and require tools for installation and removal.

Innovation Solution

A hardware mounting bracket with a rigid retainer and elongate biasing retainer, such as a leaf spring, provides a loaded surface contact to secure hardware, and a fastener system that includes an expansion anchor and tack for easy installation and concealment of fasteners, allowing for secure, tool-free mounting and demounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional point contact mounting is used, then installation is simple, but stability and rattling are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidmounting stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket is divided into multiple contact points including a rigid retainer and at least one elongate biasing retainer, transforming a single point contact system into a multi-point contact system. This segmentation provides both simplicity of installation and enhanced stability through distributed contact points that reduce rattling and unwanted movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elongate biasing retainer extends along a dimension parallel to the support surface, creating a line contact rather than a point contact. This dimensional transformation from point to line contact increases the contact area and improves stability while maintaining ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If visible fasteners are used, then secure mounting is achieved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening function is extracted from visible surface-mounted fasteners and relocated to concealed fasteners that extend through apertures in the support surface. This extraction maintains the security of mounting while removing the aesthetic drawback of visible fasteners, as the fastening elements are hidden within the support surface itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid fixed contact is used, then stability is improved, but adaptability and shock absorption deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact stabilityVSAvoidshock absorption capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system transitions from a purely rigid fixed contact to a dynamic contact system where at least one elongate biasing retainer can deform elastically. This dynamic capability allows the retainer to absorb shocks and adapt to variations in the support surface while maintaining stable contact through its biasing force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the retainer changes from rigid to elastic-biasing, allowing it to dynamically adjust its contact parameters. The biasing retainer can deform within elastic limits to absorb shocks and adapt to different mounting conditions, providing both stability and adaptability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If tool-based fastening is used, then secure mounting is achieved, but ease of operation and time consumption are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket incorporates self-aligning and self-securing features where the elongate biasing retainer automatically engages with the support surface and the concealed fasteners self-position through the apertures. This self-service capability eliminates the need for tools and reduces installation time while maintaining secure mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 provides a stable, secure, and tool-free mounting system that minimizes unwanted movement and eliminates visible fasteners, enabling easy multiple installations and removals without compromising functionality.

Implementation Method 1

At least one elongate biasing retainer is provided on another end of the bracket body spaced apart from the rigid retainer, to engage hardware supported thereon and to provide a loaded surface contact with hardware supported thereon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9839332B2Hardware mounting bracket, assembly and hardware

Publication Date: 2017.12.12 LIBERTY HARDWARE MFG CORP

AI summary

A hardware mounting bracket is provided with a bracket body adapted to be mounted to a support surface. A rigid retainer is provided on one end of the bracket body to receive hardware supported thereon. At least one elongate biasing retainer is provided on another end of the bracket body spaced apart from the rigid retainer, to engage hardware supported thereon and to provide a loaded surface contact with hardware supported thereon. A hardware mounting assembly, hardware for mounting to a support surface, and method for mounting hardware are also provided.