Hidden Decking Clip with Offset Aperture and Hand Grip
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of decking materials using hidden clips is labor-intensive and requires two hands, making it slow and often necessitating two persons to hold the board in place while securing the clip.
Innovation Solution
A strip of hidden clips with a frangible section between them and a hand grip attached to the proximal-most clip, featuring an offset cylindrical aperture that allows the fastener to pivot, facilitating one-handed installation and improved alignment with the joist.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hidden clips are installed using hand positioning and hand feeding technique, then each clip can be securely fastened to the joist, but the installation process becomes labor-intensive and slow requiring two hands and potentially two persons
Solution Approach 1:
The hidden clip is divided into distinct functional segments: a head portion for engagement with the deck board groove, a stem portion for fastener reception, and an integrated fastener. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while enabling streamlined installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener is integrated directly into the hidden clip body, merging two previously separate components (clip and fastener) into a single unit. This integration eliminates the need for separate fastening operations and enables one-handed installation while maintaining secure attachment.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional hidden clips require two hands for positioning and fastening, then precise placement can be achieved, but the installation process requires two persons when boards are on incline or require force
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is pre-positioned within the hidden clip body during manufacturing, eliminating the need for manual fastener insertion and positioning during installation. This preliminary action ensures precise alignment while simplifying the installation process to require only one hand.
Solution Approach 2:
The hidden clip with integrated fastener is designed to be self-positioning within the deck board groove, with the fastener automatically aligning with the joist borehole. This self-service design reduces the need for manual adjustment and complex two-handed operations.
3Measurement precision
If multiple hidden clips are installed individually, then each clip can be precisely positioned, but the overall installation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The hidden clip is segmented into functional zones (head, stem, fastener) that can be independently optimized, allowing for precise positioning features in the head portion while maintaining fast installation through the integrated fastener design.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture geometry is modified with non-circular cross-sections and varying dimensions along its length, changing the physical parameters to provide precise positioning control while maintaining compatibility with standard fastener sizes and installation tools.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of hidden clips can be included with a strip of clips and separated by a frangible section or tab located between adjacent clips. An aperture defined in each hidden clip can include an offset cylindrical section that causes a fastener to pivot from a vertical alignment when the fastener is driven into a joist. Each strip can be provided with a hand grip portion removably attached to a proximal-most hidden clip in the strip of clips.