Hinged Nail Gun Bracket for Precise Concrete Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for supporting raceways and cables relative to substrates, such as concrete, often require inconvenient installation processes, can result in misaligned or reduced-strength installations, and may be damaged by nail-gun misfires.

Innovation Solution

A nail gun bracket with a base portion and a hingedly connected gate portion, featuring a contact portion for seating against the substrate and a recessed portion with a support boss for nail gun nail reception, allowing for improved alignment and deformation during installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional bracket design is used for supporting raceways and cables, then the installation process can be completed, but the installation may be misaligned or have reduced strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidinstallation strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket includes pre-formed alignment features such as a positioning protrusion on the base portion that engages with a corresponding recess in the support structure. This preliminary alignment mechanism ensures the bracket is correctly positioned before fastening, preventing misalignment during installation and ensuring proper alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket employs localized reinforcement features including a reinforced mounting area with increased material thickness and integrated stress distribution ribs. These local quality enhancements concentrate structural strength at critical mounting points while maintaining overall bracket flexibility, thereby improving installation strength without adding excessive weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If existing installation methods are used, then the bracket can be installed, but the process is inconvenient and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation convenienceVSAvoidinstallation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket integrates multiple functions into a single component: the base portion provides mounting support, the gate portion provides retention, and alignment features are built-in. This merging eliminates the need for separate alignment tools, adjustment mechanisms, or multiple installation steps, thereby simplifying the installation process while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket includes self-aligning features such as a positioning protrusion that automatically engages with a recess in the support structure, and a gate portion that self-latches into place. These self-service mechanisms eliminate the need for manual alignment adjustments or complex fastening procedures, making the installation process more convenient and simpler.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a standard bracket design is used, then installation can proceed, but the bracket may be damaged by nail-gun misfires

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebracket durabilityVSAvoidmisfire damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket incorporates a deformable buffer zone in the base portion with reduced material thickness and increased flexibility. This beforehand cushioning feature is designed to absorb the impact of nail-gun misfires by deforming locally rather than transmitting the full force to critical structural elements, thereby protecting the bracket from damage while maintaining overall durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Ease of manufacture

If a simple bracket design is used, then manufacturing is easier, but alignment and security during installation are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebracket manufacturabilityVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is divided into distinct segments: a base portion for mounting, a gate portion for retention, and integrated alignment features. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using optimized processes for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity. The modular design enables precise alignment features to be formed during standard manufacturing without requiring complex post-processing, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving high alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 bracket provides enhanced alignment and security during installation, reduces the complexity of installation processes, and allows for reuse in case of nail-gun misfires, while maintaining a secure hold on the substrate.

Implementation Method 1

a support boss that receives a nail gun nail to secure the base portion to the substrate. The support boss can one or more of: protruding outwardly away from the interior volume to a support-boss distal surface that is offset from the contact plane toward the interior volume; or extending in an elongate direction along the base portion between, and being offset toward the interior volume from, a first contact pad and a second contact pad.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP4556723A1Nail gun bracket and method
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 ERICO INTERNATIONAL CORP
  • EP4556723A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4556723A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4556723A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A bracket (100) can be configured to support an object relative to a substrate of concrete or other materials. The bracket (100) can include gate portion with a protrusion that can be engaged to move the gate portion to a closed configuration. The bracket (100) can include a recessed portion (125, 130) can allow the bracket to deform upon installation.