Interlocking Construction Packer for Stable Stack Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building packers, particularly those made of plastics, often slip askew when stacked, requiring fastening holes for alignment, which is inconvenient or impractical in some situations.
Innovation Solution
A construction packer with a base part and stacking shim featuring interlocking features, such as slots and detent clips, that securely engage to form a unitary assembly without relying on fastening holes, allowing for easy alignment and handling as a single piece.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple packers are stacked one on top of the other to obtain the correct wedge thickness, then the desired packing thickness can be achieved, but the packers may slip askew and do not always remain aligned
Solution Approach 1:
The packer components feature self-aligning interlocking features (protrusions and recesses) that automatically guide and maintain alignment during stacking and insertion, eliminating the need for external alignment tools or fastening operations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical fastening system (screws, nails through fastening holes) with an interlocking geometric system where protrusions and recesses mechanically engage to maintain alignment and prevent slippage
2Reliability
If fastening holes are provided and packers are screwed or nailed together, then the stacked packers can be securely fastened in position, but this adds extra steps and reduces working efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the fastening holes and associated fastening operations from the packer system, retaining only the essential interlocking features needed for alignment and stability, thereby simplifying the overall assembly process
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking features are designed to automatically secure the stacked packers through geometric engagement without requiring external fastening actions, making the system self-securing and eliminating productivity-reducing steps
3Ease of operation
If the packer is designed as a single unitary piece, then alignment and handling are simplified, but the ability to achieve variable packing thicknesses is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The packer is segmented into multiple stackable components (base packer and one or more stacking shims) that can be combined in different configurations to achieve variable thicknesses while maintaining unitary handling through interlocking features
Data Source
Figure 1A~2C
Figure 3A~4B
Figure 5A~6B
AI summary
A construction packer comprising a base part including a base shim and a wall component extending substantially perpendicular to the base shim, the wall component having a first interlocking feature; and a stacking shim configured to be placed on top of the base shim and having a second interlocking feature provided at an edge thereof that engages with the first interlocking feature to provide an assembled construction packer.