Inwardly-Curved Cable Hooks for Secure Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening methods for securing wires and cables to surfaces, such as staples and plastic clips, are cumbersome, prone to damaging the cables, and inefficient for securing multiple cables, with a need for a quick and convenient solution that minimizes damage and risk of dislodgment.
Innovation Solution
A cable support with inwardly-facing hook structures and a dispenser system, where the cable support features an elongated central shaft with tapered ends and inwardly curved hooks to securely hold cables, and a dispenser for easy installation, allowing quick and secure fastening of multiple cables to a surface without damaging them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If staples are driven into the surface to secure cables, then cables are secured to the surface, but the cable may be damaged by staple prongs contacting and shearing the sheathing or wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a plastic cable support with inwardly-facing hook structures as an intermediary between the cable and the surface. This mediator secures the cable through hooks that engage with the cable from the rear side, preventing direct contact between fastening elements and the cable, thereby eliminating the risk of sheathing damage while maintaining secure attachment
2Object-affected harmful factors
If plastic clips with outwardly-facing hook structures are used to secure cables, then cable damage is reduced, but the cable may be pulled from the opening and become unfastened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional outwardly-facing hook design by creating inwardly-facing hooks that curve toward the rear of the support. This inversion allows the hooks to engage cables from the rear side and lock them in place, preventing cables from being pulled out while maintaining gentle contact that avoids damage to the cable sheathing
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple loose staples or hooks are carried and individually installed along the surface, then cables can be secured at multiple locations, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cable support functions into a single integrated device that can secure multiple cables simultaneously. The cable support features a central shaft with multiple inwardly-facing hook structures arranged along its length, allowing one installed unit to accommodate and secure several cables at once, dramatically reducing the number of individual installation operations required
4Ease of operation
If plastic clips are designed to secure a single cable, then installation is simplified, but multiple cables cannot be accommodated using a single clip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the cable support with multi-functional capability by incorporating multiple inwardly-facing hook structures on a single support body. This universal design allows one cable support unit to perform the function of securing multiple cables simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate clips for each cable while maintaining simple installation procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A cable support for securing at least one cable along a surface comprises an elongated central shaft portion having a through opening defined along a length thereof. A pair of shoulders is defined on opposite sides of the central shaft portion at an interface between forward and rearward ends. The forward end defines a stop sized and shaped to contact and abut the surface. First and second hook structures are provided having interior surfaces extending from opposite sides of the central shaft portion rearward end, curving toward the central shaft portion forward end, and terminating rearward of the stop to define a rearward offset between each first and second hook structure and the stop. Each rearward offset is sized to allow receipt of at least one cable therein when the stop is contacting and abutting the surface.