Keder Rail Attachment Without Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keder rail attachment methods, such as using TEK screws or bolts, create weak points in the structure, allow water intrusion, and are limited in load capacity, making them unsuitable for versatile and durable fabric-covered building applications.
Innovation Solution
A keder rail attachment system that includes a longitudinally extensive box extrusion with cylindrical protrusions and a tensioning tool, allowing secure attachment to a support beam without drilling holes, enabling adjustable tensioning of the fabric and maintaining the structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If TEK screws are used to attach keder rails, then installation is simple and quick, but the structure creates weak points that allow water intrusion and have limited load capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fastening function from the keder rail itself and relocates it to a separate clamp assembly that attaches to the structural member. This separation allows the keder rail to remain intact without holes, while the clamp handles all attachment functions including threading and fastening to the beam or truss.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly serves as an intermediary component between the keder rail and the structural member. It provides the threading and fastening interface without requiring holes in the keder rail or structural member, thus maintaining the waterproof integrity while achieving secure attachment.
2Strength
If holes are drilled for screws or bolts, then keder rails can be attached to support beams, but water intrusion paths are created and structural weakness occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for holes entirely by extracting the fastening function to a separate clamp assembly that wraps around the structural member. The clamp contains all threading and fastening elements, eliminating penetration paths that would allow water intrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly acts as a flexible or rigid shell that wraps around the structural member, providing attachment without penetration. This shell-like structure maintains the integrity of both the keder rail and structural member by avoiding holes while still achieving secure fastening.
3Ease of operation
If TEK screws are used for attachment, then installation is easy, but load capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is designed as a universal attachment mechanism that can accommodate various structural members (beams, trusses, purlins) and provides enhanced load capacity through its wrapping design. It maintains ease of installation by using standard fasteners while significantly increasing attachment strength and load-bearing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from point-attachment (screws at single locations) to distributed attachment (clamp wrapping around the structural member). This dimensional change from linear to volumetric engagement dramatically increases load capacity while maintaining installation simplicity through the use of standard fastening mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An extrudable keder rail and a clamping anchor for the keder rail are cooperative to secure keder fabric to a building support beam. The clamping anchor allows the keder rail to be securely attached to a standard beam without drilling holes or strapping about the beam. A temporary clamp and movable tensioning device allow the keder rails and keder fabric to be applied to the building support beams after the support beams have been assembled and installed.