Reusable Lever-Arm Clip for One-Handed Cord Bundling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing securing devices for loose articles, such as paper clips and zip ties, are not reusable and do not facilitate one-handed operation for bundling, unbundling, or attaching/detaching articles from surfaces efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A reusable clip with a resilient body and lever arms that can open and close, featuring a concave arcuate rear portion and lever contact zones to form an article-retaining chamber, allowing for one-handed operation and selective unbundling or attachment to surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional securing devices like paper clips and zip ties are used, then articles can be secured, but the devices are not reusable and require two-handed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The clip body is designed as a resilient, dynamically deformable structure that can transition between open and closed states. The lever arms apply force to deform the clip body, which then uses its own elasticity to maintain the bundled state, enabling one-handed operation without complex locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The clip body serves itself by using its own resilient properties to maintain the bundled state. Once deformed by the lever arms, the clip body's elasticity automatically maintains pressure on the articles without requiring additional components or two-handed operation to secure the bundle
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional securing devices are used, then articles can be bundled, but selective unbundling of subset articles is not facilitated
Solution Approach 1:
The lever arms are positioned to contact specific portions of the clip body, allowing selective deformation and opening of the clip. This segmentation of the opening mechanism enables users to selectively remove subset articles by applying force to specific lever arm contact zones without affecting other bundled articles
3Ease of operation
If resilient clip body with lever arms is used, then one-handed operation is enabled, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lever arms and clip body are merged into an integrated system where the lever arms are directly coupled to the resilient clip body. This combination eliminates the need for separate actuation mechanisms, hinges, or fasteners, achieving one-handed operation through a unified elastic deformation structure
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
Enables efficient organization and temporary securing of cords, cables, and other articles, preventing entrapment and allowing for easy removal of selected items while maintaining others in the clip, suitable for various settings including household, industrial, and electronic device use.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient clip body... the forward end portion defines an opening at least when opened in response to compressive force applied to the lever arms
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A clip (10) includes a resilient clip body (12) and a pair of lever arms (14) for opening and closing the clip body (12), which defines a chamber (20) for retaining or bundling loose articles, such as cords (22). The clip body has a pair of lever contact zones (16) disposed between a forward end portion (12a) and an arcuate rear portion (12b), each of these zones and portions cooperating with the others to define the article-retaining chamber (20). The arcuate rear portion (12b) has a concave-inward shape and the forward end portion (12a) defines an opening at least when opened in response to an inward compressive force applied to the lever arms (14) at a location spaced rearwardly from the lever contact zones of the clip body (12). Optionally, the resilient clip body (12) defines an opening at the forward end portion (12a), even when it is in a relaxed state, such as to facilitate selective removal of bundled articles from the chamber (20).