Mitred Cornered Frame Clamp for Shower Enclosures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mitred cornered frames, particularly those used in shower enclosures, face challenges in securely fastening extruded or uniform cross-section members under significant loads, such as the weight of a glass panel, where existing clamping methods lack sufficient strength and adjustability to maintain rectangularity and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A clamp system comprising two mitred-end frame members with oblique surfaces and complementary fastening provisions, allowing orthogonal movement to close the mitred ends securely, along with adjustable grub screws for alignment and snib mechanisms for precise fitting, utilizing fasteners like bolts or self-tapping screws, and optional abutments for panel contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional clamping methods are used for mitred cornered frames, then the device complexity is low, but the strength and reliability under heavy loads are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into two separate clamp elements (first and second clamp elements) that can be independently fitted to each frame member. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural strength under heavy loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces oblique surfaces that convert the fastening force from a purely axial direction into a combination of axial and transverse components. This dimensional transformation enables the clamp to resist heavy loads more effectively by distributing forces across multiple directions.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional clamping methods are used, then the ease of manufacture is high, but the manufacturing precision and alignment accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp elements are pre-formed with specific oblique surfaces and fastening provisions during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation ensures that when assembled, the components automatically achieve proper alignment and rectangularity without requiring complex adjustment procedures on-site.
Solution Approach 2:
The oblique surfaces act as intermediary elements that mediate between the fastening force and the frame members. These surfaces convert axial fastening motion into orthogonal movement that closes the mitred ends securely, ensuring precise alignment and rectangularity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If simple fastening provisions are used, then the ease of operation is high, but the adaptability to misalignments and varying panel sizes is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp design incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through the oblique surfaces that allow orthogonal movement during fastening. This dynamic mechanism enables the clamp to adapt to misalignments and varying panel sizes automatically as the fastener is tightened, without requiring complex manual adjustment procedures.
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 clamp system effectively secures mitred cornered frames by ensuring tight, orthogonal closure of the frame members, maintaining rectangularity and alignment, even under heavy loads, and allows for easy adjustment to accommodate misalignments and varying panel sizes, enhancing structural integrity and assembly precision.
Implementation Method 1
the oblique surfaces co-operate to move the clamp elements orthogonally of the fastening direction to close the faces of the two mitred-end, frame members against each other
Implementation Method 2
a second fastening provision arranged, in use, complementarily to the first fastening provision for urging the clamp elements towards each other in a fastening direction via action of the fastener engaging the fastening provisions
Data Source
AI summary
A mitred corner of a frame has a clamp 1 clamping together a top member 2 and a side member 3. The corner is at a corner of a glass panel 4 accommodated within a frame made up of four such members, each clamped together by similar clamps. The frame members are mitred at 45° with faces 8. Webs 7 of the frame members are drilled with bores 9 fixing screws 10 The screws engage in two clamp elements are used at each corner, in the form of stainless steel blocks 12,13. The block 12 has at its end close to the mitre faces 8, a 45° surface 17 and a threaded end bore 19 is provided. The block 13 has a finger 24 extending past the face 8. The finger has a clearance screw bore 25 and at its distal end a snib 26 directed towards the block 12.