Pipe Clip with Front Aperture for Tight Space Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe clips are difficult to install in limited spaces, such as between upper and lower timber members of prefabricated joists or near the eaves, as they require positioning and securing from above with the fastening aperture located below within the U-shaped pipe receiving portion.
Innovation Solution
A pipe clip design with a body portion and pipe receiving portion having a common longitudinal axis, featuring a screw aperture through the body portion for side-fastening, curved resilient arms for pipe retention, and optional adjustable and locking mechanisms, allowing for flexible positioning and secure fastening even in tight spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fastening aperture is located below within the U-shaped pipe receiving portion, then the pipe can be securely held with the pipe obscuring the head of the screw, but the clip becomes difficult to install when space is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is inverted from its conventional position below the pipe receiving portion to the front face of the body portion. This allows the screw to be accessed and driven from the front rather than from below, making installation feasible in limited spaces while still securing the pipe reliably between the resilient arms
2Adaptability or versatility
If the clip is positioned and secured from above with the aperture below, then the pipe receiving portion can be substantially resilient U-shaped, but the installation becomes impossible in areas close to the eaves or between tight timber members
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is repositioned from the vertical dimension (below the pipe receiving portion) to the horizontal dimension (front face of the body portion). This dimensional change allows installation in confined vertical spaces while maintaining the resilient U-shaped pipe receiving portion that adapts to various pipe sizes
3Ease of operation
If the aperture is located within the pipe receiving portion, then the screw head can be obscured by the pipe for a clean appearance, but the aperture becomes inaccessible for adjustment or removal
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture position is inverted from within the pipe receiving portion to the front face of the body portion. This allows the screw head to remain obscured by the pipe for aesthetics while making the aperture accessible from the front for installation, adjustment, or removal operations
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 easy installation and adjustment of pipes on joists and beams, even in confined areas, with improved accessibility and stability, reducing installation time and effort in new and existing building structures.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of curved resilient arms, free ends of the resilient arms being spaced from the body portion, spaced apart and adapted to flex radially outwards for receiving the pipe when it is pushed into the opening between the free ends of the arms
Data Source
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AI summary
A pipe clip (10) is provided for securing a pipe (12) to a supporting member (14),such as a joist. The pipe clip (10) comprises a pipe receiving portion (18) and a body portion (20), which have a common substantially longitudinal central axis, the body portion (20) being formed with first and second faces substantially perpendicular to one another defining an internal corner for placing contiguous an external corner (16) of the supporting member (14), the pipe receiving portion (18) including a pair of curved resilient arms, free ends of the resilient arms being spaced from the body portion (20) and spaced apart for receiving the pipe (12),at least one aperture (29) for receiving fixing means. The at least one aperture (29) is provided through the body portion (20) in a plane substantially perpendicular to the substantially longitudinal central axis of the body portion for enabling the body portion (20) to be fastened to the side of the supporting member (16).