Adjustable Pipe Strap With Nested Hook-Slot Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe straps for boring devices are bulky, expensive, and lack flexibility, with adjustable designs posing safety hazards due to exposed free ends.

Innovation Solution

A pipe strap comprising two interconnected strap portions formed of sheet material, where one portion has a recess and the other has projections that adjust by overlapping, allowing for secure engagement without exposing the free end, accommodating various pipe sizes through adjustable projection and recess configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable self-tapping ferrule straps are used to accommodate multiple pipe sizes, then adaptability is improved, but safety hazards arise due to exposed free ends

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of multiple pipe sizesVSAvoidsafety hazard from exposed free end

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The strap is divided into two separate portions (first strap portion and second strap portion) that can be positioned independently. The first strap portion has the free end contained within the second strap portion, effectively segmenting the potentially hazardous free end from exposure while maintaining adjustability through the overlapping configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first strap portion is positioned such that its free end is contained within the second strap portion, creating a nested arrangement where one component is housed within another. This nesting eliminates the exposed free end hazard while preserving the adjustable functionality for multiple pipe sizes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If traditional two-part cast pipe straps are used, then structural integrity is improved, but weight and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidweight of pipe strap

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional thick cast metal construction with thin-walled seamless formed metal straps. The straps are formed from sheet material into tubular or C-shaped cross-sections that provide sufficient structural integrity while dramatically reducing weight and manufacturing cost compared to conventional cast constructions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses formed metal strap material that combines the strength benefits of metal with the weight reduction of thin-walled construction. The overlapping configuration of two strap portions creates a composite structural arrangement that maintains integrity while using less material than traditional single-piece cast straps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If traditional two-part cast pipe straps are used, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines two separately formed strap portions into a single functional assembly that provides both structural integrity and adjustability. This merging approach allows each strap portion to be manufactured independently using cost-effective forming processes, then assembled together to achieve the required strength without the complexity of single-piece cast construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3792543B1Pipe strap for boring device

Publication Date: 2023.06.21 THOMAS DUDLEY LTD

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~10

AI summary

A pipe boring device (1) including a housing (2) for receiving a self-tapping ferrule insert and a strap (3, 4) for securement around a pipe (10) to enable a hole to be bored into the pipe (10) by the ferrule insert. The strap (3, 4) includes first and second strap portions (3, 4) pivotally secured at a first of their ends (30, 40) by a connector (5). The first strap portion (3) includes a pair of slots (35a, 35b) along its length, which terminate at a second end (34) of the first strap portion (3) to form slot ends (36a, 36b). The second strap portion (4) includes three pairs of hooks (45a, 45b, 46a, 46b, 47a, 47b) along its length, which are receivable within the slots (35a, 35b) and configured to engage the slot ends (36a, 36b). The strap (3, 4) is configured to be wrapped around a pipe (10) with the first strap portion (3) overlapping the second strap portion (4) such that the second strap portion (4) is between the first strap portion (3) and the pipe (10) and one of the hook pairs (45a and 45b, 46a and 46b, 47a and 47b) is in engagement with the slot ends (36a, 36b). Each hook pair (45a and 45b, 46a and 46b, 47a and 47b) is spaced one from the next along the length of the second strap portion (4) such that the strap (3, 4) defines an opening for receiving the pipe (10) that is dependent upon which of the hook pairs (45a and 45b, 46a and 46b, 47a and 47b) is in engagement with the slot ends (36a, 36b).