Quick-Release Clamp with Secondary Retention for Rigid Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Clamping mechanisms often provide non-rigid connections due to play or slop, leading to instability and safety hazards, especially when the relative orientation of clamped objects is critical, and they can inadvertently loosen or fail, causing separation issues.

Innovation Solution

A quick-release clamping mechanism using interlocking contiguous pieces with a retention channel and tension applying device, such as a cam lever or spring, to create a secure, repeatable, and rigid connection without the need for specialized tools, featuring a secondary retention mechanism to prevent separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a quick-release clamping mechanism is used to enable rapid attachment and detachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the connection rigidity may deteriorate due to play or slop in the mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverapid attachment and detachmentVSAvoidconnection rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: a quick-release locking mechanism for rapid attachment/detachment, and a separate secondary retention mechanism to prevent inadvertent release. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function while working together to maintain both ease of operation and connection stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary retention mechanism acts as a pre-positioned safety backup that engages automatically if the primary quick-release locking mechanism fails or is inadvertently disengaged. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even if the primary system fails, the connection rigidity and safety are maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of manufacture

If a simple clamp design is used to reduce device complexity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates when inadvertent loosening or failure can cause separation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimple clamp designVSAvoidprevention of inadvertent separation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The design incorporates a secondary retention mechanism as a built-in safety backup that engages automatically if the primary locking mechanism fails. This beforehand cushioning approach adds reliability without requiring complex active monitoring or control systems, maintaining ease of manufacture while preventing catastrophic failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary retention mechanism serves as an intermediary safety layer between the primary locking mechanism and the potential separation of clamped objects. It provides an additional mechanical barrier that prevents inadvertent release without adding significant complexity to the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the clamp is designed to be adjustable to different positions, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates because it is difficult to reproduce the identical clamped position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustable positionVSAvoidrepeatability of clamped position

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanism incorporates preliminary positioning features such as indexed positions or pre-marked alignment references that guide the user to the correct clamp position before final tightening. This preliminary action ensures that even though the clamp is adjustable, the positioning precision and repeatability are maintained across multiple installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 mechanism allows for rapid and repeatable attachment and detachment of objects in a rigid manner, ensuring precise alignment and safety by preventing unintended separation, even if the primary locking feature is disengaged.

Implementation Method 1

a tension applying device configured to apply tension to the clamp bar to secure the connection device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 2

The tension applying device can be a cam lever in some example embodiments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS10808741B2Quick-release clamp with secondary retention mechanism

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 REDSHIFT SPORTS LLC

AI summary

A quick-release clamping mechanism secures two objects and rapidly attaches or detaches to secure the objects to one another in a rigid, repeatable manner. The mechanism is formed from two interconnecting contiguous pieces of material, free from hinges or other attachment devices. The first contiguous piece is attached to a first object, and the second contiguous piece is attached to a second object to be secured to the first object. The piece that forms the first profile can be a rail with a male protrusion. The piece that forms the second profile can be a rail with a female cavity that receives the male protrusion. The mechanism also includes a retention channel, a clamp bar, and a tension device that applies tension to the clamp bar to secure the mechanism. A secondary retention mechanism is provided to prevent separation of the components if the primary locking feature is disengaged inadvertently.