Sliding Frame Clip for Secure Mounting and Self-Leveling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional frame apparatuses require separate components for securing articles within the frame and hanging the frame on a wall, making them more expensive and difficult to use, and often struggle with ensuring level hanging.
Innovation Solution
A frame apparatus with a spring clip that is slidably coupled to the frame within a channel, serving both purposes of securing the article and providing a hanging feature, while also functioning as a self-leveling mechanism to ensure the frame is hung level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate components are used to secure articles within the frame and hang the frame from a wall, then the frame can be securely assembled, but the manufacturing cost increases and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the article securing function and the hanging function into a single clip member. The clip member includes a clamping portion that secures the article within the rabbet and a hanging feature that attaches to the wall, eliminating the need for separate securing components and hanger elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip member is designed to perform multiple functions: it clamps the article stack within the frame rabbet, provides a hanging feature for wall attachment, and includes a self-leveling mechanism. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components needed in the frame assembly.
2Reliability
If separate components are used to secure articles within the frame and hang the frame from a wall, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the ease of manufacture decreases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the securing and hanging functions into one clip member, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled. This simplification lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the optimized functionality of each feature within the unified component.
3Reliability
If conventional hanger elements are used to hang the frame from a wall, then the frame can be attached to the wall, but the ease of operation decreases and the user cannot easily ensure level hanging
Solution Approach 1:
The clip member includes a self-leveling feature with a channel and movable portion that automatically adjusts the hanging position. When the frame is attached to the wall, the movable portion can shift within the channel to ensure the frame hangs level, eliminating the need for user adjustment or external level indicators.
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 spring clip secures the article within the frame and facilitates easy hanging on a wall while ensuring the frame is level, reducing manufacturing costs and user complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a spring clip slidably coupled to the frame within the channel such that the spring clip can slide within the channel along the channel axis
Implementation Method 2
a spring clip slidably coupled to the frame within the channel... the spring clip can slide within the channel along the channel axis while remaining coupled to the frame
Data Source
AI summary
A frame apparatus for displaying an article. The frame apparatus includes a frame having a rabbet and a channel having a channel axis formed into a wall of the rabbet. A stack is positioned within the rabbet for display. The stack may include a glazing, an article for display, and a backer panel. A clip member is slidably coupled to the frame within the channel such that the clip member can slide within the channel along the channel axis while remaining coupled to the frame. The clip member has a hanging feature. Thus, the clip member serves the dual purpose of securing the stack within the rabbet and also providing the hanging feature for the frame. Furthermore, the clip member functions as a built-in self-leveling feature because it can slide within the channel thus ensuring that the frame is hung in a level manner.