Snap-In Bracket for Universal Closet Slide Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closet organizer systems face challenges in aligning pre-drilled mounting hole patterns between panels and components, requiring additional hole drilling and lacking modular and size flexibility for different components.
Innovation Solution
A 'snap-in' mounting bracket with a C-shaped cross-section, featuring flanges and spring flanges that allow alignment with various hole patterns, enabling secure attachment of slide rail assemblies without additional drilling, and accommodating different component sizes and styles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional mounting brackets are used with fixed hole patterns, then manufacturing is simple, but compatibility with various closet panel hole patterns is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed with multiple sets of mounting holes arranged in different patterns on the same bracket body. This allows a single bracket design to accommodate various closet panel hole patterns (e.g., 16-inch, 24-inch, 32-inch spacing) without requiring multiple specialized brackets, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining reasonable design complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket incorporates distinct mounting hole groups that can be selectively used depending on the panel configuration. The bracket body is segmented into different mounting zones with pre-defined hole patterns, allowing installers to choose the appropriate hole set for their specific panel type without redesigning the entire bracket.
2Ease of operation
If additional mounting holes are drilled in panels to align components, then component alignment is achieved, but installation time and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is pre-manufactured with multiple sets of mounting holes already positioned to match various standard closet panel hole patterns. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for installers to measure, mark, and drill additional holes during installation, significantly reducing installation time and labor requirements while ensuring proper component alignment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom brackets are made for each component size and style, then precise fit is achieved, but manufacturing cost and inventory complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket incorporates a universal design with multiple mounting hole patterns and adjustable features that can accommodate different component sizes and styles (e.g., full-extension slides, three-quarter extension slides, various rack types). This single versatile bracket design replaces the need for multiple custom brackets, reducing manufacturing complexity and inventory requirements while maintaining precise fit for various components.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket includes adjustable elements such as repositionable mounting holes or flexible positioning features that allow the same bracket to be configured for different component configurations. This dynamic adaptability enables one bracket design to serve multiple component types and sizes without requiring custom manufacturing for each variant.
Data Source
AI summary
A snap-in mounting bracket with a generally “U” shaped cross-section. A set of mounting holes are spaced along the web of the bracket and correspond to existing holes in prefabricated cabinets or closets over a range of industry standard sizes. A guide flange extends from the web proximate the middle of a first edge. End flanges curve around the ends of the first edge. A pair of spring flanges extend from the web on a second edge opposite the middle guide flange. A universal slide assembly is removably secured to the mounting bracket between the flanges. The end flanges and the spring tension of the spring flanges hold the slide assembly in place. Different closet organizer components such as tie racks, pant racks, and belt racks can be affixed to the slide assembly for slidable deployment along the vertical partition out of the closet.