Stackable Fastener With Flexible Radial Fingers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fasteners for bundling and securing elongate objects, such as electrical wires and hoses, are not adjustable, require threaded substrates, and involve complex installation processes, often damaging cables and necessitating additional components like adhesives or bolts.
Innovation Solution
A stackable fastener with radially extending fingers that can be forced outward or inward, allowing secure attachment to non-threaded surfaces without the need for additional fasteners or adhesives, and can be stacked with other similar fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If P clamps are used to secure elongate objects, then the objects can be held to a support, but the installation is difficult due to stiffness and excessive force can damage cables
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener body is made of flexible material that can deform elastically during installation. The flexible body allows the fastener to be compressed around cables without exerting excessive localized force that would damage the cable insulation, while still providing sufficient holding strength when secured.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener design allows adjustment of compression force parameters. The flexible material properties and geometry enable the fastener to adapt its holding force to match cable characteristics, providing enough strength to secure objects while remaining gentle enough to avoid damage during installation.
2Ease of operation
If traditional mounts for tie straps are used, then the tie strap can be secured, but both sides of the mount must be accessible and additional components like adhesives or threaded fasteners are required
Solution Approach 1:
The mount features are integrated directly into the fastener body structure. The recesses and protrusions that provide mounting capability are built as part of the single fastener component, eliminating the need for separate adhesive plates, threaded fasteners, or other additional components. This integration allows installation from one side only.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the securing mechanism for the tie strap, acts as its own mounting device through integrated recesses and protrusions, and eliminates the need for separate mounting components. This multi-functionality reduces both the number of parts and the complexity of installation procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ring post fasteners are used, then stacking is possible, but the fastener must attach to a threaded substrate which is not always available
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener design incorporates both threaded and non-threaded mounting capabilities within the same component structure. The body includes recesses that can receive protrusions from other fasteners for stacking, while also featuring integrated mounting features that can attach to various substrate types without requiring threaded holes. This universal design allows the fastener to adapt to different substrate conditions while maintaining stable configurations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sizes of P clamps are used to accommodate different bundle diameters, then various bundle sizes can be secured, but a large inventory of different sized P clamps must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener incorporates adjustable features that allow a single size of fastener to accommodate multiple bundle diameters. The flexible body and adjustable mounting capabilities enable the same fastener to be configured for different application requirements, eliminating the need to maintain inventory of multiple sized fasteners while still providing adaptability to various bundle sizes.
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A hybrid stackable fastener is provided for mounting to a substrate having a threaded hole. The hybrid stackable fastener is constructed to support stackable fasteners not having a threaded element. The hybrid stackable fastener has a body having a central bore defining a central axis. The central bore is tapered so as to have a diameter smaller at the bore's proximal end than toward its distal end. The hybrid stackable fastener further includes a bolt having a screw thread which extends distally from the body's central bore. Preferably, the fastener includes a plurality of spokes which radially project from the body so as to support a concentric ring.