Stake Clip Locking Arms for Adjustable Concrete Form Boards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing concrete forming systems face challenges in securely attaching form boards to stakes while allowing for easy adjustability and removability, particularly due to variations in stake sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
The development of stake clips with a locking mechanism comprising a form board insertion plate, compression and locking arms, and spring-biased locking projections that allow for secure attachment and adjustable positioning of form boards on stakes, accommodating various stake sizes and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional concrete forming systems are used, then form boards can be secured to stakes, but the system lacks ease of removal and adjustment for different stake sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The stake clip incorporates movable arms (compression arm and locking arm) that can pivot and adjust dynamically. The compression arm pivots about a compression arm joint through a locking slot travel arc, while the locking arm pivots about a locking arm joint through a locking tip travel arc. This dynamic structure allows the clip to adapt to different stake sizes and shapes while maintaining secure attachment and enabling easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The stake clip is designed as a universal attachment device that can secure form boards to various stake sizes and shapes. The form board insertion plate receives different form board configurations, while the adjustable arms and locking mechanism accommodate diverse stake geometries. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for different attachment devices for different stake types.
2Reliability
If a secure attachment mechanism is implemented, then form boards remain inhibited from relative movement, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stake clip is segmented into distinct functional components: a form board insertion plate, a compression arm with locking slot, a locking arm with locking projections, and respective joints. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function (compression, locking, pivoting) independently, achieving secure attachment through coordinated simple actions rather than a single complex mechanism.
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 stake clips provide secure and removable attachment of form boards to stakes, enabling easy vertical adjustment and accommodating diverse stake geometries, thereby enhancing the flexibility and efficiency of concrete forming systems.
Implementation Method 1
the locking arm is spring-biased in a direction of the locking projections, such that the locking slot is configured to catch on the plurality of locking projections as the locking arm passes through the locking slot
Data Source
AI summary
A stake clip may comprise a form board insertion plate; a compression arm comprising at least one stake anchoring position and a locking slot extending through the compression arm; a compression arm joint connecting the compression arm to the form board insertion plate, the compression arm configured to pivot about the compression arm joint through a locking slot travel arc; a locking arm comprising a locking tip and a plurality of locking projections; and a locking arm joint connecting the locking arm to the form board insertion plate, the locking arm configured to pivot about the locking arm joint through a locking tip travel arc, and wherein: the locking slot travel arc of the compression arm and the locking tip travel arc of the locking arm overlap at a clip engagement point, and the locking arm is spring-biased in a direction of the locking projections, such that the locking slot is configured to catch on the plurality of locking projections as the locking arm passes through the locking slot.