Standing seam clamp assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamp assemblies for attaching structures to standing seams in roofing often damage the seam due to direct bolting and fail to distribute clamping pressure evenly, leading to potential roof integrity issues and complex, difficult installations.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped clamp body with hingedly secured clamping hammers and adjustable screws that pivot to securely grasp standing seams without penetration, ensuring even pressure distribution and easy installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bolts are tightened directly against the seam, then the clamp can be securely attached, but the seam is damaged and roof integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces clamping hammers as an intermediary element between the clamp body and the standing seam. These hammers distribute the clamping force across a broader surface area, preventing direct concentrated pressure that would damage the seam while still achieving secure attachment of the clamp to the roof structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping hammers are designed with specific surface characteristics and geometries that differ from the clamp body, creating localized areas of optimized pressure distribution. The hammers contact the seam at multiple points with controlled pressure, while the clamp body maintains its structural integrity for attachment purposes.
2Strength
If clamping pressure is applied集中, then secure attachment is achieved, but pressure is not evenly distributed leading to clamp or roof failure
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping hammers serve as pressure-distributing intermediaries that transform the concentrated force from the clamp body into evenly distributed pressure across the standing seam. The hammers' geometry and contact surfaces are designed to spread the load uniformly, preventing stress concentration that would lead to failure.
3Ease of operation
If a simple clamp design is used, then installation is quick and easy, but the clamp cannot securely attach without damaging the seam
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the clamp body for attachment, and multiple clamping hammers for secure, damage-free clamping. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall simplicity of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping hammers are introduced as intermediary elements that enable secure attachment without requiring complex mechanisms. They provide the necessary pressure distribution and seam protection while maintaining the simplicity of the overall clamp design and installation process.
4Strength
If drilling or penetration is used to attach structures, then secure attachment is achieved, but the life of the roof is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the penetration method from the attachment process entirely. Instead of drilling or penetrating the standing seam, the clamp assembly uses external clamping hammers that grasp the seam from the outside, achieving secure attachment while preserving the roof's integrity and extending its service life.
Data Source
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AI summary
A clamping assembly for attaching loads to various kinds of flanged seams, the assembly comprising a generally U-shaped clamp body, at least one clamping hammer disposed interior of the clamp body, the clamping hammer is secured to the clamp body along the longitudinal axis of the clamp body, at least one adjustment screw extending through the clamp body and adapted to selectively impinge against the clamping hammer and cause it to pivot about its axis or otherwise move inwardly within the clamp body, the adjustment screw extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the clamping hammer, at least one locking screw adapted to selectively impinge against the clamping hammer to prevent pivoting of the same may be optionally provided whereby a standing seam received within the clamp body may be tightly grasped between the clamp body and the clamping hammer under action of the adjustment screw.