Standing Seam Clamp Assembly for Even Pressure Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamp assemblies for attaching structures to standing seams in roofing often damage the seam due to penetration or uneven clamping pressure, and are complicated and difficult to install quickly.

Innovation Solution

A U-shaped clamp body with hingedly secured clamping hammers and adjustable screws that distribute even pressure along the seam, allowing for secure attachment without penetration, and optional locking screws for added stability, accommodating various seam types and sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If bolts are tightened directly against the seam, then secure attachment is achieved, but the seam is damaged and integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidseam damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp body is divided into multiple clamping elements that distribute the attachment force across several contact points along the seam, preventing concentrated stress that would damage the seam while maintaining secure attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping elements act as intermediaries between the clamp body and the seam, distributing pressure evenly through multiple contact points rather than direct bolt-to-seam contact, thereby preventing seam damage while achieving secure attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If conventional clamping assemblies are used, then attachment is achieved, but uneven clamping pressure is produced leading to clamp or roof failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping forceVSAvoidclamp or roof failure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each clamping element is designed with specific local characteristics to contact different portions of the seam, ensuring that pressure is locally optimized and evenly distributed across the entire seam length, preventing both over-compression and under-compression failures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping elements are designed to flex and adapt to the specific geometry of the seam, allowing the clamp to dynamically adjust to variations in seam profile and ensure uniform pressure distribution under varying load conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If complicated clamp designs are used, then secure attachment may be achieved, but installation becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidinstallation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp body and clamping elements are designed as universal components that can accommodate various seam types and profiles through a single standardized design, eliminating the need for multiple specialized clamp designs and simplifying installation while maintaining secure attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping elements are designed to self-adjust and self-align with the seam geometry during installation, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures or specialized installation tools, thereby simplifying installation while ensuring reliable attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 clamp assembly provides continuous and evenly distributed clamping pressure, preventing damage to the seam and ensuring secure attachment while being easy to install, reducing the risk of clamp or roof failure.

Implementation Method 1

each is provided with at least one adjustment screw adapted to movably extend through the clamp body and selectively impinge against the hammer and cause it to pivot about its axis to open and close the clamp

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

each clamping hammer is also provided with a typical or optional one locking screw that movably extends through the clamp body to selectively impinge against the hammer and prevent pivoting whereby a standing seam or other structure received within the clamp body may be tightly grasped

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

The clamp assembly provides continuous and evenly distributed clamping pressure, preventing damage to the seam and ensuring secure attachment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure Distribution: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS8910928B2Flanged material and standing seam clamp

Publication Date: 2014.12.16 HEADER GREGORY A

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.