Standoff Mount Structure for Interchangeable Hex-Head Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastener standoff mounts are designed to fit specific fasteners, limiting the interchangeability of standard hex-head fasteners and requiring replacement of the entire mount when different sized fasteners are needed.
Innovation Solution
A standoff mount design that includes a recess to trap a hex head of a conventional fastener, a cylindrically shaped aperture for the threaded stud, and a housing to receive a hex nut or hex head, allowing for interchangeable use of standard fasteners and preventing rotation, with optional retention means like a resilient clip to secure the fastener in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the fastener is specially adapted to fit the standoff mount, then the mount is not capable of receiving standard hex-head fastener heads, but this limits interchangeability and requires replacement of the entire mount when different sized fasteners are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The standoff mount is designed with a universal recess that can accommodate multiple types of fastener heads (hex-head, button head, flat head) and a cylindrical aperture that accepts various threaded studs. This multi-functional design allows the same mount to work with different fastener sizes and types, eliminating the need for specialized fasteners and enabling easy interchangeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening system is divided into two independent components: the standoff mount (base with recess and aperture) and the fastener (head and threaded stud). This segmentation allows the fastener to be replaced independently without replacing the mount, resolving the contradiction by enabling interchangeability while maintaining a simple, standardized mount design.
2Reliability
If the head of the fastener is seated and fixed within an enclosed chamber, then the fastener is secured, but this prevents replacing the fastener with another fastener of different size
Solution Approach 1:
The recess is designed with dimensions that allow dynamic adjustment to accommodate different fastener head sizes while maintaining secure engagement. The aperture similarly allows different threaded studs to pass through. This dynamic adaptability enables the mount to securely hold various fasteners while allowing easy replacement, resolving the contradiction between security and replaceability.
3Reliability
If the mount is fixed to a surface, then the fastener is secured in position, but the entire mount must be replaced if a different sized fastener is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fastening function into the permanently fixed mount and the removable fastener. The mount remains securely attached to the surface providing stable positioning, while the fastener can be independently removed and replaced without disturbing the mount's fixed position. This eliminates time loss from mount replacement while maintaining reliable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount is designed as a universal base that can accommodate multiple fastener sizes and types through its standardized recess and aperture dimensions. This universality allows the fixed mount to work with different fasteners, eliminating the need to replace the mounted structure when changing fastener sizes, thus saving time while maintaining secure positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A standoff mount (10), including:a base (12) having: a flange (14) that defines at least part of a flat bottom surface (30); and a raised portion (16) that extends upward from the flange and that comprises a top end (12A) facing opposite the flat bottom surface;a recess (18) that is recessed into the flat bottom surface and that comprises two parallel flat surfaces (18B, 18C) that are dimensioned to trap therebetween a hex head of a conventional fastener and thereby prevent rotation of the hex head; anda cylindrically shaped aperture (20) that originates at the recess, that extends through the top end of the raised portion, that is aligned with the recess, and that comprises a diameter which corresponds to a diameter of a threaded stud of the conventional fastener.