Adjustable Tonneau Cover Clamp Assembly Without Vehicle Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamp assemblies for securing vehicle accessories like tonneau covers can cause damage to vehicles, leading to corrosion and aesthetic issues when removed, as they require drilling and leave behind damaged areas.

Innovation Solution

A clamp assembly with a main body, spacers, and a clamp jaw that includes serrated and protuberant features, along with a rubber inlay, allowing for adjustable and secure attachment to vehicle rails without damaging the surface, and enabling easy removal of accessories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If existing clamps are used to secure vehicle accessories, then the accessories can be firmly attached to the vehicle, but the vehicle surface is damaged and susceptible to corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidvehicle surface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp assembly introduces a rail system as an intermediary component between the clamp and the vehicle surface. The rail attaches to the vehicle bed rails rather than directly to the vehicle body, distributing forces and preventing direct contact damage to the vehicle surface while maintaining secure accessory attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp assembly is divided into multiple components: a main body portion, adjustable spacers, and a clamp jaw. This segmentation allows the clamp to adapt to different vehicle configurations and accessory types while distributing attachment forces across multiple contact points, reducing localized damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If existing clamps are used to secure accessories, then the accessories can be firmly attached, but the clamps cannot be easily removed without leaving damaged areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidease of removal

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp assembly incorporates adjustable spacers with slots that allow dynamic repositioning of the clamp jaw along the rail system. The serrated portions provide incremental positioning while maintaining secure attachment, enabling easy adjustment and removal without permanent damage to the vehicle surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a clamp assembly is designed to fit various vehicles, then versatility is improved, but the complexity of the assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle compatibilityVSAvoidclamp assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp assembly is designed as a universal system that attaches to standard vehicle bed rails rather than being vehicle-specific. The adjustable spacer mechanism allows the same basic design to accommodate different rail positions and accessory types, achieving versatility without requiring multiple specialized clamp designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable spacers provide an additional dimension of adjustment along the rail length. By allowing positional adjustment in one dimension (along the rail), the clamp can fit various vehicle configurations without increasing complexity in other dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS7913965B2Clamp assembly

Publication Date: 2011.03.29 ARE ACCESSORIES LLC

AI summary

A clamp assembly is disclosed for a tonneau cover for a vehicle wherein the clamp assembly includes a plurality of spacers disposed therein to facilitate installation thereof on a variety of vehicle types and styles.