U-Profile Cable Fastener for Tool-Free Wall Groove Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening methods for securing pipes and conduits in wall grooves are time-consuming, require tools, pose safety risks, and are difficult to implement, especially in hard masonry, and often damage the pipes or cables.

Innovation Solution

A fastening element designed as an upwardly open U-profile with friction-enhancing ribs on its legs and spring-like wings, allowing it to be easily pressed into wall grooves by hand without tools, providing a secure hold and facilitating quick installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nail clamps with hand tools are used to drive nails into masonry, then fastening is achieved, but installation time increases and injury risk arises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening securityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical fastening system (nails, hammers, hand tools) with a spring-elastic deformation system. The fastening element uses its own elastic properties to expand and secure itself in the wall groove without requiring external driving tools, thereby eliminating installation time loss and injury risks while maintaining fastening security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening element is designed to perform its own installation through spring-elastic deformation. When pressed into the wall groove, it automatically expands and secures itself without requiring external tools or additional operations, making the system self-installing and eliminating the need for manual driving operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If plastic wall plates with nails are used, then fastening is achieved, but plaster must be chipped away and installation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening securityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the nail-driving operation and separate wall plate components from the fastening system. The integrated fastening element combines the securing function and installation simplicity into a single component that expands within the groove, eliminating the need for separate nails and the complex operation of chipping away plaster.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the wall plate and fastening mechanism into a single integrated element. The spring-elastic body combines the structural support function with the self-securing mechanism, eliminating the need for separate components and simplifying the overall installation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If traditional clamps with nails or screws are used, then pipes are secured, but tool requirements increase and portability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe securingVSAvoidportability and tool-free installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening element is designed to perform its own installation through spring-elastic deformation. When pressed into the wall groove, it automatically expands and secures itself without requiring external tools or additional operations, making the system self-installing and eliminating the need for manual driving operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in the physical state of the fastening material through spring-elastic deformation. The material transitions from a compressed state during insertion to an expanded state for securing, allowing tool-free installation while maintaining portability and pipe securing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If hard masonry is used, then structural strength is improved, but nail driving becomes difficult or impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemasonry strengthVSAvoidfastening installation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical fastening system (nails, hammers, hand tools) with a spring-elastic deformation system. The fastening element uses its own elastic properties to expand and secure itself in the wall groove without requiring external driving tools, thereby eliminating installation time loss and injury risks while maintaining fastening security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in the physical state of the fastening material through spring-elastic deformation. The material transitions from a compressed state during insertion to an expanded state for securing, allowing tool-free installation while maintaining portability and pipe securing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 fastening element securely holds cables and pipes in place without tools, is easy to install, cost-effective, and can be transported without additional equipment, ensuring safe and efficient installation.

Implementation Method 1

spring-like wings molded at its free ends at an acute angle downwards in the direction of the U-bottom

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a break in the U-shaped base, which creates an additional spring effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring effect: Spring

Implementation Method 3

friction-enhancing means on the outer wall side of its two U-shaped legs... the friction-enhancing means are designed as ribs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4660499A1Fastening element
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 SCHÄFER MARCEL
  • EP4660499A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4660499A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4660499A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Fastening element (1) for securing cables and/or conduits (2) in wall grooves (3) with groove interiors (10) with a receiving element (4) to create an improved and simplified, cost-effective fastening element for securing conduits and/or pipes in wall grooves, which provides a secure hold, is very quick and easy to install, requires no tools, is easy to carry and is also very inexpensive to manufacture, which is achieved by the receiving element (4) as an upwardly open U-profile section (5).