Unitary Spring Clip for Tool-Free Pipe Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe clip systems are difficult to install and remove, especially in confined spaces, requiring tools and manual effort, and tend to separate during installation, increasing installation time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A unitary construction bracket with angled extension members and slots, allowing for easy manual installation and retention of piping, tubing, or ducting without threaded fasteners, featuring weakening lines and varying slot profiles to minimize separation and facilitate single-person operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pipe clips with threaded fasteners are used, then the piping can be securely retained, but the installation and removal process becomes difficult and time-consuming, especially in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the threaded mechanical fastening system with a spring-loaded elastic retention system. The clip body uses spring tension to clamp onto the piping, eliminating the need for screws, bolts, or nuts. This substitution maintains secure retention through elastic force while dramatically simplifying installation and removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded clip design enables self-retention through elastic memory. The clip automatically maintains clamping force on the piping without requiring external fasteners or adjustment mechanisms. The elastic material self-adjusts to the piping diameter and maintains constant retention pressure, making the system self-regulating and tool-free.
2Strength
If rigid clip members are used to secure larger diameter pipes, then the retention strength is sufficient, but the installation difficulty increases significantly, often requiring tools or multiple persons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the clip material from rigid to elastic/spring-loaded. This parameter change allows the clip to flex during installation to accommodate the piping, then maintains strong retention through elastic recovery. The spring constant and material properties are selected to provide sufficient clamping force for various pipe diameters while remaining manually operable.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic spring-loaded system. The elastic clip can dynamically adjust its shape and clamping force during installation, then maintains stable retention during service. The spring mechanism provides continuous adaptive pressure that compensates for thermal expansion, vibration, and settling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If opposed clip body halves are used to surround piping, then the clip can accommodate various pipe diameters, but the clip tends to separate during installation, increasing installation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the two separate clip body halves into a single unitary spring-loaded clip structure. This integration eliminates the gap and potential separation between halves while maintaining the ability to accommodate various pipe diameters through the elastic deformation of the unified spring body. The single-piece construction ensures structural stability during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip utilizes an elastic spring shell structure that flexes to accommodate different pipe diameters. The thin-walled spring design provides high adaptability while maintaining structural integrity. The elastic shell deforms reversibly to engage various sized piping without separating or losing stability during the installation process.
4Strength
If threaded rods or bolts with nuts are used to join clip halves, then the connection is secure, but the device complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the entire threaded fastening subsystem (rods, bolts, nuts, threads) from the clip design. The connection function is replaced by integrated spring tension within the unitary clip body. This extraction dramatically reduces device complexity while maintaining secure retention through the elastic clamping mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded clip is designed as a simple, inexpensive, single-piece component that replaces complex reusable fastening systems. While the spring clip itself is durable, the design philosophy embraces simplicity and cost-effectiveness, eliminating the need for expensive threaded fasteners and their associated installation infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket of a unitary construction and being of a substantial U-shape having a first elongate section and opposed extension sections extending from opposed free ends of said elongate section, and at an angle to the plane of said elongate section, the arrangement including a slot which extends across at least part of said elongate section and at least part of one of said extension sections.