Universal Magazine for Hidden Decking Clips
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for securing decking materials using hidden clips are labor-intensive and require manual positioning and fastening, often necessitating two people to handle the clips and fasteners, especially when boards are on an incline or require significant force.
Innovation Solution
A universal magazine system that attaches to a hand-operated power tool to automatically feed and position hidden clips, allowing for efficient fastening of decking planks by using a standard industrial screw gun or nail gun, with a clip strip featuring frangible sections and locating tabs for easy handling and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual positioning and fastening of hidden clips is used, then installation flexibility is maintained, but labor intensity increases and installation speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine system automatically feeds clips to the power tool without requiring manual positioning by the installer. The system serves itself by using the power tool's own mechanism to deliver clips, eliminating the need for human hands to position each clip individually while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of hand-positioning clips and operating a separate hammer or screwdriver is replaced by an automated magazine-fed power tool system. The mechanical feeding mechanism integrates clip delivery with the fastening action, substituting multiple manual operations with a single powered action.
2Ease of operation
If two persons are required to handle clips and fasteners, then adequate handling capability is achieved, but labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables a single worker to perform all necessary operations independently. The magazine automatically feeds clips, the power tool delivers fasteners, and the integrated mechanism eliminates the need for a second person to assist with clip handling or fastener delivery, allowing one worker to complete the installation alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of clip holding, clip positioning, and fastener driving are merged into a single integrated system. The magazine system combines multiple operations that previously required separate people into one automated mechanism, allowing one worker to control the entire fastening process without assistance.
3Ease of operation
If hand feed technique is used, then manual control is maintained, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual hand-feed technique is replaced by an automated magazine-fed mechanism that delivers clips automatically to the power tool. This substitution maintains operator control over the process while eliminating the time-consuming manual positioning steps, significantly reducing installation time per clip.
Solution Approach 2:
Clips are pre-loaded into the magazine system in advance of installation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for manual clip positioning during the installation process itself, as the system automatically retrieves and positions clips from the pre-loaded magazine, reducing on-site installation time.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal magazine mounts to a hand-operated power tool that will automatically feed a hidden deck board clip to the tool head from a strip of such clips and position the clips one at a time under the power tool's driving mechanism. The strip includes multiple hidden clips separated by a frangible section or tab located between adjacent clips. Each hidden clip can be formed of a plastic material and include a locating tab defined on each side of the clip's body and fastener aperture defined in a center of the body. Further, strips can be adapted for manual use and manipulation rather than for use with a power tool.