Universal Mounting Clamps for Diverse Structural Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clamping solutions fail to provide a universal and adjustable method for mounting accessories on structures with various square, rectangular, or rounded profiles and sizes, often requiring specific dimensions, drilling, or altering the structure, and are limited in surface area and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A universal mounting clamps system using angled or curved clamping units with accessory-mount brackets and fastener positioners, allowing for adjustable and removable attachment of accessories on structures with different profiles and sizes, including vehicle trailer hitches, bumpers, beams, and pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current clamping solutions are designed to fit specific structures with specific dimensions, then they can provide secure mounting for those structures, but they cannot be used on other structures with different dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is designed with a universal adaptation mechanism that can accommodate multiple structure profiles (round, square, rectangular) and various dimensions through adjustable components. The mounting bracket system allows the same clamp assembly to function across different application scenarios without requiring specialized designs for each structure type.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly incorporates adjustable and removable components that allow dynamic adaptation to different structure profiles and sizes. The mounting brackets can be repositioned and reconfigured based on the specific structure being mounted, providing flexibility rather than a fixed configuration.
2Manufacturing precision
If current clamping solutions are designed for specific dimensions, then they can provide precise fit for those dimensions, but they cannot accommodate structures with different dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is divided into modular components including the clamp body, mounting brackets, and fastening mechanisms that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for precision while collectively providing adaptability across different dimensions through their coordinated adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system utilizes adjustable parameters such as bracket position, fastening location, and clamp orientation that can be changed to accommodate different structure dimensions. These parameter adjustments maintain precise fit for each specific dimension while enabling versatility across multiple dimension ranges.
3Reliability
If current clamping solutions require drilling, machining, or altering the structure, then they can provide secure attachment, but they damage or deface the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly utilizes the existing surface of the structure to create secure attachment without requiring external modifications. The mounting brackets and fastening mechanisms are designed to engage with the structure's existing geometry, allowing the structure to serve its mounting function without alteration.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting brackets act as intermediary elements between the clamp assembly and the structure, providing a secure attachment interface without direct contact that would cause damage. These intermediaries distribute attachment forces and accommodate various structure profiles without requiring drilling or machining.
4Ease of operation
If current clamping solutions use hose clamps for mounting, then they can provide simple attachment, but they are limited to very specific things and do not provide enough surface area or mechanisms for mounting a variety of things
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system extends beyond simple circumferential clamping by adding mounting brackets that protrude from the clamp body, creating additional mounting surfaces in a different spatial dimension. This allows accessories to be mounted not only on the clamp's outer surface but also on the extended bracket surfaces, significantly increasing mounting versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly is segmented into the clamp body and separate mounting bracket components, allowing the mounting functionality to be independently configured. Different bracket configurations can be attached to the same clamp body, providing versatility while maintaining the simplicity of the basic clamping operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal mounting clamps system and method for mounting a variety of accessories upon structures having various square, rectangular, or rounded profiles and various ratios and sizes, such as vehicle trailer hitches or bumpers, beams, posts, tubes, and pipes. In an angled-profile-structure embodiment using an angled mounting-clamp unit, an accessory-mount bracket is placed over a corner of the structure and provides area for mounting accessories. A clamping bracket is placed over the diagonally opposite corner of the structure and is fastened to the accessory-mount bracket using a fastener positioner. In a rounded-profile-structure embodiment, a curved mounting-clamp unit is fastened to the structure through a fastener slot, a positioner leg is held in position against the structure, and an accessory-mount leg is held extended from the structure and provides an area for mounting accessories.