Wedge Clamp Locking for Safety Guards Without Lost Hardware

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing safety guard locking systems using nuts and bolts pose risks of lost hardware and inadequate securing, while cable tie-based wedge clamps do not ensure a firm closed position, leading to potential hazards.

Innovation Solution

A wedge clamp device with a bullet-shaped end featuring a groove or slot for a cable tie, which forces the wedge into a closed and secured position, ensuring it remains firmly shut.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nuts and bolts are used to lock the safety guard, then the guard can be securely locked, but the hardware may fall and become lost creating safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidlost hardware hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the traditional nuts and bolts from the locking mechanism and replaces them with a wedge clamp system that uses friction and geometry to achieve locking without loose hardware components that could fall and be lost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is segmented into a wedge member and a clamp body, allowing the locking function to be achieved through the wedge geometry and friction rather than threaded fasteners, eliminating the risk of lost hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a cable tie is wrapped around the wedge clamp opening, then the clamp cannot open dangerously, but the wedge remains loose and can rattle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety preventionVSAvoidwedge stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The groove is pre-formed in the wedge member to receive the cable tie, allowing the cable tie to be installed in a specific position that optimizes both the locking function and the firmness of the closed position, preventing rattling while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The groove acts as an intermediary feature that guides and positions the cable tie, ensuring it engages the wedge member at the optimal location to achieve both safety locking and firm closed position without rattling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11187255B2Wedge clamp for securing safety guards around industrial equipment

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 VANDERGEEST

AI summary

A device for securing safety guards around machinery includes a portable wedge clamp device which is inserted through both the safety guard and the post. The portable wedge clamp device includes a base wedge member and a cooperating drive wedge member. The bullet-shaped end of the drive wedge member is modified to include a groove around which a cable tie is used to prevent the drive wedge member from rattling and from moving and becoming unlocked. Alternatively, the bullet-shaped end of the drive wedge member includes a slot through which the cable tie is secured.