The Fastmount Carpet Clip is a small part solving a big problem. Designed to replace hot, rust-prone metal rivets on marine platforms and leisure craft, it delivers a safer, smarter way to secure heavy-duty carpets.
EXPERTISE
- Industrial Design
- Mechanical Engineering
- Prototyping
- Design for Manufacture
CHALLENGE
A better way to secure carpets in tough environments
Fastmount wanted a simpler, safer alternative to the metal fixtures commonly used to secure heavy-duty carpets on marine platforms, barges and other leisure craft. Traditional rivets could heat up under the sun, causing burns to bare feet, and were prone to rust over time. Replacing worn or damaged sections was slow and cumbersome, often requiring multiple parts to be removed and reinstalled. The goal was to create a single, robust fastening system that could work across different carpet thicknesses, handle high shear forces, and be quick to remove for replacement or cleaning.
APPROACH
Refining the form for function
Blender worked closely with Fastmount to develop a patented screw-in female component that holds the carpet securely with fewer parts. The design had to fit both thick and thin grades of industrial marine carpet without loosening or damaging the textile, and withstand the kind of force you might get from a group of kids diving off a floating platform all at once.
The team explored hundreds of prototype variations, adjusting clip thickness, angles and fin shapes in increments as small as 0.05mm. Early versions were 3D printed in-house, with higher-fidelity prototypes produced in stronger materials for rigorous testing. The result was a self-winding clip that locks in securely yet can be removed easily with a simple tool, making seasonal changes, repairs and cleaning straightforward.
OUTCOME
A small part with a big impact
The Carpet Clip’s polycarbonate construction eliminates the heat build-up of metal fasteners, improving safety for barefoot passengers, while offering the strength and durability required in marine environments. The patented screw-in component is unique to Fastmount, streamlining installation and protecting against direct copies.
Originally designed for marine platforms, the Carpet Clip also suits campervans, domestic spaces, and any application where textiles need to be fixed to hard surfaces. Aligned with Fastmount’s other textile fixing systems, it has given distributors a versatile new option, opening up wider discussions with customers and reinforcing the brand’s reputation for innovative fastening solutions.
“The Carpet Clip aligns with our other textile clip offerings by providing options to secure mats and carpets on boats, campervans and more. For our marine distributors, it’s given them a wider range of solutions to discuss with customers, while the polycarbonate material removes the heat and safety issues of metal alternatives.” — Fastmount
