GB2460121A

GB2460121A - Hollow wall fixing

Info

Publication number: GB2460121A
Application number: GB0809256A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Raymond Collins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-21
Filing date: 2008-05-21
Publication date: 2009-11-25
Also published as: GB0809256D0

Abstract

A hollow wall fixing 1 comprises a screw threaded shaft 3 of which at one end is attached a threaded nut portion2 . The screw threaded shaft 3 has a slot, open at an end opposite the end to which the threaded nut portion 2 is attached. A pair of pivoted elongate leg portions 5 are attached in the slot and are pivotable in use to retain the fixing 1 to a hollow wall by engaging a back surface of the wall. The fixing is encased within a sleeve 6 and the legs 5 may penetrate the hollow wall, in use, where there is no existing hole.

Description

I

HOLLOW WALL FIXING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a hollow wall fixing for fastening brackets and the like to a hollow wall.

To date toggle bolts are used to retain objects to walls wherein simple threaded fasteners or screws would not have sufficient holding power. Typically, fasteners are installed in the anchors after the anchors are affixed to the walls. The anchors provide increased holding power by providing greater thread engagement area with the walls than by using the fasteners alone. Alternatively, the anchors may have leg portions which diverge relative to a flange portion to wedgingly retain the anchors in the walls.

In the prior art when a user wishes to insert a toggle bolt into a dry-wall or the like to fix an item to the dry-wall, the user will first need to drill a hole in the dry-wall, the user will then have to put the drill down, then feed a toggle bolt either for example through a baton which itself will need to be drilled br another example in the case of a mirror or product with a pre-drilled hole the user will first remove the toggles, feed the bolt through the pre-drilled hole and then replace the toggle back onto the threaded bolt and feed the complete item through the hole in the wall and simultaneously the toggle bolt is pulled back and tightened, which can be very time-consuming.

The present invention allows the user to affix a bracket to a wall in one action.

In the case of the present invention a user is able to hammer the fixing through a bracket and through the wall in one step, without having to drill a hole first.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In hollow walls formed of plaster board, plywood and other relatively thin panel material, it is often a multi-stage task to mount a bracket or the like to such a wall to provide a strong and reliable fixture installation.

The nature of the fixing must be such that it is adapted to engage the inner surface of the hollow wall so that the fixing can not be pulled out and will not twist when the screw is inserted and taken up to secure the fixture to the wall.

One commonly used screw fixing makes use of a metal sleçve which is longitudinally split to create parallel ribs extending between a flanged front socket received in a hole drilled in the wall and a rear socket, the rear socket being threaded. The arrangement is such that when a screw is inserted to engage the rear socket, turning of the screw causes the ribs to deform and to flare out until they are drawn flush with the interior surface of the wall. The flaring of the ribs spreads the load over a relatively wide area of the wall adjacent the hole drilled therein.

In the prior art document U.S. Pat. No. 3,213,746, there is disclosed a screw fixing which is moulded of plastic material. The fixing includes a flexible web member with a wish-bone-like shape which, when a screw is inserted, spreads apart to hold the socket of the anchor in the wall. In this arrangement, the inner surface of the wall is engaged only by teeth formed on the sloped surfaces of the webs in a small area surrounding the hole, so that the load is concentrated in this area rather than over broad area required to distribute the load. Such load distribution is essential with relatively weak plaster board and the like; for otherwise a heavy load imposed on the anchor will pull the anchor out of the hole.

In another prior art document U.S. Pat. No. 3,651,734 a screw socket received in the hole in the wall is coupled to a toggle lock. When collapsed, this toggle is insertable through the hole. When expanded to an over-centre stable position, the toggle acts to lock the anchor within the hole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a fixing device having a screw threaded shaft of which at one end is attached a threaded nut portion and the body of the screw threaded body is slotted, open at one end, the end opposite the end to which the threaded nut portion is attached, in which a pair of pivoted elongate leg portions are attached, the fixing device being encased within a sleeve.

Preferably the pivoted elongate leg portions are each shaped and tapered, at the furthest end away from the screw threaded body, to enable the fixing device to penetrate a hollow wall or the like so that when a user hits the end of the fixing device * with a hammer then the fixing device will penetrate through a hollow wall or the like.

Preferably where the pivoted leg portions are attached to the screw threaded shaft, the leg portions bend at substantially 90 degrees to the direction of the main body of the * leg portions to provide an engagement with the internal surface of a hollow wall or the like.

Preferably the threaded nut portion comprises a screwdriver slot to enable the fixing device to be fixed in position in use.

Preferably the sleeve encasing the fixing device is slotted on both of its sides to allow the elongate leg portions to open but the sleeve also provides a means of holding the elongate leg portions in place when the fixing device is being hammered through a wall.

The present invention also provides a method for fixing an item such as a bracket to a hollow wall or the like wherein a fixing device as described above is hammered into a hollow wall.

When using the fixing device of the present invention, a user will site a bracket or the like that he or she wishes to attach to a wall in situ, put the fixing device through a hole in the bracket and hammer the fixing device through the wall. When the user decides that the fixing device has penetrated the wall to the required depth, he or she will use a screwdriver to screw down the threaded nut portion on the screw threaded body. As the user continues to screw the threaded nut portion down, this will cause the elongate leg portions to pivot and open up and the substantially right angle parts of these leg portions will move into the slotted portion of the screw threaded body until the elongate leg portions are firmly attached to the inner surface of the hollow wall or the like, providing a firm fixture.

In light of the above, the present invention allows the user to undertake the above steps in one action rather than having to undertake several steps.

These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description of the invention and referenced drawings or by practice of the invention. The aspects, advantages, and features of the invention are realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIGURE 1 illustrates a perspective view of an anchor bolt made in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a perspective view of an anchor bolt made in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRiPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Figure 1 shows the fixing device of the present invention. The fixing device (1) has a screw threaded shaft (3) of which at one end is attached a threaded nut portion (2) and the body of the screw threaded body is slotted (7) (shown in figure 2), open at one end, the end opposite the end to which the threaded nut portion is attached, in which a pair of pivoted elongate leg portions (5) are attached, the fixing device being encased within a sleeve (6).

In a preferred embodiment the pivoted elongate leg portions (5) are each shaped and tapered, at the furthest end away from the screw threaded body, to enable the fixing device to penetrate a hollow wall or the like so that when a user hits the end of the fixing device with a hammer then the fixing device will penetrate through a hollow wall or the like.

Preferably where the pivoted leg portions are attached to the screw threaded shaft, the leg portions bend at substantially 90 degrees to the direction of the main body of the leg portions to provide an engagement (8) with the internal surface of a hollow wall or the like.

Preferably the threaded nut portion (2) comprises a screwdriver slot (9) to enable the fixing device to be fixed in position in use.

Preferably the sleeve (6) encasing the fixing device is slotted (7) on both of its sides to allow the elongate leg portions (5) to open but the sleeve (6) also provides a means of holding the elongate leg portions (5) in place when the fixing device is being hammered through a wall.

The present invention also provides a method for fixing an item such as a bracket (not shown) to a hollow wall or the like wherein a fixing device as described above is hammered into a hollow wall.

When using the fixing device of the present invention, a user will site a bracket or the like that he or she wishes to attach to a wall in situ, put the fixing device (1) through a hole provided in the bracket and hammer the fixing device (1) through the wall. When the user decides that the fixing device has penetrated the wall to the required depth, he or she will use a screwdriver to screw down the threaded nut portion (2) on the screw threaded body (3). As the user continues to screw the threaded nut portion (2) down, this will cause the elongate leg portions (5) to pivot around the pivot point (4) and open up and the substantially right angle parts of these leg portions (8) will move into the slotted portion (7) of the screw threaded body until the elongate leg portions (5) are firmly attached to the inner surface of the hollow wall or the like, providing a firm fixture.

To make sure that the right angle parts of the leg portions (5) fit within the slotted portion (7) biasing means may be provided. For example it is envisaged to a spring material attached to a washer that is able to travel up the slotted encasement during use. This is only one example and it is envisaged that a person skilled in the art may suggest other suitable means to provide biasing to make sure that the right angle parts are held in the correct place and do not hinder movement of the hollow wall fixing.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

What is claimed is: 7 1. A fixing device having a screw threaded shaft of which at one end is attached a threaded nut portion and the body of the screw threaded body is slotted, open at one end, the end opposite the end to which the threaded nut portion is attached, in which a pair of pivoted elongate leg portions are attached, the fixing device being encased within a sleeve.
2. A fixing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pivoted elongate leg portions are each shaped and tapered, at the furthest end away from the screw threaded body, to enable the fixing device to penetrate a hollow wall or the like so that when a user hits the end of the fixing device with a hammer then the fixing device will penetrate through a hollow wall or the like.
3. A fixing device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the pivoted leg portions are attached to the screw threaded shaft, the leg portions bend at substantially 90 degrees to the direction of the main body of the leg portions to provide an engagement with the internal surface of a hollow wall or the like.
4. A fixing device as claimed in claim I wherein the threaded nut portion comprises a screwdriver slot to enable the fixing device to be fixed in position in use.
5. A fixing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sleeve encasing the fixing device is slotted on both of its sides to allow the elongate leg portions to open but the sleeve also provides a means of holding the elongate leg portions in place when the fixing device is being hammered through a wall.
6. A fixing device as claimed in claim 5 wherein biasing means are provided such that the part of the leg portions that bend at substantially 90 degrees to the direction of the main body of the leg portions are biased into the slotted screw threaded body so as to not hinder travel when in use.
7. A method of fixing a bracket or similar article to a hollow wall or the like using a fixing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a user will site a bracket or the like that he or she wishes to attach to a wall in situ, put the fixing device through a hole that is provided in the bracket and hammer the fixing device through the wall.
8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein when a user decides that the fixing device has penetrated the wall to the required depth, he or she will use a screwdriver to screw down the threaded nut portion on the screw threaded body.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein as the user continues to screw the threaded nut portion down, this will cause the elongate leg portions to pivot and open up and the substantially right angle parts of these leg portions will move into the slotted portion of the screw threaded body until the elongate leg portions are firmly attached to the inner surface of the hollow wall or the like, providing a firm fixture.
10. A fixing device, as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
11. A method of fixing a bracket or similar article to a hollow wall or the like, as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.