GB2460128A

GB2460128A - Toggle bolt

Info

Publication number: GB2460128A
Application number: GB0816842A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Collins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-21
Filing date: 2008-09-15
Publication date: 2009-11-25
Also published as: GB0816842D0; GB0809255D0

Abstract

A toggle bolt / anchor bolt fastener assembly for mounting articles upon a panel member, comprises an encasement J to be mounted within a panel member and a drill bit / pointed end A which passes through the encasement J. A fastening device I is attached to the drill bit / pointed end A. Toggle means C are mounted upon one end of the drill bit / pointed end A for movement between a first inoperative position for permitting said encasement J to be inserted into the panel member, and a second operative position for fixedly retaining said encasement J mounted within the panel member. In another embodiment the toggle means C are replaced by a collapsible member of rhombic form.

Description

TOGGLE OR ANCHOR BOLT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a toggle bolt, sometimes called a dry-wall fixing or plasterboard fixing or an anchor bolt.

The present invention relates generally to toggle-bolt anchor bolt fastener assemblies for mounting various objects or articles, such as, for example, pictures, mirrors, shelving, lighting fixtures, brackets, and the like, upon drywall or support panel structures, and more particularly to a new and improved toggle-bolt / anchor bolt fastener assembly.

Toggle bolts / anchor 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 / anchor 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 / anchor bolt either for example through a baton which itself will need to be drilled or 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 / anchor bolt is pulled back and tightened, which can be very time-consuming.

In light of the above, the present invention allows the user to undertake the above steps in one action. In the case of a baton (usually used for fixing another item to) the toggle bolt / anchor bolt assembly of the present invention allows a user to put the head of the present invention into a drill and drill directly through the baton and through the wall in one step. En the instance of a mirror or other item with a pre-drilled hole the toggle bolt / anchor bolt assembly of the present invention is drilled directly into a dry-wall and fixed securely in one action, the user can then apply suitable fixings for the mirror or the like that is necessary, directly into the one end of the toggle bolt / anchor bolt assembly. Another option is for the toggle bolt / anchor bolt to have pointed end like a nail head such that the toggle bolt / anchor bolt can be hammered into a dry-wall or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Where an object is to be mounted in hollow wall construction such as plasterboard, fibreboard, drywall or any other material employed in hollow wall construction, the common practice is to use a hollow anchor for this purpose.

The conventional hollow anchor is formed of metal such as zinc or of plastic such as PVC, which when hammered into a hole pre-drilled into the wall, is then adapted to receive a threaded fastener or mounting screw that goes through the mounting hole in the object and turns into the hollow of the anchor.

There are many examples of this type of bolt in the prior art.

An example of the prior art is shown in GB2052668 which shows a hollow wall fastener comprises a toggle bolt and a toggle anchor which is pointed and which has an open groove for receiving the toggle bolt. An end cap within the anchor has an internally threaded head portion and a frangible portion which allows the head portion to separate from the retainer portion of the end cap when the free end of the bolt is threaded into the head portion. The head portion prevents withdrawal of the toggle bolt from the anchor. The end of the groove has a threaded portion which permits the anchor to pivot with respect to the bolt to a position where the bolt is threadably engaged and locked in the threaded portions of the anchor forming a "T" configuration behind the surface of the hollow wall.

Another example is shown in GB2037363 which shows a swivel hook that is mounted in an open frame-like base having flat top and bottom surface and an anvil portion inside the bottom surface. An impact delivered to the hook is transmitted to a fastening spike. The swivel surfaces are frusto-conical. After the impact driving force has been applied, the frame may be rotated to secure a toggle anchor in position against the interior of the hollow wall.

Yet another example is shown in US2006182515 which shows a toggle-bolt type fastener that has a pocket structure effectively incorporated therein so as to accommodate extra-long threaded activation screws or bolt fasteners in a coaxial manner within the toggle-bolt type fastener. Alternatively, structure has been incorporated within the toggle-bolt type fastener which effectively accommodates extra-long threaded activation screws or bolt fasteners by causing the same to be slightly deflected from their coaxial disposition within the toggle-bolt type fastener so as to permit the same to bypass the stab point of the toggle-bolt type fastener.

Still further, additional structure has also been incorporated within the toggle-bolt type fastener for ensuring the fact that when the nut member is moved from its first or original, axially oriented, inoperative or non-deployed position, to its second, transversely oriented, operative or deployed position, the nut member will in fact be disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the toggle-bolt type fastener so as to, in turn, ensure the proper threaded engagement thereby by the threaded activation screw or bolt fastener.

A further example is shown in US2004191024 wherein a toggle bolt is disclosed for securing a threaded member relative to a wall, including a head portion having a central portion, a rounded end extending from one end of the central portion and at least one wing flexibly extending laterally with respect to a longitudinal axis of the central portion; and a thread protector portion including a threaded member having a slotted head, the thread protector being releaseably connected to the central portion.

What is also needed is an improved toggle bolt which is securely mounted within a wall for attaching objects thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A toggle bolt / anchor bolt is provided for mounting articles upon a panel member, comprising an encasement to be mounted within a panel member, a penetrating means which passes through the encasement, a fastening device attached to the penetrating means and toggle means mounted upon one end of the penetrating means to which the fastening means is attached for movement between a first inoperative position for permitting said encasement to be inserted into the panel member, and a second operative position for fixedly retaining said toggle / anchor housing body mounted within the panel member.

The penetrating means can be of a drill bit form or another option is to have a pointed end like a nail head such that the toggle bolt / anchor bolt can be hammered into a dry-wall or the like.

In a preferred embodiment the encasement has a tubular configuration defining a longitudinal axis and a flared end so that it lies flush with the panel once inserted.

Preferably the toggle means / anchor bolt comprises a pair of toggle wing members pivotally mounted upon said penetrating means between said first inoperative positions at which said pair of toggle wing members are radially contracted with respect to each other so as to be disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said encasement, and said second operative positions at which said pair of toggle wing members are radially expanded so as to, together, achieve a substantially V-shaped configuration.

Preferably spring means are operatively associated with said pair of toggle wing members for causing said radial expansion of said pair of toggle wing members to said second operative position.

In another embodiment the pair of toggle wing members work under centrifugal force to cause said radial expansion of said pair of toggle wing members to said second operative position.

The fastening means can consist of a screw, a picture hook or the like dependent upon the particular application.

A problem foreseen is that the toggle wing members may spin when using a drill. Two solutions are seen to this problem: firstly at least one steadying wire is provided and attached to at least one of the toggle wing members to prevent the toggle wing members from spinning with the motion of a drill; secondly it is envisaged that projecting mean(s) may be provided on the encasement to provide stability. In the case of the steadying wire or wires they are attached to a slot or slots in one end of the toggle wing members. The other end or ends of the steadying wire or wires are attached to the encasement. In the case of the projecting mean(s) they / these may take several forms and there may be one, two or more of these projecting means provided.

Another alternative embodiment is a toggle bolt / anchor bolt is provided for mounting articles upon a panel member, comprising an encasement to be mounted within a panel member, a penetrating means which passes through the encasement, a fastening device attached to the penetrating means and collapsible means (replacing the toggle means) mounted upon one end of the penetrating means to which the fastening means is attached for movement between a first inoperative position for permitting said encasement to be inserted into the panel member, and a second operative position for fixedly retaining said toggle / anchor housing body mounted within the panel member. The collapsible means could be made of any suitable material for example sprung steel or rubber.

The penetrating means can be of a drill bit form as before or another option is to have a pointed end like a nail head such that the toggle bolt / anchor bolt can be hammered into a dry-wall or the like.

Preferably the toggle means / anchor bolt comprises a collapsible member, that is shaped like a rhombus and can be flattened vertically for penetration through a hole and flattened horizontally to be held in place behind the hole, i.e. between said first inoperative positions at which said collapsible member is contracted so as to be disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said encasement, and said second operative position at which said collapsible member is expanded so as to, together, achieve a substantially flat configuration.

A collar may be provided above the collapsible means to hold the collapsible means in position in use.

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 DESCRIPTTON OF THE DRAWTh4GS HGURE 1 illustrates a perspective view of an toggle bolt / anchor bolt made in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a perspective view of an anchor bolt / toggle 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 illustrates one embodiment of a toggle bolt according to the present invention.

As shown in figure one a screw (I) or other fixing is preceded by a penetrating means such as a drill bit (A) or as stated above a pointed end. The penetrating means (A) is used to bore a hole into the hollow wall used in the application. The end of the screw (I) is held in use within a drill (not shown), the drill may be adapted to receive the screw () if necessary. When the penetrating means is of a pointed end form the screw end (I) may be hammered into the hollow wall.

The penetrating means (A) has attached at it's base toggles (C) that are initially encased with an encasement (J) to hold them initially within the bore hole created by the drill bit (A). Two embodiments are foreseen for the toggles (C), that they may be spring loaded or may rely on centrifugal force to spread them apart. Other embodiments may also be used that fall within the scope of the claims. The toggles (C) are threaded on to the penetrating means (A) at section (E).

When the encasement (J) is pushed into the hollow wall as a result of the penetrating means passing through the wall, it will meet resistance at point (F) of the encasement (J), where the neck of the encasement (J) widens away from the width of the bore hole made by the penetrating means (A).

As the encasement (J) is not threaded to the screw (I), as the penetrating means progresses through the wall, the encasement (J) is pushed away from the head of the penetrating means (A) and towards the head of the screw (I) or the like, or the head of the screw (I) or the like, into the countersunk neck of the encasement (J), so that it is flush with the surface of the wall.

As a result of the encasement being affixed within the wall, the toggles (C) are free from the encasement (J) and are able to spread apart. To prevent the toggles from spinning wildly with the motion of the drill, when used, they are held by a steadying wire (H).

The steadying wire (H) is relatively long to allow for a reasonable variety of thickness of plasterboard or the like. This steadying wire (H) is fixed to the toggle (C) , either to one or both, at point (D) on the toggle(s) (C), preferably in a slot formation.

When used the penetrating means in the form of a drill bit (A) turns the body of the screw (I) or the like, the toggle (C) travels up the screw thread until tight against the inside of the hollow wall.

The steadying wire (H) is itself attached within the encasement (J) at point (G) shown in figure 1. Attaching the steadying wire to the encasement will prevent any tangling.

The penetrating means (A) comprises a fluted section (B) for initial drill waste and a screw thread section (E) to which the screw (I) or the like is attached.

The screw (I) may be replaced with a picture hook (not shown) or any other suitable fixing that a user may require. All such applications are considered to fall within the scope of the attached claims.

The penetrating means when a drill bit (A) is threaded in the opposite direction to the drill motion so that the screw (T) or other such attachment does not become detached.

Figure 2 shows the second embodiment of the invention.

As in figure 1 the penetrating means may be of a drill bit form or may have a pointed end like a nail. For brevity, the embodiment when this means is of a drill bit form is described but it is noted that this may be replaced by the pointed end embodiment.

As shown in this figure (as with the first embodiment of the invention described above) a screw (I) or other fixing is preceded by a drill bit (A). The drill bit (A) is used to bore a hole into the hollow wall used in the application. The end of the screw (I) is held in use within a drill bit (not shown), the drill bit may be adapted to receive the screw (I) if necessary.

The drill bit (A) has attached at it's base toggles (C) that are initially encased with an encasement (J) to hold them initially within the bore hole created by the drill bit (A). Two embodiments are foreseen for the toggles (C), that they may be spring loaded or may rely on centrifugal force to spread them apart. Other embodiments may also be used that fall within the scope of the claims. The toggles (C) are threaded on to the drill bit (A) at section (E).

It is envisaged that the toggle means could be replaced by a collapsible member, of rhombic form, that is moveable between a first inoperative position at which said collapsible member is contracted so as to be disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said encasement, and a second operative position at which said collapsible member is expanded so as to, together, achieve a substantially flat configuration.

When the encasement (J) is pushed into the hollow wall as a result of the drill bit passing through the wall, it will meet resistance at point (F) of the encasement (J), where the neck of the encasement (J) widens away from the width of the bore hole drilled by the drill bit (A).

As the encasement (J) is not threaded to the screw (I), as the drill bit progresses through the wall, the encasement (J) is pushed away from the head of the drill bit (A) and towards the head of the screw (I) or the like, or the head of the screw (I) or the like, into the countersunk neck of the encasement (J), so that it is flush with the surface of the wall.

As a result of the encasement being affixed within the wall, the toggles (C) are free from the encasement (J) and are able to spread apart. To prevent the toggles from spinning wildly with the motion of the drill they are steadied by projecting means (K) provided on the encasement (J).

The encasement may be provided to opposing slots on either side of it to allow for the toggle means to be held in place and allow the toggles to spread outwardly.

The projecting means (K) may be of any suitable form and there may be one, two or more of these projecting means provided.

As the drill bit (A) turns the body of the screw (I) or the like, the toggle (C) travels up the screw thread until tight against the inside of the hollow wall.

Rather than using a threaded portion shown on the screw (T) it is possible that spring means could be provided to the threaded portion of the screw (I) and provide a bias.

The drill bit ((A) comprises a fluted section (B) for initial drill waste and a screw thread section (E) to which the screw (I) or the like is attached.

The drill bit (A) is threaded in the opposite direction to the drill motion so that the screw (I) or other such attachment does not become detached.

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: 1. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt fastener assembly for mounting articles upon a panel member, comprising an encasement to be mounted within a panel member, a penetrating means which passes through the encasement, a fastening device attached to the penetrating means and toggle means mounted upon one end of the penetrating means to which the fastening means is attached for movement between a first inoperative position for permitting said encasement to be inserted into the panel member, and a second operative position for fixedly retaining said toggle housing body mounted within the panel member.
2. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt fastener assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the penetrating means is a drill bit.
3. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt fastener assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the penetrating means is a pointed end shaft.
4. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt fastener assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said encasement has a tubular configuration defining a longitudinal axis and a flared end so that it lies flush with the panel once inserted.
5. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt fastener assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein said toggle means comprises a pair of toggle wing members pivotally mounted upon said penetrating means between said first inoperative positions at which said pair of toggle wing members are radially contracted with respect to each other so as to be disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said encasement, and said second operative positions at which said pair of toggle wing members are radially expanded so as to, together, achieve a substantially V-shaped configuration.
6. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt fastener assembly as claimed in claim 5 comprising spring means operatively associated with said pair of toggle wing members for causing said radial expansion of said pair of toggle wing members to said second operative position.
7. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt fastener assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said pair of toggle wing members work under centrifugal force to cause said radial expansion of said pair of toggle wing members to said second operative position.
8. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt fastener assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening means consists of a screw.
9. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt fastener assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening means consists of a picture hook.
10. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt fastener assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one steadying wire is provided and attached to at least one of the toggle wing members to prevent the toggle wing members from spinning with the motion of a drill.
11. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt fastener assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein the steadying wire or wires are attached to a slot or slots in one end of the toggle wing members.
12. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt fastener assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein projecting means are provided on the encasement to prevent the toggle wing members from spinning with the motion of a drill.
13. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt fastener assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the other end or ends of the steadying wire or wires are attached to the encasement.
14. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt for mounting articles upon a panel member, comprising an encasement to be mounted within a panel member, a penetrating means which passes through the encasement, a fastening device attached to the penetrating means and collapsible means mounted upon one end of the penetrating means to which the fastening means is attached for movement between a first inoperative position for permitting said encasement to be inserted into the panel member, and a second operative position for fixedly retaining said toggle / anchor housing body mounted within the panel member.
15. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt for mounting articles upon a panel member as claimed in claim 14 in which the penetrating means can be of a drill bit form or have a pointed end like a nail head such that the toggle bolt / anchor bolt can be hammered into a dry-wall or the like.
16. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt for mounting articles upon a panel member as claimed in claim 14 in which the collapsible member is shaped like a rhombus and can be flattened vertically for penetration through a hole and flattened horizontally to be held in place behind the hole, i.e. between said first inoperative positions at which said collapsible member is contracted so as to be disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said encasement, and said second operative position at which said collapsible member is expanded so as to, together, achieve a substantially flat configuration.
17. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt for mounting articles upon a panel member as claimed in claim 14 collar may be provided above the collapsible means to hold the collapsible means in position in use.
18. A toggle bolt / anchor bolt fastener as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.