Adjustable Hollow Wall Fastener With Removable Deployable Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hollow wall fasteners lack adjustability for varying wall thicknesses and often damage the drywall during installation, and they are not easily removable.
Innovation Solution
A high-capacity, reusable hollow wall fastener with deployable arms that adjust for different wall depths, distribute load efficiently, and can be completely removed, featuring a cylindrical outer casing with arms that spread to grip the wall between the surface and behind it, and a removable exterior cap for enhanced stability and versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If expanding fasteners are used to mount objects on hollow walls, then the fastening capacity is improved, but the drywall is damaged during installation and the fasteners cannot be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into separate components: a wall anchor that remains in the hollow wall and a removable fastener that attaches to it. This segmentation allows the wall anchor to provide stable anchoring without damage while the fastener can be easily attached and removed, resolving the contradiction between strong fastening and easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall anchor acts as an intermediary element that stays in the hollow wall and provides a mounting interface. Instead of directly damaging the drywall with expanding fasteners, the anchor is inserted into the hollow space and provides a secure base for attaching objects, thereby protecting the drywall surface while maintaining fastening strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed-depth fasteners are used, then the installation process is simplified, but they cannot accommodate varying wall thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener incorporates adjustable components that can be configured for different wall thicknesses. The arm mechanism can be positioned at various depths, and the set screw allows for dynamic adjustment of the arm's position, enabling the same fastener design to adapt to varying wall thicknesses while maintaining simple installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener design allows changing the parameter of arm extension depth through the adjustable set screw mechanism. By modifying the position of the set screw, the arm's extension distance can be changed to match different wall thicknesses, providing versatility without complicating the overall installation process.
3Strength
If expanding fasteners are used to increase load capacity, then the weight-bearing capacity is improved, but the installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the anchoring function (wall anchor) from the fastening function (removable fastener). The wall anchor is installed once to provide high load capacity, while the fastener can be easily attached and detached. This segmentation reduces installation complexity for the high-strength anchoring portion while maintaining ease of use for the fastening portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall anchor is designed to be self-installing into the hollow wall space without requiring complex expansion mechanisms. The simple insertion and arm deployment process allows the anchor to serve itself by automatically positioning its arms against the wall surface, reducing the need for complex installation tools or procedures while maintaining high weight-bearing capacity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a secure, adjustable, and removable fastening system that maximizes the weight-bearing capacity of hollow walls while protecting drywall integrity and allowing for various applications, including decorative and functional uses.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of arms that deploy and install in a reaching and spreading motion... The arms lock into place by between the arm base top plate and the anvil face
Implementation Method 2
The hollow wall fastener is secured by a threaded fastener that locks the arm base and anvil in position
Data Source
AI summary
Improvements in a hollow wall fastener that uses a cylindrical outer casing with an outer lip to distribute vertical load stress to the wall more efficiently by reducing high-load stress points and centering mass nearer the wall. The fastener uses arms that deploy and install in a reaching and spreading motion that allows the center of tension and load to remain closer to the wall. The housing uses channeled grooves that align the arms with the cylindrical outer casing. The fastener is adjustable prior to installation to set the thickness of the wall for an optimal grip. The arms secure the fastener by direct pressure applied from opposite directions along the z-axis, perpendicular to the interior wall. The arms can be retracted back into the cylindrical outer housing for removal of the fastener from the wall, ceiling, or floor.