Ceiling Anchor Assembly With Reinforcing Toggle Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchor assemblies for suspending items from ceilings have weight limitations and often face difficulties in securing movable toggles, which restrict their loading capacity and reliability.
Innovation Solution
An anchor assembly with a body defining a cavity and an insertion device featuring a movable securing member, where the cover member cooperates with the securing member to urge it into a securing position, and reinforcing members extend through the cavity to engage the insertion device, enhancing the anchor's load-bearing capacity by reinforcing the surrounding material, such as concrete.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional anchors with movable securing toggles are used, then the anchor can be inserted into the ceiling, but it becomes difficult to move the toggle to a securing position and the weight capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member acts as an intermediary element between the user and the securing member. It provides a large lever arm that the user can push to rotate the securing member from the non-securing position to the securing position. This intermediary structure makes it easy to operate the toggle mechanism while maintaining high weight capacity through the reinforcing member engagement.
2Strength
If anchors without reinforcing members are used, then the structure is simpler, but the load-bearing capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is segmented into distinct functional components: the body for insertion, the cover member for operation, the securing member for engagement, and the reinforcing member for strength. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve high load-bearing capacity. The modular design actually simplifies manufacturing and assembly compared to monolithic designs.
3Reliability
If the securing member is always in the securing position, then the anchor is always secure, but it cannot be easily removed or adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The securing member is designed to be dynamically positionable between a non-securing position (for insertion and removal) and a securing position (for load-bearing). The cover member enables easy transition between these states by providing leverage to rotate the securing member. This dynamic design maintains reliability when secured while allowing easy adjustment and removal when needed.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An anchor assembly (10) comprises an anchor (12) comprising a body (15) defining a cavity (16). The anchor (12) further comprises a reinforcing member (18) extending through the cavity (16) and outwardly from the body (15). The anchor assembly (10) further includes an insertion device (14) insertable into the cavity (16). The insertion device (14) comprises a securing member (49) movable between securing and non-securing positions. When the movable securing member (49) is in the securing position in the cavity (16), the securing member (49) can engage the reinforcing member (18) to secure the insertion device (14) to the anchor (12).