Ceiling Anchor Assembly With Guided Toggle Securing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchor assemblies for suspending items from ceilings have weight limitations and often face difficulties in securing the movable toggles, making it challenging to engage them properly.
Innovation Solution
An anchor assembly with a body and reinforcing members, along with an insertion device featuring a movable securing member, where the cover member cooperates with the securing member to urge it into a securing position when inserted, enhancing engagement and weight-bearing capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional anchors are used to suspend items from ceilings, then the anchor assembly can be installed, but the weight-bearing capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor body is constructed as a composite structure combining a holding member (for structural strength) and a cover member (for user interaction and guidance). This composite design allows the anchor to achieve higher weight-bearing capacity while maintaining manageable complexity through functional separation of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor is divided into distinct functional segments: the holding member that engages with the support structure for strength, and the cover member that provides user interface and guidance features. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall weight-bearing capacity without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If movable securing toggles are provided in anchors, then the insertion device can be secured, but it becomes difficult to cause the toggle to move to a securing position
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member acts as an intermediary between the user and the securing member. It provides guiding surfaces and cooperative features that mediate the interaction, making it easier for users to manipulate the securing member into the securing position while maintaining reliable engagement once secured.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover member is designed with pre-configured guiding surfaces and cooperative features that prepare the path for the securing member. This preliminary arrangement of geometric constraints and surfaces guides the securing member into the correct position during insertion, reducing the difficulty of engagement while ensuring reliable securing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the securing member is made movable between securing and non-securing positions, then the insertion device can be adjusted, but the engagement difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member serves as a mediator that facilitates the movement of the securing member between positions. Through its geometric design with guiding surfaces and cooperative features, it makes the adjustable movement intuitive and easy to perform while maintaining secure engagement when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing member is designed to be dynamically movable between securing and non-securing positions, with the cover member providing time-varying geometric guidance. This dynamic capability allows the insertion device to adapt to different installation conditions while the cover member ensures the movement remains easy through its guiding surfaces.
Data Source
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).