Hygienic Anchor Bracket Sealing Toggle Bolts
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Solution Overview
Problem
In clean, sanitary, or sterile environments, existing pipe and tube supports with exposed fasteners like toggle bolts pose risks of contamination and deterioration from caustic cleaning solutions, and require complex installation methods when access to the reverse side is limited.
Innovation Solution
An offset anchor bracket with bored pedestals and female threaded receptacles encapsulates toggle bolts, allowing secure attachment to panels without exposing irregular surfaces, using only two bolts for installation and providing a seal to prevent contamination and bacterial buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If toggle bolt-like fasteners are used to secure the anchor bracket to the panel, then the installation is simplified and can be performed from one side only, but the irregular surface of the fastener exposes it to caustic cleaning solutions and allows dirt and bacteria buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary sealing structure (sealing washer or seal member) that mediates between the toggle bolt-like fastener and the clean room environment. This sealing intermediary covers the irregular surface of the fastener, preventing direct exposure to caustic cleaning solutions and eliminating surfaces where dirt and bacteria could accumulate, while still allowing the fastener to perform its securing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the sealing washer or seal member is positioned within or around the anchor bracket, which in turn covers the toggle bolt-like fastener. This nested arrangement creates multiple layers of protection, with the sealing element nested within the bracket structure, ensuring the fastener surface is completely enclosed and protected from the clean room environment.
2Device complexity
If conventional pipe supports with exposed fasteners are used, then the structure is simple, but the exposed irregular surfaces cannot meet clean room sanitary requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a sealing washer or seal member that acts as a flexible or conforming barrier to cover the irregular surface of the fastener. This thin film or shell-like structure adapts to the fastener's geometry while providing a smooth, sealable surface that meets sanitary requirements, effectively transforming the irregular exposed surface into a protected, compliant interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor bracket assembly becomes a composite structure combining the metal anchor bracket, the sealing washer or seal member (likely made of corrosion-resistant, easy-to-clean material), and the toggle bolt-like fastener. This composite construction integrates both structural and sanitary functions, maintaining simplicity while achieving compliance through material selection and layered composition.
3Strength
If multiple fasteners are used to secure the anchor bracket, then the attachment is more secure, but the installation complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor bracket is designed with universal receptacles that can accommodate various toggle bolt-like fastener configurations. The bracket's structure allows it to function effectively with minimal fasteners (as few as two) by distributing loads efficiently across the bracket body and utilizing the receptacle design to maximize the securing capability of each individual fastener, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining attachment security.
Data Source
AI summary
A hygienically sealable anchor bracket for installation of block style tube and pipe hangers to a ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame, or other paneled strata in which there may be no access to the reverse side, there being a need to secure the anchor bracket to an attachment fastener or toggle bolt and simultaneously shield the exposed fastener or toggle bolt structure from the environment of the clean room, sterile room, or sanitary room in order to protect the irregular surface of the fastener or toggle bolt from caustic cleaning solutions and to prevent the buildup of dirt and bacteria, the anchor bracket having a pedestal in communication with the cavity which encapsulates the exposed portion of the toggle bolt and secures the anchor bracket thereto, the anchor bracket having a plurality of receptacles for receipt of fasteners utilized in assembling block style tube and pipe hangers, thus securing the block style tube and pipe hanger and anchor bracket to the ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame, or other paneled strata.