Plasterboard Fixing with Longitudinal Backplate for Heavy Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixing devices for suspended plasterboard walls and ceilings are inadequate as they work loose under pressure and are not suitable for attaching heavy loads due to limited wing size and lack of locking mechanism, which can lead to deformation of the plasterboard.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a plug portion and a longitudinal backplate that projects from opposite sides, allowing the plug portion to be secured in a hole in the plasterboard, with a cross-section design that enables full insertion and secure anchoring, preventing the device from being pulled out and allowing for greater load-bearing capacity without moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional wall plugs are used in suspended plasterboard, then installation is simple, but the fixing works loose when pressure is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device is divided into two functional segments: a plug portion that inserts into the plasterboard hole and a longitudinal backplate that extends behind the plasterboard. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the plug portion provides insertion and positioning while the backplate provides load-bearing support and prevention of pull-out, resolving the contradiction between simple installation and reliable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional plug (conventional wall plug) to a three-dimensional structure by adding the longitudinal backplate that extends behind the plasterboard. This dimensional extension provides additional engagement surface area and structural support, enabling the fixing to withstand pressure and load while maintaining simple installation through the plug portion.
2Strength
If fixings with wings are used to provide support behind plasterboard, then load capacity increases, but it is difficult to ensure wings are extended fully and they close over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the problematic movable wing mechanism from the fixing device and replaces it with a static longitudinal backplate that provides continuous support behind the plasterboard. This extraction eliminates the reliability issues of wing extension consistency while maintaining high load capacity through the backplate's structural design and engagement with the plasterboard rear face.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using movable wings that must be actuated to provide support, the invention uses a fixed backplate that provides support from the outset. The support mechanism is inverted from an active movable system to a passive fixed system, ensuring consistent load-bearing capacity without the need for wing extension or adjustment.
3Strength
If the cross section of the fixing device is increased to support heavier loads, then load-bearing capacity improves, but the device cannot be fully inserted through the hole
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device is segmented into a plug portion with a smaller cross-section for insertion and a longitudinal backplate with a larger cross-section for load-bearing. This segmentation allows the device to be inserted through the hole using the plug portion, while the backplate extends behind the plasterboard to provide the necessary structural support for heavy loads, resolving the contradiction between insertion feasibility and load capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention resolves the cross-sectional size conflict by extending the load-bearing structure along the longitudinal dimension (behind the plasterboard) rather than increasing the transverse cross-section. The longitudinal backplate provides high load-bearing capacity through its length and engagement with the plasterboard rear face, while the plug portion maintains a compact cross-section for easy insertion through the hole.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
A fixing device (1) for attaching an item to a suspended plasterboard wall or ceiling (16). The fixing device includes a plug portion (4) for securing in a hole (14) in the suspended plasterboard wall or ceiling. The plug portion includes an aperture (6) for receiving a fastener that extends and a longitudinal backplate (2). The longitudinal backplate is attached to and projects from diametrically opposite sides of the plug portion and arranged in use to engage with the rear face of the suspended plasterboard wall or ceiling when the plug portion is secured in the hole. The perimeter of the cross section of the plug portion has a minimum bounding circle having a first diameter. The perimeter of the cross section of the fixing device through the plug portion has a minimum bounding circle having a second diameter less than or equal to the first diameter.