Reinforced Ceiling Anchor Assembly With Securing Toggle Lock
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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 ability to support heavier loads effectively.
Innovation Solution
An anchor assembly with a body featuring a cavity and reinforcing members, where the cover member cooperates with a movable securing member to urge it into a securing position when an insertion device is inserted, and a locking mechanism to secure the insertion device to the anchor, allowing for greater weight-bearing capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional anchors are used to suspend items from ceilings, then installation is simple, but the weight-bearing capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor assembly employs a nested structure where the insertion device fits within the cavity of the anchor body, and the securing member is contained within the insertion device. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional components to be integrated in a compact manner, increasing weight-bearing capacity through reinforced structures while maintaining a space-efficient design that does not excessively increase overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor system is divided into distinct functional segments: the anchor body with cavity, the insertion device with securing member, and the locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while working together as an integrated system, enabling enhanced strength through specialized structures without requiring the entire assembly to be overly complex.
2Ease of operation
If movable securing toggles are provided in anchors, then the anchoring mechanism is flexible, but it can be difficult to move the toggle to a securing position
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member is designed with a cooperative geometry that preemptively guides the securing member into the correct securing position. As the insertion device is inserted into the cavity, the cover member's shape and positioning create mechanical guidance that prevents the securing member from settling in incorrect positions, thereby ensuring reliable engagement while requiring minimal manual manipulation effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover member acts as an intermediary element between the insertion device and the securing member. It mediates the interaction by providing a cooperative surface and geometric constraints that facilitate smooth movement of the securing member into the securing position, reducing the difficulty of operation while maintaining reliable engagement through the mediating geometric relationships.
3Strength
If reinforcing members are added to increase weight capacity, then the anchor can support heavier loads, but the anchor size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing members are strategically positioned and integrated into the anchor body's cavity structure, with the insertion device nesting within the same space. This nested configuration allows the reinforcing members to provide enhanced weight-bearing capacity through optimized structural placement without requiring a proportional increase in the overall anchor volume, as the components share the same spatial envelope.
Data Source
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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).