Rotating Finger Plasterboard Fixing for Fast Secure Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fixing devices for plasterboard are inefficient due to the need for lengthy insertion and radial expansion, which increases installation time and complexity, and often require multiple parts, making them costly and unsuitable for closely spaced fixtures.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with contra-rotating 90-degree fingers that expand radially within the plasterboard aperture, mechanically locking in place with a screw, allowing for simultaneous or sequential insertion and minimizing axial protrusion past the rear surface, thus reducing installation time and part count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fixing devices are used that require axial insertion past the rear surface of plasterboard followed by radial expansion, then secure anchoring is achieved, but installation time increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device is divided into multiple fingers (typically three) that can rotate independently about a common axis. Each finger contains a fastener receptacle, allowing the fastening operation to be distributed across multiple segments rather than requiring a single complex expansion mechanism. This segmentation enables the fingers to be inserted axially in a compact configuration and then rotated to expand radially, achieving secure anchoring while reducing the axial insertion depth required.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device transitions from a static inserted configuration to a dynamic expanded configuration through rotation of the fingers about the fastener axis. The fingers are designed to rotate from an initial axial alignment to a radial expansion position, creating a dynamic transformation that reduces the axial space required during insertion while maintaining the expanded anchoring footprint for secure attachment.
2Reliability
If conventional fixing devices with multiple parts are used, then reliable fastening is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into a single integrated fixing device structure. The fingers, fastener receptacles, and expansion mechanism are combined into one unified component that can be manufactured as a single piece. This merging eliminates the need for separate parts that would need to be assembled, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining reliable fastening through the integrated multi-finger design.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device is designed with universal applicability across different plasterboard thicknesses and fastener types. The multi-finger configuration with rotatable joints provides multi-functionality, allowing the same device structure to achieve both axial insertion and radial expansion functions, as well as accommodate various fastener configurations, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized parts and lowering manufacturing costs.
3Strength
If radial expansion beyond plasterboard thickness is used, then anchoring strength is improved, but axial space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device employs a dynamic rotation mechanism where fingers transition from an axial insertion orientation to a radial expansion orientation. During insertion, the fingers are aligned axially requiring minimal axial space. Once positioned, the fingers rotate about the fastener axis to expand radially beyond the plasterboard thickness, achieving strong anchoring without requiring excessive axial space during the insertion phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device transitions from one-dimensional axial insertion to two-dimensional radial expansion through rotation. The fingers are designed to move from occupying primarily the axial dimension during insertion to occupying the radial dimension during expansion. This dimensional transformation allows the device to achieve strong anchoring by expanding beyond the plasterboard thickness radially while minimizing the axial space required during the insertion process.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device 101 has a pair of complementary fingers 102,103 complementary pivot formations 121,122. Each has distal portion 104 and a proximal portion 105. Both have a flat surface 106, which abuts the same face in the other finger, both at the distal portions when the fixing is arranged for insertion in an aperture 107 in a board 108 and at the proximal portions when the fingers are arranged both for insertion and gripping of the board.The distal portions each have a surface 111 with an edge 1112 common with the surface 106. This surface 111 comes into abutment with the back face 112 of the board 108. The proximal portion is generally hemispherical to allow rotation within the aperture 107. A lug portion 1161 generally in the direction of the distal portion 104. FIXING DEVICE A fixing device 101 has a pair of complementary fingers 102,103 complementary pivot formations 121,122. Each has distal portion 104 and a proximal portion 105. Both have a flat surface 106, which abuts the same face in the other finger, both at the distal portions when the fixing is arranged for insertion in an aperture 107 in a board 108 and at the proximal portions when the fingers are arranged both for insertion and gripping of the board. The distal portions each have a surface 111 with an edge 1112 common with the surface 106. This surface 111 comes into abutment with the back face 112 of the board 108. The proximal portion is generally hemispherical to allow rotation within the aperture 107. A lug portion 1161 generally in the direction of the distal portion 104. With the fingers engaged and their distal portions brought as close to alignment as possible, the Tee projections 114 abut the flanges 109 at angled faces 135. The contours of the fingers are such that they can be inserted into the aperture 107 until the distal portions 104 enter the aperture.Passage of these through the aperture is inhibited by the lugs 1161, specifically by abutment of the angled back surface 118. Pressure on the angular relief surfaces 120 of the abutments 1162 urges the lugs into the front face 135 of the board 108. The reaction of the board acts about the pivot centrally of the aperture, tending to turn the fingers about the lugs under the constraint that they are pivoted together. The fingers are turned with the distal portions coming to lie on the backside of the board. This allows the fastener 130, typically a self-tapping screw to be inserted between the complementary recesses 134, where they open in the outer surfaces 117.