Sliding Toggle Wall Anchor Assembly for Variable Wall Thickness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastener/wall anchor assemblies face challenges in securely engaging with different wall thicknesses and maintaining stability without being removable, as they often rely on expansion or pivoting mechanisms that may not effectively adapt to varying wall densities.
Innovation Solution
A toggle member and anchor body assembly that includes a pivotable and slidable toggle member with a collar tab, allowing the fastener to pivot and drive the toggle member towards the wall, and a collar with a channel and tab structure to accommodate different wall thicknesses, ensuring secure engagement and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a toggle member is designed to pivot and abut the inside of the wall, then the anchor prevents removal, but the mechanism becomes complex and difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: a collar portion for insertion, a toggle member with pivotable arms, and a fastener. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The toggle member incorporates dynamic elements including a pivotable connection between the arms and collar, allowing the arms to rotate from an inserted position to an expanded position against the wall interior. This dynamic mechanism enables reliable anchoring through motion rather than complex static structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the anchor is designed to adapt to different wall thicknesses, then versatility improves, but the structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle arms are designed to pivot and adjust their position dynamically based on wall thickness. The arms can rotate to different angles and extend to different lengths, allowing the anchor to adapt to various wall thicknesses while maintaining structural stability through the rigid collar and secure fastener connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor allows parameter changes in the toggle member configuration, including pivot angle and arm extension distance. These adjustable parameters enable the same anchor design to work with different wall thicknesses while maintaining optimal structural stability for each specific application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the toggle member is designed to slide and pivot relative to the anchor body, then adaptability to wall thickness improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding and pivoting functions are separated into distinct mechanical features: linear slots for sliding motion and pivot points for rotational movement. This segmentation allows each movement type to be manufactured with standard tolerances rather than requiring high-precision integrated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar acts as an intermediary component between the toggle arms and the wall, providing reference surfaces and guidance features. This intermediary element absorbs some alignment tolerances and facilitates smooth sliding and pivoting motion without requiring extremely precise manufacturing of all components.
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor assembly includes an anchor body for insertion into a wall. A toggle member has an aperture therethrough and is slidable and pivotable relative to the anchor body. The toggle member is configured to have a first position slid forward aligned longitudinally with the anchor body, a second position slid forward and pivoted relative to the anchor body when the fastener engages the toggle member pivoting it relative to the anchor body, and a third position slid rearward and pivoted relative to the anchor body when the fastener enters the toggle member aperture and drives the toggle member rearward to engage the toggle member with the anchor body.