One-Side Accessible Substrate Anchor With Deployable Stop Bars

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching substrates, such as deck beams to house structures, face challenges with pull-out resistance and accessibility limitations, particularly when only one side of the substrate is accessible, as conventional fastening methods like nails and screws are prone to failure and require pre-drilling or complex mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device utilizing an internally threaded shoulder bolt with deployable stop bars and a spring mechanism, allowing for deployment through pre-drilled holes without pre-drilling, and providing high pull-out resistance by compressing substrates between stop bars and a flange upon torque application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If nails or screws are used to attach substrates, then the attachment method is simple and accessible from one side, but the pull-out resistance is insufficient and prone to failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidpull-out resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stop bars are designed to be deployable from a retracted state to an extended state, transforming the anchor from a simple insertion device to one that actively engages with the substrate. The spring mechanism automatically deploys the stop bars after insertion, creating dynamic engagement that provides high pull-out resistance without requiring manual intervention or access to the other side of the substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stop bars are nested within the anchor body during insertion, allowing the entire assembly to pass through the substrate in a compact form. After insertion, the stop bars deploy outward from the anchor body, effectively expanding the fastening mechanism within the substrate to create strong anchoring points that resist pull-out forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a bolt and nut assembly is used to provide high pull-out resistance, then the anchoring strength is superior, but access to the backside of the substrate is required which is not available in many applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepull-out resistanceVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring access to the backside of the substrate to install a nut (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by having all installation operations performed from the front side only. The anchor is inserted from the accessible side, and the stop bars deploy automatically within the substrate to create the anchoring mechanism, eliminating the need for backside access entirely while maintaining superior pull-out resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If conventional fastening methods are used, then the device structure is simple, but pre-drilling holes is required which adds complexity and time to the installation process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening device structureVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor is pre-configured with deployable stop bars that are ready to engage with the substrate immediately upon insertion. The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to automatically deploy the stop bars as the anchor is pushed through the substrate, eliminating the need for separate pre-drilling or post-installation deployment steps. This preliminary configuration of the deployment mechanism within the anchor body streamlines the installation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device ensures secure attachment with high pull-out resistance and simplicity of use, enabling effective joining of substrates when only one side is accessible, without the need for pre-drilling and using a single tool, enhancing safety and durability in deck construction.

Implementation Method 1

A spring is provided to bias the stop bars to positions which are substantially perpendicular to the slide bolt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Implementation Method 2

An internally threaded shoulder bolt is used in combination with a plurality of deployable stop bars. The slide bolt is threaded to work in conjunction with the internal threads of the shoulder bolt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThreaded fastening: Screw