Swiveling Expansion Bolt for Tool-Free Removal and Load Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expansion bolts and pivot mechanisms are either permanently fixed in structures or require tools for removal, limiting their reusability and ease of use, especially in applications requiring fall protection for workers.
Innovation Solution
A modular expansion bolt design featuring radially spreadable elongate elastic members and a pivot and swivel mechanism, allowing for elastic expansion and contraction, enabling easy insertion and removal without tools, and accommodating pivoting and swiveling for improved load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expansion bolts are designed to be permanently fixed in structures, then their anchoring reliability is improved, but their reusability and ease of removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion bolt incorporates a dynamic expansion mechanism where the body can transition between expanded and contracted states. The expansion body is biased by a spring to remain in a contracted state for easy removal, but can be expanded against the hole wall for secure anchoring. This dynamic state change allows the bolt to provide reliable anchoring when needed while maintaining ease of removal when not in use.
2Strength
If expansion bolts require tools for removal, then their anchoring strength is improved, but their ease of use and productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion bolt is designed to be self-operating for both installation and removal. The spring-biased expansion body automatically contracts when the tethering element is released, allowing the bolt to be removed by simple pulling without requiring any tools. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for specialized removal tools while maintaining strong anchoring capability during use.
3Ease of operation
If expansion bolts are designed for easy removal, then their reusability is improved, but their anchoring reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion bolt incorporates a dynamic expansion mechanism where the body can transition between expanded and contracted states. The expansion body is biased by a spring to remain in a contracted state for easy removal, but can be expanded against the hole wall for secure anchoring. This dynamic state change allows the bolt to provide reliable anchoring when needed while maintaining ease of removal when not in use.
4Stability of the object's composition
If expansion bolts use fixed pivot mechanisms, then their structural stability is improved, but their adaptability to different load directions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism incorporates a swivel joint that allows the tethering element to rotate and pivot freely in multiple directions. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the bolt to adapt to loads applied from different angles while the expansion body maintains structural stability against the hole wall. The combination of fixed expansion anchoring and movable pivot creates a stable yet adaptable connection.
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 design provides a cost-effective, reusable expansion bolt system that can be easily installed and removed, offering enhanced safety and versatility for workers by distributing loads effectively and minimizing the risk of permanent deformation.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of radially spreadable elongate elastic members cantileveredly projecting from the base
Implementation Method 2
pivot and swivel mechanism, allowing for elastic expansion and contraction, enabling easy insertion and removal without tools, and accommodating pivoting and swiveling for improved load distribution
Data Source
AI summary
An expansion bolt including a housing member integrally formed as a single piece of material, the housing member having a base, a plurality of elongate elastic members extending distally from the base, the elongate elastic members distally terminating in respective spoons, and the elongate elastic members having thicknesses that are substantially less than thicknesses of the base and the spoons, a central shaft member extending through the housing member and terminating in a wedge member, the spoons defining a cavity for receiving the wedge member, the elongate elastic members structured to bend outwardly in response to the wedge member moving into the cavity, and a biasing member for biasing the shaft member relative to the housing member in the direction of said increasing relative translation.