Toggle Anchor Fastener for One-Sided High Pull-Out Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching substrates, such as decks to structures, face challenges with insufficient lateral strength, pull-out resistance, and require access to both sides for secure anchoring, especially when only one side is accessible.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device using an internally threaded shoulder bolt with deployable stop bars and a slide collar, allowing secure attachment through one side by driving it through pre-drilled holes, deploying stop bars perpendicular to the slide bolt, and tightening the shoulder bolt for high pull-out resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a bolt and nut assembly is used to attach a deck to a structure, then pull-out resistance is substantially improved, but the device becomes impossible to deploy when the backside of the rim joist is inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device is divided into separate functional components: a shoulder bolt for anchoring, a slide collar for positioning, and deployable stop bars for lateral restraint. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling one-sided deployment while maintaining strong anchoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop bars are designed to be deployable rather than fixed, transitioning from a retracted state during installation to an extended state for lateral reinforcement. This dynamic feature allows the device to adapt its configuration based on operational needs, providing high pull-out resistance only when required while facilitating easy installation from one side.
2Ease of operation
If nails are used to attach a deck beam to rim joists, then the anchoring system is simple to install, but lateral strength and pull-out resistance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the simplicity of nail installation with the strength of bolt anchoring. The shoulder bolt provides robust anchoring capability while the deployment mechanism maintains ease of installation, combining advantages of both simple and strong fastening methods into a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop bars automatically deploy to provide lateral reinforcement once the shoulder bolt is installed, eliminating the need for additional fasteners or complex assembly steps. The system self-configures to provide both anchoring and lateral strength without requiring separate installation operations.
3Strength
If screws are used instead of nails to provide lateral strength, then lateral strength is improved, but the fasteners become prone to failure due to localized rot or hole enlargement
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder bolt is installed first to create a secure anchoring point before the stop bars are deployed. This preliminary anchoring action ensures that the primary load-bearing connection is established in sound material, preventing failure due to subsequent rot or decay at the fastening location.
Solution Approach 2:
The device concentrates its anchoring function at the shoulder bolt location, which can be positioned in optimal material conditions, while the stop bars provide localized lateral reinforcement. This distribution of functions to different locations allows each component to operate in the most favorable conditions for its specific purpose.
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
Provides durable, high pull-out resistance and easy, one-sided deployment, ensuring secure attachment of substrates without pre-drilling and using a single tool.
Implementation Method 1
A conical spring is disposed over the threaded shaft of the bolt with the narrow end of the conical spring adjacent to the head of the bolt and the wide end of the conical spring adjacent to the first end of the slide body
Implementation Method 2
The toggle has a first configuration in which the toggle can advance with within the aperture and a second configuration which prevents the fastener from being retracted from the aperture
Implementation Method 3
A bolt engages with the slide body. The bolt has a head and a threaded shaft. The threaded shaft is engageable within the tapped opening of the slide body
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener for attaching together layers of a substrate. The fastener includes a slide body, a bolt, a conical spring, and a toggle having a pivot coupled with one end of the slide body. The conical spring is disposed over a shaft of the bolt and the shaft is engaged within the slide body. The slide body and toggle are inserted into an aperture through the layers of substrate in a first configuration until the conical spring contacts a front face of the layers of substrate. Compression of the conical spring against the front face advances the toggle a clearance length out of the aperture on a back face of the layers of a substrate such that the toggle can switch to a second configuration that prevents retraction through the aperture. Extension of the conical spring automatically engages the toggle with the back face of the substrate to prevent rotation of the slide body within the aperture.