Toggle Bolt Fixture for One-Handed Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Toggle bolts are difficult to install, especially in confined spaces, as users need to apply simultaneous inward pressure on the bolt head and outward pressure on the anchor wings, requiring two hands and causing frustration and fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical-coupling device with a bolt head that includes a fixture for remateably coupling to an attachment tool, allowing for simultaneous application of pulling force and rotational torque, which fixes the anchor nut in a deployed position and reduces the distance between the bolt head and anchor nut, enabling one-handed installation without a second attachment tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user installs a toggle bolt by hand tightening and then using a screwdriver or drill bit, then the anchor wings can engage with the hollow wall, but the user needs to use both hands and it becomes difficult or tiring especially in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of applying pulling force and rotational torque into a single attachment tool. The fixture on the bolt head allows one tool to simultaneously perform both actions that previously required two separate tools or two hands, thereby simplifying the installation process and improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment tool is designed with multi-functionality, capable of both pulling the bolt to engage anchor wings and rotating the bolt for final tightening. This universal tool eliminates the need for separate tools or hands for each operation, directly addressing the ease of operation improvement while managing device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a user employs a screwdriver throughout the installation process, then the bolt can be tightened, but the user typically needs to also use their other hand to pull the bolt outward to engage the anchor wings
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture design merges the pulling and rotating functions into a single attachment interface. This allows one tool to simultaneously perform both operations, eliminating the need to switch tools or use two hands, thereby improving both ease of operation and installation efficiency by reducing the number of steps and tools required.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous engagement of the single attachment tool throughout the installation process ensures uninterrupted useful action. The tool maintains contact with the bolt head during both the pulling phase (to engage anchor wings) and the rotating phase (for final tightening), eliminating downtime or tool transitions and thus improving productivity.
3Ease of operation
If the bolt head includes a fixture for remateably coupling to an attachment tool, then simultaneous pulling force and rotational torque can be applied, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture is designed as a separate, modular component attached to the bolt head, rather than integrating the attachment interface directly into the bolt head structure. This segmentation allows the fixture to be a simple, dedicated element that provides the attachment function without complicating the overall bolt head design, thus improving ease of operation while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical-coupling device is described. The mechanical-coupling device includes a toggle bolt with a fixture in a bolt head that remateably mechanically couples to an attachment tool. The device may further include an anchor nut having an anchor wing or tab. During mechanical coupling of the anchor nut to the bolt with a mounting material, such as a wall, countertop or sink, between the bolt head and the anchor nut, the fixture may convey a pulling force, from the attachment tool, that results in fixing a position of the anchor nut with the anchor wing or tab in a deployed position. Moreover, the fixture may convey a rotational torque, from the attachment tool, about a symmetry axis of the bolt that rotates the bolt relative to the fixed position of the anchor nut so that a distance between the bolt head and the anchor nut decreases.