Toggle Bolt Sleeve Structure to Prevent Beam Push-Off

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Toggle bolts exert significant force on the beam when a screw is screwed into the screw hole, which can lead to instability and difficulty in attaching objects securely.

Innovation Solution

The toggle bolt design features a beam with a screw hole transverse to its longitudinal axis, a pivotable band, and a slidably mounted sleeve with a screw hole that allows screwing without axial force on the beam, using a resilient element and anti-rotation features to secure the beam against the panel edge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a screw is screwed directly into the screw hole of the beam, then the screw can be securely fastened to the toggle bolt, but the screw exerts significant axial force on the beam that pushes it away from the panel edge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrew fastening strengthVSAvoidaxial force on beam
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sleeve as an intermediary component between the screw and the beam. The sleeve has a through-hole that guides the screw and transfers the screwing force laterally to the beam rather than axially. This mediator allows the screw to be securely fastened while preventing the beam from being pushed away from the panel edge, as the force is redirected through the sleeve's structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the beam is made rigid enough to maintain contact with the panel edge during screwing, then the toggle bolt remains stable, but the beam cannot be easily pivoted through the through hole

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam stability during screwingVSAvoidbeam pivoting ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the band flexible and pivotable, allowing it to dynamically change position during installation. The band can be pivoted to push the beam through the through hole, then locked in place to provide stability during screwing. This dynamic design allows the system to transition between ease of operation and stability as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the toggle bolt into separate functional components: a rigid beam for structural stability and a flexible band for manipulation. The band is connected to the beam but can move independently, allowing one component to provide rigidity while another provides flexibility. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different mechanical properties to different parts of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the band is made flexible to allow pivoting of the beam, then the beam can be easily pushed through the through hole, but the band may not provide sufficient support to hold the beam against the panel edge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam insertion easeVSAvoidband support strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The band is designed to be dynamically adaptable - flexible during insertion to allow easy manipulation and pivoting, then becomes rigid when locked in position against the panel edge. The locking mechanism transforms the band from a flexible manipulation tool into a rigid support structure, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and support strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This design reduces the force exerted on the beam during screwing, ensuring stable attachment to the panel without pushing the beam away, allowing for secure fastening of objects without axial displacement or rotation.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient element (42) laterally to the screw hole of the sleeve for threaded engagement of a screw thread, which can be elastically expanded radially inwardly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Corrugation of the band keeps the band against the sleeve and the beam in contact with the inaccessible side of the panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3356688B1Flop-over toggle bolt
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 FISCHERWERKE ARTUR FISCHER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3356688B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3356688B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3356688B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a flop-over toggle bolt (1) for fastening to a plate (22) that is accessible only from one side. The flop-over toggle bolt (1) has a bar (2) and a strip (3), which is flexible and thus connected to the bar (2) in a pivotable manner and on which a sleeve (4) can be moved toward the bar (2). According to the invention, the sleeve (4) is provided with a screw hole (16), such that a screw (24) cannot be stuck through but rather must be screwed through the sleeve (4) in order to be able to screw the screw into the bar (2). The sleeve (4) relieves the bar (2) of an axial force of the screw (24).