Toggle Fastener With Movable Strap For Thin-Walled Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toggle bolts are not user-friendly for installation on thin-walled components like plasterboards, as they require precise alignment and often encounter interference geometries within the cavity, making the process cumbersome and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A toggle plug with an elongated bar and a rigid, movably attached strap, featuring a gripping element for precise positioning and sensing interference geometries, along with a sleeve for secure fastening, allows for intuitive handling and alignment, enabling the user to feel and avoid obstacles during installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional toggle plug is used for installation on thin-walled components, then the fastening function is achieved, but the installation process becomes cumbersome and prone to errors due to precise alignment requirements and interference geometries

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInstallation easeVSAvoidAlignment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The strap is designed to be movable relative to the bar, allowing the user to adjust and position the strap flexibly during installation. This dynamic configuration enables intuitive handling and alignment while accommodating interference geometries within the cavity, directly resolving the alignment complexity issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping element serves as an intermediary tool that extends from the strap, allowing users to sense and detect interference geometries before final positioning. This mediator enables precise positioning by providing tactile feedback during installation, simplifying the alignment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the strap is rigidly attached to the bar, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to position and sense interference geometries is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveStructural stabilityVSAvoidPositioning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movable connection between the strap and bar allows the strap to be positioned and adjusted during installation while maintaining structural integrity. Once positioned, the assembly provides sufficient stability for secure fastening, thus resolving both structural stability and positioning ease requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the gripping element is short, then the device structure is simpler, but the ability to sense interference geometries is diminished

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInterference detection capabilityVSAvoidGripping element length
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The extended gripping element allows users to perform preliminary detection of interference geometries before inserting the bar into the cavity. By extending the detection range beforehand, users can plan the installation path and avoid obstacles, improving interference detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3209891B1Toggle fastener and method for mounting a toggle fastener
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 FISCHERWERKE ARTUR FISCHER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3209891B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3209891B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3209891B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a toggle fastener (1) for fixing an object to a thin-walled component (2). The toggle fastener (1) comprises a beam (4) and a strip (6). The beam (4) is elongated with an opening (10) for receiving a screw. The strip (6) is connected to the beam (4) for holding and for positioning the beam (4) and extends along a longitudinal axis of the strip (L3). According to the invention, an elongated handle element (13) is arranged on the strip (6), said handle element projecting in an inclined manner with respect to the longitudinal axis of the strip (L3).