Toggle Wall Anchor Assembly for Drill-Free Hollow Wall Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anchor assemblies for hollow walls require pre-drilling, which can damage the rear surface and weaken the wall, especially in friable materials like plaster board.

Innovation Solution

An anchor assembly with a toggle member that is initially aligned with the anchor body for easy rotation and insertion, then pivots to extend behind the wall, allowing the anchor body to be fixed in place without pre-drilling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pre-drilling is performed to insert the anchor assembly, then the anchor can be securely installed in the wall, but the rear surface of the wall is damaged and the wall is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor installation securityVSAvoidwall damage and weakening

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of drilling through the wall from the front surface, the anchor assembly is inserted from the rear surface of the wall. The toggle member is initially in a retracted position allowing insertion through the rear surface, then it pivots to extend in front of the wall to secure the anchor, thereby avoiding damage to the rear surface while achieving secure installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the toggle member is always extended behind the wall, then secure fastening is achieved, but the anchor assembly cannot be easily inserted into the wall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening securityVSAvoidinsertion ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The toggle member is designed to be movable relative to the anchor body, capable of pivoting between a retracted position (for easy insertion) and an extended position (for secure fastening). This dynamic configuration allows the anchor assembly to be easily inserted with the toggle retracted, then the toggle pivots to the extended position to provide secure anchoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The toggle member is preliminarily positioned in a retracted state before insertion, allowing the entire anchor assembly to be easily inserted into the wall opening. After insertion, the toggle member is then actuated to pivot into its extended anchoring position, providing the securing function only when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the toggle member is held captive in the retracted position, then easy insertion is enabled, but the toggle cannot pivot to the extended position without releasing from captive state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion easeVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A cam surface acts as an intermediary mechanism between the toggle member and the anchor body. The cam surface guides and controls the release of the toggle member from its captive retracted position, enabling smooth transition to the extended position while maintaining simplicity in the overall locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 anchor assembly provides secure fastening to hollow walls without the need for pre-drilling, minimizing damage and ensuring a strong hold.

Implementation Method 1

deflector means being provided for causing, after a sufficient longitudinal displacement of said toggle member has released the same from a captive state thereof, said toggle member to pivot relative to said anchor body to said second position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

said toggle member being adapted to then threadably receive the fastener such that further rotation of the fastener draws said toggle member against a hidden side of the wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20250075723A1Anchor assembly with toggle for hollow walls

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 COBRA FIXATIONS CIE LTEE COBRA ANCHORS CO LTD

AI summary

An anchor assembly (A) for hollow walls comprises an anchor body (400) and a toggle member (231) that is displaceable between a first position wherein the toggle member (231) is substantially aligned with the anchor body (400) such that the anchor assembly (A) can be inserted in the wall (W) via a cutting distal end (325) of the toggle member (231), and a second position wherein the toggle member (231) extends behind the wall (W) at an angle relative to the anchor body (400) which extends through the wall (W). The toggle member (231) is held captive in the first position but is released and then rotated to the second position by a fastener (218) introduced in the anchor body (400). The fastener (218) threadably engages the toggle member (231) thereby drawing the toggle member (231) against a hidden side of the wall (W).