Universal Plastic Anchor with Expandable Wings and Threaded Legs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wall anchors are not effectively adaptable to various wall constructions, including hollow and solid walls of different thicknesses, and fail to provide secure retention in materials like drywall, plaster, brick, and concrete.

Innovation Solution

A plastic anchoring device with a proximal section for receiving a fastener and a distal section featuring expandable wings and legs that pivot or spread to engage the wall material, allowing for secure retention in both hollow and solid walls by adapting to different thicknesses and materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing wall anchors are used for hollow walls, then installation is simplified, but they fail to provide secure retention in solid walls and various wall thicknesses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to various wall constructionsVSAvoidretention security

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor device is designed with dual functionality: expandable wings for hollow wall engagement and threaded legs for solid wall engagement. This universal design allows a single anchor type to effectively secure both hollow and solid wall constructions, eliminating the need for different anchor types for different wall types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor incorporates movable components including expandable wings that can transition between collapsed and expanded states, and legs that can pivot between retracted and engaged positions. These dynamic elements allow the anchor to adapt its configuration based on whether it encounters hollow or solid wall material, ensuring reliable retention in both scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If expandable anchors are used for hollow walls of varying thicknesses, then installation becomes easier, but the anchor may not engage properly in solid walls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidcompatibility with solid walls

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor is divided into distinct functional segments: expandable wings for hollow wall engagement and separate threaded legs for solid wall engagement. This segmentation allows each component to independently perform its specialized function, enabling the anchor to adapt to different wall types without compromising installation ease or effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If anchors are designed with complex mechanisms for multiple wall types, then versatility improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuitability for hollow and solid wallsVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor merges two previously separate anchor designs (expandable hollow wall anchor and threaded solid wall anchor) into a single unified device. The expandable wings and threaded legs are integrated into one structure, allowing the anchor to provide both hollow wall and solid wall engagement capabilities without requiring multiple separate components or complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 anchoring device provides enhanced pull-out force and retention in hollow walls by engaging hidden surfaces and in solid walls by wedging into the material, ensuring stability and resistance to withdrawal.

Implementation Method 1

said distal section comprising at least one expandable wing displaceable between inwardly collapsed and outwardly expanded positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical expansion: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

said wing being biased towards said expanded position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 3

said distal and proximal sections being displaceable towards one another such that said spreading member causes said leg to displace outwardly into engagement with the structural material delimiting the hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical spreading: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS10294975B2Plastic anchor for drywall, plaster, brick and concrete

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 COBRA FIXATIONS CIE LTEE COBRA ANCHORS CO LTD

AI summary

An anchoring device for insertion in a hole provided in a structure such as a wall (hollow or solid) comprises proximal and distal sections. The proximal section includes a head defining an aperture for receiving a fastener, and the distal section includes a pair of expandable wings displaceable between collapsed and expanded positions. Each wing is biased towards its expanded position such that the wings can engage the structural material delimiting the hole or a distal surface of the structure. The distal section comprises, proximally of the wings, a variable-length flexible portion for allowing the wings to engage the distal surface of the structure for various structure thicknesses. The distal section comprises, distally of the wings, a tip section adapted to spread outwardly when engaged by the fastener. The proximal section comprises a pair of legs each having a toothed rack for engaging the structural material.