Expandable Wall Fixing Arms for Heavy Plasterboard Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall fixings, particularly those used in plasterboard walls, face challenges in dispersing loads effectively due to limited radial expansion and require complex designs or additional space, making them either inadequate for heavy loads or costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a plurality of hingedly connected arms that transition from a splayed initial configuration to an aligned insertion configuration, allowing a fastener to engage and move the actuating part axially, causing the anchor portions to radially expand and secure the device within the hole, thereby dispersing loads effectively without needing additional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a wall fixing expands radially outwardly to grip the sides of the hole, then it can secure objects to solid materials like stone or concrete, but it cannot sufficiently disperse load into plasterboard and can only apply limited gripping force
Solution Approach 1:
The wall fixing is divided into multiple independent arms that can move and expand separately. Each arm can independently engage with the plasterboard, allowing the load to be distributed across multiple discrete anchoring points rather than relying on continuous radial expansion. This segmentation enables effective load dispersion in plasterboard while maintaining strong grip capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a core pin is used to form the axial passage during moulding, then the wall fixing can be manufactured by moulding plastics around a core, but the core pin restricts the internal shape and configuration of the axial passage
Solution Approach 1:
The axial passage is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to change shape during the moulding process. The passage can be formed to accommodate the core pin during injection, then transform into the final complex configuration with up-stands and protuberances once the core pin is removed. This dynamic approach enables both easy manufacture and complex internal geometry.
3Strength
If a rear plate or arm is used to apply clamping force behind the wall, then heavy loads can be supported, but a cavity or space is required behind the wall to accommodate the rear plate
Solution Approach 1:
The expanding arms are nested within the cylindrical body of the wall fixing during insertion. Once deployed, the arms expand outward from the central body to engage the plasterboard, effectively utilizing the internal volume of the fixing itself rather than requiring external cavity space. This nesting principle allows heavy load support without additional space behind the wall.
4Ease of manufacture
If expanding wall fixings are used in plasterboard, then they can be manufactured cheaply as moulded polymeric materials, but they can only secure smaller objects or loads
Solution Approach 1:
The wall fixing utilizes parameter changes in the form of mechanical expansion. The arms transition from a compact insertion configuration to an expanded gripping configuration, changing the physical parameters of the device. This expansion mechanism, combined with the polymeric material, allows the fixing to maintain low manufacturing cost while achieving high load capacity through the expanded arm configuration that engages deeply with the plasterboard.
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 device provides enhanced load dispersion and secure anchoring in plasterboard walls, supporting heavier loads while maintaining a compact design and reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of arms extending from and hingedly connected to the actuating part, each arm comprising a distal portion, a connecting portion and an anchor portion, the connecting portion extending between the actuating part and the anchor portion and being hingedly connected to the anchor portion
Implementation Method 2
cooperation of the fastener with the actuating part moves the actuating part in an axial direction towards the distal portions to cause a part of each of the anchor portions to move in a radially outward direction with respect to the axial passage into an expanded configuration
Implementation Method 3
These fixings are, therefore, typically used to secure smaller objects or loads to a wall... provides enhanced load dispersion and secure anchoring in plasterboard walls, supporting heavier loads
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a fixing device for holding a fastener in a hole in a structure comprising an actuating part configured to engage with said fastener in use and a plurality of arms extending from and hingedly connected to the actuating part, each arm comprising a distal portion and an anchor portion between the distal portion and the actuating part. The arms are an insertion configuration formed or formable by moving the arms from an initial configuration in which the arms are splayed to the insertion configuration in which the arms are substantially aligned so that the distal portions define an axial passage and, in use, the fastener extends through the axial passage to engage with the actuating part, and cooperation of the fastener with the actuating part moves the actuating part in an axial direction towards the distal portions to cause a part of each of the anchor portions to move in a radially outward direction with respect to the axial passage to anchor the fixing device in said hole.