US 5,147,166 AGranted

Wall anchor

AssigneeJTB, Inc.

InventorBrian G. Harker

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Abstract

An expansion-type wall anchor having a generally hollow body, a nut element, at least one, and preferably two, retention elements and an actuating element. The retention elements are pivotally connected to the nut element and transition from an orientation substantially parallel to the body to an extended position substantially perpendicular to the body once positioned behind a wall in a rearward cavity. At the end of the body opposite the nut element, the body includes an anchor head which is of greater dimension than the remainder of the hollow body. The anchor head is positioned generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body and secures the body to the exterior surface of the wall. The actuating element is positioned in an opening in the anchor head and extends within the length of the body to engage the nut element. Flanges extending from the anchor head preclude rotation of the anchor once it is embedded in the exterior surface of the wall. In some preferred embodiments, rotation of the actuating element creates a force which is exerted on deformable legs to cause the retention elements to transition from an orientation substantially parallel to the body to an extended position substantially perpendicular to the body. Continued rotation of the actuating element draws the retention elements into contact with the interior surface of the wall. Once the body is in place, the actuating element can be removed and the anchor body will remain in place.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A wall anchor for retaining an article to a structural member, said structural member having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a rearward cavity adjacent said interior surface, said wall anchor comprising:

a body element having a first end, a second end and at least one deformable leg connected therebetween;
said first end of said body element including a first means for precluding continued movement of said first end of said body element beyond said exterior surface of said structural member;
a longitudinally extending actuating element which extends through said first end of said body element and engages with said second end of said body element;
at least one retention element attached to said second end of said body element, said retention element transitions from an orientation substantially parallel to said body element during insertion through said structural member to a predetermined angular orientation relative to said body element when said retention element is within said rearward cavity behind said structural member;
wherein rotation of said actuating element draws said retention element into contact with said interior surface of said structural member;
said wall anchor includes a first and a second retention element and said body element includes a first and a second deformable leg;
said first and said second deformable leg are positioned approximately 180.degree. apart, and said first and said second retention element are positioned approximately 180.degree. apart;
and
wherein deformation of said first and said second deformable leg in response to rotation of said actuating element causes transition of said first and said second retention element from a said orientation substantially parallel to said body element to said predetermined angular orientation relative to said body element when said first and said second retention elements are within said rearward cavity behind said structural member.

6 more elements

a body element having a first end, a second end, and at least one deformable leg extending therebetween;
said first end of said body element includes an enlarged portion for precluding continued movement of said body element beyond said exterior surface of said structural member;
a nut element secured to said second end of said body element, said nut element including internal threads;
an actuating element having external threads, said actuating element extending through said first end of said body element and engaging with said internal threads in said nut element;
at least one retention element pivotably attached to said nut element, said at least one retention element transitions from a substantially longitudinal orientation during insertion through said structural member to a substantially transverse orientation within said rearward cavity behind said structural member;
rotation of said actuating element draws said nut element towards said first end thus causing deformation of said at least one deformable leg;
and
wherein deformation of said first and said second deformable leg in response to rotation of said actuating element causes transition of said first and said second retention element from a substantially longitudinal orientation to a substantially transverse orientation within said rearward cavity behind said structural member.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/601,308Filed 22 Oct 1990
Granted: 15 Sep 1992
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

F16B 13/0808
With separate or non-separate gripping parts moved into their final position in relation to the body of the device without further manual…
F16B 13/001
Dowels or other devices fastened in walls or the like by inserting them in holes made therein for that purpose: with means for preventing rotation…
F16B 13/003
Self-cutting: with a separate drilling bit attached to or surrounded by the dowel element
F16B 13/061
Combined with expanding sleeve: of the buckling type