# US 8,540,469 B2 · Drop-in anchor

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- Number: US 8,540,469 B2
- Document ID: US8540469B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/813,109
- Filed: 2010-06-10
- Published: 2010-12-02
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2010-06-10
- Assignees: Black & Decker Inc.
- Applicants: Alan J. Armiento; T.J. Bland
- Inventors: Alan J. Armiento; T.J. Bland
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540469B2

## CPC

- F16B 13/063: {by the use of an expander}
- B25B 31/00: Hand tools for applying fasteners (nailing or stapling tools B25C)
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- Y10T 29/49947: by applying separate fastener
- Y10T 29/49948: Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut]
- Y10T 403/1608: Holding means or protector functioning only during transportation, assembly or disassembly
- F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D)
- B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A retainer for a drop-in anchor includes a durable, moisture resistant member insertable into a sleeve of a drop-in anchor and configured to be retained in the sleeve by one or more threads disposed in the sleeve to prevent inadvertent removal of a plug from the sleeve. A drop-in anchor assembly includes a tubular sleeve having a first end including one or more internal threads, and an expandable second end. A plug is insertable in the sleeve such that when the plug is driven into an installed position in the sleeve the second end expands. A retainer formed of a durable moisture-resistant material is insertable in the sleeve behind the plug, and is configured to be retained in the sleeve by the one or more threads and prevent inadvertent removal of the plug from the sleeve.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A drop-in anchor assembly comprising:
a tubular sleeve having a first end including one or more internal threads, and an expandable second end;
a plug insertable in the sleeve such that when the plug is driven into an installed position in the sleeve the second end expands; and
a retainer formed of a durable moisture-resistant material insertable in the sleeve behind the plug, the retainer configured to be retained in the sleeve by the one or more threads and to prevent inadvertent removal of the plug from the sleeve, the retainer including a contiguous annular outer periphery and one or more fingers extending substantially radially outwardly from the outer periphery, wherein
each of the one or more fingers is configured to engage a thread trough of the threads without extending over a thread crest of the threads.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The drop-in anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more fingers is four fingers.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The drop-in anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the retainer includes an out of plane protrusion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The drop-in anchor assembly of claim 3, wherein the protrusion is frustoconically shaped.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The drop-in anchor assembly of claim 3, wherein the protrusion is at least part spherically shaped.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The drop-in anchor assembly of claim 3, wherein the protrusion is disposed at a center of the retainer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The drop-in anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the retainer is formed from polyethylene.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The drop-in anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more fingers are more pliable than the outer periphery of the retainer.

### Claim 9

A method of assembling a drop-in anchor comprising:
providing a tubular sleeve, the sleeve having a first end including one or more internal threads, and an expandable second end;
inserting a plug into the first end of the tubular sleeve;
inserting a durable, moisture-resistant retainer into the first end behind the plug, the durable moisture-resistant retainer including a contiguous annular outer periphery and one or more fingers extending substantially radially outwardly from the outer periphery of the retainer; and
engaging the one or more fingers with the threads to prevent inadvertent removal of the plug from the sleeve, each of the one or more fingers configured to engage a thread trough of the threads without extending over a thread crest of the threads.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more fingers is four fingers.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the retainer further comprises an out of plane protrusion.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the protrusion is frustoconically shaped.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the protrusion is at least part spherically shaped.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the protrusion is disposed at a center of the retainer.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the retainer is formed from polyethylene.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more fingers are more pliable than the outer periphery of the retainer.