AU2015255228A1 - Fastener arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

FASTENER ARRANGEMENT Abstract The present invention relates to a fastener arrangement that allows a fastener to be turned into especially metal walls without requirement of predrilling a pilot holes, and for the fastener to provide a secure projection on which items may be supported. t10 m Ce o C Cn C' oL LnC

Description

1 FASTENER ARRANGEMENT Field of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to a fastener arrangement, and in particular to a fastener arrangement for supporting hanging objects thereon. [2] The invention has been developed primarily for use in/with the hanging of items on a wall, and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. Background of the Invention [3] Currently, wall hangings such as picture frames or the like, are hung on mortise walls by initially hammering a mortise nail into the wall, and then hanging the picture frame from the nail. However, where the wall is composed of masonry bricks with a layer of plaster over it, the percussive force of the hammer driving the nail into the wall can cause the plaster to chip, leaving an unsightly mark on the wall. [4] Alternatively, holes may be drilled in the wall by a drill using a mortise drill bit, after which a wall plug is inserted into the hole, and a hanging hook screwed into the wall plug. However, this process is time-consuming and complex, with the wall plug being required to be fitted carefully to the size of the drill bit, and the hole depth measured carefully to fit the length of the wall plug. [5] Further, difficulties are encountered when wall hangings are to be hung on non mortise walls, such as on wallboard layered over timber framing, or metal walls, for example on the inside of site offices or workshops, or the like. [6] As wallboard or dry walling is typically composed of relatively weak gypsum or the like, it is not conducive to supporting heavier loads on fasteners mounted in small holes. For this reason, specialised hanging arrangements are available that uses a form of adhesive to bond to an outer layer of the wallboard, and on which the wall hangings are hung. However, such adhesive based products may come loose, resulting in safety hazards and/or damage to the wall hangings. [7] Metal walls are typically not thick enough to laterally support a fastener enough to provide a secure hanging formation. For this reason, when hanging formations are required on metal walls, then nut and bolt formations are used, or hanging formations are welded onto the walls. [8] The present invention seeks to provide a fastener arrangement, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

2 [9] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Summary of the Invention [10] According to a first aspect, the present invention may be said to consist in a fastener arrangement for providing support for hanging items on a wall, the fastener arrangement comprising a. an elongate screw member defining a first end and a second end, the screw member comprising i. a thread formation for screwing the screw member into a hole, and ii. a drill bit formation located at the first end of the screw member and configured for drilling a hole into said wall operationally at a wall surface, iii. an engaging formation configured for allowing the screw member to be engaged by a turning tool for driving the screw member into said wall; and b. a locating formation configured for distancing the second end of the screw member from the wall surface by a predetermined distance operationally. [11] In one embodiment, the locating formation is secured to the screw member. [12] In one embodiment, the locating formation is integrally formed with the screw member. [13] In one embodiment, the locating formation is loosely engageable with the screw member. [14] In one embodiment, the locating formation comprises an abutting flange formation and a distancing formation. [15] In one embodiment, the distancing formation is a hollow sleeve. [16] In one embodiment, the abutting flange formation and the distancing formation are securely connected. [17] In one embodiment, the abutting flange formation and the distancing formation are integrally formed. [18] In one embodiment, the locating formation is an abutting flange formation secured to the screw member.

3 [19] In one embodiment, the abutting flange formation is at least twice the effective radius of the screw member. [20] In one embodiment, the fastener arrangement comprises a wall plug. [21] In one embodiment, the wall plug extends at least partially around the circumference of the screw member. [22] In one embodiment, the wall plug is configured for receiving the elongate screw member. [23] In one embodiment, the screw member is a Tek screw. [24] In one embodiment, the engaging formation is engageable with one or more selected from: a. a screwdriver b. a hexagonal wrench c. a drill chuck d. an electric screwdriver chuck [25] In one embodiment, the thread formations are self tapping thread formations. [26] In one embodiment, the thread formations extend only partially along the length of the screw member. [27] In one embodiment, the thread formations extend along the full length of the screw member. [28] According to another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a hanging arrangement for hanging items to be hung on, the hanging arrangement comprising a. a tensioning arrangement for tensioning an elongate member into a wall; b. an abutment formation for abutment against the wall surface and to resist the tensioning force , and to apply the tensioning force to the wall; c. an extending formation that extends from the wall operationally for supporting items to be hung on. [29] In another aspect of the invention may be said to consist in a fastener arrangement for providing support for hanging items on a wall, the fastener arrangement comprising 4 a. an elongate screw member defining a first end and a second end, the screw member comprising i. a thread formation located at or towards the first end of the screw member for engaging the screw member into a wall, ii. a drill bit formation located at the first end of the screw member and configured for drilling a hole into said wall operationally at a wall surface, and iii. an engaging formation configured for engagement by a turning tool for driving the screw member into said wall; and b. a locating formation comprising i. an abutting flange configured for operational abutment against a wall, and ii. a distancing formation configured for at least partially enclosing the shaft of a screw operationally; iii. wherein the engaging formation is configured for engaging with the distancing formation operationally to cause the abutting flange to engage against said wall. [30] In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a distancing formation for use with an elongate screw member comprising at least a threaded formation for screwing the screw member into a wall and an and engaging formation configured for engagement by a turning tool for driving the screw member into said wall, the locating formation comprising a. an abutting flange configured for operational abutment against the wall, and b. a hollow sleeve configured for snugly receiving the shaft of a screw operationally, and for engagement with the head of a screw to distance the head of the screw from a wall surface by a predetermined distance operationally. [31] This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

5 [32] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings [33] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [34] Figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a fastener arrangement; and [35] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the first embodiment of the fastener arrangement shown in figure 1 installed in a wall: [36] Figure 3 shows a bottom perspective view of the first embodiment of a fastener arrangement shown in figure 1; [37] Figure 4 shows a top perspective view of the first embodiment of a fastener arrangement shown in figure 1; [38] Figure 5 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a fastener arrangement; [39] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional side view of the second embodiment of the fastener arrangement shown in figure 5 installed in a wall; [40] Figure 7 shows a top perspective view of the second embodiment of a fastener arrangement shown in figure 5; and [41] Figure 8 shows a bottom perspective view of the second embodiment of a fastener arrangement shown in figure 5. Description of Embodiments [42] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features. [43] A fastener arrangement according to a first aspect of the invention is generally indicated by the numeral 1000. [44] In one embodiment now described, there is provided a fastener arrangement 1000. The fastener arrangement 1000 is for providing support for hanging items on a wall 5000, such as workshop tools, shelves or the like. [45] The fastener arrangement 1000 comprises an elongate screw member 1100, and a locating formation 1200 as will be described in more detail below.

6 [46] The elongate screw member 1100 defines a first end 11 00a and a second end 11 00b. At the first and 11 00a of the screw member, the screw member comprises a drill bit formation 1110. The drill bit formation 111 0 is configured for drilling a hole 5100 into the wall 5000 operationally at a location on the surface 5200 of the wall. Examples of appropriate drill bit formations include Tek screws, or other similarly hardened and/or sharpened cutting formations that are designed to shear matter from the surface of a wall to thereby create a hole. [47] The screw member 1100 comprises a thread formation 1120 for screwing the screw member into a hole 4100. The thread formation 1120 preferably extends substantially along the length of the screw member from just behind the drill bit formation 1110 to the engaging formation 1130. However in other embodiments, it is envisaged that the thread formation 1120 can extend partly along the length of the screw member 1100. [48] The screw member 1100 further comprises an engaging formation 1130 disposed at the second end 1100b of the screw member 1100. The engaging formation 1130 is configured for being engaged with, and rotated by, a rotating tool (not shown). Rotating or turning tools envisaged as being suitable for engaging with and driving the screw member 1000 into the wall 5000 include screwdrivers, electric drills, hexagonal wrenches, or the like. Possible embodiments of the engaging formation include Philip screw heads, flat screw heads, screw heads, bolt heads, or any other suitable engaging formation as will allow a turning tool to drive the screw member 1100 into the wall 5000. [49] In a preferred embodiment, the thread formation 1120 is configured as a self tapping thread formation suitable for tapping cutting a suitable complementary thread formation (not shown) in the hole 5100 in the wall. In this way, as the fastener arrangement is being driven into the wall by the turning tool, and the drill bit formation 1110 is cutting a hole in the wall, the thread formations are also creating a complementary thread formation in the inner surface of the hole that was drilled. The advantages provided by this configuration will be explained in more detail below. [50] It is envisaged that the thread formations 1120 will extend fully along the length of the screw member between the drill bit formation 1110 and the engaging formation 1130. [51] The locating formation 1200 is configured for distancing the second end 11 00b of the screw member 1100 from the wall surface 5200 by a predetermined distance operationally (shown as reference numeral D in the figures). The locating 7 formation 1200 will preferably engage in abutment with the wall surface 5200 as the fastener arrangement 1000 is driven into the wall 5000. [52] It is envisaged that the locating formation 1200 could be integrally formed with the screw member 1100, for example by being cast or stamped in one piece from metal material as illustrated in figures 6 - 8 In this way, the locating formation 1200 will be secured to the screw member 1100. [53] In another embodiment, it is envisaged that the screw member and/or locating formation can be composed of stainless steel, which would be able to offer useful wear resistance and corrosion resistance, as well as high strength. [54] In yet another embodiment, it is envisaged that the screw member and/or locating formation can be composed of plastic material, and in particular PVC, thermoforming plastic material or thermosetting plastic material. It is envisaged that the screw member and locating formation could also be integrally formed in a moulding process where suitable materials are used. [55] The locating formation 1200 in the embodiment shown in figures 6 - 8 consists of an abutting flange or abutting washer formation 1210 that is integrally formed with the screw member 1100. It is envisaged that the abutting washer formation 1210 will seat in snug abutment against the wall surface 5200 as the screw member 1100 is driven into the wall operationally. When items are subsequently hung on the fastener arrangement, the abutting washer formation 1210 will assist in distributing load on the screw member over a greater area of the wall surface 5200. In this regard, it is envisaged that the diameter of the abutting washer formation 1210 will preferably be in the range of between 1.5 and 4 times the size of the effective diameter of the screw member 1100, more preferably between 1.7 and 3 times the size of the effective diameter of the screw member 1100, and most preferably twice the size of the effective diameter of the screw member. [56] In an alternative embodiment shown in figures 1 - 5, the locating formation is loosely engageable with the screw member 1100. However, however it is also envisaged that the thread formations 1120 of the screw member 1100 can be engageable with the locating formation 1200 to thereby drive the locating formation 1200 into abutment with the wall surface 5200 as the fastener arrangement is installed operationally. [57] In the embodiment shown in figures 1 - 5, the locating formation comprises both an abutting washer formation 1210 as well as a distancing formation 1220 in the form of a hollow sleeve 1222 into which the elongate screw member 1100 is 8 receivable. The sleeve 1222 is preferably integrally formed with, or securely connected to, the abutting washer formation 1210. [58] It will be appreciated that in the embodiment shown in figures 6 - 8, as the abutting washer formation 1210 is securely connected to the elongate screw member 1100, the elongate screw member itself acts as a distancing formation. [59] It is envisaged that in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the fastener arrangement could further comprise a plastic wall plug (not shown) that extends at least partially around the circumference of the screw member 1100, and extend at least partly along its length. This may particularly be the case where the drill bit formation is configured for cutting into mortise walls. It is envisaged that the wall plug can be of roughly the same diameter as the drill bit formation 1110, and in the form of a hollow sleeve with a lengthwise slot in it, into which the screw member 1100 is received or receivable. [60] In use, the fastener arrangement will be engaged with a suitable rotating driving tool (not shown), the drill bit formation 1110 placed against the surface 5200 of a wall 5000 in which the fastener arrangement 1000 is to be installed, and the rotating tool actuated to rotate the drill bit formation 1100, to thereby cause it to drill a hole in the wall 5000 until the abutting washer formation 1210 engages snugly with the wall surface 5200. As the hole is drilled, the thread formations 1120 will engage with the inner surface of the hole 5100, preferably tapping thread formations into the inner surface of the hole. [61] In this way, the fastener arrangement 1000 can be used to provide a secure point from which to hang items or mount items, such as shelves. [62] It will further be appreciated that the fastener arrangement 1000 serves effectively as a hanging arrangement for hanging items to be hung on. The thread formations and drill bit formations together when driven into the wall also act as a tensioning arrangement for tensioning the elongate member into a wall. The locating formation or abutment formation acts to resist the tensioning force provided by the tensioning arrangement and applies tension to the wall and elongate screw member 1100. Further, that portion of the elongate screw member that is not inserted into the wall acts as and extending or extended formation that extends from the wall operationally for supporting items to be hung on. [63] It will be appreciated that a wide variety of accessories and options may be available for used together with the fastener arrangement 1000. For example, mounting formations (not shown) can be provided at or towards the second end 9 11 00b of the elongate screw member 1100 for mounting items such as hooks, shelves or the like. Interpretation Markush Groups [64] In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognise that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. Chronological sequence [65] For the purpose of this specification, where method steps are described in sequence, the sequence does not necessarily mean that the steps are to be carried out in chronological order in that sequence, unless there is no other logical manner of interpreting the sequence. Embodiments: [66] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. [67] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

10 [68] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. Different Instances of Objects [69] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. Specific Details [70] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology [71] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms. [72] For the purposes of this specification, the term "plastic" shall be construed to mean a general term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic polymerization products, and generally consisting of a hydrocarbon-based polymer. [73] As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or". or both. [74] As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

11 Comprising and Including [75] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. [76] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Scope of Invention [77] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention. [78] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. Industrial Applicability [79] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the fasteners and hardware industries.