GB2182995A

GB2182995A - Anchors

Info

Publication number: GB2182995A
Application number: GB08523905A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas Owen Mcintyre
Original assignee: Dom Holdings PLC
Current assignee: Dom Holdings PLC
Priority date: 1985-09-27
Filing date: 1985-09-27
Publication date: 1987-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2005-09-27
Also published as: GB8523905D0; GB2182995B

Abstract

The apparatus 1 shown is in the form of a frame anchor comprising a plastic cylindrical body 2 having an internal longitudinally extending bore extending from one, head, end 6 and a nail-like member mounted in the bore. The body 2 has a right cylindrical part 5 extending from the head end 6. The other end 7 of the body 2 has a plurality of, in the embodiment shown, two legs 8 which are separated by a longitudinally extending slot. The other end 7 of the body 2 terminates in a bull-nose 10. The external surface of each leg 8 has a series of longitudinally spaced gripping means in the form of radial extending ridges 11. The legs 8 taper towards the longitudinal axis of the body 2 between adjacent ridges 11, and in a direction towards the other end 7 of the body 2. There is a tapered portion 12 extending between the end of the cylindrical part 5 opposite the head 6 and the adjacent ridge 11, the slot extending through the tapered portion 12 and terminating at the end of the right cylindrical part 5 of the body 2. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Anchors The invention relates to apparatus for anchoring a member to a surface by passing through a hole in the member into an aligned hole in a body bounded by said surface. It will be understood herein that reference to a hole in the member includes reference to an associated hole, for example in a suspension bracket for the member.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for anchoring a member to a surface by passing through a hole in the member into an aligned hole in a body bounded by said surface, comprising a plastic body having an internal longitudinally extending bore extending from one end and a nail-like member mounted in the bore, the other end of the body having a plurality of legs adjacent ones of which are separated by a longitudinally extending slot, each leg having a series of longitudinally spaced gripping means on its external surface, the body including a tapered portion between a cylindrical portion thereof and the gripping means and the slot extending from the widest part of the tapered portion.

There may be two legs, separated by a diametral slot of the body, which is cylindrical.

The other end of the body may terminate in a substantially bull-nose configuration.

The one end may include a frusto-conical head spaced from the body by an integral connector.

There may be anti-rotational means on the external surface of the body.

The bore may terminate at the tapered portion.

The other end of the body may terminate in a point.

The one end may terminate in a frusto-conical head.

The bore may extend over substantially the whole length of the body.

The gripping means may comprise a series of spaced radial ribs on the legs, and the external surface of the legs may converge towards the longitudinal axis of the body in a direction towards the other end thereof between adjacent ridges.

The body may be made from polypropylene, pereferably by injection moulding.

Apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a frame anchor according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the anchor of Fig. 1, but rotated through 90" about the longitudinal axis in relation to that Fig.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on line W-W of Fig. 1; Figure 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view on line X-X of Fig. 1; Figure 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view on line Y-Y of Fig. 1; Figure 6 is a view on arrow "A" on Fig. 1; Figure 7 is a view on arrow "B" on Fig. 1; Figure 8 is a side elevantional view of a nail plug according to the invention; Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the nail plug of Fig. 8, but rotated through 90" about the longitudinal axis in relation to that Fig.; Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view on line W-W of Fig. 8; Figures 11 to 13 are respective transverse sectional views on lines X-X, Y-Y and Z-Z of Fig. 8; Figure 14 is a view on arrow "C" on Fig. 8; and Figure 15 is a view on arrow "D" on Fig.

8.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 to 7 of the drawings, the apparatus 1 shown is in the form of a frame anchor comprising a plastic cylindrical body 2 having an internal longitudinally extending bore 3 (shown dashed) extending from one, head, end 6 and a nail-like member 4 mounted in the bore 3. The body 2 has a right cylindrical part 5 extending from the head end 6. The other end 7 of the body 2 has a plurality of, in the embodiment shown, two legs 8 which are separated by a longitudinally extending slot 9. The other end 7 of the body 2 terminates in a bull-nose 10. The external surface of each leg 8 has a series of longitudinally spaced gripping means in the form of radial extending ridges 11.

The legs 8 taper towards the longitudinal axis of the body 2 between adjacent ridges 11, and in a direction towards the other end 7 of the body 2. There is a tapered portion 12 extending between the end of the cylindrical part 5 opposite the head 6 and the adjacent ridge 11, the slot 9 extending through the tapered portion 12 and terminating at the end of the right cylindrical part 5 of the body 2.

The bore 3 in the body terminates at the tapered portion 12 at the end thereof remote from the head end 6.

The head end 6 of the body 2 has a frustoconical recess or head 13 joined to the remainder of the body by an integral connector piece 14.

The external surface of the body has tapered spaced ribs 15 at the head end 6 which function as anti-rotational means.

The body 2 is made by injection moulding of polypropylene, and the sprue 16 is shown at the bull-nose 10 where it holds the legs together. The nail-like member 4 is of metal, and has thread-like serrations 17 on the shank and a slot 18 in the head. The nail 4 extends from the body 2 as shown, the tip resting at the (blind) end of the bore 3, which is tapered.

In use to secure a member to a surface such as a wall, a bore is drilled or otherwise formed in the wall, and another through the member. The member 1 is offered up to the wall so that it rests on the surface with the holes aligned. The apparatus 1 is then inserted into the wall through the aligned holes as far as the head 13 (the bore in the wall having been formed to accommodate the full length of the body 2).

The nail 4 is then hammered into the body 2, this action forcing the legs 8 apart so that the ridges 11 grip into the material of the wall surrounding the bore.

The nail 4 is hammered on as far as the head 13, which is in any event contacting the member. When the nail 4 is fully home, the member is securely anchored to the wall. The screw 17 on the nail shank and the slot 18 in the head enable the nail 4 to be removed by unscrewing should it be desired to remove the member from the wall.

The ridges 15 prevent rotation of the apparatus 1 during removal.

The material of the legs 8 is concave, and this concavity assists in passage of the nail 4 into the legs to expand them for anchorage.

The depth of the concavity is shown by line 19 in Fig. 3.

The apparatus 1 may be modified. For example the ridges 15 may be obviated, as may the connector 14.

Referring now to Figs. 8 to 18, there is shown apparatus 100 in the form of a nail plug.

The nail plug 100 shown comprises a plastic cylindrical body 101 having an internal longitudinally extending bore 102 (shown dashed, Fig. 8) extending from one, head, end 104 and a nail-like member 105 mounted in the bore 102. The body 101 has a right cylindrical part 106 extending from the head end 105. The other end 107 of the body 101 has a plurality of, in the embodiment shown, two legs 108 which are separated by a longitudinally extending slot 109. The other end 107 of the body 101 terminates in substantially a point 110. The external surface of each leg 108 has a series of longitudinally spaced gripping means in the form of radial extending ridges 111. The legs 108 taper towards the longitudinal axis of the body 101 between adjacent ridges 111, and in a direction towards the other end 107 of the body 101.There is a tapered portion 112 extending between the end of the cylindrical part 106 opposite the head 104 and the adjacent ridge 111, the slot 109 extending through the tapered portion 112 and terminating at the end of the right cylindrical part 106 of the body 101.

The bore 102 in the body 101 terminates at the tapered portion 112 at the end thereof remote from the head end 104.

The head end 104 of the body 101 terminates in a frusto-conical recess or head 113.

The body 101 is made by injection moulding of polypropylene, and the sprue 114 is shown at the end 107 where it holds the legs 108 together. The nail-like member 105 is of metal, and has thread-like serrations on the shank and a slot (not shown) in the head. The nail 105 extends from the body 101 as shown, the tip terminating adjacent the portion 112, The bore 102 tapers to be of progressively less diameter than the nail 105 as it nears the sprue 114. The bore 102 extends over the whole length of the body 101.

In use to secure a member to a surface such as a wall, a bore is drilled or otherwise formed in the wall, and another through the member. The member is offered up to the wall so that it rests on the surface with the holes aligned. The apparatus 100 is then inserted into the wall through the aligned holes as far as the head 113 (the bore in the wall having been formed to accommodate the full length of the body 101).

The nail 105 is then hammered into the body 101, this action forcing the legs 108 apart so that the ridges 111 grip into the material of the wall surrounding the bore. The nail 105 is hammered in as far as the head 113, which is in any event contacting the member. When the nail 105 is fully home, the member is securely anchored to the wall. The screw on the nail shank and the slot in the head enable the nail 105 to be removed by unscrewing should it be desired to remove the member from the wall.

The apparatus 1 may be modified. For example, the ridges 15 may be obviated, as may the connector 14.

The body 101 may have ridges like the ridges 15 of the first embodiment.

Claims

1. Apparatus for anchoring a member to a surface by passing through a hole in the member into an aligned hole in a body bounded by said surface, comprising a plastic body having an internal longitudinally extending bore extending from one end and a nail-like member mounted in the bore, the other end of the body having a plurality of legs adjacent ones of which are separated by a longitudinally extending slot, each leg having a series of longitudinally spaced gripping means on its external surface, the body including a tapered portion between a cylindrical portion thereof and the gripping means and the slot extending from the widest part of the tapered portion.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, there being two legs, separated by a diametral slot of the body, which is cylindrical.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, the other end of the body terminating in a substantially bull-nose configuration.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, the one end including a frusto-conical head spaced from the body by an integral connector.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, there being anti-rotational means on the external surface of the body.

6. Apparatus accoarding to any of claims 2 to 5, the bore terminating at the tapered portion.

7. Apparatus according to claim 2, the other end of the body terminating in a point.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, the one end terminating in a frusto-conical head.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, the bore extending over substantially the whole length of the body.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the gripping means comnprising a series of spaced radial ribs on the legs, the external surface of the legs converging towards the longitudinal axis of the body in a direction towards the other end thereof between adjacent ridges.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the body being made from polypropylene.

12. Apparatus for anchoring a member to a surface by passing through a hole in the member into an aligned hole in a body bounded by said surface, substantially as hereinbefore defined with reference to the accompanying drawings.