GB2380777A

GB2380777A - Shortenable fastener anchor

Info

Publication number: GB2380777A
Application number: GB0124049A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Henry Berry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-10-06
Filing date: 2001-10-06
Publication date: 2003-04-16
Also published as: GB0124049D0

Abstract

A fastener anchor (2) for use with hollow walls and structures comprises an anchor body (4). The anchor body (4) has a bore for receiving a fastener (22) and has at least one removable portion (6) so that the fastener anchor (2) can be shortened.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO FASTENER ANCHORS Field of the Invention This invention relates to fastener anchors. The invention further relates to methods of securing a fastener to a hollow or cavity surface structure, and to kits of parts.

Background to the Invention There are many examples of hollow or cavity surface structures, which consist of a front surface structure spaced apart from a rear surface structure. Examples include cavity walls, comprising a front plasterboard wall separated from a rear brick wall by a cavity, and cupboards hung on uneven wall surfaces where the uneven surface of the wall creates pockets of space separating the rear wall of the cupboard from the front surface of wall on which it is hung.

In the case of the cavity wall, problems are encountered when attempting to hang items on the wall, such as brackets or pictures, due to the plasterboard wall being relatively soft and deformable. If conventional fasteners such as screws and bolts are inserted into the plasterboard, the pressure created by the fastener during insertion causes the plasterboard wall around the insertion point to sag inwardly. This can lead to cracking of the plasterboard and weakening of the plaster to such a degree that the plaster round the insertion point breaks off if an item is hung on the wall near the insertion point.

Anchors are available which try to reduce the amount of sagging experienced by the plasterboard wall near the point of insertion of the fastener. Known devices generally comprise an anchor which comprises an elongate body having a number of deformable flanges extending radially round the body. A hole is normally drilled into the plasterboard and the anchor inserted into the hole. A fastener is then screwed into a bore running through the anchor. The diameter of the bore is slightly less than the diameter of the fastener so as the fastener is screwed in, the anchor expands, causing the deformable flanges to extend radially outwardly and urge against the rear face of the plasterboard. The pressure of the deformable flanges acting on the rear face of the wall reduces the sag caused by the pressure of the screw during insertion.

However not all the sagging is eliminated and the plasterboard may still be deformed.

In the case of cupboards hung on uneven walls, the cavity formed by the uneven wall must be filled in with a suitable filling material before a fastener can be inserted through the rear wall of the cupboard and into the wall behind. Alternatively extra long fasteners may be inserted through the rear wall of the cupboard, into the cavity and then into the wall behind. However, this can cause splintering or cracking of the rear wall of the cupboard due to the lack of support behind the rear wall in the region of the cavity.

It is therefore an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a fastener anchor for a hollow or cavity surface structure which overcomes or

mitigates at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art, whether expressly described herein or not.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a fastener anchor for anchoring a fastener to a hollow or cavity surface structure, the fastener anchor comprising an anchor body, the anchor body comprising at least one defined removable portion, and wherein the fastener anchor comprises means to receive a fastener.

By hollow or cavity surface structure we mean a structure which comprises a first surface spaced apart from a second surface by way of a cavity.

Suitably the anchor body is an elongate body, and is preferably an elongate cylindrical body.

Preferably the anchor body has a protruding member extending radially outwardly from one end thereof.

Suitably the protruding member comprises a collar at one end of the anchor body, having a larger diameter than the diameter of the anchor body.

Thus if the anchor body is inserted through an aperture in a surface of a hollow or cavity surface structure, the protruding member abuts the surface in the region around the aperture, preventing the anchor body from being pushed completely through the aperture.

Preferably the anchor body comprises a bore running therethrough. Suitably the bore is circular in crosssection, Preferably the bore extends along the whole length of the anchor body. Suitably the bore is open at both ends of the anchor body.

The bore may comprise an internal or external thread.

Suitably the thread of the bore extends along the whole of the bore.

Suitably the means to receive a fastener comprises the bore of the anchor body. The bore may comprise an internal or external thread extending along at least part of the bore, arranged, in use, to cooperate with a corresponding external or internal thread of a fastener, such as a screw or a bolt, for example.

Preferably the or each defined removable portion of the anchor body comprises a prescribed portion of the anchor body having a line of weakness at one end thereof.

Thus in use, if it is desired to remove a portion or portions of the anchor body, a user may locate the appropriate line of weakness in the anchor body and exert force on that line of weakness to remove the prescribed portion or portions.

Suitably the or each line of weakness comprises a recess or groove extending at least partway round the anchor body at an end of the or each removable portion. Preferably the or each line of weakness comprises a recess or groove

extending at least half-way round the anchor body at an end of the or each removable portion.

Thus in use, if it is desired to remove a portion or portions of the anchor body, a user may locate the appropriate recess or groove and snap off or cut off the portion or portions at that recess or groove.

Preferably there are a plurality of defined removable portions, each portion comprising a recess or groove extending at least half-way around the anchor body at one end of the removable portion.

Suitably the fastener anchor further comprises at least one visual scale, extending longitudinally along the anchor body. Preferably the or each visual scale extends substantially along the entire anchor body.

Suitably the or each visual scale has millimetre graduations and may comprise numerical indicators every 10mm, preferably every 5mm.

The or each visual scale may be attached to the anchor body, but is preferably formed into the anchor body.

Preferably there are two visual scales, and more preferably each visual scale is graduated numerically identically, and the first visual scale extends in the opposite direction to the second visual scale along the anchor body. When there are two visual scales the scales may be located substantially adjacent to each other on the anchor body. Alternatively the two visual scales may be

rectilinear on the anchor body each scale extending along the same axis towards each other.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of anchoring a fastener to a hollow or cavity surface structure, the surface structure comprising a first surface spaced apart from a second surface by a cavity, the method comprising the step of: (a) inserting a fastener anchor through the first surface until the fastener anchor abuts the second surface, the fastener anchor comprising an anchor body, the anchor body comprising at least one defined removable portion and means to receive a fastener; (b) withdrawing the fastener anchor from the hollow or cavity surface structure; (c) removing at least one defined removable portion of the anchor body; (d) reinserting the fastener anchor through the first surface until it abuts the second surface; and (e) inserting a fastener into the fastener receiving means.

Preferably, step (c) comprises removing at least one defined removable portion of the anchor body, such that the remaining anchor body when reinserted through the first surface and arranged to abut the second surface, does not substantially protrude from the first surface.

Alternatively step (c) may comprise removing at least one defined removable portion of the anchor, such that the remaining anchor body, when reinserted through the first

surface and arranged to abut the second surface, protrudes from the first surface.

Suitably the defined removable portions are separated by lines of weakness, and step (e) may comprise inserting a fastener into the fastener receiving means such that each remaining defined removable portion collapses at its line of weakness to shorten the anchor body.

Preferably the anchor body is inserted into an aperture in the first surface. The aperture may be formed in the first surface by drilling, cutting or the like, prior to insertion of the anchor member.

The anchor body and aperture preferably have substantially the same cross-sectional dimensions, such that, when inserted into the aperture, the anchor body is firmly anchored.

Suitably when the fastener is inserted into the fastener receiving means, the fastener is arranged to operatively cooperate with the second surface. Preferably the fastener is arranged to operatively cooperate will an aperture formed in the second surface, and more preferably operatively cooperate with a plug inserted into the aperture. The fastener may also operatively cooperate with the first surface.

The method may further comprise the step of providing a visual scale extending longitudinally along the anchor body, and between steps (a) and (b), reading from the visual scale the distance the anchor body has travelled.

Preferably the method comprises the step of providing two visual scales graduated numerically identically but extending in opposite directions along the anchor body.

Suitably the anchor body, the means to receive the fastener, and the or each visual scale is as described hereinabove.

The method may further comprise, the step of forming a cavity in the second surface, so that the fastener can be received by the cavity when inserted through the fastener receiving means.

The method may comprise the step of inserting a hollow plug into the cavity of the second surface, the plug being arranged to receive the fastener when inserted through the fastener receiving means.

The method may comprise the step of orienting an article on the first surface in front of the anchor body, between steps (d) and (e) so that the fastener, when inserted through the anchor body, first passes through the article, thereby fastening the article to the first surface.

Preferably the article is a bracket or clamp, such as a bracket for a television, cupboard or shelving, but may be any suitable article desired to be fastened to the first surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided the method of anchoring a fastener of the second aspect using a fastener anchor of the first aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising at least one fastener anchor of the first aspect of the invention and at least one fastener.

The fastener may be as described hereinabove.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a preferred embodiment of a fastener anchor of the invention; Figure 2 illustrates a side cross-sectional view through the line C-C of the fastener anchor of Figure 1; Figure 3A illustrates the fastener anchor of Figure 1 when inserted into a cavity between first and second surfaces; Figure 3B illustrates the fastener anchor of Figure 3A with portions of the anchor removed; Figure 4A illustrates the fastener anchor of Figure 1, when inserted into a cavity between first and second surfaces, with portions of the anchor removed; Figure 4B illustrates the fastener anchor of Figure 4A which has been concertina collapsed by insertion of a screw; Figure SA illustrates a side view of a second preferred embodiment of a fastener anchor of the invention inserted into a cavity between first and second surfaces; and

Figure 5B illustrates the fastener anchor of Figure 5A with portions of the anchor removed.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of a fastener anchor 2 of the invention comprises an anchor body 4 which includes a plurality of defined removable portions 6 separated by grooves 8 which form lines of weakness in the anchor body 4. The anchor body 4 has a circular cross-section and the grooves 8 extend threequarters of the way around the circumference of the anchor body. The anchor body 4 also includes a collar 10 at one end of the anchor body 4. The collar 10 protrudes radially from the anchor body 4.

The anchor body 4 also includes two visual scales in the form of a first visual scale 14 and a second visual scale 16 which are imprinted extending along the anchor body 4 in the region where there are no grooves 8. The first visual scale 14 extends numerically in the opposite direction to the second visual scale 16, along the anchor body 4.

Referring now to Figure 2, the anchor body 4 comprises a bore 12 of circular cross-section extending along the entire length of the anchor body 4 and open at both ends thereof.

Use of the fastener anchor illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 will now be described with reference to Figures 3A and 3B.

Referring firstly to Figure 3A, the fastener anchor 2 may be used to secure a fastener to a cavity or hollow surface

structure comprising a first surface 18 separated from a second surface 20 by a cavity 21.

An aperture 23 is first drilled or cut into the first surface 18. A second aperture 24 is then drilled or cut into the second surface 20 rectilinear with the aperture 23 in the first surface. A wall plug 26 is then inserted into the second aperture 24.

The fastener anchor 2 is first inserted through the aperture 23 formed in the first surface 18 until it abuts the second surface 20, as illustrated in Figure 3B. The user then reads the first visual scale 14 at the point where the visual scale 14 begins to protrude from the first surface 14 of the cavity or hollow surface structure.

The fastener anchor 2 is then withdrawn from the cavity or hollow surface structure. The user then locates the corresponding identical numeral or division on the second visual scale 16 as the previous reading of the first visual scale 14. The user then removes the removable portions 6 of the anchor body 4 upstream of the reading of the second visual scale 16. The removable portions 6 may be removed by simply snapping them off the anchor body 4 or by cutting them off with a sharp implement such as a knife. In either case the removable portions 6 are removed by snapping or cutting at the lines of weakness formed by the grooves 8.

The now shortened fastener anchor 2 is then reinserted into the aperture 23 of the first surface 18 until the free end abuts the second surface 20, as shown in Figure

3B. Due to the shortened length of the fastener anchor 2 it no longer protrudes from the first surface 18 and the collar 10 of the fastener anchor 2 is flush against the first surface 18. A suitable article (not shown) such as a shelf bracket, television stand or cupboard is then placed over the fastener anchor 2 on the outside of the first surface 18, and a screw 22 screwed through the article, into the bore 12 of the anchor body 4 and into the wall plug 26 situated in the second surface 20 of the cavity of hollow wall structure.

Due to the bridging effect of the anchor body 4 across the cavity 21 of the hollow or cavity wall structure, when the screw is screwed through the anchor body 4 and into the second surface 20, there is relatively little pressure exerted on the first surface 18 and thus there is minimal inward bending or sagging of the first surface 18.

Referring now to Figures 4A and 4B, in a second use of the fastener anchor 2 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the fastener anchor 2 is inserted into the cavity or hollow surface structure as described for Figures 3A above, but after the first visual scale 14 is read, fewer removable portions 6 are removed such that when the fastener anchor 2 is reinserted into the aperture 23 of the first surface 18, part of the anchor body 4 protrudes from the first surface 18.

An article (not shown) such as a shelf bracket, television bracket, or cupboard is then placed over the fastener anchor and a screw 22 screwed through the article and into the bore of the anchor body 4. As the head of the screw 22 becomes flush with the outside of the collar 10 of the

anchor body, further pressure exerted by the rotation of the screw causes the remaining removable portions 6 of the anchor body 4 to concertina at the grooves 8. Thus the anchor body 4 becomes shorter until the collar 10 lies flush with the outside of the first surface 18, as shown in Figure 4B. The collapsed anchor body 4 bridges the cavity 21 in the cavity or hollow surface structure and the concertina effect of the lines of weakness forms a substantially solid anchor body 4 which enhances the strength of the anchor body as a bridging member spanning the cavity 21.

We refer now to the embodiment of Figures SA and 5B, which is similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4B.

Like numerals represent like features.

The fastener anchor 2 of Figures 5A and SB comprises two visual scales 30 and 32 which extend in rectilinear fashion along an indicator strip 28. The two scales 30 and 32 extend in opposite directions numerically. The indicator strip starts from the distal end of the anchor 2 which in use is arranged to abut the second surface 20 of a cavity surface structure 21. The indicator strip 28 does not extend the entire length of the anchor body 4, but terminates short of collar 10. The distance between the end of the indicator strip 28 and the collar 10, shown as"a"in Figures 5A and 5B, corresponds to the sum of the widths of the grooves 8 in the anchor body.

The first visual scale 30 has graduations which are spaced apart substantially the width of the removable portions 6 of the anchor body. The second visual scales has

graduations spaced apart substantially the combined width of a removable portion 6 and a groove 8.

In use the anchor 2 is inserted through an aperture 23 in the first surface 18 until the distal end of the anchor body 4 abuts the second surface 20, as described for the embodiments of Figures 1 to 4B. The first visual scale 30 is then read by the user at the point where it protrudes from the aperture 23 outside the first surface 18.

The anchor 2 is then withdrawn and the corresponding graduation read on the second scale 32, at which point the removable portions upstream of the corresponding graduation on the second scale 32 are removed by cutting, or snapping off or the like.

The anchor is then reinserted into the aperture 23 until the shortened distal end of the anchor abuts the second surface 20. The anchor 2 will at this point protrude the distance "aU minus the width of any grooves 8 removed when the removable portions 6 were removed.

An article is placed in front of the collar and screw is inserted through the anchor 2 and screwed into the wall plug 26 in the second surface 20. When the screw head abuts the collar 10 of the anchor 2, further pressure caused by continuing rotation causes the remaining grooves 8 to concertina collapse until the collar 10 abuts the outside of the first surface 18, as illustrated in Figure 5B.

The concertina collapse of the remaining grooves ensures that the anchor body 4 provides a solid bridge spanning

the cavity 21 to prevent sagging or any other damage to the first surface 18.

In other embodiments (not shown) of the invention the removable portions of the anchor body 4 may be defined by way of visual markers, such as lines or colours, rather than lines of weakness in the form of grooves or recesses.

Thus each removable portion may be separated by a visual line extending at least partway round the anchor body, or each removable portion may be defined by the portion being coloured uniquely.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each

feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A fastener anchor for anchoring a fastener to a hollow or cavity surface structure, the fastener anchor comprising an anchor body, the anchor body comprising at least one defined removable portion, and wherein the fastener anchor comprises means to receive a fastener.
2. A fastener anchor as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the anchor body is an elongate body.
3. A fastener anchor as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the anchor body has a protruding member extending radially outwardly from one end thereof.
4. A fastener anchor as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the protruding member comprises a collar at one end of the anchor body having a large diameter than the diameter of anchor body.
5. A fastener anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the anchor body comprises a bore running therethrough.
6. A fastener anchor as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the bore is circular in cross-section.
7. A fastener anchor as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein the bore extends along the whole length of the anchor body.

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8. A fastener anchor as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 7, wherein the bore is open at both ends of the anchor body.
9. A fastener anchor as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 8, wherein the bore comprises an internal and external thread.
10. A fastener anchor as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the thread of the bore extends along the whole of the bore.
11. A fastener anchor as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 10, wherein the means to receive a fastener comprises the bore of the anchor body.
12. A fastener anchor as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the bore comprises an internal or external thread extending along at least part of the bore, arranged, in use, to cooperate with a corresponding external or internal thread of a fastener.
13. A fastener anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each defined removable portion of the anchor body comprises a prescribed portion of the anchor body having a line of weakness at one end thereof.
14. A fastener anchor as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the or each line of weakness comprises a recess or groove extending at least partway round the anchor body at an end of the or each removable portion.

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15. A fastener anchor as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the or each line of weakness comprises a recess or groove extending at least half-way round the anchor body at an end of the or each removable portion.
16. A fastener anchor as claimed in Claim 15, wherein there are a plurality of defined removable portions, each portion comprising a recess or groove extending at least half-way around the anchor body at one end of the removable portion.
17. A fastener anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein further comprises at least one visual scale, extending longitudinally along the anchor body.
18. A fastener anchor as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the or each visual scale extends substantially along the entire anchor body.
19. A fastener anchor as claimed in Claim 17 or 18, wherein the or each visual scale has millimetre graduations.
20. A fastener anchor as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 19, wherein there are two visual scales.
21. A fastener anchor as claimed in Claim 20, wherein each visual scale is graduated numerically identically, and the first visual scale extends in the opposite direction to the second visual scale along the anchor body.

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22. A fastener anchor as claimed in Claim 21 or 21, wherein the scales are located substantially adjacent to each other on the anchor body.
23. A method of anchoring a fastener to a hollow or cavity surface structure, the surface structure comprising a first surface spaced apart from a second surface by a cavity, the method comprising the step of: (a) inserting a fastener anchor through the first surface until the fastener anchor abuts the second surface, the fastener anchor comprising an anchor body, the anchor body comprising at least one defined removable portion and means to receive a fastener; (b) withdrawing the fastener anchor from the hollow or cavity surface structure; (c) removing at least one defined removable portion of the anchor body; (d) reinserting the fastener anchor through the first surface until it abuts the second surface; and (e) inserting a fastener into the fastener receiving means.
24. A method as claimed in Claim 23 wherein step (c) comprises removing at least one defined removable portion of the anchor body, such that the remaining anchor body, when reinserted through the first surface and arranged to abut the second surface, does not substantially protrude from the first surface.
25. A method as claimed in Claim 22 wherein step (c) comprises removing at least one defined removable portion of the anchor, such that the remaining anchor

I

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body, when reinserted through the first surface and arranged to abut the second surface, protrudes from the first surface.
26. A fastener anchor as claimed in any one of Claims 23 to 25 wherein the defined removable portions are separated by lines of weakness, and step (e) may comprise inserting a fastener into the fastener receiving means such that each remaining defined removable portion collapses at its line of weakness to shorten the anchor body.
27. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 23 to 26 wherein the anchor body is inserted into an aperture in the first surface.
28. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 23 to 27 wherein when the fastener is inserted into the fastener receiving means, the fastener is arranged to operatively cooperate with the second surface.
29. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 23 to 28 wherein the method further comprises the step of providing a visual scale extending longitudinally along the anchor body, and between steps (a) and (b), reading from the visual scale the distance the anchor body has travelled.
30. A method as claimed in Claim 29 comprising the step of providing two visual scales graduated numerically identically but extending in opposite directions along the anchor body.

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31. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 23 to 30 wherein the method comprises the step of orienting an article on the first surface in front of the anchor body, between steps (d) and (e) so that the fastener, when inserted through the anchor body, first passes through the article, thereby fastening the article to the first surface.
32. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 23 to 30 using a fastener anchor of any one of Claims 1 to 22.
33. A kit comprising at least one fastener anchor of any one of Claims 1 to 22 and at least one fastener.
34. The fastener anchor substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
35. A method as substantially described herein, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.