GB2542277A - An apparatus and method for securing a fastener into plasterboard - Google Patents

Abstract

A fixing device for plasterboard 29 comprises a body with an opening 9 in a front of the body to receive a fastener and a retaining arm 13 movable from the retracted position to an extended position. Then the arm 13 is in the retracted position, a first end of the arm 13 is adjacent to the front of the body and a second end is adjacent the body and spaced from the front end of the body by a first axial distance. When the arm 13 is in the extended position, the first end is spaced from the body and the second end is adjacent the body and spaced from the front of the body by a second axial distance which is less than the first axial distance. A biasing mechanism 15 is configured to urge the arm from the retracted position to the extended position.

Description

AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SECURING A FASTENER INTO

PLASTERBOARD

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for securing a fastener into plasterboard and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in providing an anchoring point in plasterboard cavity walls or ceilings for the purpose of affixing other items thereto.

Spring toggles, toggle bolts and butterfly anchors are known to be used to affix items to plasterboard. Spring toggles comprise a bolt onto which is threaded a pair of pivotable retaining arms, and a spring that biases the retaining arms to position their respective free ends away from the fastener. An item to be affixed to the plasterboard must be attached to the fastener prior to insertion into a hole in the plasterboard. The retaining arm is folded back such that the free end of the retaining arm is adjacent to the fastener, and the device is passed through the hole by the user. Once the whole of the retaining arm has cleared the hole in the plasterboard, the retaining arm is pushed out by the spring, such that the free end of the retaining arm is positioned away from the fastener. The spring toggle may then be tightened to affix the object to the plasterboard, by rotating the bolt and thereby drawing the pivotable end of the retaining arm up the shaft of the bolt. To remove the item affixed to the plasterboard from the plasterboard, the bolt must be unscrewed. This results in the retaining arms and spring being lost behind the plasterboard.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a fixing device for securing a fastener into plasterboard, the fixing device comprising: a body; an opening in a front of the body configured to receive a fastener therein; a retaining arm movable from a retracted position to an extended position; wherein in the retracted position the retaining arm has a first end adjacent to the front of the body and a second end adjacent to the body and spaced from the front of the body by a first axial distance; and wherein in the extended position the first end is spaced from the body and the second end is adjacent to the body and spaced from the front of the body by a second axial distance less than the first axial distance; and a first biasing mechanism configured to urge the retaining arm from the retracted position in to the extended position.

The present invention offers an advantage over the spring toggle as in the present invention, the fastener may not need to be inserted into the fixing device prior to insertion of the fixing device in the plasterboard. This advantage means that the item to be affixed to the plasterboard may be affixed later than the insertion of the fixing device in the plasterboard.

Prior to insertion into plasterboard, the retaining arm is positioned in the retracted position. The fixing device is then inserted into the plasterboard and the retaining arm is then moved from the retracted position to the extended position by the first biasing mechanism. A fastener may then be inserted into the fixing device. A fixing device may be apparatus used to increase an effective securing force of a fastener into plasterboard. A securing force between the fastener and the fixing device, and/or a securing force between the fixing device and the plasterboard, may be higher than a securing force between the fastener and the plasterboard, when the fastener is inserted directly into the plasterboard.

The present invention may be used to secure the fastener into plasterboard in a manner that may be stronger than placing the fastener directly into the plasterboard.

The fastener may be a bolt, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, a peg, a button, a clip, a clamp, a cam dowel, and/or any other known fastener.

Plasterboard may mean gypsum, plaster of Paris, cement, calcium based materials, and/or any other known building material, and may be formed into a sheet that may have one or more paper backings. Plasterboard may be drywall, Sheetrock, wallboard, gypsum board, and/or any alternative sheet material known.

An axis used to define the first axial distance and the second axial distance may be located along a centre line of the body and may run from the front of the fixing device to an end opposing the front of the fixing device, perpendicular to a front face.

The body may be a metal, a polymer, a reinforced polymer, a wood, a ceramic, and/or any other known materials.

The body may be 3D printed, extruded, injection moulded, cast, fabricated, and/or manufactured by any other known methods.

The opening may be a slit, a slot, a hole, substantially circular, star-shaped, and/or otherwise shaped.

The opening may be threaded, blind, and/or arranged so that a fastener may cut its own thread.

The opening may be configured to substantially inhibit axial movement and/or lateral movement (e.g. with respect to axis) of a fixing therein.

The retaining arm may be configured to keep the fixing device in place and/or held fixed by applying a force to a rear surface of the plasterboard and/or another surface of the plasterboard.

The retaining arm may be a rod, a bar, a pole, a shaft, a spar, a strip, a clip, and/or any other known supporting structures. The retaining arm may be metal, a composite, a polymer, a reinforced polymer, a wood, a ceramic, and/or sufficiently strong to support a load of at least 10kg, 20kg, 30kg, 40kg or 50kg. The retaining arm may be flat and/or have a non-planar profile.

The retaining arm may be a single arm or a plurality of arms. In this way, the fixing device may utilise a plurality of retaining arms spaced around the body to carry more load and/or distribute the load more evenly.

In the retracted position, the retaining arm may be withdrawn, for instance with both ends substantially adjacent to and/or inside the body.

In the extended position, the retaining arm me be protruding, and/or one end of the retaining arm may be located away from the body, for instance with the retaining arm in contact with a rear surface of the plasterboard in use.

The retaining arm may rotate, pivot, telescopically extend, translate, move linearly, unfold, and/or move by any other known means when moving from the retracted position to the extended position.

The term adjacent may mean abutting and/or may mean spaced from the body by up to 2mm, 5mm, and/or 10mm.

Urge may mean applying a force to move the retaining arm from the retracted to the extended position. A biasing mechanism may urge a part to move preferably in a specific direction over another direction. The biasing mechanism may be a spring, a coil spring, a compression spring, a leaf spring, an elastic material, and/or any other known means of urging a component from one position to another.

The fixing device may comprise a guide hole spaced from the opening, for receiving the fixing therein, wherein the guide hole may be configured to substantially inhibit axial movement and/or lateral movement (e.g. with respect to axis) of a fixing therein.

The guide hole may be located on the body, spaced from the front face; alternatively, the guide hole may be located on the biasing mechanism and/or the retaining arm. The guide hole may be blind to allow the fastener to pass through, threaded to engage with the fastener, and/or be arranged to allow a fastener to cut its own thread. In this way, the fixing device may offer a further point of attachment to the fastener, which may increase a securing force between the fastener and the fixing device.

The fixing device may further comprise a flange located adjacent to the front of the body. In this way, the fixing device may be prevented from being over inserted.

The flange may comprise a section projecting laterally from the body.

The flange may be substantially circular, square, rectangular, and/or any other suitable shape.

The flange may have a depth of less than 5mm, more particularly less than 2mm, for instance 1mm.

The body may comprise a housing, which may comprise an outermost skin of the fixing device when the retaining arm is in its retracted position. The housing may be for the fixing device to fit snugly in a hole in plasterboard. The housing may be substantially cylindrical, and may have an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the axis. The housing may be a metal, a polymer, a reinforced polymer, a wood, a ceramic, and/or any other known materials.

The fixing device may feature an anti-rotation member located adjacent to the front of the body. The anti-rotation member may be arranged to cut into the plasterboard when inserted. In this way, once inserted into plasterboard, the rotation of the fixing device in the plasterboard is prohibited.

The anti-rotation member may project laterally from the body.

The anti-rotation member may project parallel to the axis from the flange.

The anti-rotation member may comprise a single member or a plurality of members. For instance, the anti-rotation member may comprise 2 members, 3 members, 4 members or more.

The fixing device may include a sheath arranged to engage with the first end of the retaining arm when the retaining arm is in the retracted position. In this way, the retaining arm may be held in the retracted position until deployed. This may result in the user no longer needing to manually hold the retaining arm in the retracted position when the fixing device is inserted into the plasterboard.

The sheath may be formed as part of the body and/or may be a separate component.

The sheath may be shaped to ensure the alignment of the retaining arm when the retaining arm is deployed.

The fixing device may include a retraction mechanism that may be configured to retract the retaining arm, such that the retaining arm moves from the extended position to the retracted position. In this way, the fixing device may be removed from the plasterboard. This feature may result in the fixing device being reusable.

The retraction mechanism may comprise a shoulder of the body, and/or may be a separate component.

The retraction mechanism may comprise a key, which may be configured to be insertable through the opening to engage with the retaining arm and/or the biasing mechanism.

The retraction mechanism may be configured to push the second end of the retaining arm away from the front of the body between the second axial distance and the first axial distance.

The retraction mechanism may comprise a shoulder of the body arranged such that when the second end of the retaining arm is moved away from the front of the body from the second axial distance to the first axial distance, the retaining arm engages the shoulder such that the first end of the retaining arm moves towards the body.

The key may comprise a locking part configured to engage with the body, for instance to prevent accidental removal of the key from the opening. In this way, the key may be configured to hold the retaining arm in the retracted position, such that the fixing device may be removed from the plasterboard.

The locking part may comprise shoulders, a threaded section, a clip, a magnet, and/or any other suitable means.

The key may be a metal, a polymer, a reinforced polymer, a wood, a ceramic, a composite, and/or any other known material.

The fixing device may be self-drilling. Self-drilling may be achieved by including a drilling element at an end opposing the front of the fixing device (e.g. the rear of the fixing device) arranged to cut into the plasterboard to form a cavity, into which the fixing device then moves. In this way, the device may form a necessary cavity within the plasterboard upon insertion, rather than requiring a cavity to be formed prior to insertion.

The fixing device may comprise a guide element arranged to align the retaining arm with respect to the body. In this way, orientation of the retaining arm may be determined after insertion of the fixing device into the plasterboard.

The guide element may define a slot through which the retaining arm is extendable. Alternatively or additionally, the guide element may comprise a recess, a protrusion, and/or any other suitable means. The guide element may comprise a single guide element or a plurality of guide elements, for example one or two guide elements per retaining arm.

The fixing device may be configured such that the retaining arm is contained fully within the body when the retaining arm is in the retracted position. The fixing device may be configured such that when the retaining arm is contained fully within the body, the body may comprise an aperture that may allow the retaining arm to at least partially extend from the body, when the retaining arm is in the extended position. In this way, the body may be have an exterior shape substantially similar to an interior shape of a hole in the plasterboard, whilst the retaining arm may still be able to be moved from the retracted position to the extended position, such that the fixing device may fit more snugly within the hole in the plasterboard.

The aperture may be sized to ensure a close fit between the retaining arm and the body, when the retaining arm is in the extended position. In this way, the rotation of the retaining arm relative to the body, when the retaining arm is in the extended position, may be prevented.

The fixing device may comprise a guide arranged to maintain the alignment of said retaining arm and said opening, when the retaining arm is in the retracted position.

The guide may be a groove, a track, a run, a passage, an insert, and/or another suitable means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of securing a fastener into plasterboard, the method comprising the steps of: providing a fastener; providing plasterboard into which the fastener is to be secured; providing the fixing device according to any preceding claim; inserting the fixing device into the plasterboard; moving the retaining arm from the retracted position to the extended position using the first biasing mechanism; and inserting the fastener into the opening.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fixing device having retaining arms in a retracted position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the fixing device of figure 1 with the retaining arms in an extended position.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device of figure 1 with the retaining arms in the retracted position.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device of figure 1 with the retaining arms in an intermediate position.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device of figure 1 inserted into plasterboard with the retaining arms in the extended position.

The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term “connected”, used in the description, should not be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device A connected to a device B” should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. “Connected” may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. For instance, wireless connectivity is contemplated.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in an aspect” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention 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 or aspects.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description 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. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised 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.

In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The use of the term “at least one” may mean only one in certain circumstances.

The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features of the invention. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fixing device comprising a substantially cylindrical body 1. At a first end the body 1 is provided with cutting teeth 3 to enable the fixing device to bore a hole in plasterboard, such that the body 1 may be received in the hole. That is, cutting teeth 3 are configured to bore a hole having a diameter substantially equal to the exterior diameter of the substantially cylindrical body 1.

At an opposing end of the body 1 is provided a flange 5 that projects radially outward from a front face 7 of the body 1. The flange 5 prevents over-insertion of the body 1 into the hole created by the cutting teeth 3.

Provided in the front face is a cross-shape aperture 9 configured to provide three distinct functions. First, the recess includes a substantially circular central portion into which a fixing device may be inserted. The central portion is preferably axially aligned in the body 1. The central portion may be threaded, or may include other means (such as ribs) to enable a fixing (such as a bolt or screw) to secure therein. However, in the present arrangement, the central portion is blind/smooth to allow unimpeded movement of a bolt therethrough.

Secondly, the aperture 9 is configured to act as a screw drive; that is, it is configured to accept a screw driver (or similar tool) therein, to enable rotation of the body 1 about its axis, for instance in order to rotation-ally orientate it within the hole.

Thirdly, the aperture 9 includes a slot through which may be passed a key 11. The key 11 comprises a substantially flat portion (in order to pass through the slot) and a handle portion (for ease of manipulation by a user).

Retaining arms 13 are housed within the body 1. In the retracted position in which they are shown in figure 1, they are arranged to compress a coil spring (not shown) by pushing against an engagement surface 23. Movement of the retaining arms 13 outwardly through slots 17 in the cylindrical wall of the body 1 is possible, as will be described later.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the fixing device of figure 1 with the retaining arms 13 in an extended position. In the extended position, the retaining arms 13 are arranged such that the coil spring 15 is uncompressed.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device of figure 1 with the retaining arms in the retracted position, as in figure 1. The coil spring 15 is mounted at one end on a peg 21 within the body 1 at the first end thereof. The other end of the spring 15 is coupled to an engagement surface 23. The spring 15 is arranged such that the engagement surface 23 may move axially within the body 1, with and against the biasing of the spring 15.

The retaining arms 13 are held in the retracted position by the action of the coil spring 15 and the engagement surface 23 pushing the retaining arms axially into a sheath portion 25 of the body 1 adjacent to the front face, wherein the sheath 25 is formed by a portion of the cylindrical external wall of the body 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of figure 3. The key (not shown) may be passed through the slot in the aperture 9 and pushed down between the retaining arms to engage with the engagement surface 23. Applying an axial force to the key causes the engagement surface 23 to push down, compressing the coil spring 15. This motion, draws down the retaining arms 13, moving them out of the sheath portion 25 such that they are free to pivot outwards about fulcrum 27. An internal biasing means (not shown), for instance a torsion spring, may be provided to actuate the pivoting of the retaining arms 13. The key may be then be removed to relieve pressure from the engagement surface.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device of figure 1 inserted into plasterboard 29 with the retaining arms 13 in the extended position. As can be seen, with the retaining arms 13 in their pivoted out orientation, the coil spring 15 is free to push the engagement surface 23 (and thereby the retaining arms 13) toward the front face of the body 1, drawing them against a rear face of the plasterboard 29. A threaded (or otherwise) fixing-receiving socket 31 is provided on one of the retaining arms to threadably (or otherwise) receive a fixing (e.g. a bolt) therein.

To remove the fixing device from the plasterboard 29, the key may be once again inserted through the aperture to push down on the engagement surface.

Referring back to figure 4, when the engagement surface is pushed down below the level shown in figure 4, shoulders 33 on a lower edge of the slots 17 act to push the retaining arms back towards their pivoted-in position, such that they fold back within the body 1.

Finally, referring back to figure 1, the key 11 comprises a locking groove 19 such that, when the key is fully inserted, rotating the key 11 within the aperture 9 by a small amount (for instance 2 to 90 degrees) prevents the key from being removed from the aperture 9 to ensure that the retaining arms 13 remain folded-in within the body 1 while the body 1 may be removed from the plasterboard.

Claims (11)

1. A fixing device for securing a fastener into plasterboard, the fixing device comprising: a body; an opening in a front of the body configured to receive a fastener therein; a retaining arm movable from a retracted position to an extended position; wherein in the retracted position the retaining arm has a first end adjacent to the front of the body and a second end adjacent to the body and spaced from the front of the body by a first axial distance; and wherein in the extended position the first end is spaced from the body and the second end is adjacent to the body and spaced from the front of the body by a second axial distance less than the first axial distance; and a first biasing mechanism configured to urge the retaining ami from the retracted position in to the extended position.

2. The fixing device of claim 1, in which the retaining arm comprises a plurality of retaining arms.

3. The fixing device of claim 1 or claim 2, in which a flange is located adjacent to the front of the body.

4. The fixing device of any preceding claim, in which an anti-rotation member is located adjacent to the front of the body.

5. The fixing device of any preceding claim, comprising a sheath arranged to engage with the first end of the retaining arm when the retaining arm is in the retracted position.

6. The fixing device of any preceding claim, comprising a retraction mechanism configured to retract the retaining arm.

7. The fixing device of claim 6, wherein the retraction mechanism comprises a key, insertable through the opening to engage with the retaining arm and/or the biasing mechanism.

8. The fixing device of any preceding claim, in which the fixing device is selfdrilling.

9. The fixing device of any preceding claim, comprising a guide element arranged to align the retaining arm with respect to the body.

10. The fixing device of any preceding claim, configured such that the retaining arm is contained fully within the body when the retaining arm is in the retracted position.

11. A method of securing a fastener into plasterboard, the method comprising the steps of: providing a fastener; providing plasterboard into which the fastener is to be secured; providing the fixing device according to any preceding claim; inserting the fixing device into the plasterboard; moving the retaining arm from the retracted position to the extended position using the first biasing mechanism; and inserting the fastener into the opening.

11. A method of securing a fastener into plasterboard, die method comprising the steps of: providing a fastener; providing plasterboard into which the fastener is to be secured; providing the fixing device according to any preceding claim; inserting the fixing device into the plasterboard; moving the retaining arm from the retracted position to the extended position using the first biasing mechanism; and inserting the fastener into the opening. Amendments to the Claims have been filed as follows: CLAIMS

1. A fixing device for securing a fastener into plasterboard, the fixing device comprising: a body; an opening in a front of the body configured to receive a fastener therein; a retaining arm movable from a retracted position to an extended position; wherein in the retracted position the retaining arm has a first end adjacent to the front of the body and a second end adjacent to the body and spaced from the front of the body by a first axial distance; and wherein in the extended position the first end is spaced from the body and the second end is adjacent to the body and spaced from the front of the body by a second axial distance less than the first axial distance; and a first biasing mechanism configured to urge the retaining arm from the retracted position in to the extended position.

2. The fixing device of claim 1, comprising: a further retaining arm movable from a further retracted position to a further extended position; wherein in the further retracted position the further retaining arm has a further first end adjacent to the front of the body and a further second end adjacent to the body and spaced from the front of the body by the first axial distance; wherein in the further extended position the further first end is spaced from the body and the further second end is adjacent to the body and spaced from the front of the body by the second axial distance; and wherein the first biasing mechanism is further configured to urge the further retaining arm from the further retracted position in to the further extended position.

3. The fixing device of claim 1 or claim 2, in which a flange is located adjacent to the front of the body.

4. The fixing device of any preceding claim, in which an anti-rotation member is located adjacent to the front of the body.

5. The fixing device of any preceding claim, comprising a sheath arranged to engage with the first end of the retaining arm when the retaining arm is in the retracted position.

6. The fixing device of any preceding claim, comprising a retraction mechanism configured to retract the retaining arm.

7. The fixing device of claim 6, wherein the retraction mechanism comprises a key, insertable through the opening to engage with the retaining arm and/or the biasing mechanism.

8. The fixing device of any preceding claim, in which the fixing device is selfdrilling.

9. The fixing device of any preceding claim, comprising a guide element arranged to align the retaining arm with respect to the body.

10. The fixing device of any preceding claim, configured such that the retaining arm is contained fully within the body when the retaining arm is in the retracted position.