IL286010A - Wall fastener - Google Patents

Description

20730 WALL FASTENER TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of wall fasteners.

BACKGROUND ART "A wall plug (UK English), also known as an anchor (US) or "Rawlplug" (UK), is a fibre or plastic (originally wood) insert used to enable the attachment of a screw in material that is porous or brittle or that would otherwise not support the weight of the object attached with the screw. It is a type of anchor that, for example, allows screws to be fitted into masonry walls.

There are many forms of wall plug, but the most common principle is to use a tapered tube of soft material, such as plastic. This is inserted loosely into a drilled hole, then a screw is tightened into the centre. As the screw enters the plug, the soft material of the plug expands conforming tightly to the wall material. Such anchors can attach one object to another in situations where screws, nails, adhesives, or other simple fasteners are either impractical or ineffective. Different types have different levels of strength and can be used on different types of surfaces." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_plug) 20730 All the methods described above have not yet provided satisfactory solutions to the problem of shaping the form of the part of the anchor behind the wall.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the above-mentioned and other problems of the prior art.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. 20730 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a wall fastener comprising: a screw (20); an anchor (10) made of softer material than of the screw, in a form of a tube having (a) a hole (14) at a first end thereof, (b) a head (13) at second end thereof, being an end part of the anchor, (c) at least two longitudinal slits (12), and (d) an adaptation so that upon screwing the screw, the anchor is twisted; wherein the screw (20) being longer than the anchor (10), for allowing the screw to penetrate through the head (13) upon threading the screw through the hole (14).

The wall fastener may further comprise one or more fins (15) at the first end, for fixing the anchor into a drywall while the screw is being threaded into the anchor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the length of the base (16) of the anchor equals to a thickness of a standard drywall, wherein the base being a part of the anchor from the first end thereof to the slits.

The thickness of a drywall may be 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, 1/ inch, 3/8 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 6.4 mm, 9.5 mm, 19.1 mm, and .4 mm. 20730 According to one embodiment of the invention the slits (12) are helical.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the adaptation is a friction degree of the screw and the anchor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the adaptation allows twisting the anchor to a desired angle from 0 to 360 degrees.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a roughness of the screw is higher in comparison to a standard roughness of a threading of a screw, for increasing a friction between the screw and the anchor while screwing the screw into the anchor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the anchor is made of plastic.

The anchor production may be by casting, injection molding, and extrusion, and so on.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the adaptation is hardness of a material the anchor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the adaptation is flexibility of material(s) the anchor is made of. 20730 According to one embodiment of the invention, the adaptation is a thickness of the head.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the adaptation is a number of the slits.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the adaptation is properties of the screw selected from a group consisting of: a diameter thereof, a step thereof, a depth of a threading thereof, a roughness of a threading thereof, and a material thereof.

According to one embodiment of the invention, an inner side of the head is in a form of a dome or cone, for location the screw in a center of the head while being threaded into the anchor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the head is a separate part of a rest of the anchor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the head and the anchor are one piece.

According to one embodiment of the invention, an arrangement of the slits is symmetric.

According to one embodiment of the invention, an arrangement of the slits is asymmetric. 20730 According to one embodiment of the invention, an inner side of the anchor is wider than a width of the screw.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the head is in a form of a cone or pyramid.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the material of the head is harder than the material of the rest of said wall fastener.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the head is grooved.

The reference numbers have been used to point out elements in the embodiments described and illustrated herein, in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention. They are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. Also, the foregoing embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods thereof, which are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. 20730 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings: Fig. 1 illustrates a screw and a bolt from different angles, according to the prior art.

Fig. 2ais a side view schematically illustrating a wall fastener, according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2bis a perspective view thereof.

Fig. 2 c is a longitudinal side view schematically illustrating a wall fastener in a state wherein its screw mates with its anchor, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2dis a side view thereof and Fig. 2eis a perspective cross section thereof.

Each of Figs. 3a, 3b and 3cillustrates stages in the use of a wall fastener, according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3a is a side view and Fig. 3b is a sectional view, and Fig. 3c is a bottom view.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a wall fastener, according to the prior art. 20730 Fig. 5 is a 3D imaging illustrating stages in fastening of each of three different wall fasteners, according to three embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 6ais a side view schematically illustrating a wall fastener, according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6bis a perspective view thereof.

Each of Figs, 7a, 7b and 7cschematically illustrates a wall fastener, according to one embodiment of the invention.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 20730 DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments ("best mode"), which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting.

For the sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods, systems, procedures, components, circuits, and so on, are not described in detail.

A screw and a bolt refer herein to types of fastener in a form of an elongated rod surrounded by helical ridge (known as a male thread or external thread). From a point of view of the present invention, the difference between them is that while a bolt suits a corresponding nut, the screw generates a corresponding female threading in the material it is threaded into.

The term "standard" refers herein to a standard if available, otherwise to a common (well known) feature / device.

The term "head" in relation to the wall fastener introduced herein, refers to the tip of the wall fastener, which first enters into the wall when attaching thereof to a wall.

Fig. 1illustrates a screw and a bolt from different angles, according to the prior art. 20730 The figure is used for presenting the terminology used in this patent application.

The bolt is marked by reference numeral 30, and the screw is marked by reference numeral 20. As can be seen, the bolt 30 comprises a corresponding nut 31, i.e., the female threading of the nut corresponds to the male threading of the bolt.

Fig. 2ais a side view schematically illustrating a wall fastener, according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2bis a perspective view thereof.

The wall fastener comprises an anchor 10 and a corresponding screw 20. The anchor 10 is made of softer material than the screw, in order to allow the screw to incise the anchor. The anchor is in a form that reminds an elongated tube.

The anchor may be produced by a casting, injection mold, extrusion, etc. The "head" of the anchor 13 is in the form of a dome, cone, and actually any form locates the tip of the screw in the center thereof.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the anchor is made of one piece. According to another embodiment of the invention, the anchor is made of a plurality of pieces, e.g., the cover 13 is separate piece than the other parts of the anchor, and screwed therein. 20730 The inner side of the anchor may be wider than the width of the screw. Actually, the screw is screwed into the cover 13.

The screw 20 is longer than the anchor 10, in order to allow the screw to penetrate through the head 13 of the anchor, and pull it due to the threading of the screw.

At the other end of the tube, i.e., the base 16, there is a hole 14 through which the screw 20 mates with the tube.

At the base 16 of the anchor are disposed fins 15. Upon inserting an anchor 10 into a hole in a wall, the fins groove the wall, and since they are a part of the anchor, they prevent its rotation while a screw is inserted into the anchor.

The materials and structure of the screw 20 and the anchor 10 correspond such that upon screwing the screw into the head 13 of the anchor, the friction of the screw and the head causes the bars 11 to twist.

Fig. 2 c is a longitudinal side view schematically illustrating a wall fastener in a state wherein its screw mates with its anchor, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2dis a side view thereof and Fig. 2eis a perspective cross section thereof. 20730 As illustrated, screw 20 is longer than the anchor 10 in order to allow the tip of the screw to reach to the head 13 of the anchor, and penetrate therethrough. After the screw penetrates through the head, by continuing screwing the screw, the head is pulled by the screw, causing the bars 11 of the anchor to bend. If at least a certain friction level is generated between the screw and the head of the anchor, the bars not only bend but start to twist, as explained later in this document.

Each of Figs. 3a, 3b and 3cillustrates stages in the use of a wall fastener, according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3a is a side view and Fig. 3b is a sectional view, and Fig. 3c is a bottom view.

These figures illustrate a single wall 40 into which are installed a plurality of wall fasteners, each illustrate a stage in applying a wall fastener into the wall 40.

In step (a), a bore 41 is drilled in wall 40. The diameter of the bore corresponds to the diameter of the anchor 10.

In step (b), an anchor 10 is placed into the bore 41.

In step (c) the anchor 10 is knocked by a hammer (not illustrated) into the wall 40.

In step (d), the end of the anchor reaches to the surface of the wall 40. 20730 In step (e), a screw 20 mates with plug 10.

In step (f), the tip of the screw reaches the head 13.

In step (g), the user threads the screw 20 into the head 13.

In step (h), as the screw penetrates the head 13, the bars 11 of the anchor 10 begin to twist (seen in Fig. 3a) as a result of the friction between the screw 20 and the head 13 of the anchor 10.

In step (i), as the user continue to thread the screw 20, the head 13 approaches to the base of the anchor 10, and as a result the form of bars 11 of anchor 10 are begins to changeto a form which reminds a flower.

In step (j), as the user continues to thread the screw 20, the head 13 of the anchor 10 approaches to the base of anchor, and deform to a flower shape.

The diameter of the "flower" is a function of the friction between the screw and the anchor, and thereby the higher the friction, the less is the diameter of the flower, and therefore more fasteners can be placed in an area unit.

The following factors have an impact on the twist of the anchor's bars: 20730 - The material characteristics of which the anchor is made of, such as hardness and flexibility; - The inner and outer diameters of the anchor; - The number of bars/slits; - The thickness of the head; - Screw threading characteristics, such as diameter, step, depth of the threading, roughness, etc.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a wall fastener, according to the prior art.

It illustrates a side view (in which is defined a cross section A-A), a cross-section and a perspective view of the wall fastener.

The wall fastener of Fig. 4 differs from the present invention by three features: (a) its anchor is made of metal, the friction does not play a role, (b) is uses a bolt and a nut instead of a screw and a head as in the present invention, and (c) its bars are arched rather than straight.

Because the friction of the bolt and the threading is negligible, by threading the bolt inside the anchor, the bars do not twist, but only bend. At the end of the screwing it forms to a shape of a cross (in the case of four bars) and not a "flower" as in the present invention. In other words, the diameter of the cross would have been smaller if the bars would have been twisted. 20730 Fig. 5 is a 3D imaging illustrating stages in fastening of each of three different wall fasteners, according to three embodiments of the invention.

The figure shows three sets of squares, A1 to A5, B1 to B5 and C1 to C5. Each square represents a gypsum board.

In this figure it is assumed that the friction between the screw and its anchor is negligible, for example as a result of the "soft" plastic the anchor is made of.

In squares A1 to A5 are installed wall fasteners describing the behavior of an anchor whose bars are straight.

Due to the negligible friction, upon threading the screw the bars of the anchor get along in a plus sign form.

The bars of the anchors of squares B1 to B5 are slightly helical, and as the screwing advances, the anchor gets twisted, getting a "flower" form (see square B5).

The bars of the fasteners of squares C1 to C5 are more helical than the bars of the anchor of squares B1 to B5. As can be seen, the diameter of the generated "flower" (see square C5) is smaller than the diameter of the "flower" of square B5.

Fig. 6ais a side view schematically illustrating a wall fastener, according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6bis a perspective view thereof. 20730 The base of an anchor 10 is defined herein as the distance between an edge of the anchor opposite the head and the start of its nearest slit 12.

According to this embodiment of the invention, the length of the base 16 of the anchor 10 is identical to the thickness of a standard drywall. This feature allows the bars 11 not to bend inside the bore in the drywall, and therefore not to harm the drywall, which is a soft material.

As specified by Wikipedia, "Common panel thicknesses are 1/2 and 5/8 inch (13 and 16 mm), and 1/4, 3/8, 3/4, and inch (6.4, 9.5, 19.1, and 25.4 mm) thicknesses are also used in specific applications." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drywall) Each of Figs, 7a, 7b and 7cschematically illustrates a wall fastener, according to one embodiment of the invention.

The feature that characterizes the wall fasteners 10 in these figures in comparison to the other wall fasteners described herein is the sharp form of the head 13. Thus, the user does not have to drill a bore (numeral 41 in Fig. 3b) into the wall, but rather to knock the wall fastener 10 into the wall.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the head 13 of the wall fastener 10 is made of a harder material than the rest of the wall fastener, in order to prevent deformation of the head 13 during a knocking. 20730 According to a further embodiment of the invention, the head is grooved in order to prevent its rotation while being knocked into a wall.

In the figures and/or description herein, the following reference numerals (Reference Signs List) have been mentioned: numeral 10 denotes an anchor; numeral 11 denotes a bar of an anchor; numeral 12 denotes a longitudinal slit between two adjacent bars 11; numeral 13 denotes a head at the head of an anchor; numeral 14 denotes a hole in a base of the anchor; numeral 15 denotes a fin; numeral 16 denotes a base of an anchor; numeral 20 denotes a screw; numeral 30 denotes a bolt; numeral 31 denotes a nut; numeral 32 denotes a head of a bolt; numeral 40 denotes a wall; and numeral 41 denotes a bore in a wall. 20730

Claims (25)

20730 -19 - CLAIMS

1. A wall fastener comprising: a screw (20); an anchor (10) made of softer material than of said screw, in a form of a tube having (a) a hole (14) at a first end thereof, (b) a head (13) at second end thereof, being an end part of said anchor, (c) at least two longitudinal slits (12), and (d) an adaptation so that upon screwing said screw, said anchor is twisted; wherein said screw (20) being longer than said anchor (10), for allowing said screw to penetrate through said head (13) upon threading said screw through said hole (14).

2. The wall fastener according to claim 1, further comprising one or more fins (15) at said first end, for fixing said anchor into a drywall while said screw is being threaded into said anchor.

3. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein a length of a base (16) of said anchor equals to a thickness of a standard drywall, wherein said base being a part of said anchor from said first end thereof to said slits,.

4. The wall fastener according to claim 3, wherein said thickness of a drywall is selected from a group consisting of: 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, 3/4 inch, and 1 inch. 20730 -20 -

5. The wall fastener according to claim 3, wherein said thickness of a drywall is selected from a group consisting of: 6.4 mm, 9.5 mm, 19.1 mm, and 25.4 mm.

6. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein said slits (12) are helical.

7. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein said adaptation is a friction degree between said screw and said anchor.

8. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein said adaptation allows twisting said anchor to a desired angle from 0 to 360 degrees.

9. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein a roughness of said screw is higher in comparison to a standard roughness of a threading of a screw, for increasing a friction between said screw and said anchor while screwing said screw into said anchor.

10. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein said anchor is made of plastic.

11. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein said anchor production is selected from a group consisting of: casting, injection molding, and extrusion. 20730 -21 -

12. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein said adaptation is hardness of a material said anchor.

13. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein said adaptation is flexibility of material(s) said anchor is made of.

14. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein said adaptation is a thickness of said head.

15. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein said adaptation is a number of said slits.

16. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein said adaptation is properties of said screw selected from a group consisting of: a diameter thereof, a step thereof, a depth of a threading thereof, a roughness of a threading thereof, and a material thereof.

17. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein an inner side of said head is in a form of a dome or cone, for location said screw in a center of said head while being threaded into said anchor.

18. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein said head is a separate part of a rest of said anchor.

19. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein said head and said anchor are one piece. 20730 -22 -

20. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein an arrangement of said slits is symmetric.

21. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein an arrangement of said slits is asymmetric.

22. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein an inner side of said anchor is wider than a width of said screw.

23. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein said head is in a form of a cone or pyramid.

24. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein a material of said head is harder than the material of the rest of said wall fastener.

25. The wall fastener according to claim 1, wherein said head is grooved. >?? 2 ??,? ????. ????? ?????? .*«.? 228