Expanded – threaded – driven – headed – tool-deformed – or locked-thr – Having separate expander means – Made up of plural expansible segments or sections
Patent
1992-06-23
1994-02-22
Wilson, Neill R.
Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr
Having separate expander means
Made up of plural expansible segments or sections
411 37, 411 42, 411510, 411913, F16B 1304, F16B 1900
Patent
active
052881890
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a fixing device for a cavity wall, such as a wall faced with plasterboard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, such a fixing device comprises a sleeve portion adapted to receive therethrough a screw or similar fixing element, an engagement portion spaced from the sleeve portion and adapted to engage an end portion of the screw, and at least one flexible strut member connecting the engagement portion to the sleeve portion, the arrangement being such that engagement of the screw with the engagement portion holds the latter in a fixed position relative to the sleeve portion and thereby resists flexing movement of the at least one strut member. Conveniently, tightening of the screw causes the engagement portion to move towards the sleeve portion and thereby cause the at least one strut member to flex outwardly of the device.
Preferably, the at least one or each strut member comprises a relatively long arm connected to the engagement portion and a relatively short arm connected to the sleeve portion, such that the point where the arms are joined moves forwardly as well as outwardly of the device as the screw is tightened.
Advantageously, the at least one or each strut member has a finger extending forwardly of the device substantially from the point where the relatively long and short arms are joined together.
Conveniently, the at least one or each strut member is connected to the engagement portion at a position which is spaced from the end of the engagement portion nearest to the sleeve portion.
Desirably, the at least one or each strut member normally extends laterally beyond the sleeve portion but can be flexed so as to be at least substantially flush with the sleeve portion, so as to facilitate entry of the device into a bore in the cavity wall. In this case, the relatively long and short arms can be so dimensioned that, when the at least one or each strut member is thusly flexed, the point where the arms are joined lies adjacent to the end of the engagement portion nearest to the sleeve portion.
Preferably, the end of the engagement portion nearest to the sleeve portion has a bore for receiving the end portion of the screw.
Desirably, the device comprises two such strut members extending respectively in opposite lateral directions from the sleeve and the engagement portions.
Conveniently, the sleeve portion has formations on its outer surface for engaging a side wall of a bore in the cavity wall in which the device is inserted in use.
Advantageously the sleeve portion is radially expandable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fixing device according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view showing the device in its normal condition;
FIG. 3 is a side view showing the device in a condition ready for insertion into a bore in a cavity wall; and
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view showing the device in actual use in a cavity wall.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The illustrated fixing device, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, is made of a plastic material and comprises a sleeve portion 10 having a central hole or bore 11 for receiving a screw or similar fixing element 12 (see FIG. 4). The device also comprises an engagement portion 13 which also has a central bore 14 to receive an end portion of the screw, the engagement portion 13 being integrally connected to the sleeve portion 10 by means of a pair of flexible strut members 15 which extend respectively in opposite lateral directions from the portions 10 and 13. Each strut member 15 is composed of a relatively short arm 16 connected to the sleeve portion 10 and a relatively long arm 17 connected to an end of the engagement portion 13 remote from the sleeve portion 10. A finger 18 extends forwardly from the point where the two arms 16, 17 meet in each strut member 15, the outwardly-facing surface of the finger
REFERENCES:
patent: 3143916 (1964-09-01), Rice
patent: 3213746 (1965-10-01), Dwyer
patent: 3343441 (1967-09-01), Van Buren
patent: 3385156 (1968-05-01), Polos
patent: 3651734 (1972-03-01), McSherry
Plas Plugs Limited
Wilson Neill R.
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