IP Library Patent Application 12912305
Patent Application
App. No. 12/912,305

ANCHOR

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/912,305
Abstract

An anchor is provided and includes a hub having a trailing edge, and first and second jaws, each including a body pivotably coupled to the hub and an actuator to induce pivoting of the body, the jaws being initially proximal with the bodies cooperatively forming a lead profile such that the jaws and the hub are configured to penetrate a substrate, separable responsive to fastener insertion through the hub whereby the fastener exerts a first force on the actuators causing splay pivoting of the bodies, and at least partially closeable responsive to continued fastener insertion whereby the fastener exerts a second force on the actuators causing reverse pivoting of the bodies to draw the trailing edge toward the actuators about the substrate.

Claims (35)

1 . An anchor, comprising:

a hub having a trailing edge; and

first and second jaws, each including a body pivotably coupled to the hub and an actuator to induce pivoting of the body, the jaws being:

initially proximal with the bodies cooperatively forming a lead profile such that the jaws and the hub are configured to penetrate a substrate,

separable responsive to fastener insertion through the hub whereby the fastener exerts a first force on the actuators causing splay pivoting of the bodies, and

at least partially closeable responsive to continued fastener insertion whereby the fastener exerts a second force on the actuators causing reverse pivoting of the bodies to draw the trailing edge toward the actuators about the substrate.

2 . The anchor according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a hollow wall having a thickness substantially equal to or less than a thickness of the hub.

3 . The anchor according to claim 1 , wherein trailing edge is defined in accordance with an insertion direction of the jaws and the hub into the substrate.

4 . The anchor according to claim 1 , further comprises a flange disposed at the hub trailing edge to mate with a surface of the substrate.

5 . The anchor according to claim 1 , wherein the hub is formed to define a through-hole through which the fastener is insertible.

6 . The anchor according to claim 1 , further comprising anti-rotation features disposed on the hub to prevent rotation thereof about the fastener.

7 . The anchor according to claim 6 , wherein the fastener comprises a threaded member for which insertion is achieved by rotation of the member about a longitudinal axis thereof.

8 . The anchor according to claim 7 , wherein a lead tip of the threaded member exerts the first force on the actuators in a direction of fastener insertion and threading thereof exerts the second force on the actuators in a direction opposite the fastener insertion direction.

9 . The anchor according to claim 1 , wherein the lead profile comprises a pointed tip.

10 . The anchor according to claim 1 , wherein the jaws comprise hinges by which the bodies are pivotably coupled to the hub.

11 . The anchor according to claim 10 , wherein the hinges and the actuators are disposed proximate to rear portions of the bodies, and wherein the actuators are disposed between the hinges.

12 . The anchor according to claim 1 , wherein the actuators cooperatively define an impingement surface upon which the fastener exerts the first force when the jaws are initially proximal.

13 . The anchor according to claim 1 , wherein the actuators cooperatively define a through-hole through which the fastener is insertible when the jaws are splayed.

14 . The anchor according to claim 13 , wherein actuator surfaces form sidewalls of the through-hole upon which the fastener exerts the second force.

15 . The anchor according to claim 1 , further comprising adhesive to bond the jaws when the jaws are initially proximal.

16 . The anchor according to claim 1 , wherein the bodies further comprise wings having complementarily curved mating surfaces that mate when the jaws are initially proximal.

17 . The anchor according to claim 16 , wherein sides of the wings are complementarily cragged.

18 . The anchor according to claim 1 , wherein the bodies further comprise step formations inhibiting movement of the jaws out of the substrate.

19 . An anchor, comprising:

a hub having trailing and leading edges; and

first and second jaws, each including a body pivotably coupled to the hub leading edge and an actuator to induce pivoting of the body, the jaws being:

initially proximal with the bodies cooperatively forming a lead profile such that the jaws and the hub are configured to penetrate a substrate,

separable responsive to fastener insertion through the hub whereby the fastener exerts a first force on the actuators causing splay pivoting of the bodies, and

at least partially closeable responsive to continued fastener insertion whereby the fastener exerts a second force on the actuators causing reverse pivoting of the bodies to draw the trailing edge toward the actuators in a tightening direction about the substrate.

20 . An anchor for a hollow wall, comprising:

a hub having trailing and leading edges longitudinally separate by a distance substantially similar to a thickness of the hollow wall; and

first and second jaws, each including a body pivotably coupled to the hub leading edge and an actuator to induce pivoting of the body, the jaws being:

initially proximal with the bodies cooperatively forming a lead profile such that the jaws and the hub are configured to penetrate a substrate,

separable responsive to fastener insertion through the hub whereby the fastener exerts a first force on the actuators causing splay pivoting of the bodies, and

at least partially closeable responsive to continued fastener insertion whereby the fastener exerts a second force on the actuators causing reverse pivoting of the bodies to draw the trailing edge toward the actuators in a tightening direction about the substrate.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 4, 2012
From: POWERS PRODUCTS III, L.L.C.
To: BLACK & DECKER INC.
Reel/Frame 028891/0209 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2010
From: GAUDRON, PAUL; OLSEN, JACOB
To: POWERS PRODUCTS III, LLC.
Reel/Frame 025197/0423 →