Abstract: An anchor for mounting to a hollow wall made of friable material comprises a proximal flanged end adapted to be engaged by a rotatable tool to rotate the anchor about a longitudinal axis thereof and to cause is to gradually engage the wall. The anchor also includes a distal end adapted to cut through the wall as the anchor is rotated, and a shank extending between the proximal and distal ends. The shank includes at least one expandable leg that is in a collapsed position thereof when the anchor is rotated to mount it to the wall and that is located distally beyond a non visible surface of the wall once the anchor has been mounted to the wall and is in a first position thereof. The wall anchor includes an outer thread that securely engages the wall. A threaded fastener, e.g.

Abstract: An expansion wedge anchor for insertion in a hole delimited by a wall comprises an expander member and an expansion member, the expander member being provided at a leading end of the expander member, the expander member comprising a flaring end, the expansion member being expandable at a trailing end thereof and being adapted to engage the wall of the hole when the expander member is positioned in the hole, wherein upon longitudinal withdrawal of the expander member from the hole, the expander member displaces longitudinally relative to the expansion member with the flaring end thereof gradually causing the trailing end of the expansion member to expand, whereby a trailing edge of the expansion member engages the wall of the hole. The trailing end is adapted, when expanded by the flaring member, to extend at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of said expander member.

Abstract: A picture hanger for use with gypsum board comprises a strip of steel bent into a V to provide two legs. The first leg is arcuate and functions as an anchor upon insertion into the gypsum board. The second leg is straight, with a hook at its terminus for hanging pictures and the like. An installation tool is provided which enables the arcuate anchor leg to be driven into the gypsum board along an arcuate path corresponding to the arcuate anchor leg until the second leg is held firmly against the surface of the gypsum board.

Abstract: An anchor (910) for mounting to a hollow wall (W) made of friable material comprises a proximal flanged end (918) adapted to be engaged by a rotatable tool (B) to rotate the anchor (910) about a longitudinal axis (A) thereof and to cause is to gradually engage the wall (W). The anchor (910) also includes a distal end (912) adapted to cut through the wall (W) as the anchor (910) is rotated, and a shank (920) extending between the proximal and distal ends (918, 912). The shank (920) includes at least one expandable leg (924) that is in a collapsed position thereof when the anchor (910) is rotated to mount it to the wall (W) and that is located distally beyond a non visible surface of the wall (W) once the anchor (910) has been mounted to the wall and is in a first position thereof. The wall anchor (910) includes an outer thread (922) that securely engages the wall (W). A threaded fastener (B), e.g.

Abstract: A device (H) to be mounted to a friable wall (W) comprises a body (10) and at least one main saber tooth (12) extending rearwardly from an upper portion of the body (10) and adapted to be driven into the wall (W) for securing the device (H) thereto. The main saber tooth (12) is arcuate and has a pointed rear free end (22), and is adapted to be arcuately driven into the wall (W). An arcuate and pointy secondary saber tooth (14) extends rearwardly from a lower portion of the body (10) for insertion into the wall (W) before the main saber tooth (12) is inserted therein. The main saber tooth (12) defines a lower enlarged, and typically flat, load-bearing surface (30) for bearing against material of the wall (W). The main saber tooth (12) includes an upper transversely curved surface (32). A hook member (20) is provided on a front part of the body (10) for suspending items therefrom once the device (H) has been mounted to the wall (W).

Abstract: A convertible anchor (H) for friable walls (W) comprises a fixture (12) for holding an article to a wall (W, M) and an anchoring mechanism (10) extending from the fixture (12). The anchoring mechanism (10) is adapted when rotated to engagingly extend into a friable wall (W) for securing the fixture (12) to the wail (W). The fixture (12) is selectively separable via frangible connection elements (14, 24) from the anchoring mechanism (10) for allowing the fixture (12) to be used alone with an appropriate fastener (S) suitable for installing the fixture (12) to a rigid structure (M), such as wooden components. The anchoring mechanism (10) can take different forms as long as it is can be mounted to a friable wall (W). Typically, a space (26) is defined between the fixture (12) and a proximal end (34) of the anchoring mechanism (10) with this space (26) being bridged by the frangible connection elements (14, 24).

Abstract: An anchoring device for insertion in a hole provided in a structure such as a wall (hollow or solid) comprises proximal and distal sections. The proximal section includes a head defining an aperture for receiving a fastener, and the distal section includes a pair of expandable wings displaceable between collapsed and expanded positions. Each wing is biased towards its expanded position such that the wings can engage the structural material delimiting the hole or a distal surface of the structure. The distal section comprises, proximally of the wings, a variable-length flexible portion for allowing the wings to engage the distal surface of the structure for various structure thicknesses. The distal section comprises, distally of the wings, a tip section adapted to spread outwardly when engaged by the fastener. The proximal section comprises a pair of legs each having a toothed rack for engaging the structural material.

Abstract: A convertible anchor (H) for friable walls (W) comprises a fixture (12) for holding an article to a wall (W, M) and an anchoring mechanism (10) extending from the fixture (12). The anchoring mechanism (10) is adapted when rotated to engagingly extend into a friable wall (W) for securing the fixture (12) to the wall (W). The fixture (12) is selectively separable via frangible connection elements (14, 24) from the anchoring mechanism (10) for allowing the fixture (12) to be used alone with an appropriate fastener (S) suitable for installing the fixture (12) to a rigid structure (M), such as wooden components. The anchoring mechanism (10) can take different forms as long as it is can be mounted to a friable wall (W). Typically, a space (26) is defined between the fixture (12) and a proximal end (34) of the anchoring mechanism (10) with this space (26) being bridged by the frangible connection elements (14, 24).

Abstract: A vertically adjustable fixture, such as a ceiling hook, comprises a base member adapted to be secured to an overhead surface, e.g. a ceiling, a beaded cable retractable in and extendable out of the base member, and a hook at a lower end of the cable for connection to an article such that the article may be suspended from the ceiling. An extension/retraction mechanism provided in the base member includes a fixed axle and a reel rotatable around the axle, with a spring force existing therebetween, the cable being partly wound around the reel. The elevation of the hook is maintained by one of the beads of the cable firmly lodging, in a locked position thereof, in a recess defined at the bottom of the cover. Manipulation of the cable to dislodge the bead from the recess unlocks the cable, thereby allowing the elevation of the hook to be adjusted.

Abstract: An anchor assembly for hollow walls comprises an anchor body and a toggle member moveably mounted to the anchor body. The toggle member is displaceable between first and second positions thereof, wherein in the first position the toggle member is substantially aligned with the anchor body such that the anchor assembly can be rotated for insertion in the wall, and wherein in the second position the toggle member extends behind the wall at an angle relative to the anchor body with the anchor body extending through the hole in the wall. The toggle member is held captive in the first position but is displaceable longitudinally along the anchor body when an appropriate fastener is introduced in the anchor body. A deflector is provided for causing, after a sufficient longitudinal displacement of the toggle member has released the same from a captive state thereof, the toggle member to pivot relative to the anchor body to the second position.