Abstract: High strength swivel anchors, are configured for insertion through an aperture in a substrate while in a minimal configuration and expandable behind the substrate for anchoring engagement thereto. The anchor herein has at least two pivotally attached elongated anchoring arms with the arms being swivelable relative to each other in a single plane from the minimal configuration wherein the anchoring arms are coextensive to an expanded anchoring engagement position wherein the anchoring arms cross each other through a point of pivotal attachment. The anchor herein further comprises a structural element which retards retraction of swiveling movement of the anchoring arms from the minimal configuration to the expanded anchoring engagement position.

Abstract: A method and an anchor for supporting items on a substrate such as drywall. The anchor comprises a structure configured to carry the anchoring element in a minimal cross section configuration through an insertion hole and to effect a first expansion. The anchor further comprises an adjustable cap member configured to be moved to fixedly position the anchoring element to the non-accessible side of the substrate. The anchoring element comprises a base channel member, a top channel member, and a connector-pivoting element configured to pivotally connect the top channel member to the base channel member. The top channel member is configured to be nested with the base channel member in the minimal cross section configuration and to be pivotally rotatable via the connector pivoting element in the plane parallel to the non-accessible side of the wall, with the pivotal rotation of the top channel member providing the second expansion.

Abstract: A hybrid drop-in anchor with an expansion sleeve, a split base region of an anchor body and a setting plug. The sleeve surrounds an annular body recess of the body, with a clip portion extending around an annular recess. Clip segments extend from the arcuate portion, each having a proximal portion with an original thickness and a distal portion having at least one projection, extending therefrom. The projection extends from the outer surface without corresponding cavity on an inner surface, with a projection of total thickness greater than the original thickness. After the setting plug is driven, and the threaded male member is inserted and tightened, pulling movement of the anchor moves the expansion sleeve baseward, such that each segment rides outwardly on the tapered portion, providing radial expansion of the anchor and locking, wedging engagement of each segment projection with wall surfaces with enhanced pull-out resistance.

Abstract: A method and an anchor for supporting items on a substrate such as drywall. The anchor comprises a structure configured to carry the anchoring element in a minimal cross section configuration through an insertion hole and to effect a first expansion. The anchor further comprises an adjustable cap member configured to be moved to fixedly position the anchoring element to the non-accessible side of the substrate. The anchoring element comprises a base channel member, a top channel member, and a connector-pivoting element configured to pivotally connect the top channel member to the base channel member. The top channel member is configured to be nested with the base channel member in the minimal cross section configuration and to be pivotally rotatable via the connector pivoting element in the plane parallel to the non-accessible side of the wall, with the pivotal rotation of the top channel member providing the second expansion.

Abstract: A high strength failure-resistant hollow wall anchor having a self drilling threaded installation structure adapted to be broken, after positioning, by an inserted screw, into expandable anchoring elements. The anchoring elements engage internally formed cams and the distal surface of the wall into which the anchor is deployed and are comprised of a plastic sufficiently rigid to effect a threaded insertion and to be broken apart, but which plastic is also sufficiently flexible to be able to form the expansion anchor member on the distal surface of a wall. The anchor includes anti-rotation elements to retard overtightening and anchor removal prior to screw removal.

Abstract: A high strength failure-resistant hollow wall anchor having a self drilling threaded installation structure adapted to be broken, after positioning, by an inserted screw, into expandable anchoring elements. The anchoring elements engage internally formed cams and the distal surface of the wall into which the anchor is deployed and are comprised of a plastic sufficiently rigid to effect a threaded insertion and to be broken apart, but which plastic is also sufficiently flexible to be able to form the expansion anchor member on the distal surface of a wall. The anchor includes anti-rotation elements to retard overtightening and anchor removal prior to screw removal.

Abstract: An open ended cylinder element having a longitudinal axis is positioned parallel to the ground and is configured and adapted to be rotatable around its longitudinal axis. A funnel element is longitudinally positioned within the center of the cylinder in a fixed position, with the cylinder being rotatable therearound and the mouth of the funnel extending upwardly away from the ground. The inner surface of the cylinder is provided with at least one longitudinally aligned cleat, with each cleat being configured as a ledge with a short retaining lip and each cleat is dimensioned relative to objects being aligned thereby.

Abstract: An improved fixed positionable toggle bolt device for fastening objects to a substrate comprising a metal anchor member having a nut portion and a selectively frangible positioning and holding assembly engaged with the metal member. The assembly comprises two elongated control legs, with the first ends of the control legs being pivotally attached to the metal member. The second ends of the control legs are movably attached to each other by an elongated undercut element interference, with movement of one leg relative to the other, effected by finger tip sliding, causing the metal anchor member to pivot from substantially in line with an insertion aperture in the substrate, to a position parallel to the substrate when the second ends of the control legs are aligned with each other. A positioning collar is engaged with both legs, holding them in place and is movable along the respective lengths of the legs.

Abstract: A method and an anchoring element for high strength solid wall anchoring in which a solid plastic plug is inserted in a hole in a solid wall of a porous material such as concrete. The invention provides a high strength compressive bonding between the plastic plug and the wall which simulates high strength chemical bonding. In order to effect the high strength compressive bonding, the plug is inserted into a hole in the wall having nominally the same dimension as the plug. A screw of substantially the same diameter as the plastic plug is inserted into the plug to provide the anchoring. The plastic of the plug is an extrudible material such as polypropylene, high density polyethylene and co-polymers, which is extruded against and into the solid wall of the hole by the rotary insertion of the screw. Continued rotation of the screw causes a very high compression of the plastic between adjacent threads of the screw and a thin, very highly compressed film, which substantially covers the threads.

Abstract: A plastic hollow wall anchor having folding arms for insertion within a limited diameter aperture in a substrate such as a wall. The arms, adjacent their overlapping attachment areas, are configured to provide a "sharp knife edge" intersection, whereby a spacing between the attached arms, during folding and aperture insertion, is substantially eliminated. The load bearing arms are concomitantly thickened and thereby strengthened within the limited dimension afforded by the aperture. Alternatively, the overall dimensions of the anchor are reduced, while maintaining the load bearing arm dimensions, thereby enabling the use of a smaller diameter for the insertion aperture without decrease in anchor holding strength.

Abstract: A plastic over-center hollow wall anchor having increased strength without increase in thickness of load bearing members and necessitation of a larger insertion aperture. The bending motion stress on the load bearing arms, which causes the weakening or failure mode of the anchor, is substantially retarded by the inclusion of a small reinforcing boss across the bending area.

Abstract: An expansible plastic fastener comprising a generally elongated body portion, a collar member, and locking means comprising a pair of reinforced toggle arms. The body portion has a generally central opening for reception of an elongated retaining element. The reinforcement provides cooperative resilient interaction with the toggle arms to assist movements toward their collapsed and expanded portions while simultaneously contributing to their holding strength. The fastener can also include a Y-shaped reinforcing portion pivotally connected to the locking means of the body portion by flexible connector means. This Y-shaped portion may include means for engaging an elongated retaining element in the form of a threaded member. Also, a fastening kit comprising a fastener of the invention along with a key for expanding the locking means to its optimum expanded position or a fastener of the invention with an elongated retaining element.

Abstract: A multi-function integrally molded plastic fastener for insertion within a hole in a wall for fastening objects to any of solid, thick or thin hollow walls. The fastener comprises a base element and an anchoring element with the base element being positioned within the hole and depending whether the wall is solid, thick or thin hollow wall, the anchoring element is positioned totally within, partially within and totally behind the wall respectively. The anchoring element is comprised of outstretched anchoring arms which are collapsible for insertion within the hole and which arms have interfitting sections of a sinusoidal wave configuration to minimize the cross section of the anchoring element and the width required for the hole. The ends of the arms, spaced from the base element, engage an external fastening member thereby providing a solid anchorage in any of a solid, thick or thin hollow wall.

Abstract: An improved fastening element for securement within an opening and of the type comprising (a) a head portion; (b) a connecting portion comprising a longitudinally extending body portion including a pair of opposed pillar-like parts, for insertion into such opening; and (c) at the end of said connecting portion remote from the head portion, locking means movable between a collapsed position in which the fastening element is insertable into the opening and an expanded position in which the locking means is effective in cooperation with an elongated retaining element inserted into the connecting portion to preclude removal of the fastening element from the opening.

Abstract: One piece, integrally molded fasteners and methods for their use. A harness comprising a base, an elongated flexible strap, and a toggle-type lock for holding a bundle of wires or cables together. A first end of the strap is connected to the base, and the base forms a slot to receive a second end of the strap. A rack hook comprising a channel portion, a hook portion, and a toggle-type lock wherein the hook portion extends upward from and is directly supported by the channel portion. A rope anchor comprising a pair of legs, an annular ring, and a toggle-type lock, wherein the annular ring is integrally connected to top ends of the legs, and the lock is integrally connected to bottom ends of those legs.

Abstract: A fully articulable positioning device for positioning an elongated member comprising a pair of legs hingeably attached to the elongated member at one end of the legs and a slideable connection at the opposite end of the legs. The slideable connection is of the pin and slot variety wherein each leg contains a pin and slot for communication with the slot and pin of the other leg. The leg may be of any length suitable for their intended use and may be improved by the addition of handle-like projections at the slideably connected end.

Abstract: A folding platform for a vehicle (12) comprising a first series of panels (2, 3, 4), and a second series of panels (5, 7, 9) which may be unfolded within the vehicle (12) to form load carrying shelves or a platform which may be used to support a mattress. The first series of panels (2, 3, 4), one of which is affixed to a shaft, rotate as a unit with the shaft. The panels fold to be stored against the rear of a folding seat back (11) in close parallel proximity to the seat back (11), thus occupying only a small volume and not interfering with the use of the rear cargo area or trunk (30) of the vehicle (12). The panels may be disposed in a flexible fabric container (101, 105) with seams between the panels serving as hinges.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement and fastening element for fastening together two or more members, at least one of which is concave with respect to the others. Fastened within an aperture in at least one of the members is a channeled fastening element with a longitudinally extending anti-jacking member and one or more additional members are attached to the fastening element by an elongated retaining element extending into the fastening element channel and locking therewithin. The anti-jacking member is proportioned to substantially extend between the concave member and the surface of the adjacent member to prevent jacking of the fastening element from the aperture.

Abstract: An improved sheet binding device for fastening together a plurality of sheets having pre-punched, spaced-apart openings, comprises an elongated backing member extending between such spaced-apart openings; and, attached to the backing member at spaced-apart positions corresponding to the spacing between such openings, a plurality of fastening elements, each comprising a connecting portion for insertion into such openings, and at the end of said connecting portion remote from said backing member, locking means movable between (1) a collapsed position in which the fastening element is insertable into such opening, and (2) an expanded position in which the locking means is effective to preclude removal of such sheets from said fastening element. This structure can be integrally molded from plastic material. In a preferred embodiment, the structure is substantially self-locking. Single-hole embodiments suitable as replacements for conventional brass head fasteners are also disclosed.