Anchoring device

Abstract

An anchoring device which includes a shaft having a head and tip at opposing ends of the shaft. A flexible cord is attached to the shaft with the free or opposite end of the chord used to attach to objects which are desired to be suspended. The shaft of the anchoring device is inserted tip end first either directly into a structural member such as a hollow wall or ceiling or through a hole which has been pre-drilled through such structural member. When the supporting rod exits the structural member it immediately rotates into an anchoring position due to the flexible nature of the attached cord.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to an anchoring or fastening device and more particularly to an anchoring device which may be inserted through a wall, ceiling or other structure whereupon the anchoring device rotates and can thereafter be used to firmly anchor a weight bearing object.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] A wide variety of anchors or fasteners have been used for securing or suspending articles on walls as well as ceilings. Two of the most common types of anchor devices are a molly-bolt type anchor device and a toggle-bolt type anchor devices, which are used in lieu of nails and screws, alone, which are subject to being dislodged and pulled from the wall as the wall material does not support the anchor.

[0005] A molly bolt anchor device generally consists of a housing or body which is inserted through an opening formed in the wall. The body threadably receives a screw, which when threaded into the body, causes the body to be expanded outwardly against the inner surface of the hole formed in the wall. The expansion of the body results in deformation, wherein portions of the body spread out, pressing against the material defining the hole. This prevents withdrawal of the body, and anchors the device to the wall.

[0006] Toggle-bolt type anchor devices consist of wings spread by a spring, and are particularly effective as an anchor on wall board connected to spaced studs, leaving a hollow space behind the wall board. The wings are forced together against the spring force and inserted through an opening formed in the wall. Once through the wall, the wings are expanded or toggled apart by the spring. As a screw is threaded through the wing assembly, the wing assembly is pulled firmly against the inner surface of the wall.

[0007] Toggle-bolt anchor devices are subject to some of the same limitations as molly-bolt anchor devices in that if use as an anchor is no longer required, for example, by the removal of the anchoring screw, the molly bolt housing or body, remains visible and unsightly on the wall surface. Toggle bolts fastened by a screw fastener remain in the wall after a hook or other mounting device is mounted.

[0008] Thus, even though there are numerous wall and ceiling fastening members and anchor structures and systems known and used commercially in the art, there remains a continuing need for an inexpensive wall or ceiling anchoring structure and system that provides an economical and reliable support, easy insertion steps, can be readily manufactured at a low cost yet be readily removable without visible remains when no longer needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with the invention, an anchoring or fastening device is provided having a shaft which includes a head and tip which are connected to the opposed ends of the shaft. A flexible cord or piece of monofilament is attached to the shaft, preferably at or near the midpoint of the shaft, and the opposite or free end of the cord is used to attach an object which is desired to be suspended or supported. The shaft of the supporting rod optionally includes one or more channels which are large enough in diameter to seat the chord.

[0010] The shaft of the anchoring device is inserted tip end first either directly into a structure such as a hollow wall or ceiling through a hole which has been pre-drilled through such a structure, or is tapped or is hammered through the wall by contact by a tool such as a hammer with the head. Upon exiting the rear surface of the wall, the shaft rotates to an anchoring position, flat against the rear surface of the wall and can thereafter be used to support the weight of an object which is attached to the free end of the cord, which projects outwardly from the hole in the wall.

[0011] A hook, if desired can be attached to the free end of the cord. Objects which are desired to be supported can thereafter be hung upon the hook. A tightening device such as a friction clutch can be attached to the free end of the cord next to the hook so that the hook can be tightened on the cord. Otherwise, the free end of the chord is configured into a loop which can be used to hang objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an anchor assembly in accordance with the invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the anchor device of FIG. 1 for use on a wall;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view in plan of the anchor assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating the insertion of the assembly into the wall;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating the use of the assembly with a predrilled opening in the wall;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a hollow ceiling provided with the anchor assembly of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the anchor assembly of the invention, and

[0018] FIG. 7 is a front plan view of the anchor assembly of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, there is illustrated a wall or ceiling anchor assembly generally designated as 10. Anchor 10 includes shaft 12 and a cord or string of monofilament or the like 14 which is attached to shaft 12, through opening 13 preferably at or near the midpoint 16 of shaft 12.

[0020] Shaft 12 includes a head 18 which forms one end of shaft 12. Shaft 12 has a pointed tip 22 at its opposite end. Shaft 12 may also include a channel 24 on opposite diametrical portions extending from opening 13 to head 18 which is preferably large enough in dimension to accommodate cord 14.

[0021] Head 18 is shaped to be engaged by a driving tool like a hammer. In the embodiment shown, tip 22 is pointed and conical in shape.

[0022] Cord 14 can be permanently or removably attached to rod 12. Such methods of attachment include but are not limited to tying, gluing or soldering. Cord 14 can be composed of any material which is flexible enough to allow cord 14 to bend so that shaft 12 can rotate from an inserted position to an anchoring position as will be described hereinafter in greater detail.

[0023] FIGS. 1 and 2 shows anchor assembly 10 adapted for use in hanging or otherwise supporting bodies upon a vertical surface of a hollow wall 36 having exterior side 38 and interior side 39. In this embodiment, a hook 30 is attached to the end of cord 14 of anchoring system 10 so that objects like paintings and the like (not shown) can easily be hung on hook 30. Hook 30 may further include tightening device 32 such as a friction clutch or the like which can be used to tighten hook 30 on cord 14.

[0024] In operation, shaft 12 is inserted through wall 36 as is shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4. Insertion of shaft 12 through the wall 36 is obtained by simply hammering shaft 12 into the wall 36 somewhat similar to a nail, by tapping head 18 with a hammer. In the alternative, a hole 40 can be pre-drilled into wall 36 and then shaft 12 can be inserted in through predrilled hole 40.

[0025] The dimension of any pre-drilled hole 40 will preferably be just large enough to permit passage of anchor 10 through hole 40. However, because rod 12 will typically include channels 24 which can contain chord 14, the dimension of pre-drilled hole 40 will typically only need to be as large as the diameter of shaft 12.

[0026] By preferably including channel 24, insertion of anchor 10 is made easier and smoother because cord 14 will not be exposed outside of channel 24, thereby eliminating any friction which could be caused between cord 14 and the inner surface area 44 of wall 36 which surrounds hole 40 as anchor 10 is inserted through hole 40 or interference with the tapping of head 18.

[0027] Upon emerging from being driven through wall 36 or pre-drilled from hole 40, shaft 12 which is now displaced from hole 40 of wall 36 will fall downward, tip 22 end first due to gravity until shaft 12 rests in a substantially vertical or anchoring position as is most clearly shown in FIG. 2. At this point, clutch 32 can be frictionally engaged with cord 14 and slid relative to cord 14, to push hook 30 against the exterior surface 38 of wall 36 and pulling shaft 12 into contact with the interior surface 39 of wall 36.

[0028] In FIG. 5, anchor assembly 10 is used for hanging or otherwise supporting bodies upon a wall 36 or a horizontal surface of a ceiling 50 having an interior side 52 and an exterior side 54. Cord 14 may end in a loop 56 upon which objects (not shown) can be hung.

[0029] Insertion of anchor 10 through a hollow ceiling 50 is the same as with wall 36 of the present invention and can be accomplished by either forceably pushing shaft 12 of anchor 10 tip end 22 first, through ceiling 50 or by pushing shaft 12 through a pre-drilled hole similar to the hole 40 on wall 36. Upon emerging from the pre-drilled hole, shaft 12 which is now displaced from the hole of ceiling 50 will pivot and fall downward until shaft 12 rests in a substantially horizontal or anchoring position as is clearly shown in FIG. 5. Support rod 12 will firmly abut interior surface 52 of ceiling 50 due to gravitational forces which pull down on rod 12. In addition, the weight bearing force of any object (not shown) attached to loop 56 of cord 14 will also pull shaft 12 against interior surface 52 of ceiling 50.

[0030] The length of shaft 12 in both described embodiments of the present invention will typically depend upon the construction of the wall 36 or ceiling 50 through which shaft 12 is inserted. For example, where wall 36 or ceiling 50 are of sturdy construction such as wood or cement, then the length of shaft 12 does not need to be that great. In such a case the length of rod 12 might typically be just long enough so that shaft 12 is greater than the thickness of the wall 36 or ceiling 50 for which the assembly is intended so that rod 12 can easily be inserted through wall 36 or ceiling 50.

[0031] However, in the case where wall 36 or ceiling 50 are of fragile construction such as with hollow walls such as drywalls, composition sheet walls, plaster-board walls or molded fiberglass walls, the length of shaft 12 will preferably be increased so as to more evening distribute the load bearing weight carried by shaft 12. One particular advantage of the present invention is that weight can be distributed over a large area by simply increasing the length of shaft 12. This can be particularly advantageous in that by increasing the distribution of weight over a longer shaft 12 there will be less chance that wall 36 or ceiling 50 will cave in at the weight point of attachment at midpoint 16 of shaft 12.

[0032] When the anchor is no longer needed, the cord 14 is cut and the hole 40 or tapped hole formed by the pointed tip 22 spackled, filed or painted and the wall 36 can be restored to its original condition.

Claims

1. An anchoring device comprising:

(a) a shaft having a head and tip, at opposed ends of the shaft, and

(b) a flexible cord having a first end which is attached to said shaft and a free second end, whereby upon insertion of said shaft through a hollow wall or ceiling said shaft rotates about said cord from an inserted position to an anchoring position wherein an object which can be attached to the second end of said cord.

2. The anchoring device in claim 1, further comprising a hook which is attached to said second end of said cord.

3. The anchoring device in claim 2, further comprising a clutch on said second end wherein said clutch can be pulled to tighten said hook on said chord.

4. Then anchoring device of claim 1 including a channel in said shaft receiving said chord.

5. The anchoring device of claim 4, wherein said channel is of a size so as to capture said cord within the diameter of said shaft.

6. The anchoring device of claim 5 including a channel on each side of said shaft.

7. The anchoring device of claim 6 including a channel on each side of said shaft.