Self-penetrating wallboard anchor

• US 4,283,986 A
• Filed: 09/26/1979
• Issued: 08/18/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Peterson, Francis C., Barth, Gerald D., Slotten, Rodney O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Britts, Ramon S.
• Application Number:
  US06/078,864
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 85/3 R, 85/3 S, 85/3 K, 85/1 P, 85/68, 24/211 P, 24/211 R, 248/71
• US Class Current: 411/340
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 13/002 self-cutting
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 13/0808 by a toggle-mechanism

Abstract

A self-penetrating fastener assembly for anchoring in wallboard has a pointed anchor member and a threaded fastener. The anchor member has a longitudinal recess formed by semicylindrical segments which intersects an aperture that extends through the anchor. The fastener is aligned within the recess which engages the threads of the fastener, the head thereof protruding beyond the end of the anchor and the assembly is hammered into the wallboard. When the anchor clears the wallboard, the fastener is threadingly advanced into the anchor which, in turn, is drawn up against the back of the wallboard securely attaching an article thereto.

Claims

1. A fastener assembly for attaching articles to wallboard said assembly comprising a self-penetrating anchor member capable of being pushed or driven through said wallboard said anchor having a first length and a headed, threaded fastener having a second greater length;

said anchor member including a plate-like structure with a penetrating point on the leading end thereof, a recess extending longitudinally of said anchor member which receives said fastener and is formed by a first semi-cylindrical segment projecting in one direction from the plane of the plate-like structure and having an inner face, said semi-cylindrical segment extending generally along the axis of said anchor member at one axial position thereof, said segment having first and second edges; and

by a second semi-cylindrical segment projecting in the opposite direction from the plane of the plate-like structure having an inner face and also extending generally along the axis of said anchor member at a second axial position thereof, said second segment also having first and second edges;

a projection for engaging the front of the fastener for transmitting an axial drive force applied to the head of the fastener to the anchor member, said projection sloping from a position generally in the plane of one of the semi-cylindrical segments to a position generally in the plane of the plate-like structure;

an aperture extending through said plate between said semi-cylindrical segments of a size and figuration to receive said fastener said aperture being formed by the first edge of said first semi-cylindrical segment and by the second edge of said second semi-cylindrical segment;

means for causing a pivotal rotation of said anchor member relative to the axis of said fastener from a position in which the two inner faces of the semi-cylindrical segments engage the threaded shank to a position in which the first and second aperture-forming-edges engage the threaded shank;

whereby the fastener assembly can be pushed or percussively driven by means of the fastener head into the wallboard until the anchor member passes completely therethrough at which time the means for causing pivotal rotation of said anchor member relative to said fastener will cause the anchor to be reoriented to a position extending across the axis of the fastener and the fastener threadingly advanced through said aperture.

2. The fastener assembly of claim 1 including means for engaging the threads of the fastener comprising indentations on the inner surfaces of said semi-cylindrical segments.

3. The fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein the means for causing rotation of said anchor member comprises a pair of camming ears.

4. The fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein the means for causing rotation of said anchor member comprises a spring finger formed from a portion of said first semi-cylindrical segment.

5. The fastener assembly of claim 4 wherein the means for causing rotation of said anchor member further comprises a second spring finger formed from a portion of said second semi-cylindrical segment.

6. The fastener assembly of claim 1 further comprising means to retain the anchor member in engagement with the back of the wallboard.

7. The fastener assembly of claim 6 wherein the means to retain said anchor member in engagement with the back of the wallboard comprises a plurality of wall penetrating barbs.

8. The fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein the projection for engaging the front of the fastener is an extension of the second semi-cylindrical segment.

9. The fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein the projection for engaging the front of the fastener is on the same side of the plate-like member as said first semi-cylindrical segment.

10. A method of inserting a fastener assembly, which includes a plate-like, self-penetrating anchor member having a first length and a threaded fastener having a second greater length and which is in threaded engagement with the fastener and has a head with a drive recess therein, into wallboard comprising the steps of employing means retaining the anchor and fastener in axial alignment, partially percussively driving said assembly into the wallboard, backing the fastener out of said anchor one or two turns to disengage the retaining means, continuing the percussive driving of the assembly into the wallboard until the anchor member has passed completely therethrough, rotationally advancing said fastener into said anchor member until the head of the fastener is firmly seated.