Fixing Device

Abstract

A fixing device 101 has a pair of complementary fingers 102,103 complementary pivot formations 121,122. Each has distal portion 104 and a proximal portion 105. Both have a flat surface 106, which abuts the same face in the other finger, both at the distal portions when the fixing is arranged for insertion in an aperture 107 in a board 108 and at the proximal portions when the fingers are arranged both for insertion and gripping of the board.

The distal portions each have a surface 111 with an edge 1112 common with the surface 106. This surface 111 comes into abutment with the back face 112 of the board 108. The proximal portion is generally hemispherical to allow rotation within the aperture 107. A lug portion 1161 generally in the direction of the distal portion 104.

FIXING DEVICE A fixing device 101 has a pair of complementary fingers 102,103 complementary pivot formations 121,122. Each has distal portion 104 and a proximal portion 105. Both have a flat surface 106, which abuts the same face in the other finger, both at the distal portions when the fixing is arranged for insertion in an aperture 107 in a board 108 and at the proximal portions when the fingers are arranged both for insertion and gripping of the board. The distal portions each have a surface 111 with an edge 1112 common with the surface 106. This surface 111 comes into abutment with the back face 112 of the board 108. The proximal portion is generally hemispherical to allow rotation within the aperture 107. A lug portion 1161 generally in the direction of the distal portion 104. With the fingers engaged and their distal portions brought as close to alignment as possible, the Tee projections 114 abut the flanges 109 at angled faces 135. The contours of the fingers are such that they can be inserted into the aperture 107 until the distal portions 104 enter the aperture.

Passage of these through the aperture is inhibited by the lugs 1161, specifically by abutment of the angled back surface 118. Pressure on the angular relief surfaces 120 of the abutments 1162 urges the lugs into the front face 135 of the board 108. The reaction of the board acts about the pivot centrally of the aperture, tending to turn the fingers about the lugs under the constraint that they are pivoted together. The fingers are turned with the distal portions coming to lie on the backside of the board. This allows the fastener 130, typically a self-tapping screw to be inserted between the complementary recesses 134, where they open in the outer surfaces 117.

Claims

1. A fixing device for use with a fastener in fixing an article to a board at an aperture therein, the fixture device comprising: a complementary pair of fingers, each finger having: a distal portion configured for insertion through the board aperture simultaneously or sequentially with the distal portion of the other of the two fingers and a proximal portion configured for insertion likewise simultaneously or sequentially and rotation of the proximal portions in the aperture, a lug on one or both of the proximal portions, spaced from and projecting in the general Direction of the respective distal portion, for engaging a front of the board on initial proximal portion insertion, with rotation on further insertion, whereby the distal portions abut against a back of the board and a fastener receptacle formed in one or both of the proximal portions or formed in a separate member engageable therewith, the arrangement being such that: on insertion and rotation of the fingers, a fastener can be received in the fastener receptacle and on tightening of the fastener, the distal portions are urged to abut against the back of the board and the fixed article can be drawn by the fastener against the front of the board.

2. A fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fingers are formed for sequential insertion and have rotational symmetry about the fastener receptacle formed as grooves in abutting diametric surfaces at their proximal portions, whereby one finger is insertable for lug induced rotation followed by the second finger passing alongside the first, with the grooves aligning to form the fastener receptacle on rotation of the fingers for the distal portions to abut the back of the board.

3. A fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fingers are formed for sequential insertion with the second to be inserted: being bifurcated with two distal portion parts adapted to pass on both sides of the proximal portion of the first inserted finger, and having a web between the bifurcated parts at the proximal portion of the second to be inserted finger and the first to be inserted finger having a recess at the proximal portion thereof sized to be abutted by the web of the second to be inserted finger.

4. A fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fingers are formed for sequential insertion, with the distal portion of the second to be inserted finger being sized to pass through an opening in the proximal portion of the first to be inserted finger.

5. A fixing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first inserted finger has at its proximal portion a fastener receptacle member, or an integral fastener receptacle part, arranged to bear on the proximal portion of the second inserted finger.

6. A fixing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the finger having the said lug has an abutment for distal portion of the other finger for rotation of its finger to abut against the back of the board.

7. A fixing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first inserted finger has at its proximal portion a member providing the fastener receptacle, or an integral fastener receptacle part, arranged to bear on the proximal portion of the second inserted finger.

8. A fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each finger has at its proximal portion a pivot formation defining a pivot axis about which the fingers are rotatable when, prior to insertion, they are engaged together for use.

9. A fixing device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pivot formations of the two fingers are identical and a separated, assembled, member having the fastener receptacle is provided and has complementary pivot formations.

10. A fixing device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pivot formations of the fingers comprise a fastener receptacle part, having a cross bore for receiving the fastener, and a pivot pin integral with one of the fingers and a complementary formation of the other finger.

11. A fixing device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the fastener receptacle part extends from a central diametric surface of the one finger, which surface is complementary with a like surface in the other finger, the diametric surfaces having grooves aligned with the fastener receptacle when the fingers are at their board back engaging mutual angle, whereby the grooves extend the fastener receptacle.

12. A fixing device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pivot pin has a transverse head and the complementary formation has a slot for the transverse head to pass through at an angle of the fingers different from their insertion mutual angle and their board back engaging mutual angle.

13. A fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each finger comprises an abutment extending oppositely from its lug away from its distal portion direction, the arrangement being such that on tightening of the fastener it or an article held by it abuts the abutments causing the fingers to be urged towards the back face of the board.

14. A fixing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the abutments include flats abutted by the fastener or the fastened article.

15. A fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lugs and the abutments where provided are or include angled features intended to indent the board in use.

16. A fixing device as claimed in claim 1, including a sleeve sized for the distal portions to pass through and to receive the inserted, proximal portions, the sleeve having: one or more opening extending from an end of the sleeve for receiving the or each lug and one or more respective stops in the openings, spaced from the end of the sleeve, the arrangement such being that: for a relatively thin board, tightening of the fastener draws the distal portions against the back of the board and the lug or lugs and the abutments where provided against the front of the board, without the or each lug received in a respective opening contacting a respective stop and for a relatively thick board, having a thickness greater than the distal portion to lug spacing, the or each lug can be pressed below the front of the board and against a respective stop or stops in the openings for drawing of the distal portions against the back of the board.

17. A fixing device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the sleeve has a rim for abutting the front face of the board and/or external ribs for engaging the board in the aperture.

18. A fixing device as claimed in claim 1, (i) wherein the fingers can be locked in contra-rotation by introducing a hole in each finger that accommodates a shared threaded cylindrical hub that allows two or more fingers to be attached to the hub opposing each other that when inserted into a pre-made hole that allows the fixing and fingers to be inserted simultaneously into the pre-made hole and allow the fingers to rotate in opposite rotation, or (ii) wherein one of the fingers can have the hub made integral to itself aligning the semi-circular channels to a threaded hole or star shaped aperture within the hub, or (iii) wherein the fingers incorporate half semi-circular channels that allow the rotational movement of the fingers to be locked to each other and to the central hub in an expanded state once a threaded screw or bolt is used to attach an article where the semi-circular channels has the same radius as the fixing screw or bolt, or (iv) wherein the fingers can have a partially hollow section of one finger allowing the second slightly smaller finger to travel inside the first finger in a contra-rotating direction sequentially and locked together mechanically.

19-21 (canceled)

22. A fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fingers have a central single finger threaded that allows two outer fingers linked together to be entered into the hole in a contra-rotating direction and locked together with a bolt or screw.

23. A fixing device as claimed in claim 1, including an optional additional pipe sleeve liner with lip to stop the sleeve liner travelling through the pre-made hole in the plasterboard which accommodates the fixing device improving even lateral load distribution within the hole from the fixing.

Description

[0059] To help understanding of the invention, specific embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the fixing with a picture hook attached in a plasterboard,

[0061] FIG. 2 illustrates a part cross-section of the fixing device fully contracted been inserted into a cavity with the aid of a tool with a flat surface,

[0062] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the fixing with a picture hook with a sphere formed hub,

[0063] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the fixing with a picture hook with a cylinder formed hub and star shaped aperture to accommodate a standard wood screw,

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the fixing with a picture hook attached in plasterboard,

[0065] FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the fixing expanded in plasterboard,

[0066] FIG. 7 shows a variant of the fixing device of FIG. 1,

[0067] FIG. 8 shows another variant of the fixing device of FIG. 1,

[0068] FIG. 9 shows an optional sleeve that can be inserted into a pre-made hole in plasterboard first to evenly distribute loading,

[0069] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of fixing device according to the invention,

[0070] FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 from the other side and end of the fixing,

[0071] FIG. 12 is a side view of the fixing of FIG. 10 being inserted in an aperture in a plaster board,

[0072] FIG. 13 is a similar side view of the fixing with its fingers rotated and a fastener inserted in it and tightened,

[0073] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a sleeve for use in a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 10,

[0074] FIG. 15 is a front view of the distal portions of the fingers of the variant aligned to be inserted in the sleeve,

[0075] FIG. 16 is a side view of the components as aligned in FIG. 15,

[0076] FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, with one of the fingers omitted to show the pivot pin of the other finger,

[0077] FIG. 18 is a view corresponding to FIG. 15 with the sleeve in a board,

[0078] FIG. 19 FIG. 19 is likewise a view corresponding to FIG. 16,

[0079] FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 18, prior to insertion of the fingers into the sleeve,

[0080] FIG. 21 is a corresponding view with the distal portions of the fingers emerging from the sleeve on the back side of the board and the proximal portions about to be inserted,

[0081] FIG. 22 is another corresponding view of the fixing device fully assembled to a board,

[0082] FIG. 23 is a larger perspective view of the fixing device during insertion,

[0083] FIG. 24 is a similar view of the fingers only in their inserted position,

[0084] FIG. 25 is a larger view of the view of FIG. 22 with the device in a relatively thin board,

[0085] FIG. 26 is a similar view of the device in a relatively thicker board, with its lugs and abutment formation below the front face of the board and

[0086] FIG. 27 show a front view of the proximal ends only of the two fingers of the variant fixing device

[0087] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 a first embodiment of the invention will be described. It has increased speed of installation utilising the simultaneous insertion of two 90 degree fingers 5a, 5b rather than sequential insertion of two fingers. The embodiment contains two opposing rotational 90 degree fingers 5a, 5b having a hole 14 in one finger to accommodate a central hub 6 attached to the other finger that are allowed to contra-rotate freely around each other and can be held together by a plurality of non-returning barbed push-fit fingers 13 formed at the end of the hub 6. Other means of holding the fingers can be envisaged such as a retaining screw and washer could be used or a plastic retaining welded washer to hold both fingers together but allow rotation. The hub 6 can be an integral part of one of the fingers 5a which allows a threaded hole 15 (FIG. 3) or star shaped aperture 16 (FIG. 4) within the hub 6 to align correctly when the fixing is installed and pressed with a mallet 11 (FIG. 2) into the pre-made hole 1 of the plasterboard 2. The fixing is in a closed contracted state in FIG. 2 during the process of been pressed into a pre-formed hole 1 in plasterboard 2 will simultaneously engage lugs 3a, 3b attached to the fingers 5a, 5b with the front surface of the plasterboard 17 to cause the rotation of the 90 degree fingers 5a, 5b that will travel simultaneously axially and radially following a curved trajectory path 18 slightly past the rear of the plasterboard 7 but much greater than the diameter of the pre-made hole 1. The fingers 5a, 5b travel only a short distance axially past the rear of the plasterboard 7 making it suitable for where there is only a small cavity 14 between the rear of the plasterboard 2 and the wall structure 12 (FIG. 2). The fixing embodiment utilises the maximum space within the plasterboard thickness to allow the fingers 5a, 5b to start mechanically expanding 18 as it's pressed into the pre-made hole 1 from opposing sides of the pre-made hole 1 on surface 17. The fingers are shaped in such a way as to allow only a small protrusion of the fingers 5a, 5b past the rear of the plasterboard 7 as they follow a curved trajectory 18 at any one time and then lock behind the rear of the plasterboard surface 7 as the flat side of the fingers 19 meets parallel to the rear of the plasterboard surface 7. Two further lugs 4a, 4b on the fingers 5a, 5b engage with the plasterboard front surface 17 when fully expanded to stop the fingers 5a, 5b travelling straight through the plasterboard front surface 17. These lugs 4a, 4b also prevent rotation of the fixing radially when tightening of a bolt 8 or screw 5b into the fixing by biting into the plasterboard 2 front surface 17.

[0088] The fixing dimensions would be made to fit various thicknesses of plasterboard 2 as there are only a small number of standard plasterboard thickness sizes on the market worldwide. The fixing can also be made to suit a wide range of sizes of pre-made fixing holes 1. The fixing is further strengthened when a bolt 8 or screw 5b is used to attach an object such as a picture hook 9 to the fixing and tightened between the fingers 5a, 5b and through the central hub 6. This is achieved using semi-circular groves 10 which are formed within the fingers 5a, 5b to accommodate the bolt 8 or a screw 5b fixing to a tight tolerance as it travels towards and exits the hub 6. This mechanically locks all the parts together in its fully expanded form and prevents any further rotational path 18 of the fingers 5a, 5b.

[0089] The fixing is a low part count fixing that can be made from predominately moulded plastic, formed metal or resin but is not restricted to such materials and can be a combination of all materials. This fixing also travels only a short distance past the rear of the plasterboard 7 making it suitable for where there is only a small cavity 14 behind the rear of the plasterboard 7. The fixing utilises the pre-made hole 1 void within the plasterboard thickness to allow it to start mechanically expanding as it's pressed into the pre-made hole 1.

[0090] The fixing incorporates near maximum permitted surface area that it can utilise for expansion when it changes from a contracted state travelling through the hole (FIG. 2) to its fully expanded state as shown in the rear view of the fixing (FIG. 6).

[0091] As shown in FIG. 7 the fixing device can be varied to have partially hollow 90 degree finger with a smaller solid 90 degree finger that travels internally in opposite direction that are inserted into the hole sequentially and that locked together with a bolt or screw.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 8 a further variant has a larger central finger and then two adjoining opposing fingers that are inserted into the hole sequentially and locked together with a bolt or screw.

[0093] An optional additional sleeve lining 20 (Fig.9) made from plastic, metal or resin can be introduced into a slightly larger designated pre-made hole 1 within the plasterboard 2 which allows for more evenly distributed loading within the pre-made hole laterally into the plasterboard 2 substrate from the fixing embodiment fingers 5a, 5b which is are not perfectly round. The sleeve 20 can be made to accommodate the lugs 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b with a recess 22 as so not to interfere with the rotational locking of the fixing when these bite into the front surface of the plasterboard 17. The sleeve lining 20 would also contain a lip 21 of low profile but larger than the pre-made hole 1 diameter to stop the sleeve 20 lining travelling straight through the plasterboard front surface 17 when fitted. This can be optionally introduced first into the pre-made hole 1 before the fixing embodiment is inserted or be attached to the fixing embodiment permanently as part of the design and introduced into the hole with the fixing simultaneously.

[0094] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 13, a fixing device 101 thereshown has a pair of complementary fingers 102,103. They are identical except for their complementary pivot formations 121,122. Their identical features will be described first, in the singular. Each has distal portion 104 and a proximal portion 105. Both have a flat surface 106, which abuts the same face in the other finger, both at the distal portions when the fixing is arranged for insertion in an aperture 107 in a board 108 and at the proximal portions when the fingers are arranged both for insertion and gripping of the board.

[0095] The distal portions are L-shaped in cross-section through much of their extent from the proximal portion, with one flange 109 having the surface 106 and another flange 110 at right angles. It has a surface 111 with an edge 1112 common with the surface 106. This surface 111 comes into abutment with the back face 112 of the board 108. At its very end 113, the distal portion has a T-shaped cross-section, with a projection 114 beyond the surface 106. This configuration increases the surface area at the end 113 available to abut the board face 112. The flanges 109,110 and the projection 114 taper in a curved manner from the proximal portion to the very end, with the very end shaped to enable passage through the aperture, when the fingers are in their insertion arrangement—shown in FIG. 12. Immediately at the proximal portion, the surface 111 is relieved in case of burrs at the back face of the aperture 107.

[0096] The proximal portion is generally hemispherical to allow rotation within the aperture 107. It has a lug and abutment formation 115 generally parallel to the surface 111. A lug portion 1161 of the formation projects generally in the direction of the distal portion 104. The formation has an outside—in use—surface 117 parallel with the surface 111 and spaced from it by the thickness T of the board 108. At the lug portion of the formation 115, it is angled back 118 towards the hemisphere 119 of the proximal portion. Directed away from the distal portion 104, an abutment portion 1162 of the formation is generally similar at the other end of the surface 117, except that it has an angular relief 120.

[0097] The function of these features will be described following description of the pivot formations 121,122. These are complementary male and female formations. The male one 121 has a boss 123, extending from the face 106. The boss has a pin 124 extending from it and the pin has a cross bar 125 at its end. The complementary female formations 122 are a recess 126, a bore 127 and a slot 128. The finger 103 has a face 129 parallel to the face 106 for the cross bar to move over, keeping the fingers engaged. The face 129 is itself recessed to enable the cross bar to be within the outline of the sphere defined by the two hemispheres when engaged together.

[0098] For a fastener 130, the boss has a bore 131 and recesses 132 above and below to enable the fastener to access the bore, the axis of the bore being in the plane of the surface 106 and normal to the surface 111. The complementary finger needs only the complementary recesses 134.

[0099] With the fingers engaged and their distal portions brought as close to alignment as possible, the Tee projections 114 abut the flanges 109 at angled faces 135. The contours of the fingers are such that they can be inserted into the aperture 107 until the distal portions 104 enter the aperture. Passage of these through the aperture is inhibited by the lugs 1161, specifically by abutment of the angled back surface 118. Pressure on the angular relief surfaces 120 of the abutments 1162 urges the lugs into the front face of the board 108. The reaction of the board acts about the pivot centrally of the aperture, tending to turn the fingers about the lugs under the constraint that they are pivoted together. As proximal portions are pushed or tapped into the aperture, the lugs dig more firmly into the board, which is typically plasterboard with the fingers being moulded of plastics material, typically polypropylene. Fingers are turned by this action with the distal portions coming to lie on the backside of the board. This allows the fastener 130, typically a self-tapping screw to be inserted between the complementary recesses 134, where they open in the outer surfaces 117.

[0100] If the fingers are not fully rotated, the fastener will assist in this as it enters the recesses. As it is wound in, it engages in the bore 131. Typically, the fixing and the fastener will be bracket 136 or the like with a face 137 to be drawn against the front face of the board. Tightening of the fastener urges the face 137 against the formation 115, in particular its surface 117 on the abutment side 1162 of the fastener opposite from the lug 1161. At this stage in the fastening, the fingers cannot come back out of the aperture, being located at the back face of the board by the root of the distal portion and at the front face by the lugs 1161. Drawing of face of the bracket and the faces of the distal portions by the fastener will have the effect of straightening the faces 117 against the bracket face 137, with final rotation of the very ends of the distal portions against the back of the body. Thus the fixing is complete.

[0101] In a variant of the embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 13, shown in FIGS. 14 to 26, a sleeve 220 similar to that shown in FIG. 9 is provided to line the aperture 207 in the board 208. It has a lip 221 limiting its movement into the bore and external ribs 250 for engaging in the material of the board around the aperture. The lugs 2161 and then the abutments 2162 of the fixing device 201 engage in openings 222 extending from the lip part way along the sleeve. The arrangement provides enhanced torsional resistance to turning of the entire device when a fastener such as 130 is engaged in the bore 231 for making a fixture.

[0102] With normal thickness of board, the lugs and abutments finish flush with the front 2081 of the board when the fixing is made with the fingers engaging the back of the board. This is shown in FIG. 25.

[0103] When the board is thicker, the assembly of the fingers needs to be inserted further into the board and the sleeve. This is achieved with a mallet, as the lugs and abutments forced a few millimetres below the front face of the board. To ensure rotation of the fingers, the openings 222 are provided with bottoms 2221 at a position to be engaged by the lugs 2161 for rotating of the fingers as described above. The lugs need project only a few millimetres into the board material, so that they do not provide significant resistance to insertion of the device with a mallet.

[0104] Should the fingers still not be fully rotated to abut the back of the board, the grooves 232 in the diametric faces 206 of the proximal portions of the fingers are more than likely to be aligned sufficiently for the point of a fastening screw such as 130 to be started in the grooves and led into the bore 231. Once the screw has reached the inner grooves 232, the fingers will be close to, if not already, being fully in their abutting orientation. Driving the screw into the grooves 232 will complete this process. The article to be secured may still be lose on the screw. Final tightening of the screw will be against the abutment of the distal portions of the fixing device on the back of the board and will draw the article against the front of the board. For this thicker board, there will remain a gap inside the sleeve between the lugs 2161 and abutments 2162 and the article. This will not detract from the fixing of the article in place against the board.

[0105] On further detail should be noted with reference to FIG. 27. The two proximal portions are shown, with their cross bar 225 and slot 228 aligned parallel in the Figure, though offset. The crossbar is parallel with the surface 217 and the slot 228 is normal to it. However these features are eccentric from centres of their proximal portions, as can be seen in the Figure, whereby the fingers can only be assembled in the correct relative orientation. This is indicated by the arrow 251 and the dot 252 moulded into the fingers. The arrow is set to point to the dot for assembly of the fingers together.