U.S. patent application number 13/126878 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-05 for wall-mounted hook.
This patent application is currently assigned to COBRA FIXATIONS CIE LTEE - COBRA ANCHORS CO. LTD.. Invention is credited to Pierre McDuff, Lang Nguyen, Alexandre Pollak.
Application Number | 20120001039 13/126878 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42126245 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120001039 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McDuff; Pierre ; et
al. |
January 5, 2012 |
Wall-Mounted Hook
Abstract
An anchor assembly (A) for use with hollow panels, comprises a
holding member, such as a hook (10), and an anchor (12) The anchor
(12) is adapted to penetrate a hollow panel, such as a wall (W),
and, once the anchor assembly (A) has been installed to the wall
(W), the anchor (12) is firmly secured thereto while the hook (10),
which is joined to the anchor (12), is located on a visible side
(V) of the wall (W) The anchor (12) includes a first anchor portion
(14) and a second vice (16) portion The anchor portion (14), when
the anchor assembly (A) is installed to the wall (W), extends
through the hole (O) defined in the wall (W) while the vice portion
(16) is located behind the wall (W) An elbow portion (17) is
provided on the anchor (12) between the anchor (14) and vice (16)
portions for allowing the anchor (12) to be pivoted when being
installed in the wall (W) from a first position where the vice
portion (16) is inserted though the wall (W) to form the hole (O)
therein and a second position where the vice portion (16) extends
behind the wall (W) and tn abutment therewith and the anchor
portion (14) is lodged in the hole (O).
Inventors: |
McDuff; Pierre; (Outremont,
CA) ; Pollak; Alexandre; (Laval, CA) ; Nguyen;
Lang; (Dollard-des-Ormeaux, CA) |
Assignee: |
COBRA FIXATIONS CIE LTEE - COBRA
ANCHORS CO. LTD.
Montreal
QC
|
Family ID: |
42126245 |
Appl. No.: |
13/126878 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
October 30, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA09/01572 |
371 Date: |
September 20, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61193256 |
Nov 12, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/216.1 ;
248/222.14; 248/224.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 13/002 20130101;
F16B 13/04 20130101; F16B 25/103 20130101; F16B 45/00 20130101;
A47G 1/20 20130101; F16B 25/0026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/216.1 ;
248/224.8; 248/222.14 |
International
Class: |
F16M 13/02 20060101
F16M013/02; F16B 45/00 20060101 F16B045/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 30, 2008 |
CA |
2643664 |
Claims
1. An anchor assembly for use with hollow panels, comprising a
holding member and an anchor, the anchor being adapted to penetrate
a hollow panel and, once the anchor assembly has been installed to
the hollow panel, to be secured thereto while the holding member
which is joined to the anchor, is located on a visible side of the
hollow panel, the anchor includes a first and a second portion, the
first portion, when the anchor assembly is installed to the hollow
panel, extending through a hole defined in the panel while the
second portion is located behind the panel, an elbow portion being
provided on the anchor between the first and second portions for
allowing the anchor to be pivoted when being installed in the panel
from a first position where the second portion is inserted though
the panel to form the hole therein and a second position where the
second portion extends behind the panel and in abutment therewith
and the first portion is lodged in the hole.
2. The anchor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the holding
member and the anchor are of unitary construction.
3. The anchor assembly according to claim 1 wherein the holding
member includes a hook for suspending items therefrom.
4. The anchor assembly according to claim 1, wherein, when the
anchor is installed in the panel, an inside of the elbow portion
abuts the panel.
5. The anchor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the holding
member abuts a visible surface of the hollow panel when the anchor
is installed in the panel.
6. The anchor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the anchor
extends rearwardly from an upper end of the holding member, the
holding member including a spike extending rearwardly from a lower
end thereof, the spike being adapted to penetrate the panel and,
when the anchor is installed in the panel to be lodged therein.
7. The anchor assembly according to claim 6, wherein the spike
extends substantially horizontally.
8. The anchor assembly according to claim 6, wherein the spike
slightly curves upwardly in an orientation that substantially
follows the pivot of the holding member when the anchor is pivoted
from said first position to said second position.
9. The anchor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second
portion of the anchor includes a pointed distal end adapted to
penetrate the panel.
10. The anchor assembly according to claim 9, wherein the pointed
distal end includes an outer male thread that is used to engage and
penetrate the panel as the anchor assembly is rotated about an axis
of the second portion towards and into the panel.
11. The anchor assembly according to claim 9, wherein a channel is
defined in the second portion for receiving panel material when the
second portion is rotatably inserted into and through the
panel.
12. The anchor assembly according to claim 11, wherein the channel
is defined in the distal end and proximally therefrom in the second
portion.
13. The anchor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second
portion includes a distal end adapted to engage and penetrate the
panel, and further includes a substantially cylindrical portion
located between the distal end and the elbow portion.
14. The anchor assembly according to claim 13, wherein the
substantially cylindrical portion has transverse dimensions that
are less than that of the distal end.
15. The anchor assembly according to claim 14, wherein the
substantially cylindrical portion substantially merges with a
similar substantially cylindrical portion provided on the elbow
portion at a junction thereof with the second portion.
16. The anchor assembly according to claim 15, wherein proximally
of the substantially cylindrical portion provided on the elbow
portion, the elbow portion is slightly narrower to facilitate the
passing of the anchor in the hole as it is pivoted from said first
to the second position.
17. The anchor assembly according to claim 1 wherein the anchor
defines a cam surface to facilitate the passing of the anchor in
the hole as it is pivoted from said first to the second
position.
18. The anchor assembly according to claim 17, wherein the cam
surface is provided substantially along an outside surface of the
elbow portion.
19. The anchor assembly according to claim 1, wherein a
substantially vertical fin is provided on an inside of the elbow
portion, the vertical fin, when the anchor is installed in the
panel, penetrating the panel on a side thereof opposite the holding
member.
20. The anchor assembly according to claim 19 wherein the vertical
fin defines a free cutting edge for facilitating the engagement
thereof in the panel.
21. The anchor assembly according to claim 11, wherein a cutting
edge is defined on the distal end at the channel for facilitating
the engagement of the distal end in the panel when the anchor is
initially rotated into the panel.
22. The anchor assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one
load-bearing member is provided externally of the first portion of
the anchor, the load-bearing member, when the anchor is installed
in the panel, being lodged in the panel and is adapted thereat to
provide a bearing surface on the panel material, in addition to
that provided by the first portion, against forces applied on the
holding member.
23. The anchor assembly according to claim 22, wherein the
load-bearing member includes a pair of lateral fins extending, when
the anchor is installed in the panel, substantially horizontally on
opposite sides of the first portion.
24. The anchor assembly according to claim 22, wherein each
load-bearing member is located substantially at a lower end of the
first portion.
25. The anchor assembly according to claim 22 wherein each
load-bearing member has a shape that tapers from the holding member
towards the elbow portion.
26. The anchor assembly according to claim 22, wherein each
load-bearing member is connected at a proximal end thereof to the
holding member.
27. The anchor assembly according to claim 24, wherein each
load-bearing member, located substantially at a lower end of the
first portion, provides a continuous and substantially horizontal
surface resting on the panel material when the anchor is installed
in the panel.
28. The anchor assembly according to claim 19, wherein the
substantially vertical fin is adapted to prevent rotation of the
anchor assembly when the anchor is installed in the panel.
29. The anchor assembly according to claim 19, wherein the
substantially vertical fin is adapted to provide reinforcement to
the anchor.
30. The anchor assembly according to claim 9, wherein the distal
end of the second portion is adapted to define a calibrated hole
through the panel such that the first portion is snugly received in
the hole once the anchor is installed in the panel.
31. The anchor assembly according to claim 17, wherein the cam
surface is adapted such that, during the insertion of the anchor
through the panel it raises and positions the anchor such that it
covers completely the hole in the panel and fills the hole thereby
using substantially all of the available surface of the hole as a
bearing surface when load is applied on the holding member.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims priority on Canadian Patent
Application No. 2,643,664 filed on Oct. 30, 2008 and on U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/193,256 filed on Nov. 12,
2008, which are herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to hangers for supporting
objects on a wall and, more particularly, to a hook and anchor
assembly for attachment to hollow walls, such as wallboards which
typically comprise a relatively thick layer of gypsum sandwiched
between paper layers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 3,219,302 issued to Smith on Nov. 23, 1965
teaches a hanger 10 of stiff yet flexible wire construction engaged
through a wall 11. The curved portion 16 exerts pressure on the
inside wall surface and pulls a leg portion 14 of the hanger
against the front or inner surface of the wall and thus into firm
or even locked relationship therewith. The hanger 10 includes an
engagement portion 19 which is threaded to receive a nut 20 thereon
for reasons which are unclear. Perhaps, the nut 20 acts as a lip to
retain the wire of a picture hanging from section 19 of the hanger
10. Various terminal endings for the hangers are shown in FIGS. 2
to 4. In this patent, the nut 20 is not used to tighten the hanger
10 against the wall.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,528 issued to Martin on Apr. 20, 1982
discloses a bracket which has a pointed end and an elbow, and the
installation steps thereof are shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. The bracket
appears to be sufficiently fixed in this patent without having to
be engaged by a distinct component in view of its portion 2
abutting the wall W.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,713 issued to Hogg on Apr. 9, 1985, No.
2,789,783 issued to Jones on Apr. 23, 1957 and No. 5,028,030 issued
to Lewis on Jul. 2, 1991 are similar in each disclosing a hanger
which includes an arcuate section having a pointed distal end which
is driven through the wall while rotating the hanger until a flange
thereof abuts the inside or front wall with a hook being provided
proximally of this flange. In Lewis, there is no flange but the
hook acts as both an abutment on the inner surface of the wall as
well as a component for hanging pictures.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 2,408,366 issued to Boyer on Oct. 1, 1946
discloses a toggle bolt consisting of a threaded bolt portion 10
and a L-shaped toggle 16 displaceable relative to the bolt portion
10 between axially and perpendicularly oriented positions, as seen
in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. The assembly of the bolt portion 10
and the toggle 16 is inserted through an opening 23 defined in an
article 22 and the toggle 16 is then rotated to assume its position
of FIG. 2. The bolt portion 10 is then held stationary by engaging
a screw driver in a slot 24 defined at the proximal end of the bolt
portion 10 while a nut 21 is rotated against a concave washer 20 so
as to compress a gasket 19. The assembly then becomes firmly
secured to the article 22. In FIG. 5, an article 25 is shown held
firmly against a supporting wall 26 by way of the general bolt and
toggle assembly described hereinbefore. The construction of this
toggle bolt results from the assembly of a number of
components.
[0007] PCT Publication No. WO-00/25030 published on May 4, 2000 in
the name of Cobra Fixations Cie Ltee--Cobra Anchors Co. Ltd.
discloses a hook (H, H'') and anchor (A, A'') assembly for use with
hollow panels (W) such as walls and ceilings made of gypsum. The
assembly includes an anchor (A, A'') having first (10, 80/88) and
second (12, 90) sections, a hook (H, H'') adapted to be secured to
the anchor (A, A'') and to abut a visible surface (O) of the hollow
wall (W). The anchor (A, A'') is adapted to be engaged to the
hollow wall (W) such that its second section (12, 90) is located
behind the wall (W) with the first section (10, 56, 80/88)
extending through a hole defined in the wall (W). The hook (H, H'')
has a wall-engaging flange (44, 94). The hook (H, H'') and the
first section (10, 80/88) of the anchor (A, A'') are provided with
adjustable cooperating threads for connecting them together while
allowing for various relative positions therebetween, whereby the
distance between the second section (12, 90) and the wall engaging
flange (44, 94) may be varied such that the second section (12, 90)
and the wall engaging flange (44, 94) act as a vice on the wall (W)
for tightly installing the anchor (A, A'') and the hook (H, H'')
thereon. Also, the anchor (A') may comprise successive first and
second sections (54, 56) having different threads with the first
section (54) being adapted to be engaged in a wooden member and
with the hook being adapted to be engaged to the second section
(56) such as to abut the wooden member.
[0008] In spite of these various devices, there remains a need for
a wall-mounted anchor of the type described hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a
novel wall-mounted anchor for hollow walls.
[0010] Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there
is provided an anchor assembly for use with hollow panels,
comprising a holding member and an anchor, the anchor being adapted
to penetrate a hollow panel and, once the anchor assembly has been
installed to the hollow panel, to be secured thereto while the
holding member, which is joined to the anchor, is located on a
visible side of the hollow panel, the anchor includes a first and a
second portion, the first portion, when the anchor assembly is
installed to the hollow panel, extending through a hole defined in
the panel while the second portion is located behind the panel, an
elbow portion being provided on the anchor between the first and
second portions for allowing the anchor to be pivoted when being
installed in the panel from a first position where the second
portion is inserted though the panel to form the hole therein and a
second position where the second portion extends behind.
[0011] Other objects, advantages and features of the present
invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following
non-restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given by way of
example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
showing by way of illustration an illustrative embodiment of the
present invention, and in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a wall anchor assembly
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the wall anchor
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIGS. 3 to 6 are successive partly cross-sectional side
elevation views showing the installation of the wall anchor
assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 into a wall; and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the wall anchor assembly of
FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Turning to the figures of the appended drawings, a wall
anchor assembly A according to an embodiment of the present
invention will be described.
[0018] FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 illustrate the anchor assembly A in
isolation. The anchor assembly A is adapted to be mounted in a
vice-like fashion to a hollow wall W, such as will be described
hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. The wall W is typically
a hollow wall, such as a wallboard, that is a thick gypsum layer
coated on each side thereof with a paper layer.
[0019] The anchor assembly A includes a hook 10 and an anchor 12,
which are herein made of unitary construction, for instance via a
molding process. The hook 10 herein remains visible after the
anchor assembly A has been mounted to the wall W, typically
abutting a visible surface V of the hollow wall W. It is understood
that the hook 10 can be replaced by other suitable components
depending on the intended use of the anchor assembly A.
[0020] The anchor 12 has a general elbowed configuration and, more
particularly, comprises a head portion 14 (first portion) adapted
to extend through a hole O defined in the wall W and a vice portion
16 (second portion) extending substantially at right angles from
the head portion 14 as a result of an elbow portion 17 being
mergingly provided therebetween. The anchor 12 is adapted to be
engaged to the hollow wall W such that the vice portion 16 is
located behind the wall W and abuts a hidden surface H of the wall
W, with the head portion 14 extending through the hole O defined in
the wall W, this hole O being formed during the installation of the
anchor assembly A.
[0021] The distance between a rear surface 18 of the hook 10 and
the vice portion 16 of the anchor 12 substantially corresponds to a
thickness of the wall W (i.e. the distance between the visible and
hidden surfaces V and H of the wall W), such as to act as a vice on
the wall W for tightly installing the anchor assembly A
thereto.
[0022] The hook 10 includes a hook member 20, and is also provided
with a spike 22 that extends rearwardly from the rear surface 20
thereof for engagement into the wall W (see FIG. 6), as will be
described in more details hereinbelow.
[0023] The head portion 14 of the anchor 12 includes a pair of
lateral fins 24 that extend outwardly from opposite sides of the
head portion 14. The head portion 14 also defines a pair of
depressions 36 on opposite sides thereof and adjacent to the fins
24.
[0024] The vice portion 16 includes a pointed distal end 26 having
a conical shape and being typically provided on an outer surface
thereof with a male thread 28. The vice portion 16 also includes a
generally cylindrical section 32. The pointed distal end 26 and the
cylindrical section 32 define a channel 30.
[0025] The pointed distal end 26 is used to perforate the gypsum
wall by manual rotation of the anchor assembly A with the male
thread 28 providing assistance for gradually introducing again by
rotation, the distal end 26 in the wall W until the distal end 26
has extended through the wall W. The configuration of the distal
end 26 renders easy and substantially effortless the introduction
of the vice portion 16 in and through the wall W.
[0026] The distal end 26 defines a leading cutting edge 34 which
easily cuts through the paper and the gypsum layers of the hollow
wall W and which directs debris from the wall W into the channel
30. Indeed, the channel 30 collects the gypsum wall debris instead
of forcing these debris outwardly of the vice portion 16.
[0027] The elbow portion 17 of the anchor 12 causes the latter to
deviate sideways with respect to an axis of the head portion 14
such that the vice portion 16 ends up extending substantially
parallel to the wall W and is in position to abut the hidden
surface H of the wall W, in vice-like fashion, when the anchor
assembly A is installed in the wall W.
[0028] The anchor 12 also includes an outwardly directed vertical
fin 38 located on the inside of the elbow portion 17 and connected
to both the head and vice portions 14 and 16. The anchor 12 further
defines a cam surface 40 that will be explained in detail
hereinbelow.
[0029] FIGS. 3 to 6 show the installation of the anchor assembly A
in the wall W. In FIG. 3, the anchor assembly A is rotated, as per
arrow 42, in engagement with and into the wall W such that the vice
portion 16 defines the hole O in the wall, as seen in FIG. 4. The
anchor assembly A is then rotated along arrow 44, as shown in FIG.
5 wherein the elbow portion 17 is engaged in the hole O. FIG. 6
illustrates the final position of the anchor assembly A in the wall
W.
[0030] During the installation, the distal end 26 of the anchor 12
forms the hole O, i.e. a calibrated hole, for the anchor assembly A
to be inserted and secured into position.
[0031] The clearing channel 30 will guide the displaced friable
material (plaster) from the wall W out of the hole O, during the
drilling process.
[0032] The <<L>> shape of the anchor 12 is designed
such that it will locate behind the friable material (drywall),
i.e. the wall W, and maximize the bearing surface to increase the
load capacity.
[0033] The cam surface 40 is designed such that during the
rotational movement of the anchor assembly A and insertion in the
drilled hole O, it will raise the anchor assembly A (see FIG. 5)
and position the anchor assembly A such that it will cover
completely the drilled hole O and will fill the drilled hole O in
order to use the entire surface of the hole O as a bearing surface
when load is applied on the anchor assembly A, typically via the
hook 10 thereof.
[0034] The reinforcement or vertical fin 38 increases the strength
of the anchor assembly A and will locate and embed into the drywall
W when the anchor assembly A reaches its final installation
position (see FIG. 6). This will prevent rotational movement of the
anchor assembly A, with respect to the wall W, once installed and
loaded.
[0035] The two lateral fins 24 are adapted to increase the holding
resistance of the anchor assembly A in the drywall W, in that they
increase the load surfaces bearing on the drywall material when
weight is applied on the hook 10 and produces downward forces on
the anchor 12 and the head portion 14 thereof located in the wall
W.
[0036] The positioning and stabilizing spike 22, once the anchor
assembly A has been inserted into the drilled hole O, positions and
secures the anchor assembly A in the rotational axes, in addition
to adding strength and grip to the anchor assembly A.
[0037] The anchor 12 is designed to allow for it to be pivoted from
its positions in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, once the distal end 26 has
defined the hole in the wall W and has completely passed
therethrough, from a position where the vice portion 16 is co-axial
with an axis of the hole O defined in the wall W (FIG. 4) to the
vice position of the vice portion 16 shown in FIG. 6. The anchor 12
is designed to prevent damage to the hole O defined in the wall W
when the anchor 12 is pivoted therein, and until the head portion
14 has been translationally fitted into the hole O. The head
portion 14 can slightly taper from the hook 10 towards the elbow
portion 17 for fitting tightly in the hole O in the wall W.
[0038] As previously mentioned, the hook 10 can take various forms
of holding members, including forms other than that of a "hook" per
se, such as holding systems of all kinds, e.g. for securing towel
racks, plant holders, mirrors, shelving, etc.
[0039] Although the present invention has been described
hereinabove by way of embodiments thereof, it may be modified,
without departing from the nature and teachings of the subject
invention as described herein.
* * * * *