GB2379489A

GB2379489A - Compressible nail or pin

Info

Publication number: GB2379489A
Application number: GB0121905A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Dennis Dunkley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-09-11
Filing date: 2001-09-11
Publication date: 2003-03-12
Also published as: GB0121905D0

Abstract

A nail or pin comprises an elongate body having two or more legs which join at a point. The legs are resilient and can be compressed when the nail or pin is inserted into a block or wall so that the legs grip the block or wall. The nail or pin is made from a plastics material such as a moulded glass reinforced nylon.

Description

FIXING DEVICES DESCRIPTION The invention relates to fixing devices, more particularly devices enabling Individuals to fix articles to blockwork.

In this specification the term blockwork is to be taken to encompass aerated, Foamed and the like building blocks of concrete or other materials which are usable in buildings and which are of a relatively more friable or porous nature than the majority of traditional building bricks.

In order to fix an article to a surface, for example a picture, shelf or cupboard to a wall it is necessary to provide for the secure fixing of the article to the surface.

If the surface is if wood this is relatively easily done by fixing the article to the surface with one or more pins, nails or wood screws.

If, as is more usual, one wishes to fix an article to brickwork or blockwork it

ible f ins is possible for some light articles (e. g. pictures) to make use of masonry pins and/or picture hooks comprising hardened steel nails or pins adapted to be driven by a hammer into the material of the surface.

If a heavier article is to be supported it is usual to pre-dnll a hole into the wall, insert a plug into the hole in which a screw may be fitted; subsequent insertion of the screw in the plug causing it to expand and bear against the sides of the pre-drilled hole such that the screw and any article it supports is firmly held in the desired position.

Thus to fix articles to brickwork or blockwork generally requires the use of a drill with which to pre-drill the hole for the plug, which may be disadvantage to the user in requiring him to obtain and make use of another tool.

Such arrangements work in the majority of cases, however, problems can arise if the surface is blockwork of a relatively friable or porous nature (for example modem day breeze or equivalent aerated concrete blocks).

With such blocks their friable nature has the effect that they tend to break up as a hole is drilled into them with the result that it is difficult to form the initial hole. Even if a relatively"clean hole"can be pre-drilled in such blockwork the sides of the hole tend to break up as the screw forces the expansion of any plug placed in the hole.

For relatively light articles the friable nature of the blocks prevents the efficient use of masonry pins and the like-the material of the blocks tending to break-up as the pin is driven into it.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device which

may be relatively simply and easily driven mio the blockwork without need for pre-drilling or pre-forming holes. The device has a trailing end which depending on the design will allow articles to be fixed firmly to the blockwork. The elongated body of the device when driven into the blockwork will compress, closing the gap between the legs thus forming a spring pressure to retain the device in position. The device does not need the insertion of a screw or fastener to create its fix m the blockwork.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device. enabling the fixing of screws and the like into the trailing end of the device to secure articles to the blockwork as shown in fig 6 of the attached drawings.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device with a extended trailing end which is designed to clamp articles to the blockwork. Such articles as the like of :- Insulation material. Timber Metal or plastic cladding, Pipework, Electrical cables etc, as shown in Figs 2, 4 and 8 of the attached drawings.

A forth object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device with a extended trailing end which is designed to facilitate the connecting of articles such as a metal wall tie by means of hooking into the trailing end of the device as shown in fig 11 of the attached drawings.

In one aspect the invention provides a device fixable in blockwork, which

device has a plastic material elongated body portion which has a blot along the uc-'Vice-ii Ul LIL, IliaLCIIal I alc ; u v I m middle providing two or more leg parts which are joined together at the leading I'I i Lo end of the device to form a point so that when the device is driven into the blockwork the slot along the elongated body is compressed by the density of the blockwork causing the device to create side force on the blockwork material to hold the device in position.

With advantage, the elongated body portion is generally rectangular in cross section along the length thereof until it joints together at the leading end and Reduced in size to either a rectangular or round leading front portion.

The said device may be round in cross section along its elongated body but rectangular or square is preferred to avoid the device from turning when fixed in position.

The slot running along substantial length of the body may vary in length and thickness and must extend through the width of the elongated body.

Desirably the device is formed of a moulded plastic material that is rigid enough to allow the device to be driven into the blockwork material and strong enough to act as a spring to create side force when the device is compressed, therefor retaining the device in position.

Outer surfaces of the device may flare outwardly in moving away from the leading end.

In a device embodying the invention with special advantage, there may be provided a central bore, preferably generally circular in section, extending from the trailing end of the device until it reaches the slot.

The central bore may be provided with one or more protrusions over at least part of the length thereof from the trailing end of the device.

Said bore may be threaded internally at the trailing end of the device.

This will allow objects to be fixed to the device by means of fastener such as screw etc.

In many other aspects of the invention the trailing end of the device may incorporate many different shapes or heads to allow many special articles to be fixed to the blockwork such as insulation materials, wall ties, timber frames. copper pipe, electrical cables, etc.

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from me following description of the embodiment of the Invention made with references to the accompanying drawings, in which :-

Figure 1. Is a side and end view of the device embodying the invention.

Figure 2. Shows the device driven into blockwork demonstrating the compression taking place by the blockwork material on the elongated body to create Side force to retain the device in the blockwork Figure 3 Shows the side and end view of the device wjth an extended

trailing end.

L rai Lq,,, Figure 4. Shows the device with an extended trailing end driven through Insulation material into the blockwork therefor fixing the insulation material firmly to the blockwork.

Qk r%, ti TL,-% % 7 ; +b-a i-n i--k4-t-rn ; li-ng Figure 5. Shows the device provided with a central bore m the trailing end of the device to accept a fastener such as a wood screw to secure articles to the blockwork.

Figure 6. Shows the device as in fig 5. driven into blockwork and securing an article to the blockwork with a woodscew.

Figure 7. Shows the device with an extended trailing end and a head.

Figure 8. Shows the device as in fig 7. driven into blockwork and securing a thicker article using the extended trailing end and a round head.

Figure 9. Shows the device with a special trailing end to except a metal wall tie when building cavity walls in the construction industry.

Figure 10. Shows the device as in fig 9. driven into blockwork leaving the trailing end extended outside the blockwork in readyness to except the wall tie.

Figure 11. Shows the device driven into blockwork and the metal wall tie hooked into a hole in the trailing end of the device to extend into the mortar joint of the brickwork

Figure 1. Shows the leading end 3 which can be either square, rectangular or round and can be any length, with or without a point 4. Slot 5 runs down the major part of the elongated body and protrudes through the thickness of the device. Normally the slot is equal thickness to the remaining two legs that make the elongated body but this can vary according to requirements. The elongated body can be round, square or rectangular. The trailing end 6 can vary in length depending on the article to be fitted and can incorporate a head 7which can vary in shape and size. 8 show a taper leading from the leading end to the elongated body. This taper can vary.

Figure 2. Shows the device driven mto blockwork 21 and 10 shows the compression that has taken place on the legs of the elongated body causing the legs to create spring pressure on the blockwork material to retain the device in position. 9 is a piece of flat section being clamped tightly to the blockwork by the head 7.

Figure 3. Shows the device with a special elongated trailing end 11 with a large head. &commat;.

Figure 4. Shows the device as in fig 3 driven through insulation material In blockwork to hold the insulation material in position.

Figure 5. Shows the device without a head but with a central bore 13 running through the trailing end which will readily accept a fastener such as a wood screw to fit an article.

Figure 6. Shows the device as in fig 5 driven into blockwork and an article fixed to the blockwork with a screw inserted through the article into the trailing end of the device.

Figure 7. Shows the device with an extended trailing end 16 and a head 17.

Figure 8. Shows the device as in fig 7 driven into the blockwork and securing an article to the blockwork using the extended trailing end with a head.

Figure 9. Shows the device with a special trailing end which has a hole through the trailing end which will accept a round metal wall tie.

Figure 10. Shows the device as in fig 9 driven into the block-work leaving The trailing end exposed in readiness to accept the wall tie.

Figure 11. Shows the device as in fig 10 driven into the blockwork with the metal wall tie 19 hooked into the trailing end of the device and

fixed into the mortar joint of the brickwork 20. fi ed inL Ltt jkjlrt+L vi u

Claims

Fixing Devices. Claims.

1. A device fixable in blockwork, which device has a plastic material elongated

I-ogether at the'eadiiig body portion, having two or more legs which are joined together at the leading end of the device to form a port se that when the device is driven into the blockwork the elongated body is compressed by the blockwork material causing the device to create side force on the blockwork material to hold the device in the blockwork.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, when formed of a moulded plastic material.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2, when formed of moulded nylon which is glass fibre reinforced.

4. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the elongated body portion is generally rectangular in cross section along the length with a slot in the centre forming two legs which are joined together at the leading end to form a point.

5. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the leg parts are generally rectangular in cross section and are defined by one or more slots extending from the round or rectangular leading end towards the trailing end of the device along part of the length of the elongate body portion.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein each slot extends along substantially two thirds of the length of the device from the leading end towards the trailing end.

7. A device as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the said slot or slots extends through the thickness of the elongated body portion.

8. A device as claimed in any one of claims 5, 6 and 7, when formed with a single slot extending through the thickness of the device, said slot defining two mutually opposed leg parts of substantially equal size and joining together to form a round or rectangular leading end with or without a point.

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9. A device as claimed m any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein surfaces of the device which is in contact with the blockwork are roughened.

10. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the device has a centralboreleadingfromtheslotintheelongaredbodythroughthetrailing end.

11. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said bore is threaded internally at the trailing end of the device.

J 2. A device as claimed ir claim 9 wherein the trailing end of the device is formed , tjirAS,With apertures extending from the central bore to the surface of the device to V\ < , u . J. u.. t "" ""^. J.. J. 1... v... u LU vvuu UVJ... LV L "Ui 1 a\vç VI U uç v ç tV W enable ready expansion of the material of the device when a screw or other member is inserted therein.

13. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cross-sectional Area of the elongated body portion reduces over at least part of the length

thereof in moving from the trailing end towards the leading end of the device in'L. LJLW V'LLA Ll'-IALLA LL. L% L LL Al E, ll% * L% J V T fl"A--. . wA-n-.-. e

14. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 and 12 where the extended trailing end can be increased in length with a large head and can be used to clamp any article of varying thickness to the blockwork.

15. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 where the trailing end can be designed to clamp articles such as pipework and electrical cables to the blockwork.