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A molly or molly bolt (often misspelled moly) is a type of
The molly bolt was patented in 1934 by George Frederick Croessant.United States Patent No. 2,018,251
/ref> Although his patent acknowledges that expandable fasteners of this general kind were already known, Croessant's patent is intended to provide "an improved and adequate anchoring grip that may be retightened if necessary and that will permit repeated withdrawals and reengagements of the associated bolt." The same year, Croessant also registered the trademark "MOLLY".
A molly or molly bolt (often misspelled moly) is a type of screw fastener
A screw and a Bolt (fastener), bolt (see ''#Differentiation between bolt and screw, Differentiation between bolt and screw'' below) are similar types of fastener typically made of metal and characterized by a helix, helical ridge, called a ''m ...
that fastens objects to plaster or gypsum board
Drywall (also called plasterboard, dry lining, wallboard, sheet rock, gypsum board, buster board, custard board, and gypsum panel) is a panel made of calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum), with or without additives, typically extruded between thic ...
hollow walls by providing an anchor to be lodged inside a hole and expanded once in position. Larger sizes permit reasonably heavy objects, such as shelving, flatscreen-TV mounts or central-heating radiators, to be attached to drywall in locations where there is no stud
Stud may refer to the following terms:
Animals
* Stud (animal), an animal retained for breeding
** Stud farm, a property where livestock are bred
Arts and entertainment
* Stud (band), a British progressive rock group
* The Stud (bar), a gay ba ...
behind the drywall. For heavy objects, multiple molly bolts may be required.
The name Molly was formerly trademarked but is now often used in generic reference. Other names used for this same general type of fastener include hollow-wall anchor and hollow-door anchor, sometimes with design variations but always with the same design theme of expansion via deformation as the screw is tightened. The name ''drywall anchor
A drywall anchor, also known as a wall anchor, is an insert that, combined with the appropriate screw, can create a strong mount anywhere on a drywall panel or similar hollow wall. A drywall anchor goes between the screw and the drywall, grippi ...
'' sometimes is used in a way that includes both mollies and plastic deformable anchors, and sometimes it is used to contradistinguish the plastic type (wall plug
A wall plug (UK English),In US English, a wall plug would likely be understood as an electric socket on a wall, although that is a misnomer as a socket is a device that accepts a plug. also known as an anchor (US) or "Rawlplug" (UK), is a fibre ...
s) from mollies.
History
The molly bolt was patented in 1934 by George Frederick Croessant./ref> Although his patent acknowledges that expandable fasteners of this general kind were already known, Croessant's patent is intended to provide "an improved and adequate anchoring grip that may be retightened if necessary and that will permit repeated withdrawals and reengagements of the associated bolt." The same year, Croessant also registered the trademark "MOLLY".
Attaching
The fastener is an anchor, an expandable sleeve that slides into a hole drilled into the wall. A lip wider than the hole prevents it from falling behind the wall, and often features such as cleats/spikes prevent it from rotating when being compressed. Amachine screw
A screw and a bolt (see '' Differentiation between bolt and screw'' below) are similar types of fastener typically made of metal and characterized by a helical ridge, called a ''male thread'' (external thread). Screws and bolts are used to f ...
is screwed into the sleeve, causing the anchor to bend, expand, spread and grip against the inside of the hole or behind it (in hollow contexts such as drywall over stud cavities, or hollow doors).
Mollies come in various diameters and grip lengths (shank lengths) for different drywall thicknesses and to support different loads.
See also
*Toggle bolt
A toggle bolt, also known as a butterfly anchor, is a fastener for hanging objects on hollow walls such as drywall.
Toggle bolts have wings that open inside a hollow wall, bracing against it to hold the fastener securely.New Fix-it yourself manual ...
, a bolt that has hinged flaps or wings
References
{{reflist Home improvement Wall anchors