A toggle bolt, also known as a butterfly anchor, is a
fastener
A fastener (US English) or fastening (UK English) is a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together. In general, fasteners are used to create non-permanent joints; that is, joints that can be removed or disman ...
for hanging objects on hollow walls such as
drywall
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 thick ...
.
Toggle bolts have wings that open inside a hollow wall, bracing against it to hold the fastener securely.
[New Fix-it yourself manual, Reader's Digest, ]
The wings, once fully opened, greatly expand the surface area making contact with the back of the hollow wall. This ultimately spreads out the weight of the secured item, increasing the weight that can be secured compared to a regular bolt.
See also
*
Molly (fastener)
A molly or molly bolt (often misspelled moly) is a type of screw fastener that fastens objects to plaster or gypsum board hollow walls by providing an anchor to be lodged inside a hole and expanded once in position. Larger sizes permit reasonably ...
References
{{Reflist
Fasteners
Wall anchors