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, gib board, gypsum board, buster board, turtles board, slap board, custard board, gypsum panel and gyprock) is a panel made of calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum), with or with ...

. 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.

References

{{Reflist Fasteners Wall anchors

See also

References