Toggle bolt

various opened and closed toggle bolts

A toggle bolt, also known as a butterfly anchor, is a fastener for hanging things on hollow walls such as drywall.

Toggle bolts have wings that open inside a hollow wall, bracing against it to hold the fastener securely. [1]

The wings are much larger than the bolt they are attached to. This spreads the weight of the secured item over a larger area, increasing the weight that can be secured compared to a regular bolt.

References

  1. New Fix-it yourself manual, Reader's Digest, ISBN 0-89577-871-8