rag-bolt

rag-bolt

A worker secures a heavy timber with a rag-bolt.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A type of bolt with barbs: "rag-bolt" refers to a bolt that has jagged projections or barbs, designed to prevent it from being easily pulled out once driven into a material such as wood or masonry. It is used in construction or engineering for secure fastening.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The carpenter used a rag-bolt to secure the heavy beam to the concrete wall. (A barbed bolt used for strong, permanent fastening.)
    • Rag-bolts are commonly employed in railway track construction to anchor rails to sleepers. (Barbed bolts used in infrastructure.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to drive a rag-bolt": to install a barbed bolt by hammering or screwing it into a pre-drilled hole.

    • The worker carefully drove the rag-bolt into the stone foundation. (Installed the bolt with force.)
  • "rag-bolt anchor": a system or component that uses a rag-bolt for securing objects.

    • The machinery was fixed to the floor with rag-bolt anchors. (A fastening system using barbed bolts.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Rag (n): a hard, coarse stone used in building, or a jagged projection (as in "rag-bolt").
  • Bolt (n): a threaded fastener with a head, used to hold objects together.
  • Ragstone (n): a type of hard, coarse stone.
Synonyms
  • Barb bolt: a bolt with backward-facing projections to resist withdrawal.
  • Jag bolt: a bolt with irregular, sharp edges for grip.
  • Anchor bolt: a bolt used to attach structures to concrete or masonry (though not always barbed).
Phrasal Verbs
  • Bolt in: to secure something with a bolt.
    • They bolted the frame in place using rag-bolts. (Secured with bolts.)
Related Idioms
  • N/A: No common idioms exist for "rag-bolt," as it is a technical term.