Abstract:
A hidden tie down provides a round collar that is inserted into a like-sized round aperture formed in a planar surface. A cap and cap mount are attachable to the collar at the outer face of the surface. A fastener secures the collar to the surface at the inner face of the surface. Two opposing bushings are disposed within the collar to retain each end of a hook loop within them. The hook loop includes a round lid that closes off a like-sized round opening in the cap such that, in one position, the lid closes off the cap opening and creates a substantially flush surface across the cap. In another position, the hook loop extends outwardly from the cap opening to provide an attachment structure. Each bushing includes a detent to retain the hook loop in a stowed position.

Description:
This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/452,279 filed Mar. 14, 2011. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to devices and fasteners used to secure a first item to a second item, the second item being mobile or stationary. More specifically, the present invention relates to a tie down that can be mounted into one or more surfaces of such a second item for the purpose of attaching a first item or items to the second item using a rope, strap, elastic cord or other tying means. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various surface-mountable devices are known in the art. They include tie down rings, loops and fingers, among other structures. Sometimes, such structures are permanently configured to extend outwardly from the surface that they are mounted to. This can affect the functionality and the aesthetics of the mounting surface. Other times, such structures provide the ring, loop or finger to be movable to a position that is flush with the mounting surface. While this may improve functionality, it does not necessarily improve the aesthetics of the mounting surface. In the view of this inventor, there is a need to provide a hidden tie down structure that provides the tie down structure that is necessary to secure an item to a surface and alternatively hides or conceals the tie down structure when such is desired or required. There is also a need to provide such a structure that is easy to use and aesthetically pleasing when the tie down structure is stowed away. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tie down structure that can be mounted into a surface such that the tie down structure is readily usable when such is desired or required while also providing the ability to conceal the tie down structure when it is not in use, and to do so in an aesthetically-pleasing way. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The hidden tie down of the present invention has obtained these objects. It provides for a round collar that is insertable into a like-sized round aperture that is formed in a generally planar surface. One or more preferred embodiments of the cap and cap mount are attachable to the collar at the outer face of the surface. A nut or other fastener secures the collar to the surface at the inner face of the surface. Two opposing bushings are disposed within the collar to retain each end of a hook loop within them. The hook loop includes a round lid that closes off a like-sized round opening in the cap such that, in one position, the lid closes off the cap opening and creates a substantially flush surface across the cap. In another position, the hook loop extends outwardly from the cap opening to provide the attachment functionality alluded to above. Each bushing includes a detent that retains the hook loop and lid in one or the other of the two intended positions. 
     The foregoing and other features of the hidden tie down of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front, top and left side perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a hidden tie down that is constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing the hidden tie down in an exploded pre-assembly format. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged and partially-sectioned front, top and left side perspective view of the hidden tie down of  FIG. 1  and showing it as it would be installed within a surface with the loop in a stowed position. 
         FIG. 3  is another enlarged and partially-sectioned front, bottom and left side perspective view of the installed hidden tie down of  FIG. 1  and showing the loop as deployed and ready for use. 
         FIG. 4  is a front, top and left side perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a hidden tie down that is constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing the hidden tie down in an exploded pre-assembly format. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged and partially-sectioned front, top and left side perspective view of the hidden tie down of  FIG. 4  and showing it as it would be installed within a surface with the loop in a stowed position. 
         FIG. 6  is another enlarged and partially-sectioned front, bottom and left side perspective view of the installed hidden tie down of  FIG. 4  and showing the loop as deployed and ready for use. 
         FIG. 7  is a front, top and right side perspective view illustrating only the hook loop, lid and bushings used in the hidden tie down embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a left side elevational view of the elements illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbered elements refer to like elements throughout,  FIGS. 1 through 3  illustrate a representative structure, generally identified  10 , which is a first preferred embodiment of a hidden tie down that is fabricated in accordance with the present invention.  FIGS. 4 through 6  illustrate another representative structure, generally identified  110 , which is a second preferred embodiment of the hidden tie down.  FIGS. 7 and 8  are common to both embodiments. 
     Now referring specifically to  FIG. 1 , it illustrates an exploded view of the hidden tie down  10  of the present invention. The hidden tie down  10  generally comprises a number of separate elements including a cap  20 , a hook loop  30 , a lid  40 , a pair of bushings  50 , a collar  60  and a fastening nut  70 . These are, more or less, the significant elements of the structure  10 . In the preferred embodiment, a washer  80 , a gasket  90  and a plug  100  are also provided. The latter elements are not required for functionality of the structure  10 , but are included in the preferred embodiment. That is, other embodiments within the scope of the present invention could include a cushioning structure or other gasket-like structure for protection of the surface  2  and/or to seal the installation for one reason or another. All such embodiments are contemplated herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , which is a partially sectioned and enlarged view of the tie down  10  of the present invention, and which also shows the tie down  10  as it would be installed into a panel or surface  2 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the surface  2  has an outer face  4 , an inner face  6  and a circular aperture  8  that extends between the faces  4 ,  6 . 
     Continuing with  FIG. 2 , it will be seen that the cap  20  is a substantially round structure that includes an outer “domed” surface  21  and has an inner edge  22  and an outer edge  23 . The inner edge  22  forms a circular aperture  28  within the cap  20 . The cap  20  further includes an underside surface  24  to which is attached a cap mount  25 , the cap mount  25  being a generally circular structure having a threaded inner surface  26 . As disclosed in this application, the cap  20  is presented as a two-piece structure. It is, however, within the scope of the present invention to create a cap  20  wherein the cap  20  and the cap mount  25  are integrally-formed as a single piece of material. Such is not a limitation of the present invention. 
     The cap  20  is attached to the upper portion  61  of a threaded collar  60 , the collar  60  comprising a substantially cylindrical structure having an outer surface  62 , wherein the outer surface  62  of the collar  60  is threaded. The threads of the collar  60  are configured to mate with like threads that are formed on the inner surface  26  of the cap mount  25 . It is to be noted that the outer edge  23  of the cap  20  rests on the outer face  4  of the planar structure  2  to which the tie down  10  is mounted. The cap  20  is then held in place by a nut  70  that similarly contains a like-threaded inner surface  72  that allows the nut  70  to be secured to the lower portion  63  of the collar  60 . Having some amount of clearance between the cap mount  25  and the outer face  4  of the planar structure  2  allows for some flexing of the cap  20  at its inner edge  22 , which can facilitate in the tightening of the nut  70  during securement of the tie down  10  to the surface  2 . Disposed between the inner face  6  of the surface  2  and the nut  70  is a flat, washer-like circular gasket  90  and a washer  80 , each of which is slipped over the lower portion  63  of the collar  60  prior to fastening of the nut  70 . It is also to be understood that other fasteners and other fastening means is contemplated in the tie down  10  of the present invention. That is, other non-threaded fasteners may be used to retain the tie-down  10  in its desired or required position. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , it will be seen that the upper portion  61  of the collar  60  also includes a pair of opposing U-shaped sidewall openings  64 . It will also be seen that each bushing  50  comprises a similarly-sized U-shaped structure having a U-shaped outer surface  52 . It is to be understood that the U-shaped elements are presented so that proper positioning of the bushings  50  within the sidewall openings  64  is accomplished. This allows a bushing  50  to be snugly seated within each similarly-shaped collar opening  64 . However, other functionally-cooperative shapes could be used and are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , it will be seen that each bushing  50  further comprises a flat top surface  58 , which surface  58  is intended to be disposed flush against the underside  24  of the inner edge  22  of the cap  20 . Further, each bushing  50  comprises a round, and horizontally-disposed, aperture  54  that is formed into it, together with an inwardly-extending detent  56 . As best shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the detent  56  is an inwardly-extending arcuate member extending from the top surface  58  of the bushing  50  and ending at a point near the center of the aperture  54 . In this way, the aperture  54  and the detent  56  overlap one another somewhat. Although the functionality of the detent  56  will be discussed later in this detailed description, it is to be understood that the function of the detent  56  could be accomplished by using other structures including, but not limited to, leaf springs, finger appendages and the like. It is significant that the detent  56  interferes with the lid  40  in the present invention, as will be apparent. 
     The aperture  54  of each bushing is adapted to receive one end  34  of the hook loop  30 , each end  34  of the hook loop  30  extending slightly beyond the outer edge  46  of the disk-shaped lid  40 . The hook loop  30  is a rod-like structure having a generally round cross-section. The hook loop  30  is bent into a substantially stretched-out, U-shaped configuration, which is best shown in  FIG. 1 . The hook loop  30  comprises an arcuate center portion  32 . The center portion  32  is that portion of the hook loop  30  that is used to secure a strap, cord or other fastening line through the loop  30  such that the user can use the tie down  10 , typically in combination with a plurality of such tie downs  10 , to secure personal or other items to a surface  2 . At a point near each end  34  of the hook loop  30 , a portion of the outer edge  46  of the inner surface  42  of the disk-shaped lid  40  is attached to the hook loop  30  to form a combined lid  40  and hook loop  30  structure. It is also contemplated that the loop  30  and lid  40  could be configured as a single structure which is within the scope of this invention. In either construction or configuration, the combined lid  40  and hook loop  30  structure is able to be rotated as a unit about the two bushings  50 . Rotation of the hook  30  and the lid  40  combination is permitted only when the outer edge  46  of the lid  40  overcomes resistance created by the detent  56 , the detent  56  extending slightly inwardly of an imaginary cylinder formed by the circular aperture  28  of the cap  20 . See  FIGS. 3 ,  7  and  8 . The lid  40  has a diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the aperture  28  of the cap  20  such that the lid  40  “clears” the aperture  28  as it rotates. This minimal clearance, however, is intended to prevent debris from entering the cap  20  and lid  40  during use. The lid  40  further comprises an outer surface  44  which is intended to be aesthetically-pleasing when the hook loop  30  is stowed. Lastly, the tie down  10  can include a plug  100  to prevent debris from entering the tie down  10  from below the surface  2 . 
     In application, and once the tie down  10  is properly installed, the center portion  32  of the hook loop  30  is intended to be stowed such that it faces inwardly, as shown in  FIG. 2 , when the hidden tie down  10  is not in use. This forms a substantially flush surface of the tie down  10  with the surrounding structure that the tie down  10  is secured within. Further, the detents  56  are provided to keep the lid  40  “flush” when the loop  30  is stowed. 
     When the hidden tie down  10  is in use, it will be seen that the center portion  32  of the hook loop  30  faces outwardly, as shown in  FIG. 3 , and the outer surface  44  of the lid  40  faces inwardly of the collar  60 . As as shown in  FIG. 5 , it will be appreciated that the clearance between the center portion  32  of the hook loop  30  is minimal so as to allow the maximum size of loop  30  to be used within the hidden tie down  10 . The same is true of the disk-like circular lid  40  which has a clearance such that, when the hook loop  30  is disposed with the tie down  10  as is shown in  FIG. 3 , the outer surface  44  of the lid  40 , together with the cap  20 , appear as almost a solid structure which accomplishes the aesthetic intention sought by use of the tie down  10  of the present invention. 
     It is to be noted that most of the elements of the hidden tie down  10  of the present invention can be made of metal, engineered plastic metal substitute or other substantially rigid materials, with the exception of the bushings  50  which, of necessity, require some resilient “give” and plastic or nylon “memory” so as to allow for the passage of the cap edges  46  over the bushing detent  56 , one disposed to each side of the tie down  10 . That is, the detent  56  must be capable of some amount of deformation to allow the edge  46  to pass over it when such is desired or required. After passing over the deformation, however, the detent  56  must return to its original shape to prevent further unintended rotation of the hook loop  30  and disk-like lid  40  during use. As previously alluded to, the detent  56  could be configured as a metallic spring or other similarly-functioning structure. It is also within the scope of the present invention to have the outer dome portion  21  of the cap  20  match the outer surface  44  of the lid  40  such that the lid  40  and cap  20  appear as a single solid structure for aesthetics, as alluded to above. Such surfaces could be finished by anodizing, chrome plating, painting, overlay or such other surface finishing or covering method, all of which are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 , they show a second preferred and alternative embodiment of the hidden tie down, generally identified  110 , that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The tie down  110  generally comprises the same elements as that of its counterpart. Specifically, those include a cap  120 , a hook loop  130 , a lid  140 , a pair of bushings  150 , a collar  160  and a fastening nut  170 . These are, more or less, the significant elements of the structure  110 . In this preferred embodiment, a washer  180 , a gasket  190  and a plug  200  are also provided. In all other respects, the functionality and scope of this second preferred embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Noteworthy, however, is the fact that the cap  120  has an outer surface that is “flattened” and assumes the shape of a more “flush” structure, which is further intended to enhance aesthetics of the device.