Abstract:
Fastener apparatus including a self-adjusting and automatically self-leveling head separate from a threaded shank portion. An embodiment self-leveling head portion defines an annular conical recess and lip portion sized to receive a seal. A threaded shank resides within an annular cup center of the self-leveling head and has a thread-free portion seated by the compressed seal creating a water tight seal. Embodiments for sheet metal screw and bolt fasteners not requiring seals are disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional patent application is a divisional patent application, and claims the benefit, of U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/138,677, filed Jun. 13, 2008 now abandoned (the &#39;677 application). The &#39;677 application was a continuation-in-part of U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/732,865, filed Apr. 4, 2007 (the &#39;865 application), which issued Dec. 14, 2010, as U.S. Pat. No. 7,850,410 B1. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     None. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICRO-FICHE APPENDIX 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to construction hardware, and more particularly to an improved fastener apparatus for metal roofing and steel building construction. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Fasteners for use in roofing and steel building construction presently include the ring shank, self-sealing nail and the self-sealing hex head. Manufacturers of these fasteners recommend replacement of the installed fasteners every five years. This recommended replacement schedule is necessitated by damage to the exposed rubber seals used for these fasteners by ultraviolet rays. Additionally, the gravitational shearing forces of ice and snow on roofing surfaces employing the hex head builds up against the hex head vertical walls, loosening the fasteners and causing damage to the fasteners and their seals. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,262 discloses and claims a weatherproof fastener comprising a shank and head, wherein the head further comprises a recessed lower surface. A gasket is positioned in the recess and, as the fastener is employed to join two elements, the gasket is compressed to entirely fill the recess to preventingress of undesirable materials. The U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,262 fails to address or protect situations where the fastener is applied at any off angle other than ninety degrees, since the solid connection between the shank and the head create a solid “T” shape. When the fastener of the 6,764,262 patent is applied at an off angle, one head side contacts the workpiece while the opposing head side rises up creating a gap between the workpiece and the head outer rim. This gap provides ingress of undesirable materials to the head underside, and eventual fastener failure. 
     The foregoing patent and/or products reflect the current state of the art. Reference to, and discussion of, these patent and/or products is intended to aid in discharging Applicants&#39; duty of candor in disclosing information relevant to the examination of claims of this application. It is respectfully submitted, however, that none of the above-indicated patent and/or products disclose, teach or suggest, motivate, show or otherwise render obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, the novel invention disclosed and claim in this application. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved fastener apparatus for use in roofing and steel building construction. The inventive fastener provides a self-adjusting and automatically self-leveling head which is separate from the threaded shank portion. This self-leveling head provides a frusta-hemispherical head, a curved outer surface, a base, a peripheral edge, and a rounded annular cup center. The rounded annular cup center is wider and having near vertical sides at the uppermost portion, and curves and narrows towards a nearly horizontal surface at the lower portion. The cup center is sized and designed to receive a separate threaded shank inserted through the separate head. 
     The threaded shank has threads leading to a threadless tip at one end and a rounded ball shank at the other end, and a flat top surface bearing a tool fitting. 
     The combined annular cup head and rounded ball shank create a free moving ball joint which allows the free moving head to self level under compression of installation regardless of the angle of installation of the threaded shank. The head has a downwardly-appending lip which extends from the head peripheral edge, thus defining an annular recess in the base. The annular recess comprises a flat upper surface which transitions to a vertically downwardly-appending lip. The vertically downwardly-appending lip transitions into an annular wall at approximately 100- to 110-degrees to the horizontal, and ends in a curved lowermost bottom of the annular lip. The bottom of the lip is substantially flat and transfers into an upwardly-appending peripheral edge sloping outwardly at approximately 110 degrees from the horizontal, and then transfers into the frusto-hemispherical head. The recesses and downwardly appending lip are sized to receive a sealing gasket which seats around the threadless top of the shank to create a water tight seal. 
     The self-leveling head prevents the fastener head perimeter and downwardly-appending lip from scratching a painted workpiece during installation. The sealing gasket contacts the workpiece as it is being fastened and begins to compress and provide resistance. In this manner, the remaining uncompressed portion of the gasket seal contacts the workpiece and adjusts the free-moving head to a level position before final compression of the gasket seal occurs, resulting in a final fastener head position that is flush with the workpiece, yet level to the horizontal plane. 
     A second thin sealing gasket is also inserted between the rounded ball head of the shank and the rounded cup of the free-moving head recess. This second seal gasket provides a barrier between the ball and cup to prevent rusting or electrolysis and to stop any ingress of water into the recess. 
     The separate heads of the fastener combine to provide one low profile head to reduce friction between the fastener and unloading snow and ice which can shear the fastener head and tear the entire fastener from an installed position. 
     The lip has six specific features. First, on the lip inside surface, the top twenty percent of the annular recess is vertical in order to catch the top surface of the seal gasket and prevent it from expanding horizontally, thus increasing resistance between the seal gasket and the workpiece to self-level the fastener head. Second, seventy percent of the annular recess wall transitions into a 110 degree sloping wall which widens as it nears the lip bottom, thus allowing the seal gasket to slowly expand and fill the recess. Third, the final ten percent of the annular recess is rounded so that the seal gasket escaping the recess and extending under the lip is not pinched or cut by the inside surface of the recess wall. The bottom-most lip surface is substantially flat and wide to accommodate a portion of the seal gasket and to create a scratch barrier between the lip and the workpiece being fastened. The bottom-most lip surface transitions into a rounded portion which removes any sharp edges that might scratch the workpiece being fastened. The outer peripheral edge slopes up towards the main body of the fastener head at a 110 degree angle. This section creates a horizontal V-shaped cavity which accommodates the excess seal gasket that escapes from the recess to be protected from unloading snow and ice as it resides within the horizontal V-shape created between the workpiece and the peripheral edge at a 110 degree angle of the edge. As such, the recessed lip works in unison with the seal gasket, the workpiece, and the free moving head of the fastener to self-level the head portion regardless of the angle the threaded shank is installed. 
     As the fastener is installed, the seal gasket within the annular recess first makes contact with the workpiece and is sandwiched between the free moving head and the workpiece being fastened. The seal gasket is slightly compressed and begins to expand outwardly in a horizontal plane. The short top twenty percent vertical wall of the lip is sized to stop the outward expansion of the seal gasket as the seal contacts the vertical recess wall. The seal gasket contact with the vertical wall also creates immediate and increased resistance from the seal which causes the free moving head to self-level. Once the free moving head has self-leveled, the lowermost portion of the seal gasket is allowed to gradually expand along the angled 110 degree mid portion and fill the remaining recess. The extreme bottommost portion of the inner recess wall is rounded and will not damage the seal gasket as it expands at an acceptable rate for the composition of the seal, eventually escaping from the recess and providing a scratch barrier between the fastener head lip and the workpiece being fastened. The substantially flat and wide bottom surface of the lip is designed to accommodate the escaping seal and further aid in the self-leveling of the free moving head and provide a scratch barrier between the lip and the workpiece. The final portion of the downwardly-appending lip is the peripheral edge designed at a 110 degree outward angle to accommodate a small amount of seal gasket which may completely escape from the recess and even beyond the lip portion of the recess to stop the ingress of undesirable materials and water. 
     The separation of the threaded shank portion with a rounded ball head and the head portion with rounded cup combine and create a ball joint which allows the threaded shank portion to spin during installation while the free moving head portion is held by the installer without the head portion spinning in the installer&#39;s fingers. Further, as the head and seal gasket make contact with the workpiece being fastened, the seal gasket contained inside the recess is not subjected to extreme twisting and binding which would damage the seal gasket during installation. 
     It is, therefore, an object of the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head to provide an improved fastener that can withstand the elements. 
     It is another object of the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head to provide a new and improved fastener that protects the seal from extreme forces under the installation process including, without limitation, twisting, binding, rolling and heat generated by friction caused during the final seating of installation. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to decrease the time required to replace failed concrete surfaces over the art. 
     It is still yet another object of the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head to provide a new and improved fastener in which the head self-levels and provides a tighter seal in order to stop ingress of undesirable materials under the head not provided by existing solid head-to-shank fasteners. 
     A further object of the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head to provide a new and improved fastener which will protect the workpiece surface from scratching during installation due to the self-leveling aspect of the separated head and shank. 
     Yet another object of the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head to provide a new and improved fastener which inhibits rust and electrolysis between the fastener head and the workpiece. 
     Other novel features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration and description only, and are not intended as definitions of the limits of the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head. The various features of novelty which characterize the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The fastener apparatus with self-leveling head resides not in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all its structures for the specified functions. 
     There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of a fastener apparatus with self-leveling head in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of a fastener apparatus with self-leveling head. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head. 
     Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward” would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The fastener apparatus with self-leveling head will be better understood and objects other than those set fourth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings. 
         FIG. 1A  is a side elevation view of a fastener apparatus with self-leveling head fully assembled  100  installed to fasten a workpiece  19  to a substrate  20 . 
         FIG. 1B  is a side elevation view of a fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  100  having a threaded shank portion installed at an off angle of approximately 20 degrees from vertical, wherein the free moving head has self-leveled automatically and equal pressure has been applied to the seal gasket  7 . 
         FIG. 2A  is an exploded side elevation view of the components of a fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  100 . 
         FIG. 2B  is a side elevation view of an assembled fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  100  having a threaded shank portion installed at an off angle of approximately ten degrees from vertical. 
         FIG. 2C  is a side elevation view of an assembled fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  100  having a threaded shank portion installed vertically. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a fastener apparatus with self-leveling head. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional side view of an assembled fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  100 . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged side elevation view an assembled fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  100  depicting the features of the downwardly-appending lip and annular recessed wall. 
         FIG. 6A  is a side elevation view of existing solid connecting head and shank installed vertically in a workpiece. 
         FIG. 6B  is a side elevation view of existing solid connecting head and shank installed at an off angle of 15 degrees from vertical in a workpiece. 
         FIG. 6C  is a side elevation view of existing solid connecting head and shank installed at an off angle of 25 degrees from vertical in a workpiece. 
         FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional side view of an assembled fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  100  prior to the seal gasket making contact with the workpiece. 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional side view of an assembled fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  100  as the seal gasket begins to compress and the recess vertical wall  12  causes the gasket to secure itself around the un-threaded top portion  8  of the shank. 
         FIG. 7C  is a cross-sectional side view of an assembled fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  100  depicting the seal gasket in a final, installed position. 
         FIG. 8A  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head fully assembled  200 . 
         FIG. 8B  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head fully assembled  200  of  FIG. 8A  installed to fasten a workpiece  298  to a substrate  299 . 
         FIG. 9A  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head fully assembled  300 . 
         FIG. 9B  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head fully assembled  300  of  FIG. 9A  installed to fasten a workpiece  398  to a substrate  399 . 
         FIG. 10A  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head fully assembled  400 . 
         FIG. 10B  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head fully assembled  400  of  FIG. 10A  installed to fasten a workpiece  498  to a substrate  499 . 
         FIG. 11A  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head fully assembled  500 . 
         FIG. 11B  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head fully assembled  500  of  FIG. 11A  installed to fasten a workpiece a substrate. 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head fully assembled  600 . 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head fully assembled  700 . 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head fully assembled  800 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-7C , wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in various views, there is a new and improved fastener apparatus, generally denominated  100  herein. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  provide side elevation views of the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  100  installed.  FIGS. 2A-2C  include three cross-sectional elevation views detailing individual components making up the completed fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  100 : exploded view unassembled,  FIG. 2A ; assembled and vertically installed,  FIG. 2C ; and assembled and installed showing the free-moving, threaded hank at an off angle,  FIG. 2B .  FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the fastener head.  FIG. 4  is a side, cross-sectional view detailing the elements of the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head, and which is the preferred embodiment of the invention for fastener apparatus with self-leveling head.  FIG. 5  is a side elevation view in a cross-section and is a close-up of the individual features that create the recessed inner wall and self-leveling elements of the preferred embodiment of the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head.  FIGS. 6A-6C  are side elevation views and depict an existing one piece fastener with solid head and shank connection.  FIGS. 7A-7C  depict the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head being installed and further depict how the recessed wall works in unison with the seal gasket to properly seat under compression. 
     The fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  100  includes four principal elements: 1) the threaded shank  50 ; 2) the free moving head  75 ; 3) a first, upper seal  6 ; and 4) a second, lower recess seal gasket  7 . These elements combine together and create a fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  100 . 
     The threaded shank  50  is inserted through the upper seal  6 , and then through the free moving head  75 . The threaded shank finally passes through the second, lower recess seal gasket  7 ,  FIGS. 1A-2C ,  4 , and  7 A- 7 C. 
     The fastener threaded shank  50  includes a frusto-hemispherical head  1 , having a flat top surface  2 , bearing a tool fitting, a curved ball bottom  3 , a threaded mid-portion  9 , and smooth threadless top portion  8  between the threaded mid-portion  9  and curved ball bottom  3  of the frusto-hemispherical head  1 ,  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The shank portion  50  is connected to the base  80 , and the shank  50  further includes the threaded shank mid-portion  9  and shank tip  90 . 
     Further, the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  100  includes a free moving head  75 ,  FIGS. 2A ,  3  and  4 . The free moving head  75  comprises a frusto-hemispherical head  5 , a hollow center formed in a rounded cup shape  4 , a flat base  17 , and a peripheral edge  16 . A downwardly-appending lip  30  extends from the peripheral edge  16  and defines an annular recess  40  in the base  17 ,  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The annular recess  40  has a flat upper surface created by two pieces defined as threaded mid-shank  50  and the free moving head  75 , more particularly identified as  17  and  18 , respectively,  FIG. 5 . The lip  30  has a 110 degree angled outer edge  10 , a curved lower edge  15 , a substantially wide and flat bottom  11 , and an inner edge; ten percent of which is curved at the bottom  14 ; seventy percent of which is a 110 degree angled mid-section; and twenty percent of which is a vertical upper section  12 , terminating in the annular recess flat upper surface  17 ,  FIG. 5 . 
     The threaded shank  50  and the free moving head  75  combine to create a ball joint to allow the fastener to self-level the head regardless of the angle the shank  50  is installed off vertical,  FIGS. 3-6 . The ball  3  on the head  80  bottom of the shank  50  combines with the cup  4  of the free-moving head  75  and provides a durable head that rotates to any position up to 30-degrees off vertical. This rotational freedom allows the free-moving head  75  to self-level under the compression of installation. The free-moving head  75  also aids the installer to maintain the free-moving head tightly in their fingers without the friction burn from the head spinning while the threaded shank  50  sins inside of the free-moving head  75 . Since the free-moving head  75  does not spin, the seal gasket  7  within the annular recess  40  does not spin or bind and the seal gasket  7  is not damaged during installation. 
     A thin seal  6  is installed between the ball  3  on the head  80  bottom of the shank  50  and the cup  4  of the free-moving head  75  to stop the ingress of water into the ball joint,  FIGS. 3-6 . In this fashion, rusting and electrolysis of the assembled and installed fastener are prevented, as is the ingress of water into the annular recess  40  through the ball  3  and cup  4 . The preferred embodiment of the seal  6  is made from nylon or rubber. 
     The head  80  of the threaded shank is rounded or convex  1 ,  FIG. 4 . The free-moving head  75  external top surface is also convex and low profile to reduce friction between unloading snow and ice and the fastener head to reduce head shear. 
     The annular recess  40  is designed to accommodate a seal gasket  7  that, when in an uncompressed state, files the recess from the threaded shank  9  to the vertical wall  12  of the annular recess  40  downwardly-appending lip  30 . Under compression, the vertical wall  12  stops the top portion of the seal gasket  7  from expanding laterally from center and causes the seal gasket to compress and close towards the center and seat around the un-threaded top length  8  of the shank  50 . The preferred embodiment of the seal gasket  7  is rubber. 
     The annular mid portion of the recessed wall  13  is at an angle of 110 degrees from the vertical wall, and allows the lower portion of the seal gasket  7  to compress and transition from the inward motion towards the top of the seal to a gradual outward motion along the annular mid portion of the recessed wall  13  of the downwardly-appending lip  30 ,  FIGS. 4 and 5 . This design compresses the seal gasket  7  around the smooth upper shank surface  8  to preventingress of water through the ball  3  on the head  80  bottom of the shank  50  and the cup  4  of the free-moving head  75  into the annular recess  40 . 
     The lowermost inner edge  14  of the downwardly-appending lip  30  is rounded so the free moving-head  75  has no sharp edges and does not cut or pinch the seal gasket  7  during installation,  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  7 A- 7 C. 
     The bottom portion  11  of the downwardly-appending lip  30  is substantially flat and wide to allow a portion of the seal gasket  7  to entirely escape the annular recess  40  and move outwardly under the free moving-head  75  to provide a scratch barrier between the lip  30  and the workpiece being fastened,  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  4 ,  5  and  7 A- 7 C. 
     The outer edge  15  of the downwardly-appending lip  30  is rounded to allow a portion of the seal gasket  7  to entirely escape the free moving-head  75  without being cut or pinched,  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  7 A- 7 C. 
     The outer edge  10  of the downwardly-appending lip  30  is angled outwards at an angle of 110 degrees from the outer edge  15  up to the peripheral edge  16 , and is designed to create a “V” shape  95  laterally to protect the exposed seal gasket  7  from damage due to unloading snow and ice forces pushing the seal over the free-moving head peripheral edge  16  and therein tearing it apart from the installed fastener,  FIGS. 1A and 5 . The “V” shape  95  is created by the edge of the free-moving head  10  and the horizontal surface of the workpiece  19 . 
     An embodiment of an embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  200  is provided to shape a conical recess area  240 , under the conical recess  206 , to squeeze the rubber seal  207  inward towards the center of the threaded shank portion  250  to seal tightly around the ball head bottom  218  and the threadless zone on the shank  208 ,  FIGS. 8A and 8B . This conical recess area  240  and the conical recess  206  protect the seal element  207  from ultra-violet rays and debris. The embodiment  200  has a preformed, flat top  201  of the head  280  of the threaded shank portion  250  to allow the tool fitting  202  to be punched, FIG.  8 A, reducing tooling costs. A cup portion  204  accepts the ball head  203  and allows for the self-adjusting feature. Compression forces of the seal  207  and leverage from the peripheral edge  265  of the washer portion  205  act to keep the ball head  203  level. The top surface of the washer portion  205  is frusto-hemispherical in shape. When engaged to secure a workpiece  298  to a substrate  299 , the rubber seal  260  stops expanding at the outer peripheral edge  265  of the washer portion  205 ,  FIG. 8B . The outer peripheral edge  265  of the washer portion  205  is rounded to stop the rubber seal  207  from scratching the workpiece  298 ,  FIG. 8B . The top seal element  6  of the embodiment of self-leveling apparatus  100  depicted in  FIGS. 2A-5  is optional for the embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  200  depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . 
     An embodiment of an embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  300  is provided to shape a modified conical recess area  340  to squeeze the rubber seal  360  inward towards the center of the threaded shank portion  350  to seal tightly around the ball head  303  bottom portion  380 ,  FIGS. 9A and 9B . The embodiment  300  has a preformed, flat top  301  of the ball head  303  of the threaded shank portion  350  to allow the tool fitting  302  to be punched,  FIG. 9B , reducing tooling costs. The flat top  301  of the ball head  303  does not enter the cup portion  304  when the fastener is applied at an angle of up to 35 degrees in any direction from the vertical centerline,  FIG. 9B . A cup portion  304  of the conical washer portion  375  accepts the ball head  303  and allows for the self-adjusting feature. The conical washer portion  375  must be thick enough so the cup portion  304  is strong enough to accept the ball head  303  and remain durable enough to prevent the ball head  303  to pull through the cup portion  304  under the pressure of installation. The ball head  303  is enlarged so the bottom of the ball head  380  makes first contact with the workpiece  398  and tightens the conical washer portion  375  and seal  360  against the workpiece  398 . The top surfaces  305  of the washer portion  375  are substantially flat and orthogonal to a central vertical axis  351  through the assembled fastener,  FIG. 9B . When engaged to secure a workpiece  398  to a substrate  399 , the rubber seal  360  stops expanding at the outer peripheral edge  365  of the washer portion  375 ,  FIG. 9B . The outer peripheral edge  365  of the washer portion  375  is rounded to stop the rubber seal  360  from scratching the workpiece  398 ,  FIG. 9B . The top seal element  6  of the embodiment of self-leveling apparatus  100  depicted in  FIGS. 2A-5  is optional for the embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  300  depicted in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . 
     An embodiment of an embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  400  is provided to shape a conical recess  440  to squeeze the rubber seal  407  inward towards the center of the threaded shank portion  450  to seal tightly around the ball head  403  and ball head bottom  480  at the head of the threaded shank portion  450 ,  FIGS. 10A and 10B . The embodiment  400  has a preformed, flat top  401  of the ball head  403  to allow the tool fitting  402  to be punched,  FIG. 10B , reducing tooling costs. The flat top  401  of the ball head  403  does not enter the cup portion  404  when the fastener is applied at an angle up to 35 degrees in any direction from the vertical centerline,  FIG. 10A . A cup portion  404  of the conical washer portion  475  accepts the ball head  403  and allows for the self-adjusting feature. The conical washer portion  475  must be thick enough so the cup portion  404  is strong enough to accept the ball head  403  and remain durable enough to prevent the ball head  403  to pull through the cup portion  404  under the pressure of installation. The ball head  403  is enlarged so the bottom of the ball head  480  makes first contact with the workpiece  498  and tightens the conical washer portion  475  and seal  407  against the workpiece  498 . The top surface  405  and bottom surface  411  of the washer portion  475  are parallel one to the other. The parallel arrangement of the top surface  405  and bottom surface  411  of the washer portion  475  are at an acute angle to a central vertical axis  451  through the assembled fastener,  FIG. 10A . When engaged to secure a workpiece  498  to a substrate  499 , the rubber seal  460   407  stops expanding at the outer peripheral edge  465  of the conical washer portion  475 ,  FIG. 10B . The outer peripheral edge  465  of the washer portion  475  is rounded and together with the compressed portion  460  of the rubber seal  407  the washer portion  475  is prevented from scratching the workpiece  498 ,  FIG. 10B . The top seal element  6  of the embodiment of self-leveling apparatus  100  depicted in  FIGS. 2A-5  is optional for the embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  400  depicted in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . 
     An embodiment of the conical washer fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  500 ,  FIGS. 11A and 11B , has a raised hexagonal head tool fitting  502 . The raised hexagonal head tool fitting  502  does not enter the cup portion when the fastener is applied at an angle,  FIG. 11A . Other than the raised hexagonal head tool fitting  502 , the embodiment of the conical washer fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  500  has the same features of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  400 ,  FIGS. 10A and 11B . The top seal element  6  of the embodiment of self-leveling apparatus  100  depicted in  FIGS. 2A-5  is optional for the embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  500  depicted in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . 
     An embodiment of the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  600 ,  FIG. 12 , has a flat bottom  640  with no recess, so any seal must be bonded to the flat bottom  640 . A conical gap  696  is provided to allow the threaded shank to rotate and self-level the screw head. Other than the flat bottom  640  with no recess raised hexagonal head tool fitting  502  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  600  has the same features of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  200 ,  FIGS. 8A-8B . The top seal element  6  of the embodiment of self-leveling apparatus  100  depicted in  FIGS. 2A-5  is optional for the embodiment of fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  600  depicted in  FIG. 12 . 
     An embodiment of sheet metal screw fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  700  is provided,  FIG. 13 . The sheet metal screw embodiment  700  has a preformed, flat top  701  of the ball head  703  to allow the tool fitting  702  to be punched, reducing tooling costs. A cup portion  704  of the outer washer portion  775  accepts the ball head  703  and allows for the self-adjusting feature. The outer washer portion  775  must be thick enough so the cup portion  704  is strong enough to accept the ball head  703  and remain durable enough to prevent the ball head  703  to pull through the cup portion  704  under the pressure of installation. The cup portion of the outer washer  775  is cupped at the bottom, but tapered at the top. The top taper allows the threaded shank portion to be at an angle and still provide sufficient access to the tool fitting  702 . A conical gap  796  is provided to allow the threaded shank to rotate and self-level the screw head. 
     An embodiment of bolt fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  800  is provided,  FIG. 14 . The bolt embodiment  800  has a preformed, flat top  801  of the ball head  803  to allow the tool fitting  802  to be punched, reducing tooling costs. in this manner, a corresponding tool to fit countersunk fitting can be used instead of a wrench. Alternately, a raised hexagonal head tool fitting  502  of the self-leveling head embodiment  500 ,  FIGS. 11A and 11B , can be employed for the bolt fastener apparatus with self-leveling head  800 . A cup portion  804  of the outer washer portion  875  accepts the ball head  803  and allows for the self-adjusting feature. The outer washer portion  875  must be thick enough so the cup portion  804  is strong enough to accept the ball head  803  and remain durable enough to prevent the ball head  803  to pull through the cup portion  804  under the pressure of installation. The cup portion of the outer washer  875  is cupped at the bottom, but tapered at the top. The top taper allows the threaded shank portion to be at an angle and still provide sufficient access to the tool fitting  802 . A conical gap  896  is provided to allow the threaded shank to rotate and self-level the screw head. 
     The disclosure provided herein is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head, and provides the best mode of practicing the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head presently contemplated by the inventors. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiment of the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation disclosed, shown, and/or described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features, and the like. 
     Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the fastener apparatus with self-leveling head, which is defined by the appended claims.