Abstract:
The decorative upholstery tack provides a decorative or ornamental element installed upon or within the recessed head of the upholstery tack. The various decorative or ornamental elements serve to complement the finished appearance of an upholstered structure (e.g., chair, sofa, etc.) while simultaneously concealing the otherwise bare and unadorned head of the upholstery tack used to secure the upholstery to the underlying structure. The decorative or ornamental element may be permanently attached to the tack or removably and interchangeably attached to the tack, depending upon the specific mechanism and embodiment used.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to mechanical fasteners. More specifically, the present invention relates to a decorative upholstery tack having a decorative article (e.g., gemstone, etc.) installed in a recess in the head of the tack. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    There are many instances in which the head of a mechanical fastener (e.g., screw, nail, tack, etc.) remains exposed after installation in assembling the article in which it is used. Accordingly, various means have been developed in the past to either provide a less obtrusive fastener head, or a more decorative head. 
         [0005]    In the case of less obtrusive heads, an example is the finishing nail with its extremely small head. Finishing nails are conventionally provided with very small recesses or indentations in the tops of their heads for placement of the point of a punch or the like therein for driving the head of the nail slightly below the surface of the structure. The resulting indentation is then filled with some material, and the surface is finished to conceal the location of the nail. 
         [0006]    In the case of fasteners having larger and/or exposed heads, various means have been developed to provide a more attractive fastener head. One common means is to form the fastener from a bright metal capable of accepting or maintaining a high polish, e.g., stainless steel, brass, etc., with the head having a conventional configuration for driving into the structure during assembly. 
         [0007]    The present inventors are aware of the following foreign references, which apparently describe fasteners having decorative or concealed heads: 
         [0008]    German Patent No. 2,110,326, published on Sep. 16, 1971, illustrates an interconnected series of raised elements, each of which includes a fastener passage therethrough. Individual fasteners are driven through the passages to secure the elements to the underlying structure. Each fastener is provided with a cap having a convex exterior to conceal the fastener after installation. The interconnected elements may have integral, permanent interconnecting links, or may be formed with cooperating interconnecting attachment means. 
         [0009]    Japanese Patent No. 9-313,233, published on Dec. 9, 1997, describes (according to the drawings and English abstract) a method of necking down the diameter of the hollow stem of a rivet or the like. The processed rivet is apparently used in the assembly of purse handles to purses, and similar manufacturing processes. 
         [0010]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a decorative upholstery tack solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The decorative upholstery tack comprises various embodiments of a tack having a head with an upper recess for accepting a decorative ornament therein. The recessed head may be formed integrally with an opposite tack stem portion, or may be formed as a separate element and secured to the upper end of the tack stem. Numerous configurations are disclosed herein, including different external shapes of the completed assembly, different mechanisms and means of securing the decorative element to the tack head and/or upper end of the stem of the tack, different decorative elements, etc. 
         [0012]    These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a first embodiment of a decorative upholstery tack according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an environmental, perspective view of a second embodiment of a decorative upholstery tack according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an environmental, perspective view of a third embodiment of a decorative upholstery tack according to the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an environmental, perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a decorative upholstery tack according to the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a decorative upholstery tack, showing an ornament attached to the tack head adhesively. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a decorative upholstery tack, showing an ornament attached to the tack head by a threaded fitting. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an exploded elevation view in section of a decorative upholstery tack, showing ornament attached to the tack head by a snap fastener. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view in section of a decorative upholstery tack, showing a setting tool used for deforming the periphery of the ornament setting for attachment of the ornament directly to the setting in the tack head for crimping. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a decorative upholstery tack, showing an ornament attached to the tack head by a keyway and flange. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of a decorative upholstery tack, showing a recessed head ornament attachment wherein the head is separately attached to the remainder of the assembly. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    The present invention comprises a decorative upholstery tack illustrated by several examples in which the ornamental element may be permanently or removably affixed to the head of the tack, depending upon the specific configuration.  FIGS. 1 through 4  are examples of completed or assembled decorative upholstery tacks, illustrating some of the myriad configurations possible.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a decorative upholstery tack  10   a  having a top with a circular configuration having a faceted ornament  12   a  (e.g., a precious or semi-precious gemstone, etc.) secured atop the head of the tack.  FIG. 2  illustrates a decorative upholstery tack  10   b  having a top with a circular configuration having a semi-spherical decorative ornament  12   b  thereatop, e.g., a pearlescent button of natural or synthetic pearl, a wood or plastic button, or the like.  FIG. 3  is an illustration of a decorative upholstery tack  10   c  having a top with a square or rectangular configuration having a faceted ornament  12   c  set therein.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a decorative upholstery tack  10   d  having a top with a teardrop shape having a faceted ornament  12   d  set therein. 
         [0025]    Each of the tacks  10   a  through  10   d  includes an elongate tack stem  14   a  through  14   d,  respectively, having a sharpened end  16   a  through  16   d,  and an opposite head attachment end  18   a  through  18   d,  with a tack head  20   a  through  20   d  disposed upon the head attachment end of the tack stem and an ornamental setting  22   a  through  22   d  disposed upon the tack head. The various decorative upholstery tacks  10   a  through  10   d  of  FIGS. 1 through 4  are exemplary, with it being understood that myriad additional configurations having various decorative or ornamental elements, shapes, sizes, materials, etc. are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  provides an exploded perspective view of a decorative upholstery tack  10   e,  illustrating one means of attaching the decorative ornament  12   e  to the tack. The tack  10   e  includes an ornament setting  22   e  formed integrally with the tack head  20   e  as a single, common, unitary structure, the head  20   e  extending from the head attachment end  18   e  of the tack stem  14   e.  The head and setting  20   e,    22   e  have a closed base  24   e  which is devoid of any passages therethrough, with the base being surrounded by a periphery  26   e  defining an ornament receptacle  28   e  therein. The ornament receptacle  28   e  has an adhesive material  30   e  disposed therein (e.g., applied as a liquid or gel, double sided adhesive tape, etc.) for attachment of the ornament  12   e  to or within the head  20   e  and setting  22   e.  The raised periphery  26   e  may include some additional decorative embellishment, e.g., crenulations, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0027]    The decorative tack  10   e  is preferably supplied without the decorative ornament  12   e  installed therein, enabling the tack  10   e  to be driven by means of a suitable tool (e.g., dowel, etc.) without damage to the ornamental element. The adhesive material  30   e  is then applied within the ornament receptacle  28   e,  and the ornament  12   e  is permanently affixed within the receptacle by means of the adhesive  30   e.    
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a decorative upholstery tack  10   f  wherein the ornament setting is removably attached to the head by mating threaded elements. The lower portion of the decorative tack  10   f  is configured similar to the other embodiments of decorative upholstery tacks of the present invention, i.e., having a tack stem  14   f  with a sharpened end  16   f  and an opposite head or setting attachment end  18   f.  The tack head  20   f  and ornament setting  22   f  are separate components in the tack  10   f  of  FIG. 5 . The tack head  20   f  includes a central threaded blind hole or receptacle  32  therein, with the ornament setting  22   f  having a mating threaded post  34  depending centrally therefrom. This structure allows the setting  22   f  to be separated or removed from the head portion  20   f  to allow the tack stem  14   f  to be driven without damage to the setting and its ornament  12   f.  The ornament  12   f  is permanently and mechanically set into the setting  22   f,  e.g., by means of inwardly crimped fingers or prongs  36   f.  Alternatively, adhesive or a continuous peripheral bezel or other means may be used to secure the ornament  12   f  in its setting  22   f.  The completed ornament and ornament setting assembly may then be threaded onto the underlying head  20   f,  to complete the decorative upholstery tack  10   f.  This structure allows the ornament  12   f  and its setting  22   f  to be removed and interchanged for a different ornament and setting without removing the tack  14   f  from the structure with which it is used as a fastener, if such a change is ever desired. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is an exploded elevation view in section of another embodiment of the decorative upholstery tack, designated as decorative upholstery tack  10   g.  The tack  10   g  includes a tack stem  14   g  having a sharpened point  16   g  and opposite head attachment end  18   g,  with the tack head  20   g  extending therefrom and formed as a unitary, monolithic structure with the stem  14   g.  The head  20   g  includes female snap fastener fitting forming a setting attachment receptacle  38  therein, with the receptacle  38  having a relatively wide base and narrow neck. The setting  22   g  includes a male snap fastener or bulbed protrusion  40  extending therefrom, with the protrusion  40  fitting closely within the receptacle  38  of the tack head  20   g  when assembled therewith, in the manner of a snap fastener. The function is much the same as that of the decorative tack assembly  10   f  of  FIG. 6 , i.e., the setting  22   g  with its ornament  12   g  may be removed from the head  20   g  to allow the head and its stem  14   g  to be driven. The setting  22   g  and ornament  12   g  may then be snapped in place on the head  20   g,  with the snap attachment permitting interchangeability of the setting  22   g  and ornament  12   g.    
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view in section of still another embodiment of a decorative upholstery tack  10   h,  with a setting tool shown in section therewith. The decorative tack  10   h  includes the head and ornament setting portions  20   h  and  22   h  as a single, unitary component, rather than as separate components, as in some other embodiments. The head and ornament setting  20   h,    22   h  extend from the head attachment end  18   h  of the tack stem  14   h,  with the ornament  12   h  seated in the receptacle  28   h  of the combined head and ornament setting. The ornament  12   h  is mechanically secured within the setting by hammering or crimping the retaining prongs  36   h  over the edges of the ornament  12   h  using the setting tool  42 . The setting tool  42  includes a hard periphery  44  to crimp the ornament retaining prongs  36   h  over the edges of the ornament  12   h,  and a central cushion  46  to avoid damage to the ornament  12   h  should the central area of the setting tool  42  contact the ornament  12   h.  The ornament  12   h  is permanently attached or secured to the remainder of the tack assembly  10   h  in this embodiment, and cannot be readily removed therefrom. 
         [0031]      FIG. 9  illustrates an exploded perspective view of yet another embodiment  10   i  of the decorative upholstery tack, in which the tack head  20   i  includes a keyhole-shaped receptacle therein for accepting a mating fitting depending from the bottom of the ornament setting portion  22   i.  The head  20   i  is attached to the head attachment end  18   i  of the tack stem  14   i,  as in other embodiments. In this case, the head  20   i  has a relatively larger diameter, laterally offset receptacle portion  48 , with a slot  50  extending therefrom. The slot is relatively narrower at its top, i.e., at the surface of the head  20   i,  but is undercut in a conical form, widening to a diameter at its floor equal to that of the constant diameter of the laterally offset receptacle portion  48 . The ornament setting  22   i  includes a conical stud  52  depending therefrom, with its minor diameter forming the attachment to the underside of the ornament setting  22   i  and its major diameter spaced away from the underside of the ornament setting. The stud  52  of the ornament setting  22   i  is inserted into the larger diameter offset portion  48  of the receptacle, and slid toward the center of the head  20   i  into the narrower slot portion  50 . The wider inner portion of the slot is dimensioned to accept the major diameter of the conical protrusion  52  of the ornament setting  22   i,  while the narrower upper edge of the slot fits closely about the narrower neck of the stud  52  to prevent the ornament setting  22   i  from pulling directly out from the tack head  20   i.  A retaining leaf and spring assembly  54  may be installed within the receptacle to bear against the conical protrusion  52  of the ornament setting  22   i  when installed to hold the setting in place. 
         [0032]      FIG. 10  illustrates yet another embodiment of the decorative upholstery tack  10   j,  using an adhesive to secure the head and setting portions to one another. The tack  10   j  is configured generally like the other tacks of the present invention, i.e., having a tack stem  14   j  with a sharpened point  16   j  and opposite head attachment end  18   j,  with the head  20   j  mounted atop the attachment end of the tack stem  14   j.  The ornament setting  22   j  secures an ornament  12   j  therein, e.g., by means of setting prongs  36   j  or other suitable means as described herein. The tack stem  14   j  and head  20   j  are driven into the material for installation before the setting  22   j  and its ornament  12   j  are installed upon the head. The setting  22   j  is secured permanently to the head  20   j  by an adhesive material  30   j  (e.g., liquid or gel coating, double-sided tape, etc.) applied to the top of the head  20   j  and/or to the underside of the setting  22   j.  The head and setting are permanently bonded together by the adhesive  30   j,  when assembled. 
         [0033]    In conclusion, the various embodiments of the decorative upholstery tack permit secure attachment of the tack to the upholstery while providing a decorative head simulating a gemstone, which may be either permanently or removably and interchangeably attached to the tack head. 
         [0034]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.