Abstract:
A method and apparatus comprising providing a temporary or permanent connection of one or multiple sheets of material and providing an attachment point to hold these materials. A mating two part base and cap connected by a central tube connector that securely sandwiches sheet material between the two. The base may have additional passthrough holes for affixation to supports or ground. The connector may be threaded or frictionally attached and may optionally have thumb wings for easy turning. The connector may have one or more wings for easy manipulation. The connector may also be configured to receive various staking means including ones with eyelits or other attachment points and have pass throughs for stable engagement to other structures.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to fastening mechanisms and more particularly to an innovative apparatus for fastening and securing single and multiple sheets and a method for securing same. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Grommets are well known as a permanent connection point that is not typically applied in the field, and are not removable. Grommets also are usually small in size and require special preparation due to their size to be effective and often require special compression tools. Currently, to hold down sheet material it is tied, nailed, staked, sandbagged, or buried at its edges to secure it. The present invention is designed to provide a new and efficient way of securing permanently or termporarily the sheet material as described above. This connector apparatus also provides for a way of temporally or permanently connecting said materials and increasing the effectiveness of holding these materials by spreading the contact point over a larger area. Other methods of securing this sheet material described above are not as effective as this new technology, due to the limited effectiveness of their ability to securely hold the sheet material 
     The primary advantage of the invention is to provide a better way of attaching a fastener and holding sheets of material. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide a better way of making a strong connection to sheet material. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide a better way of making temporary and permanent connections to sheets of material using a fastener. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide a better way of making quick connections to sheet material. 
     A further advantage of the invention is to provide a better way of making focal point connections to sheet materials that spread the stress to a greater area. In a preferred embodiment, this may be provided by the contact being made at the center of the tubular connector and being spread to the outer most perimeter contact area through the convex base and the concaved cap, to the sheet material to maximize the effectiveness and strength of the grip on the sheet material. 
     Yet another advantage of the invention is to provide a way of using the attachment point to provide connection to and through that point. 
     Still yet another advantage of the invention is to provide a better way to remove and reuse the fastener. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an apparatus for fastening single and multiple sheets of plastic, fabric or sheet material having a domed base having a convex surface with an orifice defined within said surface and passing through said base for engagement of a tubular connector, a domed mating cap having a generally concave inner surface, where the tubular connector has an outer diameter of lesser diameter than said orifice and has two ends with one end matable to a reciprical receiving location in the base, and a second end of said tubular connector has a head portion of greater diameter than the orifice. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an apparatus for fastening single and multiple sheets of plastic, fabric or sheet material having a hollow base having a convex surface with an orifice defined within the surface and passing through the base for engagement of a tubular connector, a cap having a generally concave inner surface for generally mating to the convex surface of the base, the tubular connector having an outer diameter of lesser diameter than the orifice and having two ends with one end threadably engaged to the orifice, and the second end of the tubular connector having a nut fixedly attached on the end and of greater diameter than the orifice. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a method for fastening one or more sheets of material having the steps of placing a base having a convex upper surface on a support or ground, placing sheet material on top of the base, placing a cap having a concave inner surface on the sheet material substantially over the base, piercing the material and inserting a hollow connector through an orifice in the cap and engaging the connector with a mating receptacle in the base, wherein said material is positioned between the cap and the base in stable engagement, and to provide a means to apply pressure for the connection to the sheet material. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fastener assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  are exploded perspective views of two fastener types according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 2C and 2D  are perspective views of a fasterner type according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the fastener with installation tool according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are cross sectional view of two fastener systems with the sheet material prior to fastening according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are cross sectional views of two fastener types with the sheet material being pierced with the apparatus components set according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are cross sectional views of two fastener types secured with the installation tool removed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 6C and 6D  are perspective views of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are cross sectional views of two fastener types with securing devices in place according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of an alternative fastener and securing device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
     Turning first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of a fastener apparatus of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Base  25  is preferably placed under a desired sheet material, as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , upon which cap  24  will be attached to base  25 . As more fully described in connection with  FIG. 4 , base  25  and cap  24  are of a mating configuration where base  25  is preferably convex and cap  24  is concave. Contact edge  22  is a point of compression at cap  24  upon installation of connector tube  20 . Connector tube  20  may be configured in any of a variety of connecting modes including frictional, threaded, or other secure mating between fastener  20  and base  25 . In one embodiment, connector tube  20  works in conjunction with the base  25 , the tightening nut  21 , and the cap  24  to provide the compression at the contact edge  22 , to fasten the sheet material between base  25  and cap  24 . As more fully described below, connector tube  20  is configured to accept additional connectors or fasteners as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Turning next to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , there are shown exploded views of two alternative fasteners of a preferred embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2A  shows base  25  and receiving point  28  for mating engagement to injection point  44  of connector tube  20 . Base  25  has pass through holes  17  that comprise in one embodiment a threaded cylindrical tube that permits conventional fasteners such as screws to be used to secure base  25  to other structures or the ground. Connector tube  20  is frictionally engaged to mating connection point  28  in  FIG. 2A  with detents for engagement to injection point  44  that upon engagement result in a secure and tight connection between connector tube  20  and base  25 . Connector tube  20  may also have adjustable thread  41  that mates with thread  40  on nut  21  to provide a convenient means for turning connector tube  20  with a wrench. Primary contact point  32  is the peripheral circumferential portions of cap  24  and base  25  that are engaged to each other upon insertion of connector tube  20  and that provide a secure point of contact with sheet material disposed therebetween base  25  and cap  24 . 
       FIG. 2B , shows an alternate fastener base  26  which has adjustable contact thread  29 , that receives the thread  42  on the connector tube  22 . By engaging connector tube  22  with thread  42  to the inside of cap  26  void having contact thread  29 , a secure engagement can be made between cap  24  and base  26 . 
       FIGS. 2C and 2D  show a partically cutaway perspective view of connector tube assembly  23  that mates with mating connection point  28  by insertion through cap  24  into base  25  as shown in completed connection in  FIG. 2D . Passthrough holes  17  extend substantially the depth of base  25  for insertion of screws or other fasteners to secure base  25  to an underlying support, structure or ground. Connector tube assembly  23  provides a hollow tube through which other connectors may be attached as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  and described more fully in connection therewith. By pressure insertion of connector tube assembly  23  into base  25  at connection point  28  which comprise a series of circumferential rings, connector tube assembly  23  is securely affixed to base  25 . 
       FIG. 3  shows connector tubes  20  or  22  attached to installation tool  27  through a variety of conventional means including a hexagonal nut mating configuration, and aligned with base  25  or base  26  to insert connector tube  20  or  22  through the void in base  25  or base  26  to fasten the base to cap  24 . As more fully shown below, a sheet material is positioned between base  25  or base  26  and cap  24  before insertion of connector tube  20  or  22  for stable engagement to the sheet material. Installation tool  27  preferably has a handle  37  and sharp point  39  for piercing the desired sheet material to which the base and cap are attached. 
       FIG. 4A  shows a side cross sectional view of sheet material  30  placed over base apparatus  25  prior to the installation of connector tube  20 . Base  25  may be in a preferred embodiment secured to a support or other base before placement of sheet material  30 . Connector tube  20  has been mounted on installation tool  27  for insertion through cap  24  and through sheet material  30  into base  25  for engagement to mating connection point  28  as previously described. As tool  27  pierces sheet material  30  it applies pressure to connector tube  20  to engage mating connection point  28 . In the method of the invention, base  25  is placed in the desired location under sheet material  30 . Cap  24  is attached to base  25  and secures the base and cap to sheet material  30 . This permits later use of various staking means as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 4B  shows a side cross sectional view of sheet material  30  placed over base apparatus  26  prior to the installation of connector tube  22 . Connector tube  22  has been mounted on installation tool  27  for insertion through cap  24  and through sheet material  30  into base  26  for engagement to contact thread  29  as previously described. As tool  27  pierces sheet material permits turning of connector tube  22  to engage contact thread  29  in a conventional manner so as to screw connector tube  22  into base  26  at contact thread  29 . In the method of the invention, base  26  is placed in the desired location under sheet material  30 . Cap  24  is attached to base  26  and secures the base and cap to sheet material  30 . This permits later use of various staking means as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  show cross sectional views of two alternative systems according to preferred embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 5A  shows a fully assembled base and cap using a frictional engagement as shown in  FIG. 4A  where the connector tube engages detent  34 . Cap  24  makes contact along the mating convex surface of base  25  and in a preferred embodiment makes contact about the circumferential line  32  where the edge of cap  24  is pressed onto the top of base  25 . Cap  24  is somewhat larger in its radius of curvature than the convex surface of base  25  allowing for flexing of cap  24  when fully pushed down onto base  25 . The allows for stable engagement of the cap to the base at the circumferential line  32  for a tighter connection. In certain embodiments, cap  24  may be engages across the entirety of its concave surface with the convex surface of base  25  but may also be principally engaged along circumferential line  32  with a small gap  31  between cap  24  and base  25  inside the circumferential line  32 .  FIG. 5B  shows a similar engagement as shown in  FIG. 5A  but with a threaded connector at threaded contact  33 . Cap  24  is attached to base  26  using installation tool  27  as described above. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  show the completed installation with the sheet material  30  securely fastened and the installation tool removed. Connector tube  21  is frictionally attached at detent  28  to provide stable engagement. Affixed to connector tube  21  is nut  20  to permit further manipulation of the connector tube or its removal. Once attached, cap  24  permits delivery through annulus  23  and  23   40  of other tools such as stakes, posts or alternatively ropes or other tubing. As can be fully appreciated, base  25  and base  26  provide stable support on the base surface over which the sheet material is covering. This may be the ground, or in alternative embodiments other support structures, including decks, concrete, roofs, or virtually any surface that supports the weight of the material and force applied at the point of the base.  FIG. 6B  shows an alternative connector tube with wings  15  to permit easy grasping of the conector tube for insertion or removal. 
       FIGS. 6C and 6D  show a partially cutaway perspective view of a threaded version of the connector tube through the cap into the base. Connector tube assembly  123  is shown with wings  15  for easy grasping and manipulation of assembly  123 . Wings  15  may be of any variety of configurations including having multiple wings, Curved wings, and vertically oriented wings for grasping. Any of a variety of threading conventions may be used or alternatively frictionally attached as described above when attaching assembly  123  to base  26 . In an alternative embodiment, the attachment may utilize ball bearing spring loaded detents (not shown) that would engage the internal circumference a portion of the base and thereby provide stable engagement. In other embodiments, the attachment point may be removable through spring loaded engagement mechanisms well known in the art. 
       FIG. 7A  shows an added optional stake  35  using the tubular connector  223  that provides an additional connection point for other devices, including poles affixed to stake  35 .  FIG. 7B  shows an alternative eyelit stake passing through connector  223  for insertion into the ground or other support surface. The eyelit permits attachment of ropes and other convention tying mechanisms well known in the art. 
       FIG. 8  shows tie cap  73  as an alternative securing means. Tie cap  73  is integrally engaged to T cap  79  having an extended longitudinal member  77  with detents to engage a threaded portion of base  26  as shown in  FIG. 6C . Tie cap  73  has an outside diamter of lesser dimension that the inside diameter of connector tube assembly  75  with wings  81 . Connector tube assembly  75  is threaded into the base as previously described with the use of wings  81  to more easily turn connector tube assembly  75  into the threads. After insertion of connector tube assembly  75 , the user may insert tie cap  73  by pushing it into the central bore of connector tube assembly  75  and engaging detents  77  at the bottom of the threaded portion of the base. Tie cap  73  is configured for easy attachment of ropes or other tying mechanism. If desired tie back  73  may be removably engaged to T cap  79  for easy insertion and removal. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the issued claims.