Patent Publication Number: US-10781845-B2

Title: Roof cover fastener

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 15/396,744, filed on Jan. 2, 2017, entitled “ROOF COVER FASTENER”, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/274,497, filed on Jan. 4, 2016, entitled “ROOF COVER FASTENER”, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This patent specification relates to the field of fasteners. More specifically, this patent specification relates to fasteners for lightweight insulating concrete and other nail-able roof deck materials. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Lightweight insulating concrete is a type of cast in place roof deck used in low slope roof designs. Many types of roofing materials used to waterproof, insulate, and/or re-cover these roof deck installations require fastener attachment for adequate wind uplift resistance. Currently, the most common type of fasteners used to attach roofing to these deck types are impact installed. Impact fasteners however provide relatively low, per part, withdrawal resistance values from the parent roof deck and demonstrate a wide range of withdrawal resistance variability. Accordingly, very dense fastening patterns are required to achieve proper attachment for wind uplift resistance of the roof cover. Auger screw type fasteners are also an available option but have found minimal commercial success in these applications as they often require pre-drilling for proper installation. Auger screw fasteners that claim not to require pre-drilling are awkward and cumbersome to install. They also utilize a single, relatively large diameter auger resulting in a limited value of withdrawal resistance. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a fastener that attaches roof materials to lightweight insulating concrete and other nail-able roof deck materials; that provides substantial and uniformed withdrawal resistance; that can be installed without impact; can be properly installed without the requirement of pre-drilling the parent deck and can be installed using multiple auger embeds through a single fastener stress plate. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A roof cover fastener which attaches roof materials to roof deck materials, such as lightweight insulating concrete and other nail-able roof deck materials, is provided. The roof cover fastener may be used for a plurality of roofing and construction purposes including to secure layers of roofing, insulation, or recovery board to the parent deck which would not by themselves provide a water proof layer of construction. The roof cover fastener may be installed without impact and does not require pre-drilling of the roof materials for proper attachment making them a less labor intensive and a more favorable option. In some embodiments, a roof cover fastener may include a cover plate having a planar body with a perimeter. A central aperture may be disposed centrally in the body. A first annular rib may be formed into the body and may encircle the central aperture. A second annular rib may be formed into the body and may encircle the first annular rib. A first channel may separate the first annular rib from the second annular rib, and the first annular rib and second annular rib may extend above the first channel. One or more medial apertures may be disposed in the channel between the first annular rib and the second annular rib. 
     In some embodiments, the fastener may also include one or more auger elements. Each auger element may have a thread root and thread crest with a first end and a second end. A head may be coupled to the first end of the auger element, and a tip may be coupled to the second end of the auger element. A thread crest may extend, fully or partially, from the second end towards the first end. 
     In some embodiments, a roof cover fastener may include two or more, such as a plurality, of auger elements installed through the cover plate for enhanced attachment of roof materials to roof deck materials, thereby lessening the overall number of cover plates required for a particular fastening pattern, while providing an assembled per part, maximum withdrawal resistance. Multiple auger elements may be installed through a single cover plate to provide resilience for the attachment when these fasteners are installed in a rigid non-resilient roof deck material like insulating concrete. 
     In some embodiments, a roof cover fastener may include a cover plate configured to be placed in contact with a roof material that is to be coupled to a roof deck material. One or more apertures may extend through the cover plate which may each be configured to receive a portion of an auger element having a thread crest. The thread crest of the auger element may be configured to be inserted through an aperture and rotary driven through the roof material and into roof deck material thereby securing the cover plate to the roof material and the roof deck material. 
     In some embodiments, the cover plate and auger element of the fastener may be installed upon a roof deck material and a roof cover or roof material would thereafter be thermally welded, or attached by adhesive, to the cover plate from above. Accordingly, there are two preferred ways in which the fastener may be used to secure roof materials to roof deck materials, such as by placing the cover plate upon the roofing materials and through fastening an auger element into the roof deck materials, and by installing the cover plate and auger element directly to the roof deck material or through other roofing materials and then attached an above deck cover roofing material to the cover plate by thermal welding or adhesive attachment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a top perspective view of an example of a cover plate of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom perspective view of an example of a cover plate of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 3  shows a top plan view of an example of a cover plate of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a sectional, through line  4 - 4  shown in  FIG. 3 , elevation view of an example of a cover plate of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates top plan view of an example of a roof cover fastener secured to a roof material according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 6  shows a sectional, through line  6 - 6  shown in  FIG. 5 , elevation view of an example of a roof cover fastener attaching roof materials to a nail-able roof deck material according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a top plan view of an alternative example of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a top plan view of another alternative example of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 9  shows a top plan view of a further alternative example of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a top plan view of another further alternative example of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a partial side elevation view of an example of the first end of an auger element according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 12  shows a partial side elevation view of another alternative example of the first end of an auger element according to various embodiments described herein 
         FIG. 13  depicts a partial side elevation view of an example of an auger element according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a side elevation view of an example of an auger element according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 15  shows a side elevation view of an alternative example of an auger element according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 16  shows one example of an auger element comprising auger splines proximate to the auger head in accordance with alternative embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 17  shows one example of an auger element having an unthreaded upper shank and comprising auger splines below the unthreaded upper shank in accordance with alternative embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 18  depicts a top plan view of another example of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a top plan view of still another example of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 20  shows a top plan view of yet another example of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 21  depicts a top plan view of a further example of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a top plan view of still a further another example of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 23  shows a top plan view of yet a further example of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 24  depicts a top plan view of still yet another example of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a top plan view of still yet a further example of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 26  shows a top plan view of an example of a cover plate of a roof cover fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims. 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “rear”, “front”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     New roof cover fasteners that are able to attach roof materials and roof deck materials are discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
     The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below. 
     The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments.  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate an example of a cover plate  11  of a roof cover fastener (“the fastener”)  100  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) that may be used to attach roof materials  201 , such as anchor sheets, base sheets, base plies, rigid insulation board, thermal barriers, recovery boards, single-ply membrane, other above deck materials, components, and the like, to nail-able roof deck materials  202 , such as various types of lightweight insulating concrete, structural cement wood fiber, gypsum, and the like, according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the fastener  100  may comprise a cover plate  11  having a planar body  12  with a perimeter  13 . The body  12  may comprise a central aperture  21  which may be disposed centrally in the body  12 . A first annular rib  31  may be formed into the body  12  which may encircle the central aperture  21 . A second annular rib  32  may be formed into the body  12  which may encircle the first annular rib  31 . A first channel  41  may separate the first annular rib  31  from the second annular rib  32 , and the first annular rib  31  and second annular rib  32  may extend above the first channel  41 . A medial aperture  22  may be disposed in the first channel  41  between the first annular rib  31  and the second annular rib  32 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11-15 , the fastener  100  ( FIGS. 5, 6, and 18-25 ) may also comprise an auger element  51  having a thread formed by a thread crest  61  and a thread root  52  with a first end  53  and a second end  54 . A head  55  may be coupled to the first end  53  of the thread root  52  and thread crest  61 , and a tip  56  may be coupled to the second end  54  of the thread root  52  and thread crest  61 . The thread crest  61  may extend, fully or partially, from the second end  54  towards the first end  53 . The fastener  100  may be used to secure roofing materials  201  to the parent deck which may comprise nail-able roof deck materials  202 . The body  12  may be placed upon the roofing material  201  and a selected number of auger elements  51  may be installed through one or more central apertures  21  and/or medial apertures  21  and the roof material  201  into the roof deck material  202  using a rotary tool such as a drill. The auger elements  51  may be installed through one or more of the central apertures  21  and/or medial apertures  21  of the body  12 . In preferred embodiments, auger elements  51  may be installed through two or more medial apertures  22  in a symmetrical pattern. In other embodiments, one or more auger elements  51  may be installed through any of the one or more medial apertures  22  and/or central aperture  21 . Additionally, the roof cover fastener  100  may be used for a plurality of roofing and construction purposes including to secure layers of roofing, insulation, or recovery board to the parent deck  202  which would not by themselves provide a water proof layer of construction. 
     In some embodiments, the cover plate  11  and auger element  51  of the fastener  100  may be installed upon a roof deck material  202  and a roof cover or roof material  201  would thereafter be thermally welded, or attached by adhesive, to the cover plate  11  from above. In further embodiments, thermal welding may be performed by way an inductive coating which may be applied to the cover plate  11 . In other embodiments, adhesive attachment may be performed by forming the cover plate  11  from or coupling to the cover plate  11  an adhesive adhere-able fabric or other adhesive adhere-able material. Accordingly, there are two preferred ways in which the fastener  100  may be used to secure roof materials  201  to roof deck materials  202 , such as by placing the cover plate  11  upon the roofing materials  201  and through fastening an auger element  51  into the roof deck materials  202 , and by installing the cover plate  11  and auger element  51  directly to the roof deck material  202  or through other roofing materials  201  and then attached an above deck cover roofing material  201  to the cover plate  11  by thermal welding or adhesive attachment. 
     Referencing  FIGS. 1-3, and 5 , in some embodiments, the body  12  of the cover plate  11  may comprise a generally circular shape. Preferably, the body  12  may be made of a substantially rigid sheet of material, such as sheet metal, which may be press formed or stamped to provide one or more annular ribs  31 ,  32 , and/or one or more channels  41 ,  42 ,  43 . In further embodiments, the body  12  may be made from or comprise galvalume coated steel, stainless steel, other metals and metal alloys, hard plastics, such as nylon, acrylic, uPVC, HDPE, melamine, hard rubbers, fiberglass, carbon fiber, resins, such as epoxy resin, ceramics, or any other material including combinations of materials that are substantially rigid and suitable for securing roof materials. In still further embodiments, the body  12  may be made from or comprise an adhesive adhere-able fabric or other adhesive adhere-able material such as a mesh type pattern or loose weave synthetic fabrics such as polyester, polyamide, acrylic, nylon, rayon, acetate, spandex, lastex, and natural fabrics such as coir, cotton, terry cloth, hemp, jute, linen, ramie, wool, silk, plastic mesh or plastic grid materials, or any other suitable flexible natural or synthetic material including combinations of materials which may be thermally welded or adhere-able. In still further embodiments, all or portions of a cover plate  11  may comprise a corrosion resistant coating, such as zinc plating, galvanized coating, chrome or nickel plating, phosphate coating, vinyl coating, ceramic coating, etc., and/or be made from a corrosion resistant material, such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, etc. 
     In alternative embodiments, the body  12  may be configured with a generally hexoganal shape ( FIG. 7 ), a generally square shape ( FIG. 8 ), a generally rectangular shape (FIG.  9 ), and a generally elongated shape ( FIG. 10 ). It should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that the body  12  may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapes including “T” shaped, “X” shaped, oval shaped, octagon shaped, nonagon shaped, decagon shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape, including combinations of shapes. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes, such as to size and shape, may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. 
     In some embodiments, the fastener  100  may comprise a central aperture  21  disposed centrally in the body  12  which may extend through the body  12 . The central aperture  21  may allow portions of an auger element  51  to pass through the body  12 . In preferred embodiments, the central aperture  21  may be complementary in shape to portions of an auger element  51 , such as the thread root  52 , shank  57 , and/or thread crest  61 , thereby allowing the central aperture  21  to engage portions of an auger element  51  inserted therein. In further embodiments, a central aperture  21  may be generally circular in shape. In alternative embodiments, a central aperture  21  may comprise a generally, rectangular, triangular, oval, hexagonal shape, or any other shape allowing the central aperture  21  to receive an auger element  51 . 
     As perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the fastener  100  may comprise one or more annular ribs  31 ,  32 , which may extend above one or more channels  41 ,  42 ,  43 . In some embodiments, one or more annular ribs  31 ,  32 , may be embossed or pressed into the body  12  thereby creating the annular ribs  31 ,  32 , and also defining one or more channels  41 ,  42 ,  43 , above which the annular ribs  31 ,  32 , may extend. Preferably, each channel  41 ,  42 ,  43 , on the body  12  may comprise a contact surface  46 ,  47 ,  48 , which may contact the roof material that the fastener  100  is desired to contact. A contact surface  46 ,  47 ,  48 , may be generally flat planar and may optionally comprise texturing, such as ridges, bumps, or any other friction enhancing texturing. In further embodiments, the first channel  41  may comprise a first contact surface  46 , the second channel  42  may comprise a second contact surface  47 , and the third channel  43  may comprise a third contact surface  48 . When the fastener  100  is placed in contact with a roof material  201 , one or more contact surfaces  46 ,  47 ,  48 , of one or more channels  41 ,  42 ,  43 , may serve at the point of contact between the fastener  100  and the roof material  201 . In further preferred embodiments, when the fastener  100  is placed in contact with a roof material  201 , the annular ribs  31 ,  32 , may extend away from the roof material  201  and therefore above the channels  41 ,  42 ,  43 , which the fastener  100  may comprise. 
     In some embodiments, the body  12  may comprise a second channel  42  which may be formed into the body  12 . Optionally, the second channel  42  may encircle the central aperture  21  so that the second channel  42  may also be disposed centrally on the body  12 . Preferably, the second channel  42  may be positioned within the first annular rib  31  which may be formed into the body  12  and encircling the central aperture  21 . In further embodiments, the body  12  may comprise a third channel  43  which may be formed into the body  12  and which may be continuous with the perimeter  13 . Preferably, the third channel  43  may encircle the second annular rib  32 , and the first annular rib  31  and second annular rib  32  may extend above the third channel  43 . Optionally, the third channel  43  may encircle the central aperture  21  so that the third channel  43  may also be disposed centrally on the body  12 . 
     In some embodiments, the fastener  100  may comprise one or more ribs  31 ,  32 , and channels  41 ,  42 ,  43 , which may be concentrically positioned on the body  12  preferably in an alternating fashion. For example, the fastener  100  may comprise a first annular rib  31  and a first channel  41  which may be concentrically positioned on the body  12  relative to each other with the first annular rib  31  encircled by the first channel  41 . In another example, the first annular rib  31  may be encircled by the first channel  41 , and the first channel  41  may be encircled by the second annular rib  31  with the first annular rib  31 , first channel  41 , and second annular rib  32  concentric with each other. In a further example, the fastener  100  may comprise a first annular rib  31 , a second annular rib  32 , a first channel  41 , a second channel  42 , and a third channel  43  concentrically positioned on the body  12  relative to each other. The second channel  42  may be encircled by the first annular rib  31 , which may be encircled by the first channel  41 , which may be encircled by the second annular rib  32 , and which may be encircled by the third channel  43 . In alternative embodiments, one or more annular ribs and channels may be positioned anywhere on the body  12 . 
     In some embodiments, the fastener  100  may comprise a medial aperture  22  disposed in the first channel  41  between the first annular rib  31  and the second annular rib  32  which may extend through the body  12 . The medial aperture  22  may allow portions of an auger element  51  to pass through the body  12 . In preferred embodiments, the medial aperture  22  may be complementary in shape to portions of an auger element  51 , such as the thread root  52 , shank  57 , and/or thread crest  61 , thereby allowing the medial aperture  22  to engage portions of an auger element  51  inserted therein. In further embodiments, a medial aperture  22  may be generally circular in shape. In alternative embodiments, a medial aperture  22  may comprise a generally, rectangular, triangular, oval, hexagonal shape, or any other shape allowing the medial aperture  22  to receive an auger element  51 . 
     In some embodiments, the fastener  100  may comprise two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more medial apertures  22  disposed anywhere on the body  12 . In preferred embodiments, the fastener  100  may comprise two or more medial apertures  22  disposed in the first channel  41  between the first annular rib  31  and the second annular rib  32 . In further embodiments, one or more medial apertures  22  disposed in the body  12 , such as in the first channel  41 , may be symmetrically positioned relative to the other medial apertures  22  disposed in the body  12 . For example, the body  12  may comprise eight medial apertures  22  positioned in a circular orientation with the arc between each medial aperture  22  being generally equidistant, thereby forming a symmetrical positioning. In other examples, medial apertures  22  may be positioned on the body  12  in symmetrical triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, nonagonal, decagonal, or any other shape preferably with at least one line of symmetry. In still further embodiments, two or more medial apertures  22  may be disposed in the body  12 , such as in the first channel  41 , may be equidistant from the central aperture  21 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the central aperture  21  may comprise a width dimension W 1  which may describe the narrowest width of the central aperture  21 . For a generally, circular shaped central aperture  21 , W 1  may be constant, however for central apertures  21  with other shapes, such as rectangular, triangular, or hexagonal, W 1  will refer to the smallest cross sectional width dimension. Similarly, a medial aperture  22  may comprise a width dimension W 2  which may describe the narrowest width of the medial aperture  22 . For a generally, circular shaped medial aperture  22 , W 2  may be constant, however for medial apertures  22  with other shapes, such as rectangular, triangular, or hexagonal, W 2  will refer to the smallest cross sectional width dimension. In some embodiments, W 1  of the central aperture  21  may be equal to, larger than, or smaller than the W 2  of the medial apertures  22 . In further embodiments, the W 2  of each medial aperture  22  may be equal to the W 2  of the other medial apertures  22 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 11-15 , exemplary embodiments of auger elements  51  which may be used with the fastener  100  are shown. The auger elements  51  may be manufactured with various lengths and widths.  FIGS. 14 and 15  also illustrate that the auger elements  51  may be configured as having a full thread  61  ( FIG. 14 ) or having a less than full thread  61  ( FIG. 15 ).  FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary embodiment showing that an auger element  51  may have a washer  58  coupled to the head  55  and a Phillips style drive recess  59  which may be used to receive Phillips style bits for driving the auger element  51 , thereby allowing the auger element  51  to be configured generally as a washer head to facilitate cover plate  11  restraint load distribution.  FIG. 12  shows a partial side elevation view of another alternative example of the first end  53  of an auger element  51  which comprises a hexagonal shaped head  55 , similar to a machine bolt, which may be received by a complementary sized hexagonal socket for driving the auger element  51 .  FIGS. 14 and 15  depict auger elements  51  comprising a counter sunk type head  55  with a Phillips style drive recess  59  for generally flush fitting installations. Preferably, and as shown in  FIGS. 11, 12, and 14-17 , a head  55  may be tapered so that it is relatively wider closer to the flange  60  and relatively narrower closer to the shank  57 . This tapered portion of the head  55  may allow the head  55  to self-center in an aperture  21 ,  22 , as it is driven into the aperture  21 ,  22 . In alternative embodiments, an auger element  51  may comprise any other type or style of head which may be used to tighten and drive or loosen and remove an auger element  51 . Additionally, auger elements  51  may comprise any other type of threaded or non-threaded fastener. In further embodiments, the head  55  of the auger elements  51  may be embossed or textured in a manner that frictionally engages the surface of the body  12  at contact during rotary installation, minimizing the potential of over driving. 
     In some embodiments, an auger element  51  may comprise a first end  53  and a second end  54 . A head  55  may be coupled to the first end  53  and a tip  56  may be coupled to the second end  54 . Optionally, the head  55  may comprise a flange  60  which may contact the body  12  to arrest the auger element  51  as it travels through a central aperture  21  or a medial aperture  22 . In some embodiments, a flange  60  may be configured to be wider than the W 3 , such as between 150% to 700% of W 3 , thereby allowing the flange  60  to be configured as a washer head to facilitate cover plate  11  restraint load distribution. A thread crest  61  and thread root  52  may extend, fully or partially, from the second end  54  towards the first end  53  so that the auger element  51  may be rotary driven into a roof material  201  preferably with low tool energy. In some embodiments, a second end  54  may be coupled to a shank  57  which may couple the thread root  52  and thread crest  61  to the head  55 . A shank  57  may be configured with a plurality of lengths, such as relatively short, as shown in the example of  FIG. 14 , and relatively long, as shown in  FIG. 15 . In further embodiments and as shown in  FIG. 15 , a thread crest  61  may extend from the second end  54  towards the first end  53  and terminate before the head  55 , such as at the shank  57 . A shank  57  may be generally cylindrical in shape and may comprise a width less than, equal to, or greater than the width of the thread root  52  and/or thread crest  61 . In some embodiments, the shank  57  may be generally cylindrical in shape and may comprise a width of 0.145 to 0.157 inches. 
     In some embodiments, the thread crest  52  may be generally cylindrical for the majority of its length, such as between the first end  53  and the second end  54 . The thread root  52  may comprise a width dimension W 3  ( FIG. 13 ) which may describe the width of the thread root  52  between the first end  53  and the second end  54 . In some embodiments, the W 3  of the thread root  52  may be 0.117 to 0.135 inches. A conical tip  56  may be coupled to the second end  54 . In some embodiments, the tip  56  may be tapered between 15 and 45 degrees relative to the thread root  52  and/or thread crest  61 . In further embodiments, the tip  56  may be tapered between 25 and 30 degrees relative to the thread root  52  and/or thread crest  61 . A thread crest  61  may be formed with a thread root  52 , and optionally to the tip  56 , which may be a helical structure used to convert between rotational and linear movement or force. The thread crest  61  may be a ridge wrapped around a thread root  52  in the form of a helix as a straight thread, and around the conical tip  56  as a tapered thread. The thread crest  61  may extend away from the thread root  52  and may comprise a width dimension W 4  ( FIG. 13 ) which may describe the width of the thread crest  61 , such as between the first end  53  and the second end  54 . In some embodiments, the thread crest  61  may comprise a width dimension W 4  that is constant from the first end  53  to the second end  54 . In further embodiments, the W 4  of the thread crest  61  may be 0.24 to 0.26 inches. In still further embodiments, the shank  57  may comprise a diameter of 0.12 inches to 0.28 inches. In further embodiments, the W 3  of the thread root  52  may comprise a diameter of 0.08 inches to 0.18 inches. In even further embodiments, the W 4  of the thread crest  61  may comprise a diameter of 0.125 inches and 0.325 inches. In further embodiments, the ratio of W 3  to W 4  may be approximately 1:1.95 plus or minus 20 percent. In still further embodiments, the ratio of the width of the shank  57  to the W 4  may be approximately 1:1.7 plus or minus 20 percent. These ratio ranges allow an auger element  51  to embed into roof materials  201  and nail-able roof deck materials  202  without a pre-drilling requirement. 
     Referencing  FIGS. 4, 6, and 13 , in some embodiments, the central aperture  21  and/or one or more medial apertures  22  may be complementary in shape to portions of an auger element  51  thereby allowing the central aperture  21  and/or one or more medial apertures  22  to engage portions of an auger element  51  inserted therein. In preferred embodiments, an auger element  51  may be inserted into an aperture  21 ,  22 , of a cover plate  11  approximately perpendicularly or approximately 90 degrees relative to the cover plate  11 . When the fastener  100  is placed in contact with a roof material  201 , the contact surface  46  of one or more channels  41 ,  42 ,  43 , may serve at the point of contact between the fastener  100  and the roof material  201  and one or more auger elements  51  may be inserted through the central aperture  21  and/or one or more medial apertures  22  and rotated so that the thread  61  may engage with roof materials  201  and nail-able roof deck materials  202 . In further embodiments, one or more auger elements  51  may be inserted through one or more central apertures  21  and/or medial apertures  22  and rotated so that the thread  61  may engage with the body  12 , roof materials  201 , and nail-able roof deck materials  202 . 
     Preferably, the width dimension W 2  of the medial apertures  22  may be less than the width dimension W 4  of the thread crest  61 , so that when an auger element  51  is inserted and rotated in a medial aperture  22 , the thread  61  may engage the body  12  forming the medial aperture  22 . In further preferred embodiments, the medial apertures  22  may comprise a width dimension W 2  that is greater than the width dimension W 3  between the first end  53  and second end  54  and the width dimension W 2  of the medial aperture  22  may also be less than the width dimension W 4  of the thread crest  61  between the first end  53  and the second end  54 . In this manner, the width dimension (W 2 ) of the medial aperture  22  may be less than the width dimension (W 4 ) of the thread crest  61  and greater than the width dimension (W 3 ) of the thread root  52 . 
     Preferably, the width dimension W 1  of the central aperture  21  may be less than the width dimension W 4  of the thread crest  61 , so that when an auger element  51  is inserted and rotated in the central aperture  21 , the thread  61  may engage the body  12  forming the central aperture  21 . In further preferred embodiments, the central aperture  21  may comprise a width dimension W 1  that is greater than the width dimension W 3  of the thread root  52  between the first end  53  and second end  54  and the width dimension W 1  of the central aperture  21  may also be less than the width dimension W 4  of the thread crest  61  between the first end  53  and the second end  54 . In this manner, the width dimension W 1  of the central aperture  21  may be less than the width dimension W 4  of the thread  61  and greater than the width dimension W 3  of the thread root  52 . 
     As perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 13-15 , an auger element  51  may be comprise a thread crest  61  that extends from the second end  54  towards the first end  53  which is configured to provide an aggressively threading. The thread root  52  and/or thread crest  61  may be formed from or comprise metal or other rigid material and may be embossed with an aggressive, non-standard, wide pitch thread crest  61  and a piercing tip  56 . In preferred embodiments, all or portions of an auger element  51  may comprise a corrosion resistant coating, such as zinc plating, galvanized coating, chrome or nickel plating, phosphate coating, vinyl coating, ceramic coating, etc., and/or be made from a corrosion resistant material, such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, etc. As an auger element  51  is being installed by rotation, the aggressive, non-standard, wide pitch of the thread  61  and the width dimension W 3  of the thread root  52  are designed such to displace a minimal amount of roof materials  201  ( FIG. 6 ) and nail-able roof deck materials  202  ( FIG. 6 ) during installation. The minimal amount of roof materials  201  and nail-able roof deck materials  202  displaced by rotary installation of the auger element  51  is suitably received by the thread  61  and is uniformity conveyed along the thread path of the augers element  51  into the roof materials  201  and nail-able roof deck materials  202 . This is accomplished along the thread  61  engagement path without damaging the surrounding structure of roof materials  201  and nail-able roof deck materials  202 . The tip  56  of the auger element  51  may be further designed with a piercing point, such as with a taper of between 20 and 40 degrees relative to the thread root  52  and/or thread crest  61 , which allows the thread path of the rotating auger element  51  to develop quickly and non-destructively upon entry into the roof materials  201  and nail-able roof deck materials  202 . In this manner, the tip  56  may be configured to allow the auger element  51  to be generally self-tapping. 
     The thread patterns of common, standard, commercially available screw parts tend to simply bore into these nail-able roof deck materials  202  and therefore do not create a sound thread path. This results in installations with minimal to no withdrawal resistance from the nail-able roof deck materials  202 . The disclosed auger elements  51  which may be used with the fastener  100  uniquely and uniformly conveys the roof materials  201  and nail-able roof deck materials  202  displaced during rotary installation of the auger elements  51  and compacts the material  201 ,  202 , along a well-defined thread path created by the thread  61 . This affirms a secure, consistent embed within the nail-able roof deck materials  202  by fortifying the path of the thread  61  in the nail-able roof deck material  202  along the thread engagement. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 16  shows one example of an auger element  51  comprising auger splines  70  proximate to the auger head  55  while  FIG. 17  shows one example of an auger element  51  having an unthreaded upper shank  570  and comprising auger splines  70  below the unthreaded upper shank  570  in accordance with alternative embodiments described herein. An unthreaded upper shank  570  may prevent binding of thread path tailings. In these alternative embodiments and examples, an improved auger element  51  is shown comprising shank  57  having a first end  53  coupled to a head  55  and a second end  54  having a tip  56 . A thread with a root  52  and crest  61  is positioned along the auger element  51 . The thread root  52  having a third width (W 3 ) and the thread crest  61  protruding outwardly away from the root  52  and having a fourth width (W 4 ). In this example, a plurality of auger splines  70  such as two, three, four, or more auger splines  70  are positioned along the first end  53  below the head  55 . The plurality of auger splines  70  may comprise or otherwise be made up of spline ridges  71  positioned adjacent to spline valleys  72 . Spline ridges  71  may, in some embodiments, be shaped as peaks either rounded or pointed or otherwise protruding outwardly away from the auger  51  while spline valleys  72  may, in some embodiments be shaped as “V” or “U” shaped valleys and formed proximate to and in-between spline ridges  71 . In some embodiments, the auger  51  may comprise splines  70  to strengthen the auger  51  during the machining and manufacturing process allowing these parts to emerge from roll forming with a certain degree of straightness. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 , the auger element  51  may further comprise a tapered thread  61 T positioned around or about the auger splines  70  and having a maximum fifth width (W 5 ) which is less than the fourth width (W 4 ) of the thread crest  61 . In this embodiment, the tapered thread  61 T becomes tapered and flush with a spline ridge  71  at a top tapered crest  61 C near the top of the auger splines  70  (e.g. closer to the head  55  than the tip  56 ). 
     Referring now to just  FIG. 17 , shown here is an embodiment of the auger element  51  whereby the auger element  51  comprises an elongate unthreaded upper shank  570  area positioned between the head  55  and auger splines  70 . The auger splines  70  comprising spline ridges  71  positioned adjacent to spline valleys  72  and the unthreaded upper shank  570  is substantially void of auger splines  70  and threading with thread crests  61 . 
     As provided by example in Table 1 below, the roof cover fasteners  100  as provided herein provide superior withdrawal resistance compared to similar products known in the art. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 COMPARATIVE FASTENER WITHDRAWAL RESISTANCE 
               
               
                 RATES FROM CELLULAR CONCRETE 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Withdrawal Resistance 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Fastener 
                 in Lbs/Force (1)   
                 Average 
                 Std Deviation 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 OMG CR (2)   
                 130 
                 150 
                 160 
                 190 
                 157.5 
                 25 
               
               
                 FM-90 (2)   
                 180 
                 180 
                 180 
                 190 
                 182.5 
                 5 
               
               
                 Twin-Loc (3)   
                 160 
                 150 
                 180 
                 180 
                 167.5 
                 15 
               
               
                 TriFixx (4)   
                 300 
                 300 
                 350 
                 300 
                 312.5 
                 25 
               
               
                 Invent-2 (5)   
                 350 
                 325 
                 350 
                 350 
                 343.75 
                 12.5 
               
               
                 Invent-3 (6)   
                 550 
                 525 
                 550 
                 550 
                 543.75 
                 12.5 
               
               
                 Invent-4 (7)   
                 675 
                 700 
                 700 
                 700 
                 693.75 
                 12.5 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Column Descriptions: 
     Label (1). ANSI/SPRI FX-1 2011, Standard Field Test Procedure for Determining Withdrawal Resistance for Roofing Fasteners 
     Label (2). Related Invention (similar to Young patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,207) 
     Label (3). Barker patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,737 
     Label (4). Murphy patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,059 
     Label (5). Presently disclosed fastener  100  with plate  11  and two augers  51   
     Label (6). Presently disclosed fastener  100  with plate  11  and three augers  51   
     Label (7). Presently disclosed fastener  100  with plate  11  and four augers  51   
     It should be noted that the parts identified as Label (2) similar to Young U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,207, have a pair of sheet metal legs beneath the nail head that are single blow impact driven into the parent cellular concrete. Their resistance to withdrawal results from embedded frictional contact within the cellular concrete and the diverging design of the fastener legs. The Twin-Loc part, (Barker U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,737), is likewise impact driven into the parent cellular concrete, then with a second blow, a pair of wire anchors, situated at the base of the parts shank, deploy horizontally outward within the cellular fill, anchoring the part with mechanical resistance to withdrawal. The aforementioned parts are used as supplied and are not contemplated by design to provide a per part means of enhanced attachment to the deck material for withdrawal resistance. 
     It should be further noted that the Tri-Fixx (Murphy U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,050) is a light gauge steel plate with an outer circumference embossment, with dimples positioned with triaxiality around the embossments inner boundary. A minimum of (3) per part common galvanized nails are driven through the light gauge plate at the dimpled locations, outwardly, at an approximate 50° angle into the parent deck material. Notably, the angle of the fasteners embedded parts, which is the mechanical key to the fasteners withdrawal resistance, is not determined by the fastener parts design. Instead it is determined by installer positioning making installation variability likely and probable. Additionally, the installer and the driving tools used must manipulate around the part for positioning during installation to achieve proper outward angular positioning of the embedded nails. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the plate  11  of the fastener  100  is contemplated by design to receive as few as (1) and as many as (8) auger elements  51 , allowing a very wide range of per part fastener withdrawal resistance values to be achieved based upon installation. In the table above, two (labeled as “Invent-2), three (Invent 3) and four (Invent-4) auger elements  51  are used to demonstrate this feature. This noted installation variability feature is something not contemplated by the other related inventions. Also shown in table 1, even when using a minimum number of augers elements  51 , the fastener  100  has superior comparative withdrawal resistance with an average greater than 325 Lbs/Force and in some cases greater than 340 Lbs/Force. Further notable, the auger elements  51  may be rotary power tool installed, without impact, at a 90° angle relative to the plate  11  and parent deck, making simple overhead, one position installation possible as compared to the installation of Murphy (U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,050) for example. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 18-26 , a cover plate  11  may comprise any number of medial apertures  22  which may be disposed on the cover plate  11  in any position relative to the central aperture  21 , and more preferably eight medial apertures  22 , such as a first medial aperture  22 A, a second medial aperture  22 B, a third medial aperture  22 C, a fourth medial aperture  22 D, a fifth medial aperture  22 E, a sixth medial aperture  22 F, a seventh medial aperture  22 G, and an eighth medial aperture  22 H as shown in  FIG. 26 . In further embodiments, the medial apertures  22 A,  22 B,  22 C,  22 D,  22 E,  22 F,  22 G,  22 H, may each be disposed in the first channel  41  between the first annular rib  31  and the second annular rib  32 . For purposes of illustration, one or more auger elements  51  are shown disposed in the medial apertures  22 A,  22 B,  22 C,  22 D,  22 E,  22 F,  22 G,  22 H, so that the one or more medial apertures  22 A,  22 B,  22 C,  22 D,  22 E,  22 F,  22 G,  22 H, having received an auger element  51  are not visible in  FIGS. 18-25 , but their exemplary numerical designation may be determined by a comparison with the cover plate  11  of  FIG. 26 . 
     In some embodiments, a cover plate  11  may comprise a first medial aperture  22 A and a second medial aperture  22 B that may be symmetrically positioned relative to each other with the central aperture  21  located approximately in-between the first  22 A and the second  22 B medial apertures. In further embodiments, a cover plate  11  may comprise a third medial aperture  22 C and a fourth medial aperture  22 D that may be symmetrically positioned relative to each other with the central aperture  21  located approximately in-between the third  22 C and the fourth  22 D medial apertures. In further embodiments, a cover plate  11  may comprise a fifth medial aperture  22 E and a sixth medial aperture  22 F that may be symmetrically positioned relative to each other with the central aperture  21  located approximately in-between the fifth  22 E and the sixth  22 F medial apertures. In still further embodiments, a cover plate  11  may comprise a seventh medial aperture  22 G and an eighth medial aperture  22 H that may be symmetrically positioned relative to each other with the central aperture  21  located approximately in-between the seventh  22 G and the eighth  22 H medial apertures. 
     In preferred embodiments, each medial aperture  22  may be symmetrically positioned relative to each other so that the medial apertures  22  may be annularly disposed around the central aperture  21  with an approximately equal distance between each medial aperture  22  and the medial apertures adjacent to it. In this manner, the medial apertures  22  may be substantially radially and uniformly positioned relative to the central aperture  21 . 
     In further preferred embodiments, a cover plate  11  may comprise a line of symmetry  91  that intersects the first medial aperture  22 A, second medial aperture  22 B, and central aperture  21  and an even number of medial apertures  22  may be symmetrically positioned or spaced in the first channel  41  relative to the line of symmetry  91  so that an equal number of medial apertures (or portions of medial apertures)  22  are on each side of the line of symmetry  91 . In alternative preferred embodiments, a cover plate  11  may comprise a line of symmetry  91  that intersects a first medial aperture  22 A and the central aperture  21  and an odd number of medial apertures  22  may be symmetrically positioned or spaced in the first channel  41  relative to the line of symmetry  91  so that an equal number of medial aperture(s) (or portions of medial aperture(s))  22  are on each side of the line of symmetry  91 . 
       FIG. 18  depicts a top plan view of another example of a roof cover fastener  100  according to various embodiments described herein. In this example, the fastener  100  comprises a cover plate  11  having a first medial aperture  22 A and a second medial aperture  22 B, and both the first medial aperture  22 A and the second medial aperture  22 B are each configured to receive a respective auger element  51  as it is driven into a roof materials  201 ,  202 . 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a top plan view of still another example of a roof cover fastener  100  according to various embodiments described herein. In this example, the fastener  100  comprises a cover plate  11  having a first medial aperture  22 A, a second medial aperture  22 B, and a central aperture  21 , and the first medial aperture  22 A, second medial aperture  22 B, and the central aperture  21  are each configured to receive a respective auger element  51  as it is driven into a roof materials  201 ,  202 . 
       FIG. 20  shows a top plan view of yet another example of a roof cover fastener  100  according to various embodiments described herein. In this example, the fastener  100  comprises a cover plate  11  having a first medial aperture  22 A, a second medial aperture  22 B, a third medial aperture  22 C, and a fourth medial aperture  22 D, and the first medial aperture  22 A, the second medial aperture  22 B, third medial aperture  22 C, and fourth medial aperture  22 D may each be configured to receive a respective auger element  51  as it is driven into a roof materials  201 ,  202 . The first  22 A, second  22 B, third  22 C, and fourth  22 D medial apertures are symmetrically positioned relative to each other with the central aperture  21  located in-between the first  22 A and the second  22 B medial apertures and in between the third  22 C and fourth  22 D medial apertures 
       FIG. 21  depicts a top plan view of a further example of a roof cover fastener  100  according to various embodiments described herein. In this example, the fastener  100  comprises a cover plate  11  having a first medial aperture  22 A, a second medial aperture  22 B, a third medial aperture  22 C, a fourth medial aperture  22 D, and a central aperture  21 , and the first medial aperture  22 A, the second medial aperture  22 B, third medial aperture  22 C, fourth medial aperture  22 D, and central aperture  21  may each be configured to receive a respective auger element  51  as it is driven into a roof materials  201 ,  202 . The first  22 A, second  22 B, third  22 C, and fourth  22 D medial apertures are symmetrically positioned relative to each other with the central aperture  21  located in-between the first  22 A and the second  22 B medial apertures and in between the third  22 C and fourth  22 D medial apertures. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates a top plan view of still a further example of a roof cover fastener  100  according to various embodiments described herein. In this example, the fastener  100  comprises a cover plate  11  having a first medial aperture  22 A, a second medial aperture  22 B, a third medial aperture  22 C, a fourth medial aperture  22 D, a fifth medial aperture  22 E, and a sixth medial aperture  22 F. The third  22 C and fifth  22 E medial apertures may be opposingly positioned to the fourth  22 D and sixth  22 F medial apertures relative to a line of symmetry  91  that intersects the first medial aperture  22 A, second medial aperture  22 B, and central aperture  21 . The first medial aperture  22 A, the second medial aperture  22 B, third medial aperture  22 C, and fifth medial aperture  22 E may each be configured to receive a respective auger element  51  as it is driven into a roof materials  201 ,  202 . The first  22 A, second  22 B, third  22 C, fourth  22 D, fifth  22 E, and sixth  22 F medial apertures are symmetrically positioned relative to each other with the central aperture  21  located in-between the first  22 A and the second  22 B medial apertures, in between the third  22 C and fourth  22 D medial apertures, and in between the fifth  22 E and sixth  22 F medial apertures. 
       FIG. 23  shows a top plan view of yet a further example of a roof cover fastener  100  according to various embodiments described herein. In this example, the fastener  100  comprises a cover plate  11  having a first medial aperture  22 A, a second medial aperture  22 B, a third medial aperture  22 C, a fourth medial aperture  22 D, a fifth medial aperture  22 E, a sixth medial aperture  22 F, and a central aperture  21 . The central aperture  21  may be configured to receive an auger element  51  as it is driven into a roof materials  201 ,  202 . The first  22 A, second  22 B, third  22 C, fourth  22 D, fifth  22 E, and sixth  22 F medial apertures are symmetrically positioned relative to each other with the central aperture  21  located in-between the first  22 A and the second  22 B medial apertures, in between the third  22 C and fourth  22 D medial apertures, and in between the fifth  22 E and sixth  22 F medial apertures. 
       FIG. 24  depicts a top plan view of still yet another example of a roof cover fastener  100  according to various embodiments described herein. In this example, the fastener  100  comprises a cover plate  11  having a first medial aperture  22 A, a second medial aperture  22 B, a third medial aperture  22 C, a fourth medial aperture  22 D, a fifth medial aperture  22 E, and a sixth medial aperture  22 F. The third  22 C and fifth  22 E medial apertures may be opposingly positioned to the fourth  22 D and sixth  22 F medial apertures relative to a line of symmetry  91  that intersects the first medial aperture  22 A, second medial aperture  22 B, and central aperture  21 . The first medial aperture  22 A, the fourth medial aperture  22 D, and fifth medial aperture  22 E may each be configured to receive a respective auger element  51  as it is driven into a roof materials  201 ,  202 . The first  22 A, second  22 B, third  22 C, fourth  22 D, fifth  22 E, and sixth  22 F medial apertures are symmetrically positioned relative to each other with the central aperture  21  located in-between the first  22 A and the second  22 B medial apertures, in between the third  22 C and fourth  22 D medial apertures, and in between the fifth  22 E and sixth  22 F medial apertures. 
       FIG. 25  illustrates a top plan view of still yet a further example of a roof cover fastener  100  according to various embodiments described herein. In this example, the fastener  100  comprises a cover plate  11  having a first medial aperture  22 A, a second medial aperture  22 B, a third medial aperture  22 C, a fourth medial aperture  22 D, a fifth medial aperture  22 E, and a sixth medial aperture  22 F. The third  22 C and fifth  22 E medial apertures may be opposingly positioned to the fourth  22 D and sixth  22 F medial apertures relative to a line of symmetry  91  that intersects the first medial aperture  22 A, second medial aperture  22 B, and central aperture  21 . The first medial aperture  22 A, the fourth medial aperture  22 D, and optionally central aperture  21  may each be configured to receive a respective auger element  51  as it is driven into a roof materials  201 ,  202 . The first  22 A, second  22 B, third  22 C, fourth  22 D, fifth  22 E, and sixth  22 F medial apertures are symmetrically positioned relative to each other with the central aperture  21  located in-between the first  22 A and the second  22 B medial apertures, in between the third  22 C and fourth  22 D medial apertures, and in between the fifth  22 E and sixth  22 F medial apertures. 
     In alternative embodiments, a fastener  100  may comprise any number of auger elements  51  which may be received in any number of medial apertures  22  and/or central aperture  21  and in any configuration or orientation. 
     While some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise the fastener  100  such as the cover plate  11 , the auger element  51 , and/or any other element described herein may be made from durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the fastener  100  may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the fastener  100  may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the fastener  100  may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the fastener  100 . 
     Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.