Patent Publication Number: US-2015071733-A1

Title: Decorative attachment device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application number 61/875,957, filed Sep. 10, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to attachments to a fence and, more particularly, to a decorative attachment device for a fence. 
     Currently, when attaching plant hangers to a fence, a bolt is passed through the plant hanger and the fence and a nut is secured to the bolt. The plant hanger is disposed on the front surface of the fence. However, a bolt and a nut are disposed on the rear surface of the fence. The bolt and the nut may be visually displeasing. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a device that covers the bolt and the nut. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a threaded barrel nut comprises: a plate comprising a front surface and a rear surface; a threaded barrel attached to the plate; and a decorative face attached to the plate and covering at least a portion of the rear surface. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method of attaching a utility component to a surface comprises: drilling a hole through a wall; providing an attachment device comprising a front surface and a rear surface, a threaded barrel comprising an opening disposed towards the front surface and a decorative face covering at least a portion of the rear face; inserting a bolt through an opening of the utility component and through the hole of the wall; and screwing a threaded end of the bolt to the threaded barrel of the plate. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a back perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed perspective view of the threaded barrel plate; 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a section view taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a detail view of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     The present invention includes a decorative attachment device securing an attachment device to fences and wood surfaces. The decorative attachment device may be made of steel or stainless steel. The present invention allows for an utility component, such as a plant hanger, to be attached to one side of a wall while the other side acts as a decoration. The present invention allows for improved aesthetics as well as spreading the load of what is attached to the wall and thereby increasing the weight capacity of the attachment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 through 7 , the present invention includes a threaded barrel nut  12 . The threaded barrel nut  12  may include a plate having a front surface and a rear surface. The threaded nut  12  may further include a threaded barrel  14  attached to the plate. The present invention may further include a decorative face  10  attached to the plate and covering at least a portion of the rear surface. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a bolt  22  may pass through an opening of a utility component  20  and through an opening in a fence  18 . The bolt  22  may secure to the threaded barrel nut  12  on an opposite side of the fence  18 , thereby attaching the utility component  20  to the fence  18 . The decorative face  10  may cover the rear surface of the threaded barrel nut  12 . 
     In certain embodiments, the threaded barrel  14  of the present invention may be attached to and protrude from the front surface of the plate. In such embodiments, the threaded barrel  14  may be tubular in shape and may fit through an opening through the fence  18 . In certain embodiments, the threaded barrel  14  may include a first end and a second end. The first end may form an opening leading into an internal threaded portion. The second end of the threaded barrel  14  may be attached to the front surface of the plate and may from an opening through the plate. Therefore, the bolt  22  may be threaded through the first end and out the second end, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     The decorative face  10  may be any decoration, as long as the decorative face  10  at least partially covers the rear surface of the threaded barrel nut  12 . For example, as illustrated in the Figures, the decorative face  10  may be a star. In certain embodiments, the decorative face  10  may be permanently affixed to the plate by weldments  24 . However, the decorative face  10  may be removeably attached to the threaded barrel nut  12  by snaps, clips, adhesives and the like. In certain embodiments, the decorative face  10  may spread the load of the utility component  20 . As illustrated in the Figures, the decorative face  10  may include an inner rim with a substantially larger perimeter than a regular nut. The inner rim may be pressed against the fence  18 , and may thereby displace the weight of the utility component  20 . 
     In certain embodiments, the front surface of the threaded barrel nut  12  may secure to the surface of the fence  12 . As illustrated in the Figures, at least one spike  16  may protrude from the front surface. The spike  16  may be pressed or hammered into the surface of the fence  12 , and may thereby prevent rotation of the decorative face  10  and the utility component  20  relative to the fence  18 . In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a plurality of spikes  16 , such as four spikes  16 . The plurality of spikes  16  may add additional stability. 
     The present invention is not limited to the use of spikes  16 . For example, the plate may be screwed to the fence  18  by additional screws, or may be adhered to the fence by an adhesive. 
     The present invention may further include a method of attaching a utility component to a wall, such as a fence. The utility components may be a hook, such as a plant hanger, solar lights, irrigation system, retractable clothesline, games, shelves, garden tool storages, and the like. A hole may be drilled through a first side and a second side of a fence. The threaded barrel of the present invention may be inserted through the hole on the first side. The spikes may be pressed or hammered into the fence. A bolt may fit through an opening of the plant hanger. The bolt may then pass through the opening of the fence on the second side so that the threaded end of the bolt is screwed into the threaded barrel. The bolt may be tightened relative to the threaded barrel so that the inner rim of the decorative face is pressed against the first side of the fence and the plant hanger is pressed against the second side of the face. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.