Patent Application
20200288818
This invention was not federally sponsored.
This invention relates to wall art. More specifically, the present embodiments describe a decorative clasp device that easily slides over a screw, nail or tack and clasps shut to cover and embellish the screw/nail/tack and improve the aesthetic.
The goal of this invention is to provide an easy solution for covering unsightly screws, nails, tacks, holes in the wall, etc. to improve decorative aesthetic.
Creation of the problem this invention solves. Screws, nails and tacks have long been used to suspend and anchor art, photography, plants, etc. from a wall. Originally, their purpose was exclusively functional. However, when used to in conjunction with decorative works (such as suspended picture frames, macrame, weavings, etc.), the heads of screws/nails/tacks often ruin the aesthetic appearance intended by the creator of the work. In these situations, the aesthetic, as well as the utilitarian characteristics, of such screws/nails/tacks must be considered. Consequently, it became desirable to have a decorative embellishment that would easily attach to the anchor point (screw/nail/tack, etc.) to hide the screw/nail/tack. The proposed invention needed to be equally easy to remove and reuse due to ever-changing decor trends and shifts in personal style. Through the addition of the embellished cover over the screw/nail/tack, the suspended work is complemented and elevated to give it a finished look.
These decorative covers can also be used to simply hide an existing screw/nail/tack that has been abandoned in the wall so that the occupant of the space doesn't have to remove the hardware and patch the hole in the wall. Essentially, the decorative cover acts as a piece of art in and of itself while also hiding the unsightly screw/nail/tack.
The prior art has several examples of attempts to resolve this problem (prior art examples and why each doesn't work).
In an effort to serve this demand, decorative covers were developed. Early designs, however, had several disadvantages. Specifically, they were permanent fixtures, complex, limited in the variety of embellishment, made of numerous components, and, consequently, were expensive to manufacture and difficult to work with.
One such proposed solution is the decorative nail head cover as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 5,513,935 to Sharber. Another proposed solution discloses a detachable ornamental head for nails and screws as described in application number GBD190117479 19010831 to Vollert. Lastly, another proposed solution is a decorative screw as described by U.S. patent application Ser. No. 9,181,969 B1 to Hiatt.
While the above-mentioned inventions do solve some of the disadvantages discussed, their application is limited. Specifically, neither cover is as secure or easily interchangeable as the proposed decorative screw/nail/tack cover. Additionally, Sharber's requires one flat edge on the cover so that it can be hammered into place. Once hammered into place it is not easily removed. Additionally, requiring a flat edge on the embellishment limits the variety of embellishments able to be used.
While Vollert's design functions the same as the proposed decorative screw/nail/tack cover, it is not nearly as secure as it is only secured by a forked clip or rubber washer, which again limits the variety of embellishments able to be used. For example, Vollert's invention likely would not hold an 8-ounce rock embellishment securely in place as there is no clasp system or magnet (for added reinforced security).
Hiatt's design does disguise and cover the screw, but requires extra tools to install and is not easily interchangeable.
Thus, there has existed a long-felt need for a simple low-cost alternative to enhance the decorative characteristics of a common screw/nail/tack used in decor while in no way diminishing from the utilitarian characteristics of the screw/nail/tack.
There are many interior decor aesthetics and styles and the proposed screw/nail/tack cover offers greater flexibility in useable materials, shapes and sizes for the embellishment to help coordinate and compliment any decor style. Additionally, the decorative cover can easily be removed/replaced to change up the aesthetic of a space. The following invention accomplishes these goals.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a customizable and interchangeable decor solution to covering screws, nails, tacks, etc. to elevate their work and give it a finished look.
Additional objects of the invention include using the decorative cover to hide holes in a wall or other imperfections wanting to be hidden by the user to improve the aesthetic of their space.
Additional objects of the invention include using the decorative cover to act as a stand-alone piece of art.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. The features listed herein and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with references made to the drawings below. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the components of the present invention. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts through the several views in the drawings. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not limited in their application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments of the invention are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention.
All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional No. 62818301, entitled Decorative cover for nails, tacks and screws, filed 14 MAR. 2019, the contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62818301 | Mar 2019 | US |
