Fastener cap assembly and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fastener cap assembly, comprising a fastener that includes a head section and a bead that extends radially outwardly with respect to at least a portion of the head section and a cap that includes a side wall that extends radially around at least a portion of the head section of the fastener and at least one lip that underlies the bead.

1 . A fastener cap assembly, comprising: 
 a) a fastener comprising: 
 i) a head section;  
 ii) a bead that extends radially outwardly with respect to at least a portion of the head section;  
   b) a cap comprising: 
 i) a side wall that extends radially around at least a portion of the head section of the fastener; and  
 ii) at least one lip that underlies the bead to secure the cap to the fastener whereby the cap is rotatable with respect to the head.  
   
   
   
       2 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a load bearing surface located on the fastener, wherein the load bearing surface is provided with a generally spherical shape.  
   
   
       3 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a load bearing surface located on the fastener, wherein the load bearing surface is provided with a generally frusto-conical shape.  
   
   
       4 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the bead is annular in shape.  
   
   
       5 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a) a well located on an outer end of the head section; and    b) wherein the side wall of the cap is provided with a polygonal shape.    
   
   
       6 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the lip is snap fitted under the bead.  
   
   
       7 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a skirt that is located on the cap, wherein the lip extends from an edge of the skirt.  
   
   
       8 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a) a well is located on an outer end of the head section;    b) the side wall of the cap is provided with a polygonal shape; and    c) a skirt is located on the cap, wherein a plurality of lips extend from an edge of the skirt and underlie the bead to secure the cap to the fastener whereby the cap is rotatable with respect to the head.    
   
   
       9 . A fastener cap assembly, comprising: 
 a) a fastener comprising: 
 i) a head section;  
 ii) a bead that extends radially outward from at least a portion of the head section;  
   b) a cap comprising: 
 i) a side wall that extends radially around at least a portion of the head section of the fastener; and  
 ii) at least one lip that underlies the bead to releasably secure the cap to the fastener.  
   
   
   
       10 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the bead is annular in shape.  
   
   
       11 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a) a well located on an outer end of the head section; and    b) wherein the side wall of the cap is provided with a polygonal shape.    
   
   
       12 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the lip is snap fitted under the bead.  
   
   
       13 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 9 , further comprising a skirt that is located on the cap, wherein the lip extends from an edge of the skirt.  
   
   
       14 . A fastener cap assembly, comprising: 
 a) a fastener: 
 i) a head section;  
 ii) a bead that extends radially outward from at least a portion of the head section;  
   b) a cap comprising: 
 i) a side wall that extends radially around at least a portion of the head section of the fastener; and  
 ii) at least one lip that is snap fitted under the bead to secure the cap to the fastener.  
   
   
   
       15 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 14 , further comprising a load bearing surface located on the fastener, wherein the load bearing surface is provided with a generally spherical shape.  
   
   
       16 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 14 , further comprising a load bearing surface located on the fastener, wherein the load bearing surface is provided with a generally frusto-conical shape.  
   
   
       17 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the bead is annular in shape.  
   
   
       18 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a) a well located on an outer end of the head section; and    b) wherein the side wall of the cap is provided with a polygonal shape.    
   
   
       19 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 14 , further comprising a skirt that is located on the cap, wherein the lip extends from an edge of the skirt.  
   
   
       20 . A fastener cap assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein: 
 a) a well is located on an outer end of the head section;    b) the side wall of the cap is provided with a polygonal shape; and    c) a skirt is located on the cap, wherein a plurality of lips extend from an edge of the skirt and are snap fitted under the bead to secure the cap to the fastener.