Fastener with protected decorative cap

Abstract

A fastener having a fastener body and a protected decorative cap arranged on a head end of the fastener body in a manner that protects the decorative cap from fastener torquing forces applied to said head end that might otherwise damage, disfigure or loosen the cap and that facilitates attachment of the decorative cap to the fastener body.

1 . A fastener with a protected decorative cap comprising:
 a fastener body orientated about a longitudinal axis and having a tool-engaging portion to which a driving torque may be applied and a threaded fastening portion configured and arranged to mate with a corresponding threaded element;   a decorative cap overlaying said tool-engaging portion;   said decorative cap comprising multiple open spaces, a generally transversely-extending end face substantially covering said end face of said tool-engaging portion, and a connector protrusion extending from underside of said end face of said decorative cap;   said tool-engaging portion comprising multiple generally longitudinally-extending tool-engaging ridges configured to engage a fastener torquing tool, a generally transversely-extending end face, and an opening in said end face of said tool-engaging portion sized to receive said connector protrusion;   each of said tool-engaging ridges protruding radially outward through at least one of said spaces in said decorative cap; and   said connector protrusion extending into said opening in said end face of said tool-engaging portion.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said connector protrusion and said opening in said end face of said tool-engaging portion are sized such that said decorative cap is attached to said tool-engaging portion by engagement of said connector protrusion in said opening of said end face of said tool-engaging portion. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said decorative cap is attached to said tool-engaging portion by a resin disposed between said opening and said connector protrusion. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 3 , wherein said opening in said end face of said tool-engaging portion is threaded and said resin is disposed between said threaded opening and said connector protrusion. 
     
     
         5 .- 19 . (canceled)