Fastener for Attaching Structures to a Tree

Abstract

A fastener for attaching structures to a tree employs, in an embodiment, a hanger bolt, a protective collet, and a mounting bracket for attaching a support structure to a tree in a way that minimizes damage to the tree. In some embodiments, an extending member adds length to the bolt. The mounting bracket attaches to the bolt. The bracket serves to affix hardware and separate support structures to a tree.

Claims

1. An apparatus for attaching a structure to a tree comprising: an elongate cylindrical main shaft having a first end and a second end and a long central axis; and said first end having wood screw threads thereon; and said second end having a threaded hole coaxial with said long central axis; and said main body having a threaded portion on its surface proximal to said second end; and a faceted portion on said main body proximal to said threaded portion furthest from said second end; and a portion of smooth body residing between said faceted portion and said wood screw threads; wherein said faceted portion is configured to receive a wrench to drive the wood screw threads into a tree, and said threaded portion is configured receive threaded nuts to affix hardware.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: an end-piece having a first end and a second end; said first end being faceted; and said second end threaded and configured to thread into said threaded hole; wherein a provided power tool may be engaged with said faceted end of said end-piece to drive said wood screw threads into a tree.

3. A method for using the apparatus of claim 2, the method comprising: drilling a hole in a tree sufficient to accommodate said wood screw threads; and engaging a provided wrench to said faceted portion of said main body; and rotating said main body about said long central axis to start threading said wood screw threads into said tree; and engaging said end-piece second end with said threaded hole in said main body; and engaging a provided power tool with said end-piece first end; and causing said power tool to rotate; driving said main body and said wood screw threads further into said tree.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a collet having an inner diameter configured to fit on said portion of smooth body; and an outer diameter configured to fit into a hole drilled into the sapwood of a tree; wherein cambium and bark grow over said collet such that the collet provides lateral and vertical support against movement of said main body when it is embedded in a tree.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a mounting bracket assembly configured to be affixed to said main body about said threaded portion proximal to said main body second end, the said mounting bracket comprising: a top, bottom and two sides surrounding a central hole; said central hole configured to receive said main body; said top being flat and configured to affix to flat surfaces; at least one threaded post extending downward from said bottom, configured to receive at least one nut; a clamping plate having at least one hole configured to receive said at least one threaded post; wherein a linear structural member may be clamped between said bottom and said clamping plate by engaging said at least one nut on said at least one threaded post and fastening said at least one nut and clamping plate against said linear structural member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: an extension member configured to extend the length of said main body comprising: an elongate cylindrical form of similar diameter to said main body having a first end and a second end; said first end having a threaded post configured to engage with said threaded hole of the main body; said second end having a threaded hole; the outer surface of the extension member, elongate cylindrical form being threaded; wherein as a tree grows over said main body, the body may be extended by threading said threaded post into said main-body threaded hole to continue use of the apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a tabbed sleeve comprising: a hollow cylindrical member having a top and a bottom and being configured to fit over said main body threaded portion and engaged with said main body by two nuts surrounding said hollow cylindrical member; a tab fixedly engaged with said top having at least one hole configured to pivotally engage with a bracket; and said bracket configured to support an elongate structural member, wherein said elongate structural member is configured to support a horizontal planar structure.

8. An apparatus for attaching a structure to a tree comprising: an elongate cylindrical main body having a first end and a second end and a long central axis; and said first end having wood screw threads thereon; and said second end having a threaded hole coaxial with said long central axis; and said main body having a threaded portion about its surface proximal to said second end; and a faceted portion on said main body proximal to said threaded portion furthest from said second end; and a portion of smooth body residing between said faceted portion and said wood screw threads; a cylindrical end-piece having a first end and a second end; said first end being faceted; and said second end threaded and configured to thread into said threaded hole; and a collet having an inner diameter configured to fit on said portion of smooth body; and an outer diameter configured to fit into a hole drilled into the sapwood of a tree; wherein said faceted portion is configured to receive a wrench to drive the wood screw threads into a tree, and said threaded portion is configured receive threaded nuts to affix hardware; and a provided power tool may be engaged with said faceted end of said end-piece to drive said wood screw threads of said main body further into a tree; and cambium and bark grow over said collet such that the collet provides lateral and vertical support against movement of said main body when it is embedded in a tree.

9. A method for using the apparatus of claim 8, the method comprising: slidably engaging said collet with said portion smooth of said main body; and drilling a hole in a tree sufficient to accommodate said wood screw threads; and drilling a second hole in said tree sufficient to accommodate the outside diameter of said collet; and engaging a provided wrench to said faceted portion of said main body; and rotating said main body about said long central axis to start threading said wood screw threads into said tree; and engaging said end-piece second end with said threaded hole in said main body; and engaging a provided power tool with said end-piece first end; and causing said power tool to rotate; driving said main body and said wood screw threads further into said tree; and setting said collet into said second hole.

10. An apparatus for attaching a structure to a tree comprising: an elongate cylindrical main body having a first end and a second end and a long central axis; and said first end having wood screw threads thereon; and said second end having a threaded hole coaxial with said long central axis; and said main body having a threaded portion about its surface proximal to said second end; and a faceted portion on said main body proximal to said threaded portion furthest from said second end; and a portion of smooth body residing between said faceted portion and said wood screw threads; a cylindrical end-piece having a first end and a second end; said first end being faceted; and said second end threaded and configured to thread into said threaded hole; and a collet having an inner diameter configured to fit on said portion of smooth body; and an outer diameter configured to fit into a hole drilled into the sapwood of a tree; and an extension member configured to extend the length of said main body comprising: an elongate cylindrical form of similar diameter to said main body having a first end and a second end; said first end having a threaded post configured to engage with said threaded hole; said second end having a threaded hole; the outer surface of the extension member, elongate cylindrical form being threaded; wherein said faceted portion is configured to receive a wrench to drive the wood screw threads into a tree, and said threaded portion is configured receive threaded nuts to affix hardware; and a provided power tool may be engaged with said faceted end of said end-piece to drive said wood screw threads of said main body further into a tree; and cambium and bark grow over said collet such that the collet provides lateral and vertical support against movement of said main body when it is embedded in a tree; and as a tree grows over said main body, the body may be extended by threading said threaded post into said main body threaded hole to continue use of the apparatus.

11. A method for using the apparatus of claim 10, the method comprising: slidably engaging said collet with said portion smooth of said main body; and drilling a hole in a tree sufficient to accommodate said wood screw threads; and drilling a second hole in said tree sufficient to accommodate the outside diameter of said collet; and engaging a provided wrench to said faceted portion of said main body; and rotating said main body about said long central axis to start threading said wood screw threads into said tree; and engaging said end-piece second end with said threaded hole in said main body; and engaging a provided power tool with said end-piece first end; and causing said power tool to rotate; driving said main body and said wood screw threads further into said tree; and setting said collet into said second hole; and removing said end-piece; and engaging said extension member threaded first end with said threaded hole in said main body; and engaging a provided wrench with said end-piece to tighten said extension member threaded end in said main shaft threaded hole.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective, partially exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view depicting the embodiment of FIG. 1 with an extension member;

[0025] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 3;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 installed in a tree, the tree shown in cross section;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an array of the embodiment installed on a tree with additional hardware;

[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective, detail view of an example embodiment connected to a cable;

[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective, detail view of an array of the example embodiment engaged with an angled support bracket.

DESCRIPTION

[0030] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the hanger bolt's main shaft 110 having a threaded portion 111 to mate with nuts 122 and 124, a threaded hole 136, a faceted portion (in this illustration, a hex screw) 118, a smooth-shank portion 113 and a wood-screw portion 116. In some embodiments the wood-screw portion has threads similar to a lag screw. The wood-screw portion 116 is disposed on the distal end of the hanger bolt's main shaft 110, while the threaded hole 136 is at the proximal end. The smooth-shank portion 113 resides proximal to the wood-screw portion 116. The faceted portion 118 is proximal to the smooth-shank portion and the threaded portion 111 is proximal to the faceted portion 118.

[0031] A mounting bracket assembly 140 is designed to be affixed to the main shaft 110, about the threaded portion 111. The mounting bracket assembly has a flat top section 121 for joining to flat structural surfaces. One skilled in the art understands that flat structural surfaces may include wood structures for platforms, bracing, joists and the like and may be affixed with various fasteners such as screws or nails.

[0032] A bracket main body 120 has at least one threaded post. The example embodiment shows a first 126 and a second post 128. The first and second post 126, 128 pass through a clamping plate 130 and mate with nuts 127, 129 respectively. In some embodiments, the mounting bracket assembly is held fast to the main shaft 110 by nuts 122 and 124 which thread on the main shaft threaded portion 111 and restrict movement of the mounting bracket assembly 140 when tightened against either end. The mounting bracket assembly 140 may be moved along the threaded portion 111 of the main shaft 110 to adjust its position along the main shaft 110. A hexagonal threaded end-piece 114 threads into the threaded hole 136. In an example use of the embodiment, a power tool mates with the hexagonal threaded end-piece 114 to drive the main shaft 110 into a tree. One skilled in the art understands that a power tool may provide centered torque to prevent skewed mounting of a main shaft 110 thus preventing damage to a tree to which the main shaft 110 is being mounted.

[0033] The illustration in FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 with an added extension member 132. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 3. FIGS. 3 and 4 show a main shaft 110 with a threaded portion 111, a threaded hole 136, a faceted portion 118, a smooth-shank portion 113 and a wood-screw portion 116.

[0034] The wood-screw portion 116 is disposed on the distal end of the hanger bolt's main shaft 110, while the threaded hole 136 is at the proximal end. The smooth-shank portion 113 resides proximal to the wood-screw portion 116. The faceted portion 118 is proximal to the smooth-shank portion and the threaded portion 111 is proximal to the faceted portion 118.

[0035] An extension member 132 has a threaded portion 115, a threaded post 134 at one end and a threaded hole 138 in the opposite end. The threaded post 134 mates with the threaded hole 136 in the main shaft 110. The mounting bracket assembly 140, in this configuration, is affixed to the extension member 132 about the threaded portion 115. The hexagonal threaded end-piece 114, in this configuration, threads into the threaded hole 138.

[0036] One skilled in the art understands that an example main shaft 110 may become enveloped by a tree as the tree grows and that an extension member 132, when added to the end of the main shaft 110, allows for continued use of the device.

[0037] The illustration in FIG. 5 depicts an apparatus 100 installed in a tree segment 150. A collet 112 is interchangeable; in some applications a collet of a different size is required and is inserted onto the smooth-shank portion 113 (FIG. 4) of the main shaft 110. The collet 112 fits into a hole 142 that is sized to fit tightly around the collet 112. A smaller hole drilled into the tree accommodates the wood-threaded portion 116 of the hanger bolt. The collet is embedded into the sapwood 156 of the tree, while the phloem or cambium 154 and bark 152 will seal around the collet 112 in approximately one year of growth. As the bark 152 and phloem 154 continue to grow around the apparatus 100, the faceted portion 118 will become enveloped by the tree, further securing the main shaft 110 in the tree and preventing the main shaft from rotating, while the faceted portion 118 becomes further embedded in the tree as it grows.

[0038] The illustration in FIG. 6 depicts an array of the apparatus 100 arranged at substantially equal heights about the trunk of a tree 150 with a ring 160 mounted in the mounting bracket assembly 140 (FIG. 4).

[0039] FIG. 7 depicts an example of the embodiment 100 engaged with a sleeve 145 and paired washers 144 and nuts 146 arranged to fasten a cable 148 to the threaded portion 111 of the main shaft 110.

[0040] FIG. 8 depicts an example embodiment 100 engaged with a tabbed sleeve 175 that pivotally connects to a bracket 178 that is affixed to a structural support member 179 by fasteners 177. The tabbed sleeve 175 is affixed to the threaded portion 111 of the embodiment 100 with nuts 176.

[0041] While example embodiments have been described herein, it is expressly noted that these embodiments should not be construed as limiting.