# US 2014/0154029 A1 · Plugs With Dimensional Tolerance Absorbing Hold-In Surfaces > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0154029 A1 - Document ID: US20140154029A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/172,076 - Filed: 2014-02-04 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2009-01-16 - Assignees: The Ipe Clip Fastener Company, LLC - Inventors: Robert J. Pelc - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140154029A1 ## CPC - F16B 13/14: Non-metallic plugs or sleeves {(not used, see F16B13/002- F16B13/12)}; Use of liquid, loose solid or kneadable material therefor - A47B 95/00: Fittings for furniture - F16B 19/004: {made in one piece (F16B21/084 takes precedence)} - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) ## Abstract A solid plug, any chosen material, tapered to approximately one degree or un-tapered, having a three-dimensionally textured surface made up of elements imparted upon a surface of the plug causing the plug to exhibit a strong hold-in force of outwardly directed pressure against a side wall of a drilled hole into which the plug is installed keeping the plug within the drilled hole so that the plug does not protrude out of the hole preventing tripping hazards when the hole is drilled in walking surfaces all without requiring the addition of a glue, special tools, or special fasteners. The elements most often imparted on a circumferential surface of the plug comprise outwardly projecting protuberances or incised structures. The plug has a 30 second or less installation time. When the plug is a wooden plug its top end exhibits the wood's face grain. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A plug, comprising: a solid plug having a textured surface made up of three-dimensional elements created upon said plug, said elements causing said plug to exhibit a strong hold-in force of outwardly directed pressure against the side wall of the drilled hole into which the plug is installed, said hold-in force keeping said plug within the drilled hole so that said plug does not protrude out of the hole preventing tripping hazards on walking surfaces, said plug structured to not require special tools or special fasteners during installation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The plug, as recited in claim 1, said elements further comprising outwardly projecting protuberances. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The plug, as recited in claim 2, wherein said protuberances are about the circumferential surface of said plug. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The plug, as recited in claim 2, wherein said protuberances are about the side, top or bottom surfaces of said plug. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The plug, as recited in claim 2, wherein said protuberances are ridges. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The plug, as recited in claim 2, wherein said protuberances are individual ridges, knobs, bulges, or nodes, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The plug, as recited in claim 2, wherein said protuberances are aligned perpendicular to the axial direction of the plug. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The plug, as recited in claim 2, wherein said protuberances are aligned parallel to the axial direction of the plug. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The plug, as recited in claim 5, wherein said ridges form a series of rings about the circumferential surface of said plug. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The plug, as recited in claim 6, wherein said protuberances are distinctly separate from each other. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The plug, as recited in claim 6, wherein said protuberances blend into adjacent of said protuberances. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The plug, as recited in claim 1, further comprising said plug being a plug tapered to approximately 1 degree of taper. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The plug, as recited in claim 1, further comprising said plug being a wooden plug. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The plug, as recited in claim 14, further comprising said plug being tapered to approximately 1 degree of taper. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The plug, as recited in claim 1, further comprising said elements being elements incised into said plug. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The plug, as recited in claim 1, further comprising having a round, straight sided, or tapered form. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The plug, as recited in claim 1, further comprising having an installation time of less than 30 seconds. ### Claim 19 A plug, comprising: a solid plug tapered to approximately 1 degree having a three-dimensionally textured surface made up of elements generated upon said plug, said elements causing said plug to exhibit a strong hold-in force of outwardly directed pressure against a side wall of a drilled hole into which the plug is installed, said hold-in force keeping said plug within the drilled hole so that said plug does not protrude out of the hole preventing tripping hazards when said hole is drilled in walking surfaces, said plug not requiring the addition of a glue, special tools, or special fasteners during installation, said plug having a top end, a bottom end, and circumferential surface, said elements further comprising outwardly projecting protuberances or incised structures imparted on said circumferential surface of said plug, and said plug having a 30 second or less installation time. ### Claim 20 A plug, comprising: a solid wood plug tapered to approximately 1 degree having a three-dimensionally textured surface made up of elements imparted upon said plug, said elements causing said plug to exhibit a strong hold-in force of outwardly directed pressure against a side wall of a drilled hole into which the plug is installed, said hold-in force keeping said plug within the drilled hole so that said plug does not protrude out of the hole preventing tripping hazards when said hole is drilled in walking surfaces, said plug not requiring the addition of a glue, special tools, or special fasteners in its installation, said plug having a top end, a bottom end, and circumferential surface, said elements further comprising outwardly projecting protuberances or incised structures imparted on said circumferential surface of said plug, said plug having a 30 second or less installation time, and said top end having the face grain of the wood.