EP0528158A1

EP0528158A1 - Decorative and aesthetic multi-part ornamentations and the fabrication thereof

Info

Publication number: EP0528158A1
Application number: EP92111429A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Herman
Original assignee: HERMAN PEARL BUTTON COMPANY Inc
Current assignee: HERMAN PEARL BUTTON COMPANY Inc
Priority date: 1991-07-29
Filing date: 1992-07-06
Publication date: 1993-02-24
Also published as: CA2074690A1

Abstract

An article of ornamentation which as a button, piece of jewelry, container closure, belt buckle, knob for an item of cabinetry, or the like. The article has snap-type action securing elements formed respectively on bases and caps so that a number of different ornamentation caps can be disposed for co-action with a single base to fabricate a number of different ornamentation assemblies permanently attached to one another. In one embodiment the rib (50) is carried by a wall of the cap (42) for co-action with a groove (24) formed in the base (12). In another embodiment the rib is carried by a wall of the base for co-action with a groove disposed peripherally about the cap. In other embodiments a disc-like intermediate cap is disposed between a base and a top cap. In yet another embodiment the cap includes a pair of parallel disposed ribs one for co-action with a disc-like intermediate cap and one for co-action with the base member. In a preferred embodiment, the securing elements comprise one or more complementary chevron shaped wedge members positioned about a wall of said cap means and base means.

Description

Background of the Invention

This invention relates to ornamentations and more particularly to multi-part ornamentations particularly in the form of buttons, jewelry, liquid container closures, buckles for belts, and knobs for furniture and the like and the method of fabrication thereof.
Ornamentations, particularly in the form of buttons, items of jewelry such as broaches, pins, rings, earrings, bracelets, pendants, belt buckles and knobs for furniture and the like are used extensively to decorate households, wearing apparel and one's person.
Buttons are extensively use on garments as fastening devices and for ornamentation. Jewelry is similarly worn on the person. Knobs serve to assist in gaining access to cabinets, furniture, and similar items. Buckles are to secure two ends of a belt or strap together or as decorative ornaments for shoes, fabric hangings, and for many other purposes. Bottle containers have aesthetically selected cap shapes, which in many instances act as trademarks, to distinguish one bottle container from another.
The items of ornamentation include a base member which is used to facilitate holding of the item for use. Buttons, for example, include holes or a loop through which thread or other fastening material is passed to attach and secure the button to a garment. Jewelry pieces include pins, catches, loops, chains, clips, clasps and other devices by which the decorative part of the jewelry item is positioned for show. The general construction of a buckle usually requires some form of mechanism, clasp or device for attaching the buckle to its belt or strap. Containers, especially liquid bottle containers have screw-like threads to facilitate capping the container. Knobs have means for attachment to an item of cabinetry, furniture, or the like, such as a channel through its stem through which a screw passes for attaching to the furniture. For the purpose of this invention, ornamentations include buttons, jewelry, container caps, buckles and knobs for furniture and the like.
In the art, each of the above ornamentation types is produced by a manufacturer as a unitary construction. As a result, the manufacturer must stock a relatively large inventory of many different types of items. The present invention provides a system whereby a single base item may be attached to any of a wide variety of decorative caps. This construction thus permits use of a single base member with many different cap members and allows the manufacturer of such articles to minimize the number of items in inventory by reducing the number of bases for making such assemblies. The base member provides an attachment portion and a decorative cover for the base. The base and cover are permanently and non-removably snapped together once assembled. The prior art recognizes changeable items of ornamentation wherein a base member and a decorative member snap together in a removable fashion so that the ornamentation can be changed by the user at will. In contrast, the base and cover of this invention are not so removable.
In the prior art several other multi-part ornamental configurations in the form of buttons, jewelry and the like are known. U.S. patent 3,715,718 shows a button assembly secured to a base by the use of an adhesive. The use of such adhesive is messy. This patent also provides for snapping a decorative member for the button in place but this form of manufacture limits the ornamentation carrier to one having a ridge about the decorative member and to one where the decorative member is fabricated from springy material. U.S. patent 3,439,439 shows a decorative button assembly for use with coins as the decorative element which are loosely held in place. Other multi-part constructions are shown in U.S. patents 56,791; 316,253; and 327,442. Multi-part constructions using a base and a decorative part that assembles to the base with a snap type action are shown in U.S. patents 2,087,074; 3,414,949; 3,133,331; 4,742,696; 4,959,890. All these use fastening elements to position the decorative member to its carrier so that both snap together and also snap apart easily. This action also permits separation of the decorative member from the base when not desired and loss of the decorative member.
The present invention provides multi-part ornamentations particularly in the form of buttons, jewelry, container closures, buckles and knobs for furniture wherein any of several decorative facings can be attached to a given base member, thus permitting a large variety of ornamental configurations with a smaller inventory requirement for the manufacturer. The facings, once attached to a base are permanently, i.e. non-removably attached to the base.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an ornamental assembly comprising:

(a) base means including attaching means for securing said base means to an article;
(b) decorative cap means for co-action with and mounting to said base means;
(c) said base means and said cap means together carrying securing means for non-removably securing said base means and cap means together into an ornamental assembly; said securing means including securing elements which readily co-act to secure said base means and cap means together and which prevent separation of said base means and said cap means.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be in part discussed and in part apparent from a consideration of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through an item of ornamentation in the form of a button assembly incorporating the instant invention and enlarged to better show details thereof.
Figure 2 is a vertical section through an alternative item of ornamentation in the configuration of another button assembly construction incorporating the instant invention enlarged to better show details thereof.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of another alternative item of ornamentation in the configuration of another button assembly construction incorporating the instant invention and enlarged to better show details thereof.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of an intermediate member of the assembly of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a vertical section through the assembly of Figure 3.
Figure 6 is an exploded perspective showing of another alternative item of ornamentation in the configuration of still another button assembly construction incorporating the instant invention, enlarged to better show details thereof.
Figure 7 is a vertical section through the assembled button assembly construction of the button assembly of Figure 6, further enlarged to better show details thereof.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of another alternative item of ornamentation in the configuration of a button cap, incorporating the instant invention.
Figure 9 is another perspective view of the button cap of Figure 8 with a manufacturing step performed thereon.
Figure 10 is a side view of a button base for the button cap of Figures 8 and 9.
Figure 11 is a sectioned view of yet another button cap incorporating the instant invention.
Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of another item of ornamentation in the configuration of yet another button assembly incorporating the instant invention.
Figure 13 is a perspective view of the cap or cover for the button assembly of Figure 11, looking in from the bottom to better show details thereof.
Figure 14 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the cover for the assembly of Figure 12 showing one of the latching elements of the button assembly of Figures 12 and 13.
Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of yet another item of ornamentation in the configuration of a finger ring incorporating the instant invention.
Figure 16 is a vertical sectional view of the cover for the finger ring taken on line 16-16 of Figure 15.
Figure 17 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the cover of Figures 15 and 16 enlarged to better show details thereof.
Figure 18 is a schematic exploded showing of yet another alternative item of ornamentation in the configuration of a pin or broach incorporating the instant invention.
Figure 19 is a perspective view of still a further alternative item of ornamentation in the configuration of a pendant incorporating the instant invention.
Figure 20 is and exploded perspective view of the pendant of Figure 19.
Figure 21 is a vertical section through a still further alternative item of ornamentation in the configuration of yet another pendant incorporating the instant invention.
Figure 22 is a vertical section of another alternative item of ornamentation in the configuration of a pendant incorporating the instant invention.
Figure 23 is a detail of the circled portion of the pendant of Fig. 22 enlarged to better show details thereof.
Figure 24 is a vertical section of an alternative construction for retaining the decorative portion of the pendant of Figures 22 and 23 in position on its base.
Figure 25 shows a bottom cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the cap previously described in Figure 1 showing catches which prevent cap rotation.
Figure 26 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention where the cap member is provided with chevron shaped catches for cooperation with a base member.
Figure 27 shows a cross-sectional view of the cap member of Figure 26.
Figure 28 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention where the base member is provided with chevron shaped catches for cooperation with a cap member.
Figure 29 shows a cross-sectional view of the base member of Figure 28.
Figure 30 shows a break-away perspective view of another embodiment of the invention where base and cap members are configured as a bead having internal complementary, raised and recessed chevron engagements.
Figure 31 shows a perspective view of the engaged bead of Figure 30.
Figure 32 shows a perspective view of the engaged bead of Figure 30 with an additional ornamental band.
Figure 33 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a cap member.
Figure 34 is a perspective showing of a buckle assembly incorporating the instant invention.
Figure 35 is a perspective showing of base member for the buckle assembly of Figure 34.
Figure 36 is a vertical sectional view of the buckle assembly of Figure 34.
Figure 37 is a perspective showing of a container in the form of a bottle with a closure assembly incorporating the instant invention.
Figure 38 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the closure assembly of Figure 37 enlarged to better show details thereof.
Figure 39 is an exploded perspective view of a knob assembly according to the invention.
Figure 40 is an exploded perspective view of a knob incorporating the instant invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment will be described in detail with respect to a button or jewelry item, however, the base or closure member can also be a container closure, belt buckle, knob for a cabinet, etc. The latter constructions will be discussed and illustrated more briefly hereinafter. However, the requisite modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
With reference to Figure 1 there is generally shown at 10 an item of ornamentation in the configuration of a button assembly including a button base member 12 and a button cap member 14 all incorporating the instant invention. Base 12 is made from materials conventionally utilized to fabricate buttons such as plastic, metal, wood, bone or the like and includes an anchor or loop 20 conventionally secured to and extending from an underside 22 of button base 12. Anchor 20 is of a size, configuration and disposition to receive a fastening medium such as wire or thread to facilitate fastening assembly 10 to an article, such as clothing. A groove 24 is formed in a side surface 26 of button base 12 and extends around the periphery of button base 12 at a predetermined location between underside 22 and a top 30 of button base 12. The button base 12 may be circular, oval, square or any other conventional configuration. If desired, groove 24 may be continuous or discontinuous.
Button cap member 14 includes an upper surface 40 and side wall 42 including a side surface 44 depending therefrom thus forming a cap-like member. Surfaces 40 and 44 may, if desired, be decorated with any desired surface texture, color, or design. Side wall 42 includes an inner surface 46 having an open configuration corresponding to the circumferential configuration of side surface 26 of button base 12. An outwardly extending rib 50 extends about inner surface 46 of side wall 42 at a location thereon to co-act with groove 24 of button base 12. Rib 50 may be discontinuous or continuous and is formed discontinuous if groove 24 is so formed to correspond to and co-act with groove 24.
At least side wall 42 of button cap member 14 is formed to be resilient so that it can snap over button base 12 so that its rib 50 will snap into and co-act with groove 24 to secure button cap member 14 to button base 12. The resilience of side wall 42 and the co-action of rib 50 and groove 24 is selected to permit relatively easy assembly of button cap member 14 and button base member 12 but not permit disassembly thereof.
It is an important feature of this invention that the cap and base members of the assembly be substantially permanently and non-removably attached to one another once they are snapped together. This means that once these parts are united, essentially the only way they can be separated again would be to physically break them apart so that they would subsequently be non-usable, i.e. not re-attachable. This is important since if an item readily disassembles, consumers would find it unacceptable. For example, if a button on a garment comes apart either in a store, or in use, the customer would find that entire garment to be unacceptable. Hence readily detachable buttons, jewelry items and the like would not be commercially viable. An important feature of this invention is that the ornamentation assemblies must be non-removable once attached. This non-removable attachment is achieved in the absence of adhesives. In a more preferred embodiment, the ornamentation elements are also non-rotatable with respect to one another and in the most preferred embodiment, the elements are substantially not movable with respect to one another.
Ornamentation 10 of Figure 1 may just as well be a piece of jewelry such as a ring, broach, pin, pendant, tie tack, one of a pair of earrings, a belt, bottle closure, knob or the like with cap member 14 comprising the decorative portion of the piece of jewelry and base member 12 serving as the base for the decorative portion. The size and configuration of such base member 12 and its decorative portion 14 would be selected to be appropriate to the type of item. Anchor 20 would be replaced by an appropriate attaching structure such as a finger loop for a ring, a pin with catch for a pin or broach, clips for earrings, a loop for a pendant, a screw closure for a bottle, a knob stem or a buckle clasp attachment.
Figure 2 shows another embodiment of ornamentation in the configuration of a button assembly 100 including a base member 112 and a cap member 114. Base member 112, includes an anchor 120 suitably secured to and extending from an underside 122 of base member 112. Anchor 120 is of a configuration to receive a fastening medium, such as wire or thread to allow attaching assembly 100 to an article such as clothing.
Base member 112 is generally cup shaped and further includes an upwardly extending side wall 126 about its periphery terminating in an in-turned lip or rib 128 disposed at a predetermined height above a top surface 130 of base member 112. The circumferential configuration of base member 112, like that of base 12 of Figure 1, may be circular, oval, square, rectangular or any other conventional configuration. If desired lip or rib 128 may be continuous or discontinuous or may have fastening means at its tip such as a bead or a hook.
Button cap member 114 includes an upper surface 140, upper side wall 142, lower side wall 144 and a lower surface 146. Surface 140 and the surface of upper side wall 142 may, if desired, be decorated. The surfaces of lower side wall 144, and if desired upper side wall 142, have a peripheral configuration corresponding to that of side wall 126 of base member 112; with the peripheral configuration of lower side wall 144 of reduced diameter to that of upper side wall 142 and also corresponding to the internal peripheral configuration of lip 128 and of an internal surface 150 of side wall 126 of button base 112. The height of lower side wall 144 is such that lower surface 146 of cap 114 will not bottom against upper surface 130 of base member 112.
A circumferential groove 160 extends around the periphery of cap member 114 at the upper extremity of lower side wall 144 thereof proximate upper side wall 142. Groove 160 may be continuous or discontinuous and if discontinuous along with lip 128, the groove will correspond to rib 128 and co-act therewith as it will if groove 160 is continuous.
Preferably side wall 126 of base member 112 is formed to be resilient and so that its lip or rib 128 will receive and snap over lower side wall 144 of cap 114 and into groove 160 to co-act therewith and secure cap member 114 to base 112 permanently.
The resilience of side wall 126 of base member 112 and the coaction of lip 128 thereof with lower side wall 144 and groove 160 is selected to permit relatively easy assembly of cap member 114 and base member 112 but not permit disassembly thereof. Again, the anchor could be modified as above.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 together show yet another embodiment of ornamentation in the configuration of a button assembly 300 incorporating the instant invention. A button cap member 302 is formed to co-act with a button base member 304 and with an intermediate button member 306 disposed therebetween as shown in Figures 3 and 5.
As shown in Figure 5, base member 304 includes a disc-like body 310 having a side surface 312, an upper surface 314 and a lower surface 316 from which extends an anchor or hook 318 formed with an opening (not shown) to receive a fastening member such as a thread (not shown) for purposes of securing assembly 300 to an article of clothing. At least upper surface 314 of base member 304 may be decorated like the selected surfaces of button cap members 14 and 114 of the Figure 1 and 2 embodiments, or if desired the entire body 310 of base member 304 may be covered by a fabric such as cloth, plastic, or leather.
Intermediate member 306 is disc-like and its peripheral configuration conforms to that of base member 304 and cap member 302. Intermediate member 306 may be formed of relatively thin material dished upwardly as shown in Figures 4 and 5 and with a selected design 330 cut therein and therethrough to form an opening 332 and, if the design so employs, a number of leaf-like elements 334 disposed thereabout. Opening 332 may be centrally located with leaf-like elements 334 disposed thereabout. Preferably there is an opening through intermediate member 306 through which upper surface 314 of base member 302 can be seen. Intermediate member 306 also need not be dished as shown but may be just a relatively flat member.
Cap member 302 preferably includes a ring-like side wall 350 having a lower opening 352 (Figure 5) at its bottom, a circumferential rib 354 (Figures 3 and 5) around its top edge, and a plurality of lace-like strips 356 spanning an upper opening 358 dividing it into a plurality of smaller openings 359. A bead-like rib or hook 360 (Figure 5) extends about the periphery of lower opening 352 for co-action with button base member 304. The height of side wall 350 is selected so that bead 360 will snap beneath lower surface 316 of base member 304, when base member 304 is disposed within cap member 302 and when intermediate member 306 is disposed on upper surface 314 of base member 302 as shown in Figure 5 and co-act with lower surface 316 of base member 304 and side wall 312 thereof to secure button cap member 302 and intermediate member 306 together with base member 304 to form button assembly 300. The resilience of at least side wall 350 of cap member 302 permits a relatively easy snapping of cap member 302 over base member 304 and intermediate member 306 and thus assembly of button 300, but does not permit disassembly thereof. Leaf-like ribs 356 may be of any desired thickness, configuration, disposition and number and need not necessarily completely span upper opening 358. Preferable there are sufficient smaller openings 359 to view intermediate member 306 and base member 302.
Figures 6 and 7 together show another configuration of a button assembly 400. A top cap member 402 is formed to co-act with a base member 404 with an intermediate-cap member 406 disposed therebetween. Button base member 404 includes a disc-like body 410 having a side surface 412, an upper surface 414 and a lower surface 416 from which extends an anchor 418 formed with an opening 420 to receive a fastening member such as a thread (not shown) for purposes of securing button assembly 400 to an article of clothing. Upper surface 414 of base member 404 may be decorated like that of base member 314 of assembly 300 (Figures 3-5) or like base member 304, base member 404 may be covered by fabric such as cloth, plastic, or leather.
Button top-cap member 402 and button intermediate-cap member 406 are each cup-like and similar in configuration except that intermediate-cap member 406 is of a size and configuration to snap over and non-removably attach with button base member 404 and top-cap member 402 is of a size and configuration to snap over and non-removably attach with both intermediate-cap member 406 and button base member 404.
Intermediate-cap member 406 may include a ring-like side wall 440 having a lower opening 442 (Figure 7) at its bottom, a circumferential rib 444 around its top edge and a plurality of leaf-like cut-out members 446 extending into an upper opening 448. A bead-like rib 450 (Figure 7) extends about the circumferential periphery of lower opening 448 for co-action with base member 404. The height of side wall 440 is selected so that bead 450 thereof will snap beneath lower surface 416 of base member 404, when base member 404 is disposed within intermediate-cap member 406 as shown in Figure 7, and will co-act with lower surface 416 and side wall 412 of button base member 404 to secure intermediate-cap member 406 in place permanently.
Top-cap member 402, like intermediate-cap member 406, includes a ring-like side wall 460 having a lower opening 462 (Figure 7) at its bottom, a circumferential rib 464 around its top-edge and a plurality of leaf-like cut-out members 466 extending into an upper opening 468. A groove 470 extends about the circumferential periphery of an inner surface of top cap 402 proximate lower opening 448 for co-action with intermediate-cap member 406 and base member 404 as will be hereinafter described. The height of side wall 460 is selected so that groove 470 thereof will snap onto an outer bead 472 proximate a lower edge of side wall 440 of intermediate-cap member 406, as shown in Figure 7, when top-cap member 402 is disposed over intermediate-cap member 406 and will co-act with same to secure top-cap member 402 in place permanently.
Figures 8-10 shows yet another embodiment of ornamentation in the configuration of a button cap 502. Cap 502 may be made, for example, of metal, such as brass or aluminum. Fitted along a free marginal edge of cap 502 may be a grommet or collar 504. Collar 504 may be made of any suitable material, such as rubber or plastic. Collar 504 may be substantially ring-shaped and may have a slit cut circumferentially (not shown) to admit the marginal edge of the cap 502.
In the next step, the edge of the cap 502 is bent inwardly (as in Figure 9). A button base 506 is of a similar construction to those disclosed hereinabove. A chamfer 508 (Figure 10) is formed at the lower or bottom portion of base 506. On assembly, cap 502 is forced over base 506 and collar 504 snapped into chamfer 508 locking cap 502 into position.
It will also be understood that the cap (e.g., the cap of Figure 4 or 6) may have a central portion internally threaded. Thus, as shown in Figure 11, a cap 302' may have a threaded opening 606 formed in its top wall adjacent to its circumferential portion 354'. A design-bearing top wall 608 may then be threaded into the top. Once threaded into position, the consumer will not be aware that the design is inserted into the button. This assembly enables the manufacturer to employ any of a multiplicity of design elements to be used with a single shaped cap and base.
While the various ribs 50, 128, 360, 450 and 472 of the respective embodiments of Figures 1, 2, 3-5 and 6-7 respectively have been shown as being continuous about the circumference of their respective members, they may just as well be discontinuous as long as there is sufficient rib to co-act with the respective grooves to provide the desired and required secure attachment of caps and bases. Likewise the grooves can be discontinuous.
With reference to Figures 12-14 there is generally shown at 610 a button assembly including a button base member 612 and a button cap member 614. Button base 612 includes an anchor 620 extending from an underside 652 of button base 612.
Button cap member 614 includes an upper surface 640 and side wall 642 depending therefrom thus forming a cap-like member. Surfaces 640 may, if desired, be decorated. Side wall 642 includes an inner surface 646 (Figures 13 and 14) having an open configuration corresponding to the circumferential configuration of side surface 648 (Figures 12 and 14) of button base 612. A plurality of inwardly extending ribs or latching elements 650 extend about inner surface 646 of side wall 642 at locations thereon to co-act with bottom surface 652 of button base 612. Latching elements 650 are formed discontinuous and spaced about inner surface 646 and so as to correspond to and co-act with bottom surface 652 of button base 612 for permanent attachment.
At least side wall 642 of button cap member 614 is formed to be resilient and so that it can snap over button base 612 so that latching elements will snap beneath and co-act with bottom surface 652 of button base 612. The resilience of side wall 642 and the co-action of latching elements 650 with button base 652 is selected to permit relatively easy assembly of button cap member 614 and button base member 612 but not to permit disassembly thereof.
Figures 15, 16 and 17 together show yet another embodiment of ornamentation in the configuration of a piece of jewelry such as a finger ring 700. Ring 700 includes a base member 702 (Figures 15 and 17) formed of appropriate ring material such as metal (gold, silver, etc.) plastic, wood or the like and having an upper surface 704 which may or may not be decorated and a lower surface 706 to which is secured a finger loop 708 appropriately sized.
A snap cover 720 (Figures 15-17) is formed cap-like and of suitable metal, plastic or other materials and of a size and configuration to receive base body 702 within an inside space 722. A pair of substantially parallel and spaced latching rings or ribs 730, 732 are formed within and extending from an inner surface 734 of cover 720. The lower ring or rib 730 is configured and disposed to co-act with a lower surface of base 702 to retain base 702 and cover 720 positioned one with respect to the other.
An insert 740 (Figures 15 and 17) is formed of suitable material such as metal, plastic or the like to provide a decorative effect when disposed between snap cover 720 and base 702 as shown in Figure 17. Insert 740 may be solid, or cut-out to form a design 742 (Figure 15) disposed within a circumferential ring 744. Insert 740 is configured to be snapped in place within space 722 of cover 720 and to be secured in position by co-action of ring 744 of insert 740 with latch ring or rib 732 as shown in Figure 17.
If desired, ring or rib 732 may be formed to co-act with and be spaced from an upper ridge 750 to define with rib 732 a circumferential groove 752 sized and configured to receive and secure in position circumferential ring 744 of insert 740. This construction will permit a pre-assembly of selected inserts 740 and snap covers 720 as a sub-assembly for later combination with base 702. Latch rings or ribs 730, 732 may be formed continuous as described or as discrete and discontinuous spaced members disposed about and extending from inner surface 734 of snap cover 720.
The assembly of Figures 15-17 shows a base 702, a cover 720 and a single insert 740 which engages the inside of the cap. It is contemplated that one can provide several levels of similar inserts, each partially overlapping one another inside of the cap 720 in a multi-level arrangement.
Figure 18 shows yet another embodiment of the invention. A base member 802 is formed of relatively plain and conventional material and into a configuration and size to receive and carry a cover member 804 of a size and configuration to be received by and non-removably snapped onto base member 802 in a manner substantially identical to the co-action between the base and cap members of previously described embodiments. Cover member 804 is formed from cloth covered or otherwise decorated and aesthetically pleasing ornamented material and so as receive on its surface 806 a first half 808 of fastening means such as a conventional fastener the other half 810 of which is carried by yet another element of ornamentation 812. Ornamentation 812 is smaller than snap type cover member 804 and fastener halves 808, 810 are preferably disposed to position ornamentation element 812 so as to be centered on cover member 804. A non-centered disposition for ornamentation element 812 on cover member 804 may also be selected. A conventional pin or clasp 818 is fixedly secured to a rear surface 820 of base member 802.
Figures 19 and 20 together show another embodiment of ornamentation in the configuration of a pendant 840. An element 842 in the configuration of a gem, stone, metal, design, plastic bauble or similar piece of jewelry ornamentation is disposed within an outer cover 844 in the configuration of a ring. A pair of snap-in retainers 850, 852 (Figure 20) are of a size and configuration to co-act with outer cover 844 and ornamentation element 842 to retain ornamentation element 842 in position within outer cover 844. Each snap-in retainer 850, 852 is provided with a number of latching elements 860 that co-act with a ridge-like circumferential lip 862 within outer cover to permanently seat and snap retainers 850, 852 and outer cover 844 together with ornamentation element 842 disposed therebetween as shown in Figure 19. If preferred, latching elements 860 may be formed together as a continuous ring about the circumference of retainers 850, 852. A plurality of fingers 864 of selected configuration extend from each retainer 850, 852 to positions in front of ornamentation element 842 to further hold element 842 in position within cover 844 and retainers 860. A loop 868 of conventional construction extends out from cover 844 to facilitate hanging ornamentation 840 from a chain, rope, string or the like.
Figure 21 shows another embodiment in the configuration of pendant 880 including an outer cover or ring 882 formed with circumferential lips 884, 886 and within which is disposed an ornamentation piece 890 which may be similar to ornamentation piece 842 of Figures 19 and 20 and similarly held in place. A front applique 892 and a rear applique 894 are disposed respectively on opposite sides 896, 898 respectively of ornamentation piece 890 and along with piece 890 are secured in position by lips 884, 886. The circumferential configuration of piece 890 and of appliques 892, 894 may be as desired and the decoration or configuration of appliques 892, 894 may also be as desired and either identical or different. A loop 899 of conventional construction is carried by ring 882 to facilitate hanging ornamentation 880 from a chain, cord, or rope.
Figures 22, 23 and 24 show other embodiments of ornamentation in this instance in the configuration of pendants 900 (Figures 22 and 23) and 902 (Figure 24). Each pendant 900, 902 mounts a pair of ornamentation pieces 904, 906 respectively which may be jewel or decorative material. A base member 910 is provided for pendant 900 and includes a rear wall 912 and a circumferential wall 914 with a first portion 916 extending in a first direction from rear wall 912 and a second portion 918 extending in a second direction from rear wall 918. Rear wall 918 is preferably centered with respect to circumferential wall 914 but may be otherwise disposed with respect to same as long as two spaces 920 and 922 are provided each of a size and configuration to receive a respective ornamentation piece 904.
Inner surfaces 930, 932 of circumferential wall 914 are each respectively formed with a circumferential rib 934, 936 disposed to snap over circumferential edges 938, 940 of ornamentation pieces 904 to hold and retain ornamentation pieces 904 in position within spaces 920, 922. If preferred ribs 934, 936 may be continuous or discontinuous or replaced by spaced latching members similar to those shown in the embodiment of Figure 12. A conventional loop 940 is provided for pendant 900 to facilitate hanging pendant 900 from a chain, wire, rope, or string. Pendant 902 also includes a base member 950 similar to base member 910 of pendant 900 in that it includes a rear wall 952 and a wall 954 providing a first portion 956 and a second portion 958 within which rear wall may be centered as shown in Figure 24 or otherwise disposed. A first ornamentation space 960 is defined between first portion 956 and one surface of rear wall 952 and a second ornamentation space 962 is defined between second portion 958 and the other surface of rear wall 952. Spaces 960, 962 are each of a size and configuration to receive a respective ornamentation piece 906.
Inner surfaces 970, 972 of wall 954 are each respectively formed with a rib 974, 976 disposed to snap into and attach with grooves 978, 980 respectively of pieces 906 to hold and retain them pieces in position within spaces 960, 962. If preferred ribs 974, 976 may be discontinuous or replaced by spaced latching members such similar to those shown in the embodiment of Figure 12. A conventional loop 982 is provided for pendant 902 similar to loop 940 of pendant 900.
As heretofore described, the cap and base members, or combination cap and base with intermediate members are constructed in such a fashion that they are not removable from each other once assembled. Referring once again to Figure 1 as one embodiment of this feature, once cap 14 is pressed onto base 12, rib 50 slips into groove 24. Rib 50 and groove 24 are fashioned so that they are not separable from one another. In one embodiment, the lower edge of rib 50 may be rounded but the top edge may be flat so that it will not slip in an upward direction out of groove 24. Alternatively, rib 50 may hook into groove 24 or into a channel within groove 24. In another preferred embodiment, the groove of the base member, or the cap member as the case may be, may be provided with a series of stop catches to prevent rotation of the cap with respect to the base. Figure 25 shows a bottom cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the cap 14 previously described in Figure 1. The cross section is made through rib 50 which is provided with a series of fan-like projections 51 which catch the inside of groove 24 and prevent rotation.
Figures 26-29 show another embodiment of the invention where cap member 14 and base member 12 are provided with complementary chevron members 13 and 15 respectively. Cap member 14 is provided with several V-shaped recesses which snap together with V-shaped raised portions 13 on the base member. Alternatively, the V-shaped raised portions can be on the inside of the cap member 14 and the recesses can be disposed on base 12. When the cap and base of Figures 26 and 28 are snapped together in a manner analogous to that of Figure 1, the complementary chevrons engage and the cap and base are non-removably, non-rotatably and non-movably attached. Figures 27 and 29 show cross-sectional views of the chevron configured members of Figure 26 and 28.
Figure 30 shows another embodiment of the invention where a base member 17 and a cap member 19 are configured as a bead having complementary raised and recessed chevron engagement portions 21 and 23. Figure 31 shows an outer view of such a bead when attached. Figure 32 shows another attached bead having an ornamental band 25 and internal mating chevrons 21 and 23.
Figure 33 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein a cap member 25 is provided with a circumferential metal ring 27 around its outer periphery. Inside the ring is a plastic retainer 29. The retainer is held in place by a crimped over edge 31 of the metal ring. Inside of the retainer 29 is annular channel 33 which has either groove or rib means as previously described for cooperation with the complementary base means. Similarly, this ring and retainer could be provided on the base means for cooperation and engagement with complementary cap means.
With reference to Figure 34 there is shown at 1100 a buckle assembly including a buckle base member 1110 (Figures 34 and 35) and a buckle cap member 1112 (Figures 34 and 36) all incorporating the instant invention. Buckle base member 1110 (Figure 35) includes a frame 1114 upon which a covering of fabric 1116 is secured. Base member 1110 is, substantially rectangular in configuration with rounded corners. Other configurations may just as well be used for buckle base 1110.
A cross-bar 1130 spans opposite sides 1132, 1134 of buckle base member 1110 and with sides 1132 and 1134 and other sides 1140, 1144 define two openings 1150, 1160. Cross-bar 1130 serves as an attachment place for a belt, strap or the like (not shown) which may be secured thereabout permanently as by rivets or the like or interchangeably as by snaps in conventional manners. Openings 1150, 1160 serve as receptacles for the belt's other end when it is worn.
Buckle cover member 1112 is fitted over and secures to buckle base member 1110 as shown in Figure 36. A rib 1170 surrounds and extends out from an interior surface 1172 of buckle cap 1112, while another rib 1180 surrounds and extends out from an opposite interior surface 1182 of buckle cover 1112. Ribs 1170, 1180 may be continuous or discontinuous and form either a unitary or a plurality of latching elements disposed in spaced relationship about inner surfaces 1172, 1182 of cap or cover 1112. Whether continuous or discontinuous ribs 1170, 1180 are disposed and sized to snap over buckle base member 1110 and positioned beneath and in co-acting relationship with a bottom surface 1190 of buckle base member 1112. The walls 1194 of buckle cap member 1110 are fabricated from metal or plastic stock to be flexible to facilitate snapping of buckle cover member 1112 over buckle base member 1110 and the positioning of ribs 1170, 1180 beneath bottom surface 1190 of buckle base member 1110.
Buckle cap or cover member 1112 may have punch outs 1198 (Figure 33) formed therethrough to provide an aesthetically pleasing design and/or it may have its surface 1200 otherwise decorated and/or ornamented. Cap member 1112 may be fabricated from precious metals such as gold, silver or the like, from non-precious metals such as brass, copper, etc., from plastic or from any suitable substance or material. Buckle base member 1110 may or may not be fabric covered. It may be fabricated from suitable plastic or the like and may or may not have its surfaces decorated or ornamented. The treatment of the surface of base member 1110, when cap or cover member 1112 is formed with openings 1198, will be observable.
With reference to Figure 37 there is shown at 3000 a container assembly attached to a bottle 3010 sized and shaped to hold a desired substance such as a cosmetic. A closure 3020 is provided for bottle 3010. Closure 3020 includes a set of internal screw threads 3022 which are sized, shaped and configured to co-act with external threads 3024 formed about a neck 3026 formed on top of bottle 3010. Reference to a container includes bottles, flasks, and other similar items in which substances may be placed and which are to be covered by a closure, cap, cover or the like. While the closures are shown as including multiple screw threads, single screw threads may serve just as well and other closing arrangements such as snap on closures are also included. Closure 3020 is an assembly including a closure base member 3030 and a closure cap member 3040. Figure 38 shows further details of closure assembly with its base or body member 3030 formed of suitable and appropriate material such as metal, plastic or the like. The outer surface 3040 of snap cover 3050 is formed cap-like and of suitable metal, plastic or other materials and of a size and configuration to receive within an inside space 3052 provided therewithin and to co-act with base body member 3030. A pair of substantially parallel and spaced latching rings or ribs 3060, 3062 are formed within and extending from an inner surface 3064 of cover 3050. The lower ring or rib 3062 is configured and disposed to co-act with a lower surface of base 3030 to retain base 3030 and cover 3050 positioned one with respect to the other.
Optional insert 3070 is formed of suitable material such as metal, plastic or the like so as to provide a decorative effect when disposed between snap cover 3050 and base 3030. Insert 3070 is sized and configured to be snapped in place within space 3052 of cover 3050 and to be secured in position by co-action of ring 3074 of insert 3070 with latch ring or rib 3060 as shown in Figure 38. If desired, ring or rib 3060 may be formed to co-act with and be spaced from an upper ridge 3080 to define with rib 3060 a circumferential groove 3082 sized and configured to receive and secure in position circumferential ring 3074 of insert 3070. This construction will permit a pre-assembly of selected inserts 3070 and snap covers 3050 as a sub-assembly for later combination with base 3030. Latch rings or ribs 3060, 3062 may be formed continuous as described or as discrete and discontinuous spaced members disposed about and extending from inner surface 3064 of snap cover 3050.
Figure 39 presents a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention in the form of a knob assembly and shows a knob base member 12 having a shaft 20, a gripping end 23, and a screw 113 through a channel in the shaft to facilitate fastening the knob assembly to a cabinet, item of furniture, or the like. The knob assembly has an intermediate decorative disk member 115 and both the gripping end of the shaft and the intermediate disk member are held together by snapping them into a ring-like cap 14. In the preferred embodiment, shaft 20 has a rib about its outermost periphery at the gripping end 23, which rib non-removably engages a groove 17 around the inside surface of cap 14.
Figure 40 shows yet another embodiment of the invention. Knob assembly 700 includes a knob base or body member 702 formed of suitable material such as plastic, wood or the like and having an upper surface 704 which may or may not be decorated and a lower surface 706 to which is secured a shaft 708. Shaft 708 is of a size, configuration and disposition to receive a fastening means such as screw, bolt, or nail through a channel 709 in the shaft to facilitate fastening of the knob assembly to a cabinet, item of furniture, or the like.
A snap cover 720 is formed cap-like and of suitable metal, plastic or other materials and of a size and configuration to receive knob base body 702 within an inside space 722. A pair of substantially parallel and spaced latching rings or ribs 730, 732 are formed within and extending from an inner surface 734 of cover 720. The lower ring or rib 730 is configured and disposed to co-act with a lower surface of base 702 to retain base 702 and cover 720 positioned one with respect to the other.
An insert 740 is formed of suitable material such as metal, plastic or the like to provide a decorative effect when disposed between snap cover 720 and base 702. Insert 740 may be solid, or cut-out to form a design 742 disposed within a circumferential ring 744. Insert 740 is sized and configured to be snapped in place within space 722 of cover 720 and to be secured in position by co-action of ring 744 of insert 740 with latch ring or rib 732. If desired, ring or rib 732 may be formed to co-act with and be spaced from an upper ridge 750 to define with rib 732 a circumferential groove 752 sized and configured to receive and secure in position circumferential ring 744 of insert 740. This construction will permit a pre-assembly of selected inserts 740 and snap covers 720 as a sub-assembly for later combination with base 702.
From the above description it will thus be seen that there has been provided improved ornamentations in the configuration of button assemblies and jewelry pieces which are constructed from bases, caps and intermediate members which snap together in selected combinations to provide a large and wide variety of ornamentations, jewelry pieces and buttons from a small number of individual members in a simple and efficient manner. However, the base or closure member can also be a container closure, belt buckle, knob for an item of cabinetry, or the like.
It is understood that although the preferred forms of the invention have been shown, various modifications may be made in the details thereof without departing from the spirit as comprehended from the following claims.

Claims

An ornamental assembly comprising:
(a) base means including means for attaching said base means to an article;

(b) cap means for co-action with and mounting to said base means;

(c) said base means and said cap means together carrying securing means for non-removably securing said base means and cap means together into an ornamental assembly, said securing means including securing elements which readily co-act to secure said base means and cap means together and which prevent separation of said base means and said cap means.
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said securing means comprises a first securing element in the form of rib means carried by either said base means or said cap means and a second securing element in the form of groove means carried by the other of said base means or said cap means.
The assembly of claim 2, wherein at least one of said securing elements is carried by a resilient portion of the base means or cap means to facilitate said snap-type co-action.
The assembly of claim 3, wherein said cap means carries said rib means upon a circumferential wall which surrounds and extends from a top of said cap means and wherein said circumferential wall is sufficiently resilient to surround said base means and enter said groove means.
The assembly of claim 4, wherein said rib means is continuous or discontinuous about the circumferential periphery of said cap means.
The assembly of claim 3, wherein said base means carries said rib means upon a circumferential wall which surrounds and extends from a bottom of said base means and wherein said circumferential wall is resilient.
The assembly of claim 6, wherein said rib means is continuous or discontinuous about the circumferential periphery of said base means.
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said cap means includes a first cap member and a second cap member which together co-act with said base member to form the assembly.
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said securing means comprises a collar disposed about a free end of said cap; said free end, with said collar disposed thereon, is bent inwardly and said base has a circumferential chamfer for co-action with said collar.
The assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one insert member disposed between said base member and said cap member.
The assembly of claim 10, wherein said insert member is formed with a circumferentially disposed ring and which is positioned to fix with said cap member.
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said securing elements comprise one or more raised chevron shaped wedge members positioned about an internal or external perimeter wall of said cap means or said base means, and oppositely, a plurality of complementary recessed chevron shaped wedge members positioned about an external or internal perimeter wall of said base means or said cap means whichever does not have the raised chevron members, said raised chevron members and said recessed chevron members being capable of a snap-together engagement with one another, which engagement substantially prevents the movement of said cap means with respect to said base means.
The assembly of claim 12 comprising a plurality of raised and recessed chevron shaped wedge members disposed in bands positioned about said perimeter walls of said base means and said cap means.
The assembly of claim 13 comprising a plurality of raised and recessed chevron shaped wedge members disposed in a plurality of bands positioned about said perimeter walls of said base means and said cap means.
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said assembly comprises an item selected from the group consisting of a button, an item of jewelry, a container closure, a belt buckle, and a knob.
The assembly of claim 15 which is an item of jewelry selected form the group consisting of a ring, pin, tie tack, bead, broach or pendant.
The assembly of claim 1 further comprising means for preventing said cap means and said base means from rotating about one another.
The assembly of claim 1 further comprising means for preventing said cap means and said base means from moving with respect to the other.
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises a circumferential ring around the outer periphery of either said base means or said cap means, and a retainer member being disposed inside the ring and which is held by an edge of the metal ring, said retainer having an annular channel therethrough which has either groove or rib means for cooperation with the complementary cap means or base means.
A closure assembly comprising:
(a) closure base means including threaded attaching means for securing said closure base means to a bottle article; and

(b) closure cap means for co-action with and mounting to said closure base means; and

(c) said closure base means and said closure cap means together carrying said securing means for non-removably securing said closure base means and closure cap means together into a closure assembly, said securing means including securing elements which readily co-act to secure said closure base means and closure cap means together and which substantially prevent separation of said closure base means and said closure cap means.
A buckle assembly comprising:
(a) buckle base means including attaching means for securing said buckle base means to a belt, strap, sash or the like; and

(b) buckle cap means for co-action with and mounting to said buckle base means; and

(c) said buckle base means and said buckle cap means together carrying said securing means for non-removably securing said buckle base means and buckle cap means together into a buckle assembly, said securing means including securing elements which readily co-act to secure said buckle base means and buckle cap means together and which prevent separation of said buckle base means and said buckle cap means.
A snap together knob assembly for cabinetry, furniture, and the like which comprises:
(a) knob base means including means for attachment to an article of cabinetry, furniture, and the like;

(b) knob cover means for co-action with and mounting to said knob base means;

(c) said knob base means and said knob cover means together carrying securing means for non-removably securing said knob base means and knob cover means together into an assembly, said securing means including securing elements which readily co-act to secure said knob base means and knob cover means together and which prevent separation of said knob base means and said knob cover means.
A snap together knob assembly for cabinetry, furniture, and the like which comprises:
a) a post comprising a shaft, said shaft having a gripping end, said gripping end having an outer perimeter and securing means disposed about said outer perimeter; and

b) means for attaching said post to an article; and

c) a snap over cover element which surrounds said outer perimeter, said cover element having inner engaging means for permanently and immovably attaching the cover element to said securing means.
A method of producing an ornamental assembly comprising:
(a) providing base means including means for attaching said base means to an article; and

(b) providing cap means for co-action with and mounting to said base means; and

(c) said base means and said cap means together carrying said securing means for non-removably securing said base means and cap means together into a assembly, said securing means including securing elements which readily co-act to secure said base means and cap means together and which prevent separation of said base means and said cap means; said securing elements comprise one or more raised chevron shaped wedge members positioned about an internal or external perimeter wall of said cap means or said base means, and oppositely, a plurality of complementary recessed chevron shaped wedge members positioned about an external or internal perimeter wall of said base means or said cap means whichever does not have the raised chevron members, said raised chevron members and said recessed chevron members being capable of a snap-together engagement with one another, which engagement substantially prevents the movement of said cap means with respect to said base means; and

d) snapping together said base means and said cap means and engaging said complementary recessed and raised chevron members.