EP2557956A2

EP2557956A2 - Button for articles of clothing

Info

Publication number: EP2557956A2
Application number: EP11722168A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nicola Siffredi
Original assignee: Sciaguato Susanna
Current assignee: Sciaguato Susanna
Priority date: 2010-04-15
Filing date: 2011-04-12
Publication date: 2013-02-20
Also published as: WO2011128851A2; ITAL20100008U1; WO2011128851A3

Abstract

Button for articles of clothing comprising a first part (10) intended to be attached on a fabric portion of the article of clothing by seams or the like, a second part (11) having an essentially aesthetic effect connectable to the first part such to overlap said first part for covering it, particularly for covering the underlying seams, wherein said first part has a substantially flat shape and has areas (12) for the seams to pass through, said second part has a bottom wall and a perimetral spacer rim such to substantially form a container, typical a cylindrical one, of which the first part is the closure when in the coupled condition, there being provided means (13, 14, 110) for removably fastening said first part on said second part in a closed overlapping position.

Description

SCIAGUATO SUSANNA

BUTTON FOR ARTICLES OF CLOTHING The invention relates to a button, particularly a sew-through button, intended to be fastened to parts of articles of clothing in general, such as shirts, blouses, sweaters and the like, by sewing threads.

As it is known, seam threads of conventional buttons are exposed therefore they may be unaesthetic, particularly with reference to decorative buttons having special precious decorations.

The so called button-covers are known which overcome such drawback by providing a cover element that is removably attached to the underlying button mainly by means of elastic clips such as described in EP-A-0252887.

While such solutions are simple and efficacious, their drawback is that the button-cover has to be removed every time the garment upon which it is arranged needs to be washed since it is subject to accidental detachment. Moreover such button-covers are made in order to adhere as much as possible against the underlying button such to reduce the overall dimensions that might be unaesthetic or that might even prevent the button/button-cover assembly from being fitted into the corresponding buttonhole.

However there are very particular decorative buttons having stones mounted thereon, such as for instance those by Alexander Amost company, which have such considerable dimensions and shapes that cannot be reproduced on a simple button-cover that generally is unstably attached.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a decorative button able to house, in a secure way, even precious stones without the imperfections due to the seam threads of the conventional buttons, at least partially overcoming the drawbacks of prior art buttons .

The invention achieves the above aim by providing a button for articles of clothing comprising a first part intended to be attached on a fabric portion of the article of clothing by means of seams or the like, a second part having an essentially aesthetic effect, for example with decorative elements comprising ornamental stones, ornamental drawings, inscriptions, decorations and the like, which is connectable to the first part such that it overlaps said first part for covering it, particularly for covering the underlying seams. The first part has a substantially flat shape and has areas for the threads to pass through, such as through holes, the second part has a bottom wall and a perimetral spacer rim such to substantially form a container, typical a cylindrical one, of which the first part is the closure when in the coupled condition, there being provided means for removably fastening said first part on said second part in a closed overlapping position. Particularly the two parts, when in the coupled condition, harmoniously match each other such to form a closed hollow body. The container or hollow body preferably has such dimensions that one or more stones and/or gemstones and/or similar ornaments are at least partially housed therein. Advantageously it can have a longitudinal extension ranging from about 57% to 63% of the maximum diameter of the stone to be received.

Due to that the button according to the invention can firmly house one or more stones therein without using clip fastening systems or the like on already existing buttons . This is a real button, even if it is divided into two parts, having such a thickness that it allows ornaments such as stones or gemstones to be applied/fitted/mounted without being affected by imperfections due to typical seams of conventional ornamental buttons.

Within the scope of the present invention the term stone or gemstone means any ornament composed of objects to be housed and/or mounted and/or anyway attached to the button, both jewels, such as for example diamonds, rubies, topazes, sapphires and the like, or trinkets, that is independently of the value thereof .

The second part constituting the button typically has at least a hole intended to allow a portion of a gemstone or stone housed within the container or hollow body to be exposed to the outside. This is particularly advantageous with reference to precious stones such as diamonds that, as it is known, have smaller dimensions changing depending on the cut and the carat weight . More generally the second part constituting the button can comprise one or more housings wherein several gemstones or stones can be arranged individually or clustered together such to form, for example, a pave. Housings can also be obtained on the outer surface of the button, for example by applying supports, but it is particularly advantageous to divide the button cavity into several compartments intended to house different stones, even with different dimensions, or several stones together for example in order to form a special decoration such to reduce the overall dimensions of the button and such to cause the stones to be locked in a more reliable way. It is possible for example to provide the button to have holes with such dimensions to interfere with the stones in such a way that, if the latter are mounted from the inside to the outside, in case of an accidental detachment, they can fall only inside the cavity, and therefore, they do not get lost.

The stone or stones can be attached to the button by any type of retaining means, but advantageously the latter are composed of the first part of the button. It is possible to provide the second part to have a dimension that depends on the type of stone/stones to be mounted such that the stone or stones abut, when the parts are in the coupled condition, on said first part or on an element integral therewith.

Advantageously the means for removably attaching the second part on the first part of the button comprise snap- fit and/or press- fit and/or screw thread and/or bayonet and/or magnet engagement elements.

To this end, the second part can have engagement means arranged and/or obtained on an inner wall, while the first part can have a projecting perimetral wall equipped with complementary engagement means.

According to an embodiment, the engagement means comprise complementary screw threads obtained on the outside of the perimetral rim of the first part and on the inside of the wall of the second part respectively.

According to another embodiment, the engagement means comprise projections and corresponding grooves for locking the two parts by a press-fit and/or a bayonet coupling. Projections and grooves are arranged on the perimetral rim of the second part and on the perimetral rim of the first part respectively. Obviously it can be also vice versa, that is the projections can be arranged on the perimetral rim of the first part and the grooves on the second part. An intermediate solution is also possible wherein there are many projections and grooves and are arranged in any position with reference to the two parts. Obviously the terms projection and groove have to be considered with reference to their general meaning of complementary elements abutting by snap-fit or anyway by a press-fit, such as for example tabs, holes, notches and the like.

According to an improvement, the first part has a disk-like or cup-like configuration with the perimetral rim arranged at a radial distance smaller than the radius such to form an annular band for the abutment of the second part when in the coupled position. This allows, mainly in case of a screw thread connection, a stop to be obtained for the second part that couples with the first one such to ensure a predetermined minimum dimension for the inner cavity of the button independently of the locking degree.

According to another embodiment, the button comprises an articulated connection for the pivoting connection of the second part to the first part and means for removably locking said second part on said first part. Typically the articulated connection comprises a first hinge element integral with said first part and a second hinge element integral with said second part, said first hinge element and said second hinge element being coupled together in order to allow such a rotation that the second part overlaps the first part.

According to an improvement, means for removably fastening the second part on the first part comprise a projecting element integral to said first part, typically integral thereto, and having a portion engaging by a snap- fit with a complementary portion obtained in said second part, the arrangement being such that, following the pivoting movement of said second part relative to said first part, said projecting element of the first part interference-fits into said complementary portion of said second part.

According to an aspect, the button according to the invention is provided in combination with one or more stones, said stone or stones being at least partially housed into the hollow body of the button, one or more apertures being provided for exposing said stone or stones to the outside. According to another aspect, the invention relates to a kit comprising a plurality of buttons as described above, wherein the parts constituting said buttons are detachable and interchangeable such that several second ornamental parts can be coupled to the same first part depending on the type of desired ornament. The kit can comprise several second parts having different dimensions and/or shapes, in particular intended to hold stone or gemstones having different dimensions.

The second parts of the kit can be coupled to the same first part in order to make such buttons suitable for different ornamental needs, particularly for different types of stones or gemstones. Thus there is provided a range of button types that are aesthetically different one another and able to house different stones, while keeping the same structure attached to the fabric, thus making it possible to change the appearance of the object due to changed aesthetic needs even contingent needs of the wearer and therefore depending on desired use needs.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a combination of a plurality of buttons as described hereinbefore and a cloth piece or a ribbon or the like. The buttons are sewn on the cloth piece at a predetermined distance from each other such that said cloth piece can be directly sewn on a shirt, typically a tailored shirt. Thus it is possible to sew/unsew all the buttons together, a particularly useful operation in case of a complete replacement thereof.

The invention relates also to a shirt comprising one or more buttons according to the invention that are sewn directly or by means of the ribbon/cloth piece described above.

Advantageously the shirt can comprise a series of corresponding buttonholes on both the fabric portions to be buttoned, the buttons sewn on the cloth piece/ribbon being inserted or insertable in the series of buttonholes. Thus it is possible to easily replace the buttons by changing the cloth piece/ribbon without sewing/unsewing the shirt or to use the same type of buttons on different shirts.

The invention relates also to a cloth piece with the buttons object of the present invention which buttons are arranged on the cloth piece at such distances corresponding to the distances of the buttonholes provided on the shirt portions to be buttoned.

Further characteristics and improvements will form the subject of the subclaims.

Characteristics of the invention and advantages deriving therefrom will be more clear from the following detailed description of the annexed drawings, wherein:

- Fig.l is a front perspective view of a button according to a first embodiment in the open condition that is with the parts not coupled together.

- Figs. 2 and 3 are a side view and a further perspective view respectively of the same button of the previous figure .

- Fig. 4 is a top view of the same button in the closed condition, that is with the second part tilted on the first part.

- Fig. 5 is a further side view of the button, in the open condition.

- Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the area of the second part intended to engage the first part.

- Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of a second embodiment of the button according to the invention in the configuration with the parts screwed together.

- Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of a third embodiment of the button according to the invention in the configuration with the parts coupled by a snap-fit.

- Figs. 9 and 10 are perspective views of the first and second parts of the button respectively according to a fourth embodiment.

With reference to Fig.l, the button according to the invention comprises a first part 10 intended to be attached on a fabric portion of an article of clothing by sewing or the like, and a second part 11 connected to the first part.

The first part 10 has a flat shape and has at least two (in the shown example four) through areas or holes 12 for the seams to pass through. The part 11, being shaped as a small container open at one side, is mounted so as to swing relative to the part 10 by means of a hinge 13 composed of a first hinge element 130 integral with the first part 10 and removably mounted into a second hinge element 131 integral with the part 11. The connection between the first hinge element 130 and the second hinge element is of the pivoting type with a rotation about the axis of a pivot (not shown in the figures) engaged in both the elements 130 and 131 such that the part 11 can abut against the part 10 in order to form a closed container able to house one or more ornamental stones therein.

As it can be seen in Fig.5, there are provided means for removably locking the part 11 on the part 10 which are composed of a projecting element 14 integral with the part 10 having a portion 140 for the snap-fit engagement with a complementary portion 110 formed in the part 11. The arrangement is such that after the second part 11 is pivoted on the first part 10, the projecting element 14 is interference- fitted into the complementary portion 110 thus causing the two parts to be removably locked.

The exposed outer surface of the part 11 is intended to support decorative elements. In the particular embodiment shown in the figures, said decorative elements are composed of a centrally arranged ornamental stone 15 (see Fig.4) . The part 11 has a central hole whose dimensions are smaller than the maximum diameter of the stone such to prevent it from being detached and from getting lost. To this end advantageously it is possible to provide the bottom of the button, composed of the inner surface of the part 10, to provide such an abutment to exert a longitudinal force on the stone in the direction interfering with said hole thus the stone being automatically efficaciously and securely fastened.

The part 10 can also have a perimetral spacer rim harmoniously matching with the wall of the part 11.

Fig.7 shows another embodiment of the button according to the invention. Here, the two parts constituting the button body match each other by screwing. To this end the inner longitudinal wall 109 of the part 11 is provided with a screw thread 312 cooperating with a corresponding screw thread 412 obtained on the outside of a perimetral rim 209 formed on the part 10 provided with holes 12 for the seams.

According to a variant, the two parts 10 and 11 can be coupled by a press-fit, by providing instead of the screw threads, corresponding engagement elements 112, 212 such as shown in Fig.8.

Advantageously there can be provided a bayonet- type coupling. To this end the perimetral rim 209 formed on the part 10 can have one or more substantially L-shaped grooves intended to allow one or more corresponding projections arranged on the inner wall 109 of the part 11 to be fitted, and consequently locked therein. That is to say the part 11 is fitted into the part 10 by a longitudinal translation movement that causes the projection to be engaged into a first vertical section of the groove. The locking is performed by a subsequent rotational movement that causes the projection to be engaged into a second substantially horizontal section of the groove like a BNC.

According to a variant, it is possible to provide the perimetral rim of the part 10 to be inwardly offset such to ensure an abutment face 213 for the upper body independently of the coupling type that is considered.

Figs.9 and 10 show an alternative configuration of the button with screwing parts. Here, the second part 11 in the center has a threaded pin 111 secured to the bottom thereof intended to be screwed on a corresponding seat 210 formed in the first part 10. The screw thread coupling is to be preferred since it provides a more secure fastening, but it is also possible to provide the pin 111 to be fitted into the seat 210 by a press-fit.

According to a variant, the pin 111 can be secured, instead of to the bottom wall, to a wall arranged at a specific distance therefrom such to form a recess intended to receive one or more stones.

According to a further variant, it is possible to provide the two button parts to comprise, or to be composed of, one or more magnets, or anyway magnetized or magnetic elements, that is the coupling is ensured by a magnetic force. To this end the first part 10 can be made of metal or can include a metal or magnetized area for coupling to a magnet, for example situated on the end portion of the pin 111 or on the inner wall of the part 11. Obviously the magnet, or anyway the magnetic or magnetized area, can be arranged even on the first part 10, the second part 11 having a corresponding metal or magnetic area or anyway an area intended to be attracted by the magnet or by the magnetic area of the first part 10.

The two parts constituting the body of the button can be made of any material, even of different materials. Moreover they can be shaped in any manner such that they can harmoniously match each other, for instance a circular, elliptic, quadrilateral, polygonal, rhomboidal shape, etc.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated herein but may be greatly varied, especially as regards construction. For example it is possible to provide the decorative elements to be of several types, such as ornamental stones, ornamental drawings, inscriptions, coloured enamels and the like. All this without departure from the guiding principle disclosed above and claimed below.

Claims

1. Button for articles of clothing comprising a first part (10) intended to be attached on a fabric portion of the article of clothing by seams or the like, a second part (11) having an essentially- aesthetic effect connectable to the first part (10) such to overlap said first part for covering it, particularly for covering the underlying seams, characterized in that

said first part (10) has a substantially flat shape and has areas for the seams (12) to pass through, said second part (11) has a bottom wall and a perimetral spacer rim such to substantially form a container, typical a cylindrical one, of which the first part (10) is the closure when in the coupled condition, there being provided means (13, 110, 140, 111, 210, 112, 212, 312, 412) for removably fastening said first part (10) on said second part (11) in a closed overlapping position.

2. Button according to claim 1, characterized in that the two parts, when in the coupled condition, harmoniously match each other such to form a closed hollow body.

3. Button according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said container or hollow body has such dimensions that one or more stones and/or gemstones and/or similar ornaments are at least partially housed therein.

4. Button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second part has at least a hole (15) intended to allow a portion of a gemstone or stone housed within the container or hollow body to be exposed to the outside.

5. Button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second part (11) comprises one or more housings wherein several gemstones or stones can be arranged individually or clustered together such to form a pave.

6. Button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that there are provided retaining means for fastening the stone or stones to the button.

7. Button according to claim 6, characterized in that said retaining means comprise the first part (10) of the button, the second part (11) having a dimension depending on the type of stone/stones to be mounted such that the stone or stones abut, when the parts are in the coupled condition, on said first part or on an element integral therewith.

8. Button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means for removably fastening said second part (11) on said first part (10) comprise snap-fit and/or press-fit and/or screw thread and/or bayonet and/or magnet engagement elements (110, 140, 111, 210, 112, 212, 312, 412).

9. Button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second part has engagement means arranged and/or obtained on an inner wall (109) , said first part (10) having a projecting perimetral wall (209) equipped with complementary engagement means.

10. Button according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said engagement means comprise complementary screw threads (312, 412) obtained on the outside of the perimetral rim (109) of the first part

(10) and on the inside of the wall (209) of the second part (11) respectively.

11. Button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engagement means comprise projections (112) and corresponding grooves (212) for locking the two parts by a press-fit and/or a bayonet coupling, said projections and said grooves being arranged on the perimetral rim of the second part (11) and on the perimetral rim of the first part (10) respectively or vice versa.

12. Button according to claim 11, characterized in that the first part (10) has a disk-like or cup-like configuration with the perimetral rim arranged at a radial distance smaller than the radius such to form an annular band (213) for the abutment of the second part

(11) when in the coupled position.

13. Button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second part (11) in the center has a threaded pin (111) fastened to the bottom thereof intended to be screwed with a corresponding seat (210) obtained in the first part (10) .

14. Button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part (10, 11) has one or more magnets or comprises one or more magnetized or magnetic areas, the other part having one or more corresponding elements or areas such to ensure the two parts (10, 11) to be coupled in a magnetic manner.

15. Button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an articulated connection (13, 130, 131) for the pivoting connection of said second part to said first part and means for removably locking said second part on said first part.

16. Button according to claim 15, characterized in that said articulated connection comprises a first hinge element (130) integral with said first part (10) and a second hinge element (131) integral with said second part (11) , said first hinge element (130) and said second hinge element (131) being coupled together in order to allow such a rotation that the second part (11) overlaps the first part (10) .

17. Button according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that said means for removably fastening said second part (11) on said first part (10) comprise a projecting element integral to said first part (10) and having a portion (140) engaging by a snap-fit with a complementary portion (110) obtained in said second part (11) , the arrangement being such that, following the pivoting movement of said second part (11) relative to said first part (10) , said projecting element (14) of the first part (10) interference-fits into said complementary portion of said second part (11) .

18. Button according to claim 17, characterized in that said projecting element (14) is obtained integral with said first part (10) .

19. Button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the exposed outer surface of the second part (11) has decorative elements (15) comprising ornamental stones, ornamental drawings, inscriptions, decorations and the like.

20. Ornamental button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided in combination with one or more stones, said stone or stones being at least partially housed into the hollow body of the button, one or more apertures being provided for exposing said stone or stones to the outside.

21. Button according to claim 20, characterized in that the stone or stones are mounted within the cavity, the aperture or apertures having such dimensions that they interfere with the stone or stones such that the latter, in case of detachment, cannot pass through the aperture or apertures, but they fall inside the cavity of the button.

22. Kit comprising a plurality of buttons according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the parts constituting said buttons are detachable and interchangeable such that several second ornamental parts can be coupled to the same first part depending on the type of ornament to be used.

23. Kit according to claim 22, characterized in that it comprises several second parts having different dimensions and/or shapes.

24. Kit according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that it comprises several second parts intended to hold stone or gemstones having different dimensions.

25. Kit comprising a plurality of second parts of buttons according to one or more of the preceding claims, said second parts being provided for being coupled with the same first part in order to make such buttons suitable for different ornamental needs, particularly for different types of stones or gemstones .

26. Combination of a plurality of buttons according to one or more of the preceding claims and a cloth piece, characterized in that said buttons are sewn on said cloth piece at such a distance from each other such that said cloth piece can be firmly or removably applied on a shirt.

27. Shirt comprising one or more buttons according to one or more claims 1 to 25 and/or a combination according to claim 26.

28. Shirt according to claim 27, characterized in that it comprises a series of corresponding buttonholes on both the cloth portions to be buttoned, the buttons sewn on the cloth piece being inserted or insertable in the series of buttonholes.