GB2039207A - Button construction - Google Patents

Abstract

A button has a combination button head 30 and attaching stem 31 having an inturned peripheral lower edge 32. An apertured disc (43) Fig. 10 (not shown) engages over the stem and snaps into position with the interior lower edge thus holding the fabric for covering the button. The button head and attaching stem may be integrally formed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Button construction This invention relates to new and useful improve ments in button construction, particularly buttons which are adapted to be covered with fabric or the like for use in dressmaking, upholstery finishing and the like.

Conventionally, such buttons may comprise a hol low back shell with a stem detachably secured thereto. A hollow front shell snaps over the-rim of the back shell and clamps the fabric, covering the front shell, between the two portions. Firstly, the sharp edges of the two mating portions often cut or fray the material and secondly, the fit of the two portions does not permit much variation in the thickness of fabric that can be used to cover the front shell.

Consequently, the two shell portions are easily dis engaged one from the other.

According to the present invention a button con struction for dressmaking, upholstering use and the like, adapted to be covered with flexible material such as fabrics and the like; comprises a button head, an attaching stem, an apertured locking disc engaging over the attaching stem, and means to fix edly engage the locking disc with the head, to hold in place in use, flexible material to cover the head.

The preferred embodiment consists of a separate button head and stem with the stem snap engaging into the apertured button head. However, in one embodiment, the button head and attaching head may be formed integrally.

An advantage of the present invention is that fabr ics of various thicknesses can be held in place by the locking disc without any danger of cutting or fraying of the fabric.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying draw ings in which: Figure lisa side elevation of a conventional button construction shown with the two shell portions slightly apart from one another.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of one embodi ment of the improved button.

Figure 3 is a plan view ofthe locking disc per se.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view similar to Figure 2, but with the locking disc in place and fabric engaged over the head and locked into position.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing an alternative embodiment.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of Figures 2 and 6.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the stem of the preferred embodiment.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of the button head of the preferred embodiment.

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of the disc simi lar to that shown in Figure 3, but with the thickness thereof exaggerated for clarity.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, reference should first be made to Figure 1 which shows a conventional type button adapted to be covered by material or the like.

It consists of a hollow base shell 10 having a stem 11 engaging through an aperture within the shell 10 and having end 12 spread apart to hold the stem in position.

A hollow upper shell 13 is also provided and it normally snaps over the peripheral edge 14 of the lower shell 10 planting fabric (not illustrated) therebetween and it is the sharp edges 15 of the shell portion which tend to cut or fray fabrics clamped therebetween. It will also be observed that because of the design of this conventional type of button, only relatively thin fabrics can be clamped between the portions without the danger ofthe upper shell 13 becoming disengaged from the lower shell.

The present invention is illustrated in Figures 2 through 7 and dealing first with Figure 2, the inven- tion comprises a moulded head or upper portion 16, together with a stem 17 moulded integrally therewith. In Figure 2, the stem extends perpendicularly from the head 16 and centrally thereof and terminates with a closed loop or eye 18 at the distal end of the stem. The head 16 consists of the substantially circular upper or main portion 19 with an annular wall 20 extending from the outer edge area 21 of the central portion 19 and this annular wall is provided with an inturned lip 22 at the lower edge thereof with reference to Figure 2. This lip is turned inwardly and curls upwardly and slightly outwardly as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 5.The assembly comprising the head 16 and stem 17 are preferably injection moulded from synthetic plastic, but of course can be made from other materials if desired.

An alternative construction shown in Figure 6 is particularly suited for use with upholstery finishing.

In this embodiment, the head 16 is provided with a centrally located boss 23 on the inner surface thereof with a nail or tack 24 embedded therein and moulded integrally during the formation of the head.

The remainder of the construction of the head is similar to that described in Figure 2.

In both embodiments, a locking disc 25 is pro-vided. This is a circular, centrally apertured disc with the aperture being identified by reference character 26. It also is preferably made from plastic but can be made from metal, depending upon design and outer periphery 27 of this locking disc is provided with a rounded configuration as illustrated clearly in Figure 4.

It is adapted to engage over the stem 17 or nail 24 and to be distorted as it is snap engaged within the inturned lip portion 22. The plastic is such that it returns to its original shape once this distortion has taken place in order to force it into position.

It will therefore be seen that a layer of fabric 28 can be engaged over the head and peripheral wall of the portion 16 whereupon the locking disc 25 is engaged over the stem 17 or nail 24 and snap engaged into position. The clearance provided within the interior of the head enables fabrics of varying thicknesses to be used, within limits, and to be held firmly in position by means of locking disc and without any danger of cutting or fraying the fabric due to the rounded periphery 27 of the locking disc and due to the rounded periphery 29 of the inturned lip 22.

The preferred embodiment is shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 in which the button head collectively designated 30 is formed separately from the stem collectively designated 31.

The head in this embodiment, is also preferably formed from synthetic plastic and is provided with the inturned lip portion 32 as previously described.

However, the upper or central portion 33 of the head is apertured as at 34, said aperture being circular and having an enlarged outer diameter defined by the cylindrical wall 35 and a smaller inner diameter defined by the circular wall 36. The circular wall 36 is curved inwardly as shown.

The stem 31 includes a head 37 which is cylindrical when viewed in plan and includes the enlarged outer cylindrical portion 38 and a smaller or inner cylindrical portion 39 separated by the step shoulder configuration 40. The stem 41 extends from the center of the smaller diameter portion 39 and may terminate with a loop 18 similar to that shown in Figures 2 and 3, a nail 24 as shown in Figure 6, or a hooked end 42 as shown in Figure 8. This hooked end 42 is formed integrally when the stem portion is injection moulded or otherwise formed. The wall of the inner cylindrical portion is concave as shown with a curvature substantially similar to the curvature of the wall 36.

The disc 43 in this embodiment is also made of plastic and is centrally apertured as at 44. The disc is cylindrical similar to the disc 25 shown in Figure 3.

In operation, the stem is inserted into the head 30 and snapped into position, the dimensions of the upper portion 37 being such that the stem snap engages within the aperture 34 and is held friction ally therein. In this action, the concavedly curved cylindrical portion 39 ofthe stem head snaps over the convexedly curved wall 36 of the head 30 so that the stem is held firmly within the head 30 and extending concentrically therefrom. Once the disc and head are assembled, the disc may be engaged on the stem after the fabric has been inserted and will hold the fabric over the button in a mannersimi- lartothat previously described and illustrated in Figure 5.

Claims (8)

1. A button construction for dressmaking, upholstering use and the like, adapted to be covered with flexible material such as fabrics and the like; comprising a button head, an attaching stem, an apertured locking disc engaging over the attaching stem, and means to fixedly engage the locking disc with the head, to hold in place in use, flexible material to cover the head.

2. A button according to Claim 1 in which the attaching stem includes a closed loop on the distal end thereof.

3. A button according to Claims 1 or 2 in which the stem extends perpendicularly from the center of the underside of the button head.

4. A button according to Claims 1,2 or 3 in which the button head includes a central portion and a peripheral wall extending from the outer edge of the central portion, the means to fixedly engage the locking disc with the head including an inturned lip formed on the free edge of the peripheral wall, the peripheral edge of the apertured locking disc snap engaging inwardly and over said lip, associated material in use being held between the disc and the lip and extending over the head to enclose same

5. A button according to Claim 4 in which the inturned lip extends inwardly and then curls over and outwardly to form a rolled lip around said free edge, the locking disc being resilient.

6. A button according to any of the preceding claims in which the attaching stem and the button head are formed integrally.

7. A button according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the attaching stem and button head are separate parts interconnectable by means comprising; a stepped aperture formed centrally through the button head, said aperture including an outer portion and an inner portion, the diameter of the outer portion being largerthan the diameter of the inner portion, the wall defining the inner portion being convexedly curved, and, on the attaching stem, an upper stepped cylindrical portion having an upper portion and a lower portion, the diameter of the upper portion being larger than the diameter of the lower portion, the wall of the lower portion being concavedly curved, the stepped stem snap engaging into the stepped aperture within the head with the convexedly curved wall of the head engaging within the concavedly curved wall of the stem.

8. A button construction substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any of figures 2 to 10.