GB2458350A

GB2458350A - Button fastening device

Info

Publication number: GB2458350A
Application number: GB0805086A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Davies; Bill Austin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-03-19
Filing date: 2008-03-19
Publication date: 2009-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-19
Also published as: GB0805086D0; GB2458350B

Abstract

A device for the facilitating of fastening buttons through button holes, the device comprises a loop made of spring material with a cross over point 1 and either small loops at the ends or straight ends. These ends allow the device to be fitted to a handle such as a key ring, special handle or piece of tear resistant material 7 so that the user has something to grip and pull. To use the device it is pushed through the button hole when it contracts until through the hole when it expands and can be located over the relevant button, the device is then pulled back through the button hole together with the button contracting and expanding again as it passes through the button hole. In the example shown, the device can be folded up for storage with the pointed end locating under flap 5.

Description

I

Button Fastening Device This invention relates to a button fastening device for the elderly and disabled that will fit keyrings, promotional gifts or specially designed handles.

The object of the device is to help elderly & disabled become more independent and less dependent on others, the main types will be compact and easy to carry in a pocket although there will be handles that can be supplied separately that will allow the device to operate as designed for people with severe grip problems.

The elderly and disabled sometimes struggle with buttons due to medical conditions that can affect the ability to grip, in particular Arthritis and stroke victims although other injuries and health conditions may also affect this ability. We looked at various aids that are available and found them either to large or to small and most also had large handles.

To overcome this the present invention gives a self-adjusting device that when inserted into a button hole reduces in size, once inserted it springs back open to allow the user to fit it over a wide range of button sizes and pull the button through the button hole. By using spring wire of suitable thickness that crosses itself it will adjust automatically to the size of the button hole then spring open to fit over most button sizes.

The main two have either loops at the ends of the wire so it can be attached to keyrings or specially designed handles that will allow them to adjust as designed, the other type (without loops) contracts in the same way but its straight ends will fit a piece of material that can be printed upon with logos etc. the material will also feature a flap that holds the device in the folded position, my preference is to use Tyvek. This version is aimed at the promotional market where it is hoped they will be given away.

Both versions adjust in the same way automatically to the button hole. Both versions are designed to fit easily into a pocket and be carried so that the user can use them anywhere they may going. The low cost version uses a piece of material that can be printed on by advertisers and given as promotional gifts to customers of retail stores etc. Although any strong material that can be printed on can be used my preference is Tyvektm4 because of its strength and ability to withstand tearing. All versions will fold back for easy storage.

Being self adjusting it will help both the elderly and disabled with a wide variety of button sizes.

The ability to fold all the versions mean they will all be easy to carry in a pocket and help the user anywhere they go.

The Thickness of the wire and the size of the aid can be varied, this will give a range of options for users to choose from, if they struggle only with small buttons then a smaller aid may be suitable. If they struggle with most buttons then the larger versions might be more appropriate, the main feature is the wire crossing point that makes them all work in the same way and offer automatic adjustability for various button holes and their corresponding buttons.

My preference for the promotional version is to use a piece of Tyvek so that retailers will be able to use it as a promotional gift and its flap will allow the wire device to be folded back for easy storage in a pocket, purse or bag.

It will allow any user to carry either shaps in their pockets which couid encourage and help them be more independent, they will be able to go shopping for clothes without having to ask for help fastening buttons.

We are also planning a range of handles that will incorporate a bar that can be removed to allow retailers to sell the button fastening device and a handle that best suits the individuals needs, the bar will allow the device to contract or expand automatically as designed.

The preferred embodiments of the invention and the variations will now be described with reference to the accompanying 6 sheets of drawings.

Sheet I of 6 Fig.1. shows a plan view of one of the aids designed for use with a keyring 10, Ad-loop 12, handle 8 etc. Fig. 2. shows a plan view of how pressure compressing at one point causes the end loops 2 to expand.

Fig. 3. is a side view of the aid in Figs I.& 3.

Fig. 4. shows a plan view of a larger variation with less bends. -Fig. 5. shows a plan view of how pressure compressing at one point causes expansion at another.

Fig. 6. is a side view of the larger aid in Figs 4.& 5.

Sheet 2 of 6 Fig. 7. shows a plan view of a variation that uses curves rather than bends.

Fig. 8. shows a plan view of how pressure compressing at one point causes expansion at another.

Fig. 9. is a side view of the aid in Figs 7.& 8.

Fig. 10. shows a plan view of the version with straight ends and no loops.

Fig. 11. shows a plan view of how pressure compressing at one point causes expansion at another, this also shows how it works in the same way as the other versions in the previous figures.

Fig. 12. is a side view of the aid in Figs 10.& 11.

Sheet 3 of 6 Fig. 13. shows a plan view of the shape to be cut from strong printable material 7 with suitable properties, my preference is TyvekN.

Fig. 14. shows a plan view of the strong printable material 7 cut out will look with the version of the aid from figure 10 fitted.

Fig.15. shows how the aid will look fitted to the strong printable material 7 with the wire component folded out.

Sheet 4 of 6 Fig. 16. shows a possible handle 8 with removable smooth bar 9 that the aid can be fitted to.

Fig. 17. shows another possible handle 8 with removable smooth bar 9 that the aid can be fitted to. Other shapes of handle will be designed in consultation with medical professionals and elderly & disabled users.

Sheet 5 of 6 Fig. 18. shows a promotional product called The Jumbo Ad-Loop� 12 that uses a split ring 11 and would give a wrist strap, the illustration shows a small button fastening aid fitted, the aid shows how it can be folded back for easy storage.

Fig. 19. shows how a shaped key ring 10 could be used and offer something for a user to grip and pull the button with, the aid fits to a split ring 11 using its loops 2 that will allow the aid to adjust via the cross over point 1. This can also be folded back for easy storage.

Sheet 6 of 6 Figures 20, 21, 22 & 23 are four illustrations of keyring shapes that could offer a large surface for the user to grip.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 & 3 the device is made from spring wire of suitable thickness that gives a variable size because of the cross over point 1. it can be attached to a keyring 10 or handle 8 using the loops 2. When bent into shape the loops 2 should line up to ensure that fitting to a split ring 11 or smooth bar 9 is possible and allows it to adjust automatically.

As shown in Figures 4, 5 & 6 this version uses less bends but still uses the cross over point I to give a variable size. This version also has loops 2 at the ends that should line up to ensure that fitting to a split ring 11 or smooth bar 9 is possible and allows it to adjust automatically.

As shown in Figures 7, 8 & 9 this version uses curves rather than bends but still uses the cross over point I to give a variable size. This version also has loops 2 at the ends that should line up to ensure that fitting to a split ring 11 or smooth bar 9 is possible and allows it to adjust automatically.

As shown in Figures 10, 11 & 12 this version does not have loops 2 but has got straight ends. It still uses the cross over point I like the other versions to make it variable in size. The ends are fitted to a piece of strong printable material 7 that allow the main function to work.

Shown in Figure 13 s the proposed shape to be cut from strong printable material 7, it has two holes 4 that the ends fit through and a flap 5 that will hold the aid in position when not in use. It also has a circular hole 6 that can be used to either hang the aid on hooks or coat hangers for storage or could be used to pull the button with the aid.

Shown in Figure 14 is how the aid will appear when folded for storage in a pocket, drawer, hanging up or bag. It can be seen how the ends fit through the holes 4 and how the flap 5 holds the aid in a storage position.

Shown in Figure 15 is how the aid will look when fitted to the piece of material 7 with it folded out ready for use. It should be noted that when compressed the cross over point I will still operate as the other versions.

Figures 16 & 17 shows potential handles 8 that have a removable smooth bar 9 that allow the aid to adjust as designed.

As shown in Figure 18 the aid can be used with a Jumbo Ad-Loop� 12 that will give the aid a wrist strap that can help pull the button through its hole. The split ring 11 will allow the cross over point I to adjust automatically.

As shown in figure 19 the aid can be fitted to a large shaped keyring 10 using the split ring 11 that the loops 2 are fitted on, the loops 2 and the split ring 11 will allow the cross over point I to operate as designed.

Shown in Figures 20, 21, 22 & 23 are large shaped keyrings 10 that can be used in conjunction with the aid to give a large surface area for users to grip, the aid would fit onto the split rings 11 to ensure the aid works as designed.

As can be seen in Figures 3, 6, 9, 12, 14, 18 and 19 both the offset loops and straight ends allow all the aids to fold for easy storage.

As can be seen in Figures 2, 5, 8 and II they all feature a cross over point that allows the width to adjust automatically to the button hole. �4

Claims

Claims 1. A device for facilitating the fastening of buttons with ease, the device comprising a specially shaped loop of spring material designed so it can be used with promotional products, the loop being formed to create a pointed end with a cross-over point to allow the device to adjust in use whilst being inserted into or pulling a button through its button hole, the ends of the wire either have small loops that allow it to be fitted to a handle like device such as a key-ring, special handle or a version with straight ends that fits to a piece of strong tear resistant material.
2. A device according to claims wherein the device adjusts in size whilst being used so that after it has passed through the button hole the loop expands to create a larger hole to fit over a wide range of button sizes, the device contracts to pass through small button holes and expands to fit over large buttons.
3. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device is constructed preferably from spring metal or other suitable spring materials that allow the device to adjust whilst inserting it into or removing it from a button hole.
4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the preferred material is spring metal.
5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device comprises a large loop that crosses over itself with either small loops at the ends or straight pieces to allow it to be attached to a handle like device such as a key-ring, handle or piece of tear resistant material that can be printed upon.
6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim that forms an adjustable loop for inserting into and pulling a button through a buttonhole with ease.
7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each end has either small loops or straight ends after the cross over point, each end of the loop lines up with the other, the small loops at the end are side by side and the straight ends are parallel to each other.
S... : 8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim that is used either secured to a handle like device such as a key ring, special handle or suitable piece of tear resistant S... material. **

* * 8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim that when fitted to a handle like device *: * such as a key ring, special handle or suitable piece of tear resistant material allows * the assembled product tà be folded for storage.
9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim that when folded will fit into a pocket, * handbag, purse or baggage to make using and transporting it discreet.****** * S