GB2504324A

GB2504324A - Button with shank and counterpiece having bore to receive button shank

Info

Publication number: GB2504324A
Application number: GB1213283.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Siobhan Callan
Original assignee: Marks and Spencer PLC
Current assignee: Marks and Spencer PLC
Priority date: 2012-07-26
Filing date: 2012-07-26
Publication date: 2014-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 2032-07-26
Also published as: GB201213283D0; GB2504324B

Abstract

A combination of: a button 1 having a main body 2 and a shank 4 protruding therefrom and a support 7 comprising a peripheral wall 8 having top 10 and bottom 11 surfaces and defining a hollow internal core 9 having open ends at the top 10 and bottom 11 surfaces, wherein the shank 4 of the button 1 may be inserted into the hollow core 9 of the support 7, so that the top surface 10rests against a surface 3 of the main body 2 of the button 1 and the shank 4 is substantially entirely received within the hollow core 9 of the support 7. The support 7 preferably includes a break (12, fig 2) in the peripheral wall 8; the shank 4 of the button 1 may be pushed through the break 12 into the core 9.

Description

Ref: P26271 GB Title: IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO BUTTONS DescrirMion of Invention THIS INVENTION relates to buttons and in particular concerns a device which can improve the appearance of articles, such as garments, which include buttons.

It is common for certain garments, such as some types of double-breasted jacket, to include both functional and non-functional buttons. Functional buttons interact with corresponding buttonholes to fasten the garment releasably. Non-functional buttons, on the other hand, are simply attached to a surface of the garment and are not placed to cooperate with a corresponding buttonhole.

On many garments, however, the same type and design of button is used for both the functional and non-functional buttons.

Where a garment of this nature uses buttons with shanks (i.e. with a rod or bar which extends rearwardly from the rear surface of the button), it is often found that the non-functional buttons dangle or droop. When the garment is fastened, the functional buttons are held generally flat relative to the surface of the garment, and there is therefore often a noticeable and unsightly difference between the functional buttons and the non-functional buttons.

One solution that has previously been presented is to wind a quantity of a meltable thread around the shank of a button, and then exposed to heat so that the thread is fused into a solid mass. This mass helps to support the button. This process, known as "whipping", is very time-consuming, risks damage to the garment, and only provides partial support for the button.

It is an object of the present invention to address this difficulty.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a combination of: a button having a main body and a shank protruding therefrom; and a support comprising a peripheral wall having top and bottom surfaces and defining a hollow internal core having open ends, one open end being located at the top surface and the other open end being located at the bottom surface, wherein the shank of the button may be inserted into the hollow core of the support, so that the top surface rests against a surface of the main body of the button and the shank is substantially entirely received within the hollow core of the support.

Advantageously, the length of the core is approximately equal to the length of the shank.

Preferably, the top and bottom surfaces of the support are generally flat.

Conveniently, the peripheral wall of the support has a break therein so that the shank of the button may be inserted into the hollow core of the support by pushing the shank through the break in the external wall.

Advantageously, the external wall has opposing free ends with the break being defined therebetween.

Preferably, the support is resilient so that the free ends may be forced apart from one another to allow the shank to be introduced into the internal core, with the free ends returning to their original position once the shank is received within the core.

Conveniently, the free ends touch one another when the support is in a resting state.

Advantageously, respective locking arrangements are provided on the free ends of the external wall so that, once the free ends are locked with one another, they may not be separated from one another without damaging the external wall.

Preferably, the support is wider at its top surface and its bottom surface than in a middle section.

Conveniently, the support is wider at its top surface than at its bottom surface.

Alternatively, the support is wider at its bottom surface than at its top surface.

Preferably, the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface is no more than 8mm.

Another aspect of the invention provides an arrangement of a further object and a combination according to any of the above, wherein the button is attached to a surface of the further object at or near a distal end of the shank, and wherein the shank is received within the internal core of the support so that a top surface of the support lies against a rear surface of the main body of the button and a bottom surface of the support lies against a surface of the further object.

Conveniently, the further object is a garment.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a support comprising a peripheral wall having top and bottom surfaces and defining a hollow internal core having open ends, one open end being located at the top surface and the other open end being located at the bottom surface, wherein: the peripheral wall of the support has a break therein so that an elongate object may be inserted into the hollow core of the support by pushing the object through the break in the external wall; the external wall has opposing free ends with the break being defined therebetween; the support is resilient so that the tree ends may be forced apart from one another to allow the object to be introduced into the internal core, with the free ends returning to their original position once the object is received within the core; and the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface is no greater than 8mm.

Advantageously, the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface is no greater than 5mm.

Preferably, the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface is no greater than 3mm.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a button suitable for use with the invention; Figures 2 and 3 show a support suitable for use with the invention; Figure 4 shows the support of figures 2 and 3 in combination with the button of figure 1; and Figures 5, 6, 7a, 7b, 7c show alternative supports suitable for use with the present invention.

Referring firstly to figure 1, a schematic view of a button 1 is shown. The button has a main body 2 which may take any form, but is usually substantially flat and generally circular in shape. Protruding from a rear surface 3 of the main body 2 is a shank 4. In the depicted embodiment the shank 4 protrudes generally directly away from the rear surface 3 of the main body 2, and takes the form of a straight rod or bar. The shank 4 preferably protrudes from approximately the centre of the rear surface 3 of the main body 2.

At a distal end 5 of the shank 4 an attachment hole 6 is formed through the shank 4. It will be understood that the attachment hole 6 is generally used to attach the button 1 to a garment, for instance by loops of thread being sewn through the attachment hole 6.

It will be understood that, if the button 1 is attached to the surface of a garment, when the surface is approximately vertical the main body 2 of the button will droop downwardly, with the button 1 as a whole pivoting around the attachment hole 6 under the influence of gravity.

Figures 2 and 3 show top and side views, respectively, of a button support 7 for use with the button 1. The support 7 generally takes the form of a hollow cylinder, having a curved external wall 8 defining an internal cavity 9, which is open at the top and bottom surfaces 10,11 of the support 7. A break 12 is formed at one point in the wall 8. At the break 12, the wall has two free ends 13,14 which, in the "at rest" state lie touching or close to one another.

The support 7 is preferably formed from a material which is resilient, so that the free ends 13,14 may be forced temporarily apart to widen the break 12, with the wall 8 subsequently returning to its original shape.

In use, as shown in figure 4, the button 1 is first attached to a surface 15 of a garment, by sewing one or more loops of thread 16 through the attachment hole 6 of the shank 4. Once this has been done, the support 7 is clipped onto the shank 4, by aligning the gap 12 in the wall 8 of the support 7 with the shank 4, and pushing the support 7 towards the shank 4 so that the free ends 13,14 of the wall 8 are deflected and the shank 4 passes into the hollow space 9 in the middle of the support 7.

The dimensions of the button 1 and support 7 are chosen so that, when the support 7 is clipped onto the shank 4 in this manner, the top surface 10 of the support lies against the rear surface 3 of the main body 2 of the button 1, and the bottom surface 11 of the support lies against the surface 15 of the garment.

It will therefore be understood that, with the support 7 in place, the main body 2 of the button 1 will be held substantially parallel to the surface 15 of the garment, and the button 1 will therefore have a smart appearance, and will not droop and/or dangle. The button 1 will also have an appearance more similar to the "tunctional" buttons of the garment.

It is envisaged that, when the supports 7 are used, both functional and non-functional buttons will be sewn onto a garment in the normal fashion.

Supports 7 may then be attached quickly and easily to the non-functional buttons, and the garment is ready for use.

It is anticipated that the supports 7 will be selected to be of approximately the same colour as at least a part of the button or at least a part of the garment, so that the support supports 7 are unobtrusive and blend in with the overall appearance of the garment.

Alternatively, the colour of the support 7 may be deliberately chosen to be different from and contrasting to the colours of the button and garment, with the colour of the supports 7 forming part of the overall colour scheme of the garment.

In embodiments of the invention a pack may be provided comprising a combination of one or more buttons and one or more supports which are suitable for use with the buttons.

Figure 5 shows an alternative support 17 embodying the invention. In common with the support 7 discussed above the support 17 has an external wall 8 surrounding a hollow internal cavity. However, one of the free ends 18 of the wall 8 has an aperture 19 formed therethrough, and the other free end has a resilient barbed tip 21. When the support 17 is fastened around the shank 4 of a button the barbed tip 21 may be pushed through the aperture 19, so that it is effectively locked in place and cannot be withdrawn back through the aperture 19. It will be understood that the support 17 is therefore locked around the shank of the button and may not easily be removed therefrom.

The skilled person will appreciate other ways in which a support may be provided which, when it is used for the first time, may be locked in place around the shank of the button so that it may not be removed from around the shank without being damaged.

Figure 6 shows a further alternative support 22 which has an unbroken wall 8 forming a hollow cylinder surrounding a central core 9. This design of support 22 does not have a break in the external wall 8, and must be placed over the shank of the button before the button is attached to a garment.

Figures 7a to 7c show further alternative designs of support. Figure 7a shows a support 23 which is relatively wide at its upper and lower ends 10,11, but has a narrow "waist" in a central region. This ensures that the support 23 has a relatively large area of contact both with main body 2 of the button and the surface 15 of the fabric, while reducing the overall size and weight of the support 23.

Figure 7b shows a further support 24 which has a relatively wide bottom surface 11 and a narrower top surface 10, with a curved side wall extending between the top and bottom surfaces 10,11. This ensures that the support 24 has a relatively large area of contact with the surface 15 of the fabric, which is important for the stability of the support 24 and the corresponding button, while again reducing the size and weight of the support 24.

Figure 7c shows a support 25 which once again has a bottom surface 11 which is wider than the top surface 10, but has substantially straight, rather than curved, side walls.

In any of the above embodiments, the support may have a space between its inner and outer wall, so that it is generally hollow. Once again this reduces the amount of material needed to form the support, thus reducing weight and cost.

It will be understood that the present invention provides a simple solution to the problem of hanging or dangling non-functional buttons, which may be produced cheaply in large numbers and applied quickly to garments.

While the discussion above concentrates on garments, it is to be understood that supports embodying the present invention may be used with other items which have buttons, for instance upholstery, furniture, cushions, stuffed toys and the like.

Preferably the height of the support (i.e. the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface) is no more than 8mm. More preferably the height is no more than 5mm, and still more preferably is less than 3mm.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence ot other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims: 1. A combination of: a button having a main body and a shank protruding therefrom; and a support comprising a peripheral wall having top and bottom surfaces and defining a hollow internal care having open ends, one open end being located at the top surface and the other open end being located at the bottom surface, wherein the shank of the button may be inserted into the hollow core of the support, so that the top surface rests against a surface of the main body of the button and the shank is substantially entirely received within the hollow core of the support.
2. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the length of the core is approximately equal to the length of the shank.
3. A combination of according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the top and bottom surfaces of the support are generally flat.
4. A combination according to any preceding claim wherein the peripheral wall of the support has a break therein so that the shank of the button may be inserted into the hollow core of the support by pushing the shank through the break in the external wall.
5. A combination according to claim 4 wherein the external wall has opposing free ends with the break being defined therebetween.6. A combination according to claim 5 wherein the support is resilient so that the free ends may be forced apart from one another to allow the shank to be introduced into the internal core, with the free ends returning to their original position once the shank is received within the core.
6. A combination according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the free ends touch one another when the support is in a resting state.
7. A combination according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein respective locking arrangements are provided on the free ends of the external wall so that, once the free ends are locked with one another, they may not be separated from one another without damaging the external wall.
8. A combination according to any preceding claim wherein the support is wider at its top surface and its bottom surface than in a middle section.
9. A combination according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the support is wider at its top surface than at its bottom surface.
10. A combination according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the support is wider at its bottom surface than at its top surface.
11. A combination according to any preceding claim wherein the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface is no more than 8mm.
12. An arrangement of a further object and a combination according to any preceding claim, wherein the button is attached to a surface of the further object at or near a distal end of the shank, and wherein the shank is received within the internal core of the support so that a top surface of the support lies against a rear surface of the main body of the button and a bottom surface of the support lies against a surface of the further object.
13. An arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the further object is a garment.
14. A support comprising a peripheral wall having top and bottom surfaces and defining a hollow internal core having open ends, one open end being located at the top surface and the other open end being located at the bottom surface, wherein: the peripheral wall of the support has a break therein so that an elongate object may be inserted into the hollow core of the support by pushing the object through the break in the external wall; the external wall has opposing free ends with the break being defined therebetween; the support is resilient so that the free ends may be forced apart from one another to allow the object to be introduced into the internal core, with the free ends returning to their original position once the object is received within the core; and the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface is no greater than 8mm.
15. A support according to claim 14, wherein the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface is no greater than 5mm.
16. A support according to claim 14, wherein the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface is no greater than 3mm.
17. A combination substantially as hereinbefore described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. A garment substantially as hereinbefore described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
19. A support substantially as hereinbefore described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
20. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.