US20140101896A1

US20140101896A1 - Button Covering System

Info

Publication number: US20140101896A1
Application number: US14/050,898
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael T. Rowton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-10-11
Filing date: 2013-10-10
Publication date: 2014-04-17

Abstract

A button covering system for selectively covering a button on clothing to change the aesthetics of the clothing or for advertising. The button covering system generally includes a cover that is removable connectable to a conventional button. The cover includes an outer portion with an outer surface, a sidewall, an inner lip defining a receiver opening and an interior cavity. One or more tabs extend inwardly from the inner lip to enhance the catchable engagement about the conventional button. The cover is comprised of a flexible and resilient material that allows for positioning over a conventional button while preventing accidental removable of the cover from the conventional button after attachment. The outer surface of the cover may be comprised of various colors, designs and indicia.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/712,506 filed Oct. 11, 2012. The 61/712,506 application is currently pending. The 61/712,506 application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to buttons for clothing and more specifically it relates to a button covering system for selectively covering a button on clothing to change the aesthetics of the clothing or for advertising.
2. Description of the Related Art
Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
Buttons have been used on clothing for years for decorative and functional purposes. Conventional buttons for clothing are commonly used for shirts for securing one side of the shirt with the other side by inserting the buttons attached to a first side through slits in a second side of the shirt. One of the main problems with conventional buttons is they are directly attached to the clothing and cannot be removed to change the appearance of the clothing. Hence, if the appearance of conventional buttons is to be changed the buttons must be removed from the shirt which may damage the shirt, is time consuming and requires attaching new buttons onto the clothing.
Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved button covering system for selectively covering a button on clothing to change the aesthetics of the clothing or for advertising.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a button cover which includes a cover that is removable connectable to a conventional button. The cover includes an outer portion with an outer surface, a sidewall, an inner lip defining a receiver opening and an interior cavity. One or more tabs extend inwardly from the inner lip to enhance the catchable engagement about the conventional button. The cover is comprised of a flexible and resilient material that allows for positioning over a conventional button while preventing accidental removable of the cover from the conventional button after attachment. The outer surface of the cover may be comprised of various colors, designs and indicia.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded upper perspective view of the present invention above a conventional button.

FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the present invention attached to a conventional button.

FIG. 4 is a lower perspective view of the present invention illustrating the receiver opening.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention with an indicia upon the outer surface of the cover.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with an outer member attached to the outer portion of the cover.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along line 11 of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. Overview.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 11 illustrate a button covering system 10, which comprises a cover 20 that is removable connectable to a conventional button 12. The cover 20 includes an outer portion 22 with an outer surface 23, a sidewall 24, an inner lip 26 defining a receiver opening 50 and an interior cavity 28. One or more tabs extend inwardly from the inner lip 26 to enhance the catchable engagement about the conventional button 12. The cover 20 is comprised of a flexible and resilient material that allows for positioning over a conventional button 12 while preventing accidental removable of the cover 20 from the conventional button 12 after attachment. The outer surface 23 of the cover 20 may be comprised of various colors, designs and indicia 60.

B. Cover.

FIGS. 1 through 11 illustrate the cover 20 that is removably connectable to a conventional button 12. For example, the cover 20 may be attached to any conventional button 12 for clothing 14 or other items. As further example, the cover 20 may be attached to a conventional button 12 for shirts, pants and the like. The conventional button 12 is typically circular in shape as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, however, the conventional button 12 may be comprised of different shapes (e.g. square, rectangular, oval and the like).
The cover 20 preferably has a shape similar to the shape of the button but may be different. The cover 20 is larger than the conventional button 12 such that the interior cavity 28 of the cover 20 is larger than the conventional button 12. The cover 20 is formed to fit upon various sizes of buttons such as but not limited to buttons having a width or a diameter of ½ inches, 9/16 inches and the like.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9, the cover 20 includes an outer portion 22, a sidewall 24 extending from the outer portion 22, an inner lip 26 extending inwardly from the sidewall 24 defining a receiver opening 50, and an interior cavity 28 exposed by the receiver opening 50. The interior cavity 28 removably receives the conventional button 12. The outer portion 22 includes an outer surface 23 and an inner surface 21, wherein the inner surface 21 faces towards the interior cavity 28 as best illustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawings. The interior cavity 28 is preferably larger in both width and height than the conventional button 12 as illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings. The outer portion 22 is preferably thicker than the sidewall 24 and the inner lip 26 to provide additional rigidity to the outer portion 22 while allowing the sidewall 24 and inner lip 26 to deform when being installed upon or removed from the conventional button 12. As best illustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawings, the outer portion 22 preferably extends approximately half-ways around the interior cavity 28 which is represented by the thicker portion of the cover 20. The outer portion 22 preferably has a convex shape as illustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawings.
The receiver opening 50 has a width smaller than a width of the conventional button 12 to prevent accidental removal of the conventional button 12 from the cover 20. The receiver opening 50 is large enough to allow removal of the conventional button 12 without damaging the conventional button 12 or the cover 20 thereby allowing the cover 20 to be reused later. The receiver opening 50 is preferably comprised of a circular shape to fit upon conventional buttons 12 having a corresponding circular shape, however, the receiver opening 50 may have non-circular shapes (e.g. square, rectangular, oval and the like). The receiver opening 50 preferably has a shape which is the same as the shape of the conventional button 12, however, the receiver opening 50 may have a shape that is different from the conventional button 12. As illustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawings, the receiver opening 50 preferably forms a plane that is parallel to the inner surface 21 of the outer portion 22.
The cover 20 is preferably comprised of a resilient and flexible material to allow for positioning over a conventional button 12 and selective removable therefrom. The cover 20 is preferably comprised of a material that is flexible enough to allow deforming of the receiver opening 50 and the inner lip 26 sufficiently to catchably receive the conventional button 12 within the interior cavity 28 of the cover 20. The cover 20 is preferably comprised of a hydrothermal polymer that is produced using a pressure injection molding process. The cover 20 is further preferably comprised of a thermoplastic vulcanizate, thermoplastic rubber, thermoplastic elastomer or other flexible plastic material.
The cover 20 is may comprised of a solid color (e.g. green, red, blue) or may have a plurality of colors. An indicia 60 may also attached to the outer surface 23 such as the flag of the United States as illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The indicia 60 may be printed directly upon the outer surface 23, attached as an adhesive label or directly molded within the cover 20.

C. Outer Member.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an alternative embodiment wherein an outer member 70 is attached to the outer surface 23 of the cover 20. The outer member 70 may be attached with an adhesive or other attachment system. The outer member 70 preferably covers 20 a significant portion of the outer surface 23 and is concentrically positioned upon the cover 20. The outer member 70 is preferably comprised of a material that is more rigid than the cover 20 to help strengthen the overall structure. The outer member 70 further preferably has a convex shape similar to the outer portion 22.
For the alternative embodiment, the outer member 70 preferably includes a plurality of recesses 72 and the outer surface 23 of the cover 20 preferably includes a plurality of nubs 74 extending outwardly. The plurality of nubs 74 are received within the plurality of recesses 72 as illustrated in FIG. 11 which assists in the alignment and retention of the outer member 70 upon the cover 20.

D. Tabs.

The cover 20 preferably includes at least one tab 30, 40 extending inwardly from an interior edge of the inner lip 26 as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings. It is preferably to have a plurality of tabs 30, 40 such as a first tab 30 extending inwardly from an interior edge of the inner lip 26 and a second tab 40 extending inwardly from the interior edge of the inner lip 26 as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7 of the drawings. The tabs 30, 40 each preferably have an inwardly curved edge as best illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings.
The first tab 30 and the second tab 40 are preferably thinner than the inner lip 26 to allow for increased flexibility for the tabs for attachment and removal of the cover 20 from the conventional button 12 as illustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawings. The second tab 40 preferably extends towards the first tab 30 and is on an opposite side of the receiver opening 50 as best illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings. The first tab 30 and the second preferably are aligned along a common axis that passes through the centers of each tab 30, 40 and a center point of the receiver opening 50.

E. Operation of Preferred Embodiment.

In use, the user selects a desired cover 20 having the aesthetics desired (e.g. a specific color, design or logo). The user then positions the receiver opening 50 of the cover 20 upon the upper edge of the conventional button 12 and presses upon the central portion of the outer portion 22 of the cover 20 thereby forcing the cover 20 to pass over the conventional button 12 in an attached manner as shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings. When the cover 20 is fully attached, the inner surface 21 of the cover 20 is near the exterior surface of the conventional button 12 and the inner lip 26 and tabs 30, 40 are between the conventional button 12 and the clothing 14 (or other article) the button is attached to as shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings. The user repeats this process for the remaining buttons. When the user desires to change the appearance again, the user first removes the attached covers 20 by pulling upon the cover 20 thereby forcing the conventional button 12 out through the receiver opening 50 and then attaches a new cover 20 having a different design as discussed previously.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A removable button cover that is adapted to be removably connected to a conventional button, comprising:

a cover having an outer portion, a sidewall extending from said outer portion, an inner lip extending inwardly from said sidewall defining a receiver opening, and an interior cavity exposed by said receiver opening, wherein said outer portion includes an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein said inner surface faces towards said interior cavity.

2. The removable button cover of claim 1, wherein said interior cavity is larger in width and height than the conventional button.

3. The removable button cover of claim 1, wherein said cover is comprised of a resilient and flexible material.

4. The removable button cover of claim 1, wherein said cover is comprised of a hydrothermal polymer.

5. The removable button cover of claim 1, wherein said cover is produced using a pressure injection molding process.

6. The removable button cover of claim 1, wherein said cover is comprised of a solid color.

7. The removable button cover of claim 1, wherein said outer portion is thicker than said sidewall.

8. The removable button cover of claim 1, wherein said outer portion is thicker than said sidewall and said inner lip.

9. The removable button cover of claim 1, wherein said receiver opening has a width smaller than a width of the conventional button.

10. The removable button cover of claim 1, wherein said receiver opening is comprised of a circular shape.

11. The removable button cover of claim 1, wherein said receiver opening forms a plane that is parallel to said inner surface.

12. The removable button cover of claim 1, including an indicia attached to said outer surface.

13. The removable button cover of claim 1, including at least one tab extending inwardly from an interior edge of said inner lip.

14. The removable button cover of claim 1, wherein said at least one tab is thinner than said inner lip.

15. The removable button cover of claim 1, wherein said at least one tab has a curved inner edge.

16. The removable button cover of claim 1, a first tab extending inwardly from an interior edge of said inner lip and a second tab extending inwardly from said interior edge of said inner lip.

17. The removable button cover of claim 16, wherein said first tab and said second tab are thinner than said inner lip.

18. The removable button cover of claim 16, wherein said first tab and said second tab, wherein said second tab extends towards said first tab and is on an opposite side of said receiver opening.

19. The removable button cover of claim 1, including an outer member attached to said outer surface of said cover, wherein said outer member is comprised of a material that is more rigid than said cover.

20. The removable button cover of claim 19, wherein said outer member includes a plurality of recesses and wherein said outer surface of said cover includes a plurality of nubs that are received within said plurality of recesses.