US2586819A

US2586819A - Button fastener

Info

Publication number: US2586819A
Application number: US768634A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph T Hayden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-08-14
Filing date: 1947-08-14
Publication date: 1952-02-26
Anticipated expiration: 1969-02-26

Description

Feb. 26, 1952 J, HAYDEN 2,586,819

BUTTON FASTENER Filed Aug. 14, 1947 Faglz 7g .3 x 1 73%. 3

4 INVENTOR. JOJEPH r HA mew.

A 7' TORNEY.

Patented Feb. 26, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUTTON FASTENER Joseph TfHayden, Philadelphia, Pa. *Applica'tion'Au'g'ust 14, 1947, Serial No. 768,634

6 Claims.

My invention relates to me'ans for fastening desired objects together. While my invention can be .used for fastening a number of :diiferent kinds orgroupings of desired objects there will be-more particularly described hereinafter .my invention as applied to fastening a button to atgarment,

and;papers which are to be filed together.

It has been found in practice that virtually :all buttonscomprise a. minimum of two-button-holes which are spacedapart a standard distance. This is so regardless of the size of the button. Moreover, it :has been thepractice to secure buttons to garments by means of sewing thread. Yet when the thread .is broken, worn or otherwise rendered unsecure, the :button comes off .the .garment and must be put away by the wearer until such time as is convenient again tosew the button to the garment. In the :meantime, the wearer finds it necessary to use the garment without the button,.necessiating.an'unsightly appearance and 2 the additional handicap of having to use agarment in an open condition where the button should have been.

Various attempts have been made in the-past to supply supplemental means for substituting a button for the one which belongs to the garment, Such means have not generally been accepted, primarily because the substituted button'does not conform in appearance to the one which was re-- placed; but secondarily because the mechanism used .to secure the auxiliary .buttonis large and. unwieldy, difficult and tedious in assembly and generally inflexible and unsightly.

It is an object of my invention therefore'to provide means whereby theoriginal button belonging to the garment can be quickly, easily and economically secured to the garment itself, and in .a-manner to suggest the original appearance of the button and. garment, and with substantially the original flexibility of connection of the button to the garment.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for fastening a button to a garment, which means would replace the original sewing of the button to the garment.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for securing a button to the garment, which means are readily operated to detach the button from the garment, when desired.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for fastening a button to .a garment, which means are of such small bulk and of such character as to render their presence virtually unnoticeable and safe from unpleasant contact with the body of the wearer.

'A still further objedt 'of my'inve'ntion is to pro-- vides. fastening-means which is flekiblein use,

economic and easy "to manufacture, and-certain in operation. i V

Another ob'jectofmy invention is -to provide a fastening means which "ma readily be'used to secure penetrable objects one to another.

With the above and-other objectsih view my invention consists of a fastener comprising a re- 11 taining means; an arm connected with said r'eprising an arm portion; a sleeve portion; and

releasable retaining meansadapted alternately to permit said armfipor tion-tobeinserted within said sleeve, toholdsa'id arm portion'within saidsleeve. and to release said arm portion when desired.

My invention further consists of a fast'ener comprising a retaining means; an interlocking means connected with said-retainin'g'means; and means for releasably securing said interlocking means.

My invention also consists of the means, mecha'-- nisms and arrangementsof parts-as herein shown and described.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred by me, since the same have been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to'be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously'arrangedandorganized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

With reference now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure -1 represents an extended, perspective View of 'a pin and retaining member comprising my invention.

Figure 2 represents a sectional view taken generally along lines 2'-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 represents a side elevational view of a pin'comprising my invention.

Figure 4 represents a front elevational view of a pin comprising my invention.

Figure 5 represents a plan view of a blank which may be used in "constructing a retaining membercomprising my invention.

Figure 6 represents a plan view of a button fastened in accordance with my invention.

Figure '7 represents aside 'elevational view or" a button fastened in a manner comprising my invention.

Figure 8 represents an extended perspective view of a pin and retaining member of modified construction embodying my invention.

Figure 9 represents a sectional view taken generally along lines 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 represents a plan view of a blank which may be used in forming the retaining member illustrated in Figure 8, embodying my invention.

Figure 11 represents a side elevational view, partly in section, of one stage of apin being inserted in a retaining member of a fastener, embodying my invention.

Figure 12 represents a side elevational view. partly in section, of a further stage of a pin being inserted in a retaining member of a fastener, embodying my invention.

Figure 13 represents a side elevational view, partly in section of a fastener embodying my invention, with the pin completely inserted in the retaining member and locked therein.

Figure 14 represents a side elevational view, partly in section, of a fastener embodying my invention, with the locking mechanism in release condition operably to allow the pin to be withdrawn from the receptacle.

Figure 15 represents a perspective view of one step in assembling a button with a garment by means of a fastener embodying my invention.

Figure 16 represents an extended elevational view of a next step in asembling a button with a garment by means of a fastener embodying my invention.

Figure 17 represents an elevational view of a further step in assembling a button and garment by means of a fastener embodying my invention.

Figure 18 represents an elevational view of the next step in assembling the button and garment by means of a fastener embodying my inven- .tion.

Figure 19 represents an elevational view of a button and garment completely assembled by means of a fastener embodying my invention.

Figure 20 represents an extended perspective .view of a button with a fastener of another modified construction embodying my invention.

Figure 21 represents an elevational sectional view of a fastener embodying my invention as .used in fastening a sheaf of papers.

. According to my invention, I provide a retainin means which may be a pin member comprising a retaining portion such as a bight 3| and preferably parallel locking fingers or prongs 32 and 33 projecting perpendicularly in one direction from preferably substantially parallel lower arms or '

posts

34 and 35 of the bight 3|.

I also provide a retaining or locking member 36, perferably formed out of a sheet metal blank 3? substantially as illustrated more fully in Figure 5. Substantially centrally disposed in the blank 31 is a bed 38. For purposes of description only, I shall describe the bed 38 as lying horizontal, although it is to be understood that it operates equally well in all positions. A tongue 33 projects from one end of the bed 38 and is bent upwardly generally along the axis 40, and rearwardly generally along the axis 4| to form a retaining plate 42. The outer edge 43 of the tongue 38 is rabbeted as at 44. Preferably projecting from the opposite end of the bed 38, I provide a tongue 45 which is curved upwardly and forwardly at the base 46 thereof to form a sprin latch 4'1. For purposes of increasing the flexibility of the latch 47, I may reduce the width of the tongue 45 at the base 46 thereof, as illustrated in Figure 5. However, it should be understood that this is merely one preferred form, and my invention is not to be limited to any aspect of such narrowing of the Width. Side members 48 and 49 project laterally from the sides of the bed 38, intermediate the tongues 39 and 45, and are bent upwardly along the

axes

50 and 5|.

There is thus formed a receptacle comprising a base 38, side walls 48 and 49, front wall intermediate the folds 40 and 4|, a top plate 42, and a spring latch 41. The leading edge 52 of the spring latch 41 cooperates with the side walls 48 and 49 and the rabbeted edges 44 to provide ports 53 for the reception of the

prongs

32 and 33. The plate 42 is spaced from the bed 38 a distance substantially equal to the diameter of the

prongs

32, 33, thereby to form therebetween a retaining sleeve portion 58.

As may more readily be seen by reference to Figure 2, the spring latch 47 is preferably normally inclined upwardly and forwardly, and the vertical plane of the leading edge 52 thereof is spaced from the vertical plane of the rabbeted edge 44 a distance substantially equal to the diameter of the

prongs

32, 33.

In Figures 8 to 14, inclusive, I have shown a modified construction embodying my invention. In this construction, the same pin 36 is used as that shown in Figure 1. The receptacle however, is preferably formed of a blank 54 having a bed 55 of substantially the same size as the bed 35. Side members 56 and 5'! project laterally from the forward portion of the bed 55 and are of a length equal 'to or preferably slightly greater than the length of the

prongs

32, 33, and of a width more than half the width of the bed 55. These side members 56 and 5'! are bent upwardly and inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the bed 55, and the

longitudinal edges

58 and 59 re spectively of the side members 55 and 51 join and preferably lie on the plane of the bed 55 along Said axis. By this construction, there is formed be' tween each of the side members 56 and 51 and the bed 55, a separate sleeve respectively indicated as 60 and 6|, adapted to receive and retain respectively the

prongs

32 and 33 of the pin 30.

A tongue 62 projects from the rearward end of the bed 55 and is curved upwardly and forwardly substantially in the same manner as the tongue 45 of the receptacle @8, operably to form a spring latch 63 having a leading edge 63. A lug is preferably formed on the spring latch 63, and projects laterally from the leading edge portion 64 thereof.

Rearward side members 58 and 61 extend laterally from the sides of the bed 55 intermediate the side members 53, 51 and the tongue 62. These side members 65 and 67 are preferably of a 'much narrower width than the forward side members 56, 51. Moreover, the forward edges 58 and 69 respectively of the side members 55 and 61 are preferably inclined forwardly and toward the bed 55,-and are spaced from the rearward edges 10 of the forward side members 56 and 51. The'rearward side members 66 and 3'1 are bent upwardly and inwardly, preferably along a curve, operably to form limiting stops for outward displacement of the spring latch 63. In this way, ordinary sheet metal or other sheet material of relatively lowelasticity may be used for the blank 54, and the spring latch 63 maintained against displacement beyond its low elastic limit by the -of theretaining sleeves 66 and 6| a distance sub- :stantially equal to the diameter of the prongs 32,, 33of "the pin 36.; and .thelug fitprojectsr'outwardly from the retaining member it through thecham nel formed between the forward edge :69 of the- ;zside member-36.1 andsaid rearward edge :7 6. ,There .is thus provided :a port intermediate the spring latch .63 and the retaining sleeves 6B and 6|, through which the prongs 3.2 and 33 may pass in order to :entersaid sleeves-66,;6 I

In Figures 11 to 14, inclusive, is illustrated the operation of the fastener of my invention, with particular reference to the operationof the modified construction thereof illustrated in Figures '8 to 10, inclusive; but its applicability to the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 5,, inclusive, embodying my invention, with suitable allowance being made for the slight variants in construction, is obvious.

Thus, the prongs .32 and 33 of the pin were in serted through the object or objects to be tfastened. In the-case of fastening a button to a gar- .ment, the

prongs

32 and 33 are passed through two of the button-holes, l2 and "it, until the sides of the bight 3| rest against theoutside face 14 of the button 15, as may more readily be seen by reference to Figures 15 and 16. The button is then placed in proper position over the garment l6, and the button with the prongs 3-2 and 33 projecting from its underface, is urged toward the garment until the

prongs

32 and 33 penetrate the fabric thereof and emerge on the underside of the garment fabric, as may be seenmere clearly by reference to Figure 17. Or, if desired, the button 15 may first be placed in proper position on the garment 1'6, and the prongs then urged through both the button holes and the garment until the sides of the bight 3| rest against the outside face '14 of the button 15.

Referring now to Figures 11 to 14 inclusive, the next subsequent stages may readily be seen. Thus, the retaining member H or 36 is brought into juxtaposition to the pin member 3| .on the underside of the garment, with the

prongs

32 and 33 in registry with the ends of the sleeves 66 and 6| opening on the port l of the retainingmem'ber H; or in the case of the .rei taining member 36, with the port 53 thereof. The pin member 3|) is then tilted so that the

posts

34 and 35 of the bight 3| are partially passed through the button-holes 12 and T3, as may be seen more clearly in Figure 18. In so doing, the

prongs

32 and 33 are inclined toward the front of the retaining sleeves, 68 and 6| or in the case of the retaining member 36 the 'retaining sleeve 58, as may be seen in Figures ii and 18. The

prongs

32 and 33 are then urged 52 of 131. 6 spring latch 47), is uncovered by the 6 rearward edge 11.8 of the rbight 3| as the prongs '32 and33 are :urged forwardly into the respective retaining qsleeves 6.0 and 6] .(or retaining sleeve 58). This may :clearly be seen inFigure .12.

When the leading edge 64 of the .spring latch .63 (or the leading edge 52 of the spring latch 4.1)., is thus :completely uncovered, the spring latch springs upwardly until the leading edge rests preferably :above the upper sides of the sleeves 6|], 6|,or in the case of the retaining member 36, above the plane of the plate 42- .and substantially against the rearward edge '38 of the bight 3|.

In this position, the pin 30 is completely locked within the retaining member H (or the retaining member 36 if that is the one used), as may readily beseen by an analysis of the parts. Thus, in the case of the retaining member "1|, the prongs 32 and 33 :are locked against lateral displacement by the walls of the sleeves 6i) and 6|; and the pin 36 is locked against forward or rearward displacement by the sleeve edges l6 bearing against the forward edges 19 of the bight 3|, and the leading edge 64 of the spring latch 63, bearing against the rearward edge it or said bight 3|. In the event that the retaining member 36 is used, the prongs .32 and .33 .are locked against sideward displacement by the side walls 48 and 49 of the retaining .member 36, and against vertical displacement by the retaining plate 42 and the bed 38; and the pin 36 is locked against forward or rearward displacement by the transverse edges of the ports 53, and the leading edge 52 of the spring latch 41. It is to be understood of course, that the specific locking means herein shown and described are merely illustrative, and the invention is not to be limited to the specific details thereof, for other specific means may be used without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention.

When it is desired to release the pin and the objects held thereby, from the retaining means H, it is merely necessary to depress the spring latch 63 until it rests beneath the curved edge intermediate the bight 3| and the

prongs

32 and 33. To assist in depressing the spring latch 63, the lug 65 may be used. Thus, the thumbnail can readily be inserted between the upward edge of the lug 65 and the garment l6 and pulled downwardly, carrying with it the spring latch 63. The pin may then be withdrawn by using the bight 3| as a handle to urge the

prongs

32 and 33 out of their respective retaining sleeves 66 and 6| and over the leading edge 64 of the spring latch 63. In the case of the retaining means '36, the spring latch 41 is depressed until the leading edge 52 -thereof is beneath the curve 86, and the pin 30 is withdrawn in the same manner but of the retaining sleeve 53 and over the 'leading'edge 52 of the spring latch 41. Thus either of the retaining means H or 36 may readilybe "withdrawn'and the pin 36 tilted as shown in Figures 11 and 18, and removed from the garment.

Another modified construction embodying my invention is illustrated in Figure 20. Here, a pin is provided with a single prong 86. Perpendicularly projecting from one end of said prong 86 is a hook 81 connected to the prong 86 by means of a post 88.

A retaining means 89 is preferably formed of a sheet metal tube having a port 96, of a diameter equal "-to or slightly greater than the diameter of the pron'g 86, formed through its side. The

side of the tube 89, opposite to the port 90, is depressed as at 9| to form an inside ridge or limiting stop. A coil compression spring 92 is disposed behind said limiting stop within the tube 89. The rearward end 93 of the tube 89 is closed, as by pinching, operatively to anchor the coil spring 92 and to impose a degree of compression thereon. The forward end 94 of the tube 89 is preferably likewise closed in order to protect the inside of the tube from dirt or corrosion.

In operation, the hook 81 is threaded through the button-holes l2 and 13 of the button 15, and the prong 8B is inserted through the garment at the location where it is desired to fasten the button 15. The prong 86 is then passed through the port 90 and into the forward interior portion 95 of the tube 89. In so doing, the coil spring 92 is cammed by the rearward edge 95 of the pin 85 into further compression. This construction yieldingly resists unwanted extraction of the pin 85 from the retaining means 89.

In Figure 21 is represented by invention as used in fastening materials other than buttons or garments. In this view is illustrated the use of my invention for fastening together a sheaf of papers 91. This may either be done by using papers through which a suitable hole has been punched, and threading the

prongs

32 and 33 therethrough, or the prongs themselves may be forced through the papers until the

posts

35, and 35 of the bight 3| extend through the sheaf 97. and the

prongs

32 and 33 project therebeneath. In this operation, the

prongs

32 and 33 are passed into the retaining member 36 or H, as the case may be, in substantially the same manner as hereinabove described, and the sheaf of papers 91 is locked together. For unfastening the sheaf, it is merely necessary to depress the spring latch of the retaining means and withdraw the pin 30. It is to be understood, of course, that in this use of my invention the fastening means is not limited in size to that of the fastening means intended to be employed with a button. Indeed, my invention is not to be limited either in size or in use, for the fastener of my invention is equally adaptable for fastening numerous kinds of objects together, and the description of the adaptability of my invention for fastening a button and garment, as well as the sheaf of papers, is purely illustrative, and in no sense a limitation of my invention.

I am aware that the invention may be embodied on other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and I therefore desire the present embodiments to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to obtain by'Letters Patent, is:

l. A fastener comprising a retaining portion, a locking finger extending from said retaining portion; a retaining member; said retaining member comprising means to receive said look-- ing finger, and a leaf-spring latch adapted to limit displacement of said locking finger from said retaining member; and means to prevent displacement of said leaf spring latch beyond the elastic limit thereof, and to confine movement of said latch substantially t6 a locus which intercepts a path traversed by said locking finger during the insertion of said locking finger into said retaining member.

2. A fastener comprising a retaining portion, a locking finger extending from said retaining portion; a retaining member; said retaining member comprising means to receive said looking finger, and a leaf spring latch adapted to limit displacement of said locking finger from said retaining member; means to prevent displacement of said leaf spring latch beyond the elastic limit thereof, and to confine movement of said latch substantially to a locus which intercepts a path traversed by said locking finger during the insertion of said locking finger into said retaining member; and means operable to release said latch from displacement-limiting relation to said locking finger.

3. A fastener comprising a pre-iormed retaining means comprising a hook, a post and a looking finger; and a retaining member formed of sheet material; said retaining member being folded to form a sleeve portion and a latch portion; said sleeve portion being adapted to receive said locking finger, and said latch portion being adapted to retain said locking finger within said sleeve portion; a limiting stop to prevent displacement of said latch beyond its elastic limit, and to confine movement of said latch substantially to a locus which intercepts a path traversed by said locking finger during the insertion of said locking finger into said retaining member; and means operable to release said latch from retaining condition.

4. In combination, means for fastening a button to a garment, comprising a pin and a retaining member; said pin comprising a bight, posts extending from said bight and substantially coplanar therewith said posts being spaced a dis-- stance substantially equal to the distance between button holes in the button to be fastened, and parallel, coplanar prongs projecting from said posts in one direction, and substantially perpendicular to said posts, each of said parallel, coplanar prongs terminating in a point; said retaining member comprising a sleeve adapted to receive at least one of said prongs, and a latch adapted to retain said prong within said sleeve.

5. In combination, means for fastening a button to a garment, comprising a button-retaining portion, a prong connected with said buttonretaining portion and a locking member; said locking member comprising a sheet material formed into a sleeve portion comprising an entrance port, and a spring latch having a leading edge portion in proximity to said entrance port, and operable to be depressed when said prong is being inserted within said sleeve, and to be released into operative condition when said prong is fully inserted within said sleeve, thereby to retain said prong within said sleeve; and means to confine movement of said latch substantially to a locus which intercepts a path traversed by said prong during the insertion of said prong in said sleeve.

to be released into operative condition when said prong is fully inserted within said sleeve, thereby to retain said prong within said sleeve; and means to prevent displacement of said spring latch beyond its elastic limited; and means to confine movement of said latch substantially to a locus which intercepts a path traversed by said prong during the insertion of said prong in said sleeve.

JOSEPH T. HAYDEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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