US3191254A

US3191254A - Button cover

Info

Publication number: US3191254A
Application number: US97381A
Authority: US
Inventors: James Adams Van Meter
Original assignee: VICKIE VAN METER
Current assignee: VICKIE VAN METER
Priority date: 1961-03-21
Filing date: 1961-03-21
Publication date: 1965-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 1982-06-29

Description

June 29, 1965 J. A. VAN METER 3,

BUTTON COVER Filed March 21. 1961 INV EN TOR.

ATTORNEY JAMES ADAMS VAN METER United States Patent This invention relates to a button cover, and more particularly to a decoration cover usable with a garment having a button and a button hole therefor for decorating the garment by removably securing an ornamental article to the button which is visible from the exterior of the garment While covering the original button, and for simulating a cufllink on a conventional button receiving cuif.

More particularly, this invention provides a button cover having an ornamental article, such as generally used and including polished semi-precious or other stone, with a gripping means attached thereto, the gripping means being insertable through a button hole for gripping the button, while the ornamental article is visible from the exterior to decorate the garment. Besides being used to mount the usual ornament, it is particularly useful for collectors of minerals and semi-precious stones for displaying their collection or putting it to practical use.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved button cover in which the conventional button on a garment is covered and disguised by an ornamental article, yet which, when removed leaves the button useful, with its buttonhole, in conventional manner.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved button cover which is applicable to a conventional buttoned cuff to simulate the appearance of a cult link having an ornamental article secured thereto.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved button cover which provides new and improved resilient gripping means for gripping the existing button of the garment by which the ornamental article is easily and readily removably secured to the button.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved button cover in which the gripping means thereof is easily and readily inserted through the existing button hole of the garment for access to the button thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved button cover which is removably securable to the garment portion having the button hole and selectively securable to the button wherein the button cover is retained upon the buttton hole portion of the garment during engagement and disengagement of the button.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved button cover which is economical to manufacture and capable of mass production.

A general object of this invention is to provide a new and improved button cover of the character described which generally overcomes disadvantages of prior means and methods heretofore intended to accomplish generally similar purposes.

These and other objects of this invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description, drawings and appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken ice substantially through the center line of a button hole of a garment, herein illustrated as the culf of a shirt, blouse, or the like;

FIGURE 2 is a rear side view of the button cover of this invention;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view taken substantially along the lines 33 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a side View, similar to FIGURE 2, illustrating a modified embodiment of this invention;

and

FIGURE 5 is a vertical cross sectional View taken substantially along the lines 55 of FIGURE 4.

Referring in detail to the drawings, there is shown, by way of illustration but not of limitation, a button cover designed and constructed in accordance with this invention and generally designated by the number 10. The button cover 10 is herein illustrated as applied to a button 11, sewn or otherwise secured to a garment generally designated by the numeral 12. The garment 12 is illustrated herein as for example, a cuff of a shirt or blouse and is shown in cross section in FIGURE 1, wherein a button hole 13 is provided for receiving the button 11 to secure the cuff in conventional manner.

The button cover 10 generally comprises a base 14 of relatively rigid material and having an ornamental article, such as a semi-precious stone or other ornamental jewelry indicated by the numeral 16, secured by cementing or the like to one side 17 thereof.

The ornamental article 16 is preferably slabbed on one side prior to securement to the base 14, to provide a relatively fiat surface for the purpose of cementing. However, it is to be recognized that an article 16 having an irregular back surface may be advantageously secured to the side 17 of the base by using a base of relatively soft ductile material which may be deformed somewhat to conform to the configuration of the article. Further an increased amount of cement may be used to fill gaps existing between the base and the stone.

A button gripping means, insertable through the button hole 13-, and generally designated by the numeral 18 is secured to an opposite side 15 of the base 14. The but ton gripping means 18 includes an elongated, relatively rigid member 19 having

outer ends

21 and 22 which are outwardly turned back. A pair of elongated, flexible,

resilient members

23 and 24, in the form of expandable coiled springs are stretched across the member 19 from the

ends

21 and 22, in spaced parallel relationship. Each

spring

23, 24 is secured to each turned back

end

21 and 22 by engagement of their

ends

26 and 27 in apertures 28 provided in each turned back end.

Optionally, as best seen in FIGURE 4, a pair of hooks 29 may be provided in each turned back end designated in FIGURE 4 as 21 and 22.

By virtue of the turned back

ends

21 and 22, the

springs

23 and 24 are in spaced parallel relationship to the remainder of the elongated member 19, for a purpose which will be hereinafter described.

The elongated member 19 is additionally provided with an offset portion 31 which is offset from the center thereof to form short and long portions or

arms

32 and 33, respectively, of the elongated member 19. The portions or

arms

32, 33 are spaced from the base 14 so as to provide space between the button gripping means 18 and by the numeral 34. a

. I) V I a. I i the base 14 in which' the material of the garment 12 surrounding the buttonhole 13 resides when the button cover is placed thereon. The arm 33 is longer than herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices.

the arm 32 so that the elongated member 19 may be conveniently inserted through the button hole 13 which is normally appreciably shorter than the overall length of the elongated member 19. The elongated member 19 is secured at the offset 31 to a central portion of the base 14 by a fastener such as a rivet 36. Optionally, the offset portion 31 may be secured to the base 14 by soldering spot welding, or the like.

What is claimed is:

1. A button cover for'a button secured by fastening means to a garment having an overlying portion with a button hole therein, comprising: a base having a pair of opposing armsextending from one side thereof and olfset in spaced substantially parallel relationshi thereto,

button hole with the garment portion surrounding the butone of said arms being appreciably longer than the other of said arms, each armhaving tab means extending outwardiy therefrom; an ornamental article secured to an opposite side of said base and being appreciably larger than the button hole so that it will notpass through the button hole; a pair of parallel flexible resilient members spaced apart'a distance less than the width of said button, each resilient member having an end secured to one of said tab means so as to be in spaced parallel re'lationshipto said arms} said arms being selectively extensible through the button hole so as to position said arms adjacent to the inner surface of said overlying portion and to said button, and to position said base adjacent V to the outer surface of said overlying portion, said resilient tion residing between the springs23 and 24 andthe main portion of the elongated member 19. The button is held by the springs 23, 24.When the button is again turned it I to its normal fiat relationship. The

springs

23 and 24.

then resume their normal taut position to span the fastening meansfor the button 11 such as the thread indicated Optionally, the

arms

32 and 33 of the elongated member 19 may be formed integrally with the base, as indicated in FIGURES 4 and 5. In these figures, like parts are referred to by like numbers whichare primed. The base 14"of the instant embodiment 10' is secured to an ornamental article 16', similar to the ornamental article 16, and is similarly secured by cementing or the like;

The base14' includes a relatively short army 32' and a. relatively long arm 33'.

Springsj23 and 24' are secured to the turned back '.end or tab 21 and 22' of the arms 33' and 32', respecmember being laterally and longitudinally expandable so as to receive the button therethrough in edgewise relationship for positioning thebutton in flat relationship between said resilient members and said arms with said fastening means residing between said resilient members.

2. A button cover as defined in claim l-wherein each 7 of said tab means includes an outwardly turned back tively, eachzturned back end or tab having-a pair of hooks f It will now be more clearly seen from the foregoing description that when thebutton coverlt) is inserted into the button hole 13 to place the button gripping means 18 against the inner surface of the garment 12, the button 11 may be inserted through the springs to reside between the springs and the base 14 or14'to close the cuff of the garment, thus giving an appearance'of a semi-precious stone'16 secured on the exterior of the garment or of a cufflink. The devices l0and10' may be also used to cover the front buttonof a garment in a similar manner as for the button of the cuff, or to'complement it, so

as to decorate the front panel ofv the garment. Any ornamental article may be used for securement to the exterior of the

bases

14 and 14, such as semi-precious or preciousstones in their natural but polished'state as they appear after slabbing and tumbling to produce a very effective and ornamental decoration for garments. In the event a precious stone is used, a jewelers'mount is preferably used.

While there is; herein shown and described what is conceived to be themost practical and preferred embodiend on one of saidarms and a pair of spaced hook means on each said turned back end, the ends of each end of said resilient member being removably secured to one of said hook means of each of said tab means. 3. A button cover as defined in claim 2 wherein each =resilient'rnember comprises an expandable coil spring having opposing ends removably engaging said hook means.

- 4. A'button cover for a button-secured byfastening means to a garment having a button hole therein comprising:'. V i i a planar base; i an arm extending beyond said base substantially in a plane parallel to said'base; 7

firstsecuring means at the end of said arm extending outwardly thereof; "second securing means extending outwardly of said base in the same direction as said first securing means; a a pair of'resilient members extending .side by side 7 between said securing means and secured thereto;

said arm being adapted to be inserted into a button l hole; y I said resilient members being spaced apart a distance less'than the fiat width of a button; said-button'being insertable edgewise between said resilient members and thereafter secured between said members and said arin with said fastening means extending between said members while said button is ;in fiat position.

5. A button cover as defined in claim 4 wherein each securing means includes a pair of spaced apertures and each resilient member includes ends removably engaging one of said apertures for securing'said resilient members to said securing means. j r

*6. A button cover as defined in claim ,4 wherein said base member hasan ornamental article secured thereto. 7. A button cover as defined in claim 4 wherein said armis offsetfrom said base for providing a space between said base and'said arms for receiving garment material surrounding said'button hole. v I

8. A button coveras defined inclaim 4 wherein each lof said resilient memberscomprisean elongated coil ments of this invention, it is recognized that departures "may be made therefrom within the scope of this invention whichqis not to be limited to'the details disclosed spring capable of lateral and longitudinal flexing during edgewiseinsertion of said button between said springs.

(References on foliowing' page) 5 6 References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENTS 52 Belgium- 4 97 Goodwin 24 113 31773 6/85 y- 11/03 Marsh 24217 5 OTHER REFERENCES 8/22 Leonard 21131 German application, Ser. No. Sch 15,622, printed Aug. 7/28 Myers 24-113 23, 1956 (KL44a2). 2/30 Riker 24-113 1/57 Euestad- DONLEY I. STOCKING, Przmary Exammer. 3/58 Fernly 211-120 10 ABRAHAM G. STONE, BERNARD A. GELAK, 4/59 McDonough 24-113 Examiners.

Claims

1. A BUTTON COVER FOR A BUTTON SECURED BY FASTENING MEANS TO A GARMENT HAVING AN OVERLYING PORTION WITH A BUTTON HOLE THEREIN, COMPRISING: A BASE HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSING ARMS EXTENDING FROM ONE SIDE THEREOF AND OFFSET IN SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP THERETO, ONE OF SAID ARMS BEING APPRECIABLY LONGER THAN THE OTHER OF SAID ARMS, EACH ARM HAVING TAB MEANS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM; AN ORNAMENTAL ARTICLE SECURED TO AN OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID BASE AND BEING APPRECIABLY LARGER THAN THE BUTTON HOLE SO THAT IT WILL NOT PASS THROUGH THE BUTTON HOLE; A PAIR OF PARALLEL FLEXIBLE RESILIENT MEMBERS SPACED APART A DISTANCE LESS THAN THE WIDTH OF SAID BUTTON, EACH RESILIENT MEMBER HAVING AN END SECURED TO ONE OF SAID TAB MEANS SO AS TO BE IN SPACED PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP TO SAID ARMS; SAID ARMS BEING SELECTIVELY EXTENSIBLE THROUGH THE BUTTON HOLE SO AS TO POSITION SAID ARMS ADJACENT TO THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID OVERLYING PORTION AND TO SAID BUTTON, AND TO POSITION SAID BASE ADJACENT TO THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID OVERLYING PORTION, SAID RESILIENT MEMBER BEING LATERALLY AND LONGITUDINALLY EXPANDABLE SO AS TO RECEIVE THE BUTTON THERETHROUGH IN EDGEWISE RELATIONSHIP FOR POSITIONING THE BUTTON IN FLAT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SAID RESILIENT MEMBERS AND SAID ARMS WITH SAID