WO1999048398A1

WO1999048398A1 - Buttons

Info

Publication number: WO1999048398A1
Application number: PCT/EP1999/001694
Authority: WO
Inventors: Farajollah Banayan; Leah Gila Banayan
Original assignee: Farajollah Banayan; Leah Gila Banayan
Priority date: 1998-03-23
Filing date: 1999-03-16
Publication date: 1999-09-30
Also published as: CR5991A; CN1296389A; AU2836999A; BR9909032A; AR014752A1; CN1152628C; GB9806175D0; UY25437A1

Abstract

A buttoning device that can be securely attached to garments or other items, in either a permanent or readily removable manner, without the need for sewing and which comprises at least two components, such that in use the first component and the second component are positioned on opposing surfaces of the fabric of the garment or other item and are held in place by means of a mechanical fastening or engagement either directly between them or through a third or subsequent component of the device. Typically, one of the components constitutes the button element of the device while the other constitutes the retaining means which mechanically fasten or engage with the button so that the button is held in position. Preferably, the button or button head component can be removed without the need to dismantle or otherwise disengage the remainder of the device from the fabric. The button or button head can thereby be readily exchanged for a different one.

Description

- 1 -

BUTTONS

This invention relates to buttons that can be attached to garments or other items without the need for sewing. More particularly, it relates to buttoning devices or button fixings that are secured to the material of a garment by means of a mechanical fastening or engagement.

The buttons that are presently on the market are perforated with holes in the central area, typically two or four holes, through which they are sewn on to garments or other items by means of cotton or similar thread. Alternatively, the buttons are provided with a small ring or loop extending perpendicularly from their undersurface and through which they can be attached by sewing. However, the process of sewing is time consuming, intricate and therefore a relatively labour intensive and expensive part of, for example, the manufacture of a garment. Once buttons have been sewn on, they cannot be changed easily if they are not found pleasing by the purchaser of the garment. Furthermore, buttons attached in this way are easily lost when the cotton breaks after a period of time.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a buttoning device that can be attached to a garment or other item without the need for sewing. The button may thereby be fixed permanently or, more desirably, in a removable manner so that it can readily be replaced by another button having a different shape, appearance or colour, if so desired, for reasons of fashion or other purposes. Thus, for example, a woman who desires to change the buttons on a jacket so that they match with her earrings, shoes and other accessories, can much more easily do so. Expensive or delicate buttons can readily be removed from clothes before they are subjected to dry cleaning, for example, thereby protecting the buttons from damage during the cleaning process. The buttons can then be reattached to the clothing without the need to laboriously sew them on again. It is a further object to provide a buttoning device that is attached more securely so that it does not accidentally fall off, thereby reducing the problem of lost buttons.

According to the present invention there is provided a buttoning device that can be securely attached to garments or other items, in either a permanent or readily removable manner, without the need for sewing and which comprises at least two components, such that in use the first component and the second component are positioned on opposing surfaces of the fabric of the garment or other item and are held in place by means of a mechanical fastening or engagement either directly between them or through a third or subsequent component of the device. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of attaching a button to a garment or other item and which comprises the use of a buttoning device as described above.

The present invention therefore provides a device and a method for attaching buttons which avoids the disadvantages mentioned above. Most importantly, they can be attached to garments or other items without sewing and, according to preferred embodiments, can be readily removed and subsequently reattached as the owner of the garment desires. It should be appreciated that there are many different embodiments or variations of the buttoning device according to the present invention. As will become apparent from the following description, some of those embodiments require the fabrication of a new type of button, while others make use of conventional buttons. Some of the embodiments require the presence of a hole in the fabric of the garment, while others involve the fabric being pierced by means of one of the components of the buttoning device or a needle or any other sharp implement.

The buttoning devices of this invention comprise at least two components, but may comprise three, four or more components. Typically, one of the components constitutes the button element of the device while the other constitutes the retaining means which mechanically fasten or engage with the button, either directly or through one or more other components of the device, so that the button is held in position. One or more of the components protrudes through the fabric of the garment or other item, either from the upper surface through to the under surface, or from the under surface through to the upper surface, or a combination thereof. According to various embodiments of the invention, different systems are utilised to block the protruding component or components (which may comprise, for example a tab, needle or hook) and these may involve, for example, the use of pinning, locking or capping mechanisms. The locking or capping component may be the button element itself or a separate cap component of the buttoning device. It will be appreciated that in some of the embodiments described below the cap is the button element. The buttoning devices of this invention may be fabricated from any suitable material or combinations of materials, including polystyrene, polypropylene and polyvinylchloride. Some of the components are best formed from metals. It will be appreciated that in principle the components may be made from any materials that possess the appropriate properties of strength, rigidity, lightness of weight, cost and attractive appearance. Generally, the buttoning device comprises a button-type element and at least one other component, such as a plate, one of these components being provided with a stud or other protrusion, while the other has an aperture designed to receive this stud or other protrusion, with means to engage or fasten the components together.

Typically, one of the components comprises a button' or button head and, most preferably, this can be removed without the need to dismantle or otherwise disengage the remainder of the device from the fabric of the garment or other item to which it is attached. The button or button head is securely (but releasably) held or locked in place and can be readily exchanged for a different one, e.g. of another colour or style.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to particular embodiments presented only by way of example. The mechanical fastening or engagement may take any of a multiplicity^'of forms. Thirteen buttoning devices according to the present invention are described below with reference to Figures 1 to 30 of the accompanying drawings.

The button-fixings to be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12 each involve a button of a standard form having a securing ring or staple projecting from the underside of the button-head. The head of the button is represented in the drawings as domed but it need not be of this form. Where it is necessary for one or more of the components of the various different embodiments of the buttoning device to protrude through the material, it will be understood that the required holes or slits may either be preformed in the material or made using the components themselves when the buttoning devices are first attached.

Referring to Figure 1 , the button 1 in this case is combined with a ring 2 for engaging over the loop or staple 3 that projects from the underside of the button-head 4. The ring 2, as shown in plan in Figure 2, has an inwardly-projecting tab 5 for engaging through the eye of the staple 3 in securing the button 1 to a garment.

Three successive stages for securing the button 1 to a garment are shown at (1 ) to (3), respectively, of Figure 3, each stage being illustrated in side elevation as (a) and in front elevation as (b). Referring to Figure 3, the staple 3 of the button 1 is in stage

(1 ) inserted through the material 6. In the case illustrated, a button-hole slit 7 is provided in the material 6. With the staple 3 now projecting through the material 6, the ring 5 in stage (2) is pushed onto it from the back of the material 6, until, in stage (3) the tab 5 snaps resiliency through the staple 3 to lock the button 1 tightly in place. It is to be understood that with this version of the buttoning device it is not essential for the staple 3 to project through a slit in the material. Instead, the tab 5 may be pushed through the material from the underside, and the projecting portion of the tab on the upper surface of the material then engaged resiliency with the staple 3 so that the button is secured in place.

The resilient engagement of the tab 5 within the eye of the - 5 -

staple 3 may be released to free the button 1 from the garment simply by deflecting it using a stylus or other pointed instrument, and removing the ring 2.

The ring 2 may be moulded from polystyrene or polyvinyl chloride with the tab 5, for example of metal, inserted during or after moulding.

The components of the second form of fixing to be described are shown in Figure 4 and in addition to the button 1 involve a flat strip 10 (for example of non-ferrous metal or pliable plastics), a flat slotted-washer 11 (for example of polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride or other rigid plastics) and a domed cap 12 (for example of high-density polyethylene, polypropylene or other plastics). The washer 11 and cap 12 are shown in underside plan view in Figure 4 and the cap 12 is shown in sectional side elevation in Figure 5. Eight successive stages for securing the button 1 to a garment using this second form of fixing are shown at (1) to (8), respectively, of Figure 6, and will now be described.

Referring to Figure 6, the strip 10 is inserted halfway through the eye of the staple 3 of the button 1 in stage (1), and in stage (2) is bent down either side of the staple 3 so that its two pointed ends 13 project downwardly from it as shown for stage (3). In stage (4) the pointed ends 13 are pinched together and used to pierce the material 14 of the garment and are pulled through from the back to bring the staple 3 down hard onto the top surface of the material 14. The washer 11 is now, in stage (5), threaded onto the two ends 13 of the strip 10 with the ends 13 entered through a slot 15 of the washer 11. In the next stage (6) the washer 11 is pushed hard onto the back of the material 14 and the two ends 13 of the strip 10 are then splayed outwardly from one another for securing the washer 11 and the button 1 in place; the ends 13 push back into respective recesses 16 (Figure 4) in the underside of the washer 11. The cap 12 is pushed over the washer 11 in stage (7) to cover the ends 13, its rim engaging resiliently over the rim of the washer 11 for retention there in the completed stage (8).

The cap 12 can be readily levered off for access to the strip 10 and release of the button 1 whenever required, using the pointed tip of, for example, a pair of scissors . Figure 7 shows the components of a third form of fixing in which the button 1 is held by a hook 15 (for example of heat-treated metal or semi-rigid plastics) that is retained by a domed spring-cap 16 (for example of high density polyethylene, polypropylene or other plastics). The cap 16 is shown in side elevation in Figure 7 and in plan in Figure 8. Four successive stages for securing the button 1 to a garment using this third form of fixing are shown at (1) to (4), respectively, of Figure 9, and will now be described.

Referring to Figure 9, the hook 15 is clipped to the staple 3 of the button 1 in stage (1), and in stage (2) its pointed free-end 17 is used to pierce the material 18 of the garment. The cap 16 is pushed onto the end 17 of the hook 15 where the end 17 projects through the material 18, in stage (3). In this respect the cap 16 has a blind hole 19 (Figure 8) for receiving the barbed end 17 and retaining it resiliency engaged, so as to bring the fixing to stage (4) in which the button 1 is firmly held tightly in place.

The components of the fourth form of fixing to be described are shown in Figure 10 and in addition to the button 1 involve a U-shape hook 20 (for example of non-ferrous metal or polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or other semi-rigid plastics), a flat slotted-washer 21 (for example of polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride or other rigid plastics) and a domed cap 22 (for example of high-density polyethylene, polypropylene or other plastics). The washer 21 and cap 22 are shown in plan in Figure 10 and the cap 22 is shown in sectional side elevation in Figure 11.

Five successive stages for securing the button 1 to a garment using this fourth form of fixing are shown at (1) to (5), respectively, of Figure 12, and will now be described. Referring to Figure 12, the hook 20 is hooked through the staple 3 of the button 1 in stage (1), and in stage (2) its barbed prongs 23 are used to pierce the material 24 of the garment in two places. The washer 21 is now, in stage (3), threaded onto the hook 20 where it projects through the material 24, the prongs 23 entering through a slot 25 of the washer 21 to bring the fixing to stage (4) where the cap 22 is about to be pushed on; the barbed prongs 23 engage resiiiently through the slot 25 at either end to hold the washer 21 tightly against the back of the material 24. The cap 22, which has a central projection 26 that engages between the prongs 23 to prevent them from springing inwardly and disengaging from the slot 25, is retained in place for stage (5) by its resilient engagement rim- to-rim with the washer 21.

The cap 22 can be prised off to allow the prongs 23 to be squeezed inwardly towards one another for release from the slot 25 when the button 1 is to be removed.

Figure 13 shows the three components of the fifth form of button fixing according to this invention. Two different side elevations of the button 132 are shown at (a), side elevation and plan views of the ring 135 are shown at (b) and (c) and side elevation and plan views of the protective cap 137 are shown at (d) and (e), respectively. Referring to Figure 13, it will be seen that the button component includes a blade or needle 133 which is provided with an aperture 134. The ring component includes pin 136. Seven successive stages for securing the button 132 to a garment are shown in Figure 14. Firstly, the garment 138 is pierced from front to back by means of the needle 133 that is attached to the button 132 (stages 1 and 2). The ring component is then slipped on to the needle until it comes into contact with the under surface of the garment (stage 3). The pin 136 is next pushed along a channel 172 in the ring and through the aperture 134 in the needle so that the ring is secured in place (stages 4 and 5). Finally, the protective cap 137 is snapped onto the ring so that the button assembly is secured (stages 6 to 7). The button can be changed - 8 -

(stage 8 of Figure 53) by removing the protective cap, pulling out the pin, removing the ring and withdrawing the original button through the garment. The button and the needle may be moulded from polystyrene, polypropylene or polyvinylchloride (or any other rigid plastic). If the needle is made of metal, this may be inserted during or after the moulding of the remainder of the button component. The ring component may be moulded from polystyrene, polypropylene or polyvinylchloride and the pin, which is usually made of metal, is inserted during or after the moulding. The protective cap is typically formed from polystyrene, polypropylene or polyvinylchloride.

The components of the sixth form of the buttoning device according to this invention are shown in Figure 15 in (a) and (b) in side elevation. They comprise a button 139 which is provided with a hollow stem 140 projecting from underneath its head and having an aperture 141 in the side thereof. The second component is a plug which comprises a base 142 having a needle or blade 143 projecting therefrom and that is provided with a laterally positioned sprung tab 144. Five successive steps for securing the button 139 to a garment are shown at in Figure 16. Firstly, the material 145 is pierced from below by the needle or blade 143 of the plug (stage 1). The needle is pushed through the material until the base 142 comes into contact with the undersurface (stage 2). The button 139 is then placed over the needle (stage 3) and pushed downwards until the needle is fully inserted into the stem 140 such that the sprung tab 144 engages resiiiently in the aperture 141 with an audible click (stages 4 and 5). Removal of the button (stage 6) can be effected by depressing the lateral sprung tab 144 through the aperture 141 in the stem of the button component, conveniently by means of a suitably pointed instrument, whereupon the button can be pulled free.

The components of this embodiment are typically moulded from polystyrene, polypropylene or polyvinylchloride, but could be made^'of any other rigid plastic. The needle or blade may be formed from a rigid plastic or from one or more metals.

The components of the seventh form of buttoning device according to its invention are shown in Figure 17 in side elevation, namely (a) a button 146 which has a hollow stem 147 projecting from underneath its head and is provided with a side aperture 148, (b) a hook 149 mounted on a base 150 and (c) two pins 151 mounted on a base 152. The base 150 has two hollow apertures 173 which are designed to receive the two pins 151. Six successive stages for securing the button 146 to a garment are shown in Figure 18. The material 153 is firstly pierced from below by the two pins 151 and which are then pushed through the material until the base 152 comes into contact with its undersurface (stages 1 and 2). The hook 149 is then pushed onto the protruding pins 151 which fit tightly into the apertures 173 provided in the base 150 (stages 3 and 4). Finally, the button 146 is positioned above the hook 149 and pushed downwards until the hook is fully inserted into the hollow stem 147 such that it engages resiiiently with the aperture 148 as indicated by an audible click (stages 5 and 6). To remove the button, the hook is pressed inwards, suitably by means of a pen or other pointed instrument inserted into the side aperture 148, so that it disengages from the aperture and the button can then be pulled free.

The components of the eighth form of buttoning device according to this invention are shown in Figure 19, namely in side elevation (a) a button 161 which is provided with a hollow stem 162 and an aperture 163 in the side wall thereof, in two different side elevations (b) a hook 164 mounted on one side of a base 165 and on the opposing side of which is mounted a needle or blade 166 which has an aperture 167 therein, in side elevation (c) and plan view (d) a ring 168 provided with a slideable pin 169, and in side elevation (e) and plan view (f) a cap 170. Seven successive stages for securing the button 161 to a garment are shown in Figure 20, each stage being illustrated in side elevation. The material 171 is pierced from above by means of the needle or blade 166. The needle is pushed - 10 -

through the material until the base 165 comes into contact with the upper surface thereof (stages 1 and 2). The ring 168 is positioned below the protruding needle or blade and then pushed upwards until it comes into contact with the under surface of the material, whereupon the pin 169 is pushed home along a channel 174 in the ring such that it engages with the aperture 167 in the needle (stages 3 and 4). The protective cap 170 is clipped onto the underside of the ring so as to cover the exposed tip of the needle or blade (stage 5). Finally, the button 161 is positioned above the hook 164 and then pushed downwards so that the said hook engages with the aperture 163 which is indicated by an audible click (stages 6 and 7). The button can be removed by pressing on the hook, for example by means of a pen or other pointed instrument, so that it becomes disengaged from the aperture and the button can then be removed and, if desired, replaced by another button having a different appearance. The complete removal of the buttoning device from the garment can be effected by simply reversing the above mentioned steps.

The components may typically be formed from polystyrene, polypropylene or polyvinylchloride, but could be formed from any other rigid plastic. If the needle or blade and/or the pin are made of metal, they can be inserted into the respective components either during or after the moulding operation.

The components of the ninth form of buttoning device according to this invention are shown in Figure 21 , namely in plan view and side elevation (a) a button 172, in plan view and side elevation (b) a base 173 which includes a stem 174, and in side elevation (c) two pins 175 mounted on a base 176. The base 173 has two hollow apertures which are designed to receive the pins 175. Seven successive stages for securing the button 172 to a garment are shown in Figure 22. The material 177 is firstly pierced from below by the two pins 175 and which are then pushed through the material until the base 176 comes into contact with its undef surface (stages 1 and 2). The base 174 is then pushed on to the - 11 -

protruding pins 175 (stages 3 and 4) and which fit snugly into the aforesaid apertures so that the base 174 is securely (but releasably) held in place. Finally, the button 172 is positioned above the base 173 and pushed downwards such that it engages with the said base as preferably indicated by an audible click (stages 5 and 6). To remove the button, the assistance of a pointed object may be required to facilitate its disengagement from the base 173 (stage 7).

The components may typically be moulded from polystyrene, polypropylene or polyvinylchloride, although the pins will normally be made of metal.

The components of the tenth form of buttoning device according to this invention are shown in Figure 23, namely in plan view and side elevation (a) a button 178, in plan view and side elevation a plug unit 179 that engages with a bayonet-type coupling within the stem 180 of the button 178, and inside elevation (c) two pins 181 mounted on a base 182. The plug unit 179 has two hollow apertures which are designed to receive the pins 181. Eight successive stages for securing the button to a garment are shown in Figure 24. The material 183 is firstly pierced from below by the two pins 181 and which are then pushed through the material until the base 182 comes into contact with its under surface (stages 1 and 2). The plug unit 179 is then pushed onto the protruding pins 181 (stages 3 and 4) and which fit snugly into the aforesaid apertures so that the plug unit 179 is securely (but reseasably) held in place. Finally, the button 178 is positioned above the plug unit 179 and pushed downwards so that the plug unit enters the stem 180 (stage 5). The button is twisted clockwise to bring it with an indicative click to the locked position; the button may be removed by turning it in an anti-clockwise direction (stages 6, 7 and 8).

The components of this embodiment are typically moulded from polystyrene, polypropylene or polyvinylchloride, although the pins will usually be made of metal.

The components of the eleventh form of buttoning device - 12 -

according to this invention are shown in Figure 25, namely in top view and side elevation (a) a button 184 which has a hollow stem 185 projecting from its under surface and that has a sprung member 186 suspended therein, and in plan view and side elevation (b) a plug comprising a pin 187, having a circumferential groove 188 at or near its tip and which is mounted on a base 189. Five successive stages for securing the button 184 to a garment are shown in Figure 26. The material 190 is pierced from below by the pin 187 (stage 1). The pin is pushed through the material until the base 189 comes into contact with the under surface of the material (stage 2). The button 184 is then positioned above the pin and pushed downwards (stage 3) until the sprung member 186, engages with the groove 188 and which may be indicated by an audible click (stage 4). To remove the button, the sprung member must be released from its engagement with the groove by inserting a suitably pointed instrument through a frontal opening which is provided for this purpose in the stem 185 adjacent to the sprung member 186. The button can then be pulled free.

The components may typically be moulded from polystyrene, polypropylene or polyvinylchloride, although the spring 191 and the associated sprung member 186 (see the detail in the close-up included in Figure 26) will be made of metal and inserted after the other components have been moulded. The pin will normally be made of metal.

The components of the twelfth form of buttoning device according to this invention are shown in Figure 27, namely in plan view and side elevation a button 192 which has a pin 193 projecting from its under surface and said pin having a circumferential groove 194 at or near its tip, and in plan view and side elevation (b) a cap 195 which has a hollow stem 196 and that has a sprung member 197 suspended therein. Five successive stages for securing the button 192 to a garment are shown in Figure 28. The material 198 is pierced from above by the pin 193 (stage 1 ). The button is pushed downwards through the material until the base of the pin comes into contact with the upper surface of the material (stage 2). - 13 -

The cap 195 is then positioned below the tip of the pin on the underside of the material and pushed upwards (stage 3) until the sprung member 197 engages with the groove 194 and which may be indicated by an audible click (stage 4). To remove the button, the sprung member must be released from its engagement with the groove by inserting a suitably pointed instrument into a frontal opening which is provided for this purpose in the side of the cap 195 adjacent to the sprung member 197. The button can then be pulled free.

The components may be typically moulded from polystyrene, polypropylene or polyvinylchloride, but could be made of any other rigid plastic or from metal. The pin and the sprung member, together with the spring associated therewith, are made of metal. The latter two components may be inserted during or after the moulding of the rest of the product. The components of the thirteenth form of buttoning device according to this invention are shown in Figure 29, namely in two side elevations and plan view from below (a) a button 199 which is provided with a hollow stem 200 projecting from underneath its head and having an aperture 201 in the side thereof, and in two side elevations and plan view from below (b) a plug which comprises a base 202 having a needle or blade 203 projecting therefrom and that is provided with a laterally positioned sprung tab 204. Four successive stages for securing the button 199 to a garment are shown in Figure 30. Firstly, the needle is pushed through the material until the base 202 comes into contact with its under surface. The button 199 is then placed over the needle (stages 1 and 1') and pushed downwards until the needle is fully inserted into the stem 200 such that the sprung tab 204 engages resiiiently in the aperture 201 with an audible click (stage 2). Removal of the button (stage 3) can be effected by depressing the lateral sprung tab 204 through the aperture 201 in the stem of the button component, conveniently by means of a suitably pointed instrument, whereupon the button can be pulled free.

Claims

- 14 -CLAIMS

1. A buttoning device that can be securely attached to garments or other items, in either a permanent or readily removable manner, without the need for sewing and which comprises at least two components, such that in use the first component and the second component are positioned on opposing surfaces of the fabric of the garment or other item and are held in place by means of a mechanical fastening or engagement either directly between them or through a third or subsequent component of the device.

2. A buttoning device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein one or more of the components is provided with protruding means which are adapted to penetrate or extend through the fabric and engage or otherwise co-operate with corresponding means provided on or constituted by one or more of the other components of the device.

3. A buttoning device as claimed in claim 2, wherein it is the component on the outer surface of the fabric which penetrates or extends through the said fabric.

4. A buttoning device as claimed in claim 2, wherein it is the component on the under surface of the fabric which penetrates or extends through the said fabric.

5. A buttoning device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement between the first component and the second and/or third or subsequent components is by means of a sprung tab or other resilient protrusion on one of the said components which co-operates in a releasable manner with an aperture or similar means provided on or constituted by one or more of the other said components.

6. A buttoning device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the components comprises a button or button head.

7. A buttoning device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the button or button head can be removed without the need to dismantle or otherwise - 15 -

disengage the remainder of the device from the fabric.

8. A buttoning device for garments or other items which comprises three or more components, namely at least a first component which is retained on or secured to the surface of the fabric, a second component that co-operates with the said first component and a button or button head which constitutes the third component, the co-operation between the said first and second components forming an engagement means by which the third component is secured to the assembled device.

9. A method of attaching a button to a garment or other item and which comprises the use of a buttoning device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.