U.S. patent application number 10/806720 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-29 for apparel insertion device.
Invention is credited to Ransom, Diane.
Application Number | 20050210635 10/806720 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34987984 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050210635 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ransom, Diane |
September 29, 2005 |
Apparel insertion device
Abstract
An apparel insertion device for all kinds of clothing and
garments including a means for insertion into the apparel. The
device also includes means for securing the device to the apparel,
through an existing button hole, or through the fabric itself.
Inventors: |
Ransom, Diane; (Roslindale,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Patrick D. Archibald
Lambert & Associates
92 State Street
Boston
MA
02109
US
|
Family ID: |
34987984 |
Appl. No.: |
10/806720 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/104 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/3651 20150115;
A44B 1/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/104 |
International
Class: |
A44B 001/28 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparel insertion device comprising: a plate; a post, having
an outer post surface and an inner post surface, wherein said post
is attached to said plate; and a base, said base having a base top
and said base having a base bottom, wherein said base is capable of
receiving said post.
2. The apparel insertion device of claim 1, wherein said post
further comprises a plate attachment means.
3. The apparel insertion device of claim 2 wherein said post
further comprises a plate release means.
4. The apparel insertion device of claim 3, wherein said plate
attachment means further comprises at least one prong member.
5. The apparel insertion device of claim 4, wherein said plate
attachment means further comprises a first prong member and a
second prong member.
6. The apparel insertion device of claim 5, wherein said outer post
surface further comprises at least one grooved area aligned in a
substantially horizontal fashion on said outer post surface.
7. The apparel insertion device of claim 6, wherein said base
further comprises a means for attaching said post.
8. The apparel insertion device of claim 7, wherein said base
further comprises a means for releasing said post.
9. The apparel insertion device of claim 8, wherein said means for
releasing said post includes at least one post release button.
10. The apparel insertion device of claim 9, wherein said means for
releasing said post further comprises a first post release button,
and said means for releasing said post further comprises a second
post release button.
11. The apparel insertion device of claim 10, wherein said base
bottom further comprises a substantially padded portion.
12. The apparel insertion device of claim 11, wherein said padded
portion includes a padding protection layer, wherein said padding
protection layer substantially covers said substantially padded
portion.
13. The apparel insertion device of claim 12, wherein said padding
protection layer includes an outer design portion.
14. The apparel insertion device of claim 11, wherein said post is
substantially cylindrical.
15. The apparel insertion device of claim 14, wherein said post
includes a first opposing vertical notch and said post includes a
second opposing vertical notch.
16. The apparel insertion device of claim 15 wherein said plate
further comprises an attachment ring.
17. The apparel insertion device of claim 16 wherein said plate
further comprises a button.
18. An apparel insertion device comprising: a plate, said plate
having a top and a bottom surface, and said plate including an
attachment ring located on said bottom surface; a cylindrical post,
having a top post portion and a bottom post portion, said top post
portion having a substantially hollow area, and said bottom post
portion including portions defining at least one grooved area, said
grooved area aligned in a substantially horizontal fashion, and
wherein said post includes a first opposing vertical notch and
wherein said post a second opposing vertical notch, and wherein
said post includes a means for attaching said plate, wherein said
means for attaching said plate includes at least one prong member,
and wherein said means for attaching said plate is releasably
fastened to said attachment ring; and a base, capable of receiving
said post, said base having a base top and said base having a base
bottom, wherein said base top includes a means for releasing said
post and wherein said base bottom includes a padded portion,
wherein said padded portion includes a padding protection layer,
and wherein said padding protection layer substantially covers said
padded portion.
19. The apparel insertion device of claim 18, wherein said plate
comprises a button.
20. A method for using an apparel insertion device comprising the
steps of: attaching a plate to a post; inserting said post through
a piece of apparel; and engaging said post into a base.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of inserting said post
through a piece of apparel further comprises inserting said post
through a pre-existing opening in the fabric.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of inserting said post
through a piece of apparel further comprises inserting said post
through a plurality of fibers that make up said piece of apparel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates in general to apparel insertion
devices, and in particular to decorative and functional button and
broach style inserts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Apparel insertion devices are known in the art. These prior
art devices are generally of the button style that are sewed on to
clothing, or pin and broach styles that are pinned on to clothing.
The button styles generally require a pre-formed hole through which
they are to be inserted, while the pin style pierces the article of
clothing by means of a sharply pointed pin or needle. The prior art
devices generally consist of a unitary item, and do not allow for
any interchangeability of button or pin faces. Additionally, these
prior art devices do not usually blend aesthetic and functional
qualities in any meaningful way.
[0003] For example, pin style devices pierce through articles of
clothing easily, but then normally perform no other function beyond
providing aesthetic value. Additionally, extended use of pin style
devices naturally creates larger and larger insertion holes over
time; resulting in the pin style device sagging and rolling
unattractively.
[0004] Button style devices require sewing directly to the piece of
apparel, and often also require a buttonhole that is large enough
for the button to pass through; both of which are permanent changes
to the article of clothing that is often undesirable. Further,
button style devices generally cannot be easily removed and used in
other articles of clothing. As a result, should a particular design
decline in popularity, the wearer will normally discard the entire
garment, rather than attempt to remove and replace the old buttons.
This practice is wasteful and costly for the consumer.
[0005] It is therefore desirable to have an apparel insertion
device free from the limitations and shortcomings of the prior art.
It is desirable to have an apparel insertion device that can be
used on various kinds of apparel, while allowing the wearer the
freedom to choose whether modifications to the apparel are
necessary. It is also desirable to have an apparel insertion device
that can utilize existing buttonholes without having to be sewed
onto the article of clothing. Additionally, it is desirable to have
a versatile apparel insertion device that is capable of blending
aesthetic and function in a single device. Further, it is desirable
to have an apparel insertion device that is capable of being
utilized on garments that vary in color, texture, thickness and
material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an apparel insertion device that may be used on all types
of garments and apparel worn by people, animals, or anywhere else
articles of clothing are employed.
[0007] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
device that can perform the securing functions of a button, and
provide a pleasing and desirable aesthetic addition to a
garment.
[0008] Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to
cooperate with a variety of button faces in order to provide
interchangeability and maximize user freedom of choice.
[0009] Further it is an object of the present invention to be easy
to insert and remove from apparel, while limiting the chance of
possible damage to the garment.
[0010] The present invention comprises a plate, releasably attached
to a post. The post is capable of being inserted through a garment
directly, or through a hole placed in the garment for the purpose
of receiving buttons, or other apparel insertion devices. The post
may be releasably attached to a base, thereby securing the
invention to the garment.
[0011] The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises
a plate that includes an attachment ring extending from a central
portion of the plate's bottom surface. The attachment ring is then
inserted within a hollow portion of the post, wherein a set of
prongs close, securely fastening the plate to the post. The plate
and attachment ring may be thought of as a simple button, commonly
found on coats and other apparel. The post may also include a
simple release mechanism, the variety of which is well known in the
art. The post may also include at least one grooved portion that
may be releasably inserted into a base. In another embodiment, the
post may include a plurality of grooved portions, thereby allowing
use of the device on garments of varying thicknesses. The base may
also be padded on the region opposite the post insertion area,
adding a greater level of comfort for the wearer. The padded
portion may include a covering that is plain, or enhanced with a
fabric design.
[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, the post includes
vertical notches to allow for buttons, or other plates, that
include attachment rings that are too large to fit completely
within the hollow portion of the post. The cutouts would also serve
the purpose of aligning the attachment ring with the prongs located
within the post. The post may be cylindrical, rectangular or it may
comprise other forms, and may include hollow portions or be
substantially solid.
[0013] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
be recognized when the following description is considered along
with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0014] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view showing the apparel
insertion device, including a cut-away portion displaying the plate
attachment means within the post.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparel insertion
device showing the vertical notch embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the base, depicting the
embodiment wherein the padding protection layer includes an outer
design portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Referring to the drawings FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of
the apparel insertion device depicting plate 1 having attachment
ring 12 releasably attached to post 4 via plate release 3 and prong
members 2. Grooves 5 cooperate with post release means 7 and post
release buttons 8 to releasably attach post 4 to base 6. Base 6
includes a substantially padded portion 9, which in turn is
substantially covered by padding protection layer 10.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparel insertion
device illustrating the preferred embodiment that includes post 4
having portions defining vertical notches 11.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of base 6 depicting a
substantially padded portion 9, which is substantially covered by a
padding protection layer 10, and also includes an outer design
portion 13.
[0020] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
invention may be practiced in a variety of ways, including a number
of styles and materials, without departing from the spirit and the
scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, the preceding
descriptions are meant to illustrate, rather than limit the scope
invention.
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