U.S. patent application number 12/011575 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-25 for button cover adapter for jeans.
Invention is credited to Teresa M. Suter.
Application Number | 20080313864 12/011575 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40134994 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080313864 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Suter; Teresa M. |
December 25, 2008 |
Button cover adapter for jeans
Abstract
This invention is a one piece detachable button cover adapter
for converting a plain jean button into a more decorative one. This
device is comprised of a substantially flat, circular disc with
resilient prongs. An ornamental top is attached to the front side
of this adapter and resilient prongs on the back side hold a jean
button. The advantage of this invention is that it covers and
securely holds a jean button whereas a typical button cover does
not. Another novelty is that this adapter does not utilize a cup
and/or hinge and therefore produces a more attractive, sleeker
button cover that is easy to attach to and detach from a jean
button.
Inventors: |
Suter; Teresa M.;
(Rockville, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TERESA M. SUTER
6050 CALIFORNIA CIRCLE, APT. 408
ROCKVILLE
MD
20852
US
|
Family ID: |
40134994 |
Appl. No.: |
12/011575 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60897956 |
Jan 29, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/113R |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/367 20150115;
A44B 1/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/113.R |
International
Class: |
A44B 1/04 20060101
A44B001/04 |
Claims
1. A button cover adapter for jeans for converting an ordinary jean
button into a more decorative one, comprising: means for covering a
jean button and affixing a decorative component; means for engaging
and retaining a jean button; and means for holding a jean button in
place.
2. The button cover adapter for jeans in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said means for covering a jean button and affixing a
decorative component comprises a circular disc.
3. The button cover adapter for jeans in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said means for engaging and retaining a jean button
comprises a resilient, grooved prong.
4. The button cover adapter for jeans in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said means for holding a jean button in place comprises a
groove.
5. A button cover adapter for jeans for converting an ordinary jean
button into a more decorative one, comprising: a circular disc, for
covering a jean button and affixing a decorative component; a
resilient, grooved prong, for engaging and retaining a jean button;
and a groove, for holding a jean button in place.
6. The button cover adapter for jeans as recited in claim 5,
further comprising: a rim, for adding decoration around the edge of
the jean button.
7. A button cover adapter for jeans for converting an ordinary jean
button into a more decorative one, comprising: a circular disc, for
covering a jean button and affixing a decorative component; a
resilient, grooved prong, for engaging and retaining a jean button;
a groove, for holding a jean button in place; and a rim, for adding
decoration around the edge of the jean button.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part
application of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/897,956, filed Jan. 29, 2007, by Teresa M. Suter, included by
reference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is
hereby claimed.
[0002] The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No.
6,035,494, issued Mar. 14, 2000, by Duke; Susan (Stirling FK8 3QE
Scotland, GB); Wood; Bruce (Glasgow, GB), included by reference
herein.
[0003] The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No.
5,621,951, issued Apr. 22, 1997, by Gould, included by reference
herein.
[0004] The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No.
5,161,285, issued Nov. 10, 1992, by Jerjian, included by reference
herein.
[0005] The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No.
4,539,731, issued Sep. 10, 1985, by Torrini, included by reference
herein.
[0006] The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No.
3,343,230, issued Sep. 26, 1967, by Darvie, included by reference
herein.
[0007] The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No.
2,577,723, issued Dec. 4, 1951, by Groh, included by reference
herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to jean button covers in
particular and apparel button covers in general.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Jean garments have become a staple of wardrobes of men,
women, and children. In recent years, many individuals, especially
women and young girls, have sought ways to personalize their jean
garments by adding ornamentation. Available options include iron on
decals; sew on emblems, glue on rhinestones and other
embellishments. However, there are no existing options for changing
the look of a jean garment by covering the original button with a
more decorative one.
[0010] Ornamental detachable button covers have been in use for
many years. While they are available in a number of different
configurations, typical apparel button covers are designed to be
used with standard sewn on buttons such as those found on blouses,
shirts, cuffs, etc. Because jean buttons are not sewn on but are
riveted to the fabric and have a shank, typical apparel button
covers do not fit over a jean button. Typical apparel button covers
are two-piece metal devices composed of a cup and some type of
hinged back. The cup is designed to encase the button that is
inserted into it and the hinged back is designed to secure the
button in the device and onto the article of clothing. After
repeated use, however, the hinged back of a typical button cover
becomes bent out of shape therefore making it less secure.
Additionally, typical detachable button covers are fabricated in
such a way that when an ornamental component is affixed to the cup,
the resulting device has a stacked, bulky appearance. Finally,
typical detachable button covers are cumbersome to put on and take
off.
[0011] Prior art discloses devices for covering buttons that
utilize, in one form or another, a two part button cover. One part
is a cup or cap component and the other is a hinged back plate
designed to secure the device to the button to be covered.
Additionally, these typical button covers are not designed to work
with a jean button.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,494 issued Mar. 14, 2000, to Duke,
discloses a button comprising two parts, a base for attachment to a
garment, and a cover removably coupled to said base. This device is
designed to be used with buttons that are sewn onto a garment.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,951, issued Apr. 22, 1997 to Gould,
discloses a Device for Covering and Concealing Buttons. This device
is constructed of two parts also, a cup member and a hinged back
plate with a keyhole shaped slit designed to better secure the
button cover onto the button as compared with previous button
covers. The back plate of this invention has two prongs that are
received in frictional engagement in co-operating recesses in the
main body and are designed to keep the button cover closed, and
thus in place on a button. However, this invention is also designed
for buttons that are sewn onto a garment.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,285 issued Nov. 10, 1992 to Jerjian
discloses a button cover that addresses safety issues related to
inadvertent loss of the button cover during use. This device is
also constructed of two components, a cup member and a hinged
closure plate. One safety feature designs the direction of opening
and closing of the button cover to be transverse to the direction
of insertion about the button during use. While this added security
is an enhancement of prior art, it still utilizes a hinged back
plate that can become bent out of shape with repeated use. In
addition, this device is also designed to work with apparel buttons
fastened to a garment with threads.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,731 issued Sep. 10, 1985 to Torrini,
discloses a button cover for use with a shirt cuff button. This
button cover is formed in two parts, a button-covering member and a
button-engaging member pivotally connected to one another.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,230 issued Sep. 26, 1967 to Darvie
discloses a decorative covering part for a clothing button, a shirt
cuff or blouse cuff button, or an ornamental element. This device
comprises two parts, a base with a wall, and a forked member to
engage a shirt or cuff button when the button is in a closed
position.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 2,577,723, issued Dec. 4, 1951 to Groh
discloses a detachable button cover comprising two parts also, a
cover portion and a spring plate member.
[0018] It is an object of this invention to provide a one-piece
detachable button cover adapter that works with jean buttons.
[0019] It is another object of this invention to provide a
one-piece detachable button cover adapter that does not utilize a
cup or hinge.
[0020] It is another object of this invention to provide a
detachable button cover adapter that securely holds a jean button
with resilient prongs that do not become bent out of shape with
repeated use.
[0021] It is another object of the invention to provide a
detachable button cover adapter that quickly and easily attaches to
and detaches from a jean button.
[0022] It is another object of the invention to provide a
detachable button cover adapter that is simple to use.
[0023] It is another object of the invention to provide a
detachable button cover adapter that is simple to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a novel one-piece detachable button-cover adapter for use with jean
buttons in particular and apparel buttons in general. This
invention has a thin, substantially flat, metal circular disc that
has a set of resilient prongs extending out and turning under the
front side of the disc. These resilient prongs engage and securely
hold a jean button that is inserted beneath them. One advantage of
the present invention, with respect to a typical detachable button
cover, is that this invention covers and securely holds a jean
button whereas existing button covers do not. Another advantage of
this button cover adapter is that, because it does not utilize a
cup and hinge, it produces a more attractive button cover. Another
advantage of the present invention is that it is easy to attach to
and detach from a jean button. In addition, with the decorative
component attached, this invention provides a way of easily
changing the look of a jean garment by quickly changing the
button.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] A complete understanding of the present invention may be
obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered
in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in
which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an adapter without a
decorative component attached;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective of the back view of an adapter;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a side view of an adapter without a decorative
ornament attached;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a side view of an adapter assembled with a
decorative component;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a back side view of an adapter engaging a jean
button; and
[0031] FIG. 6 is a back side view of a disc with a rim around the
perimeter.
[0032] For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and
components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout
the Figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0033] This invention consists of a one-piece metal circular disc
10 that is substantially flat and slightly larger in diameter than
that of a jean button 16 to be covered. The front facing side of
the circular disc 10 is blank and the back side has a prong 12
positioned at opposite points on the perimeter. Each prong 12
extends from the front facing side of the circular disc 10 and
curls under the front facing side in such a way that an angle to
engage, hold, and retain a jean button 16 that is inserted under it
is formed. Each prong 12 has a groove 13 to hold a jean button 16
in place. A decorative component 14 is affixed to the blank front
facing side of the circular disc 10 by riveting, gluing, soldering,
or other means. The circular disc 10 and prong 12 can be made from
a variety of metals, both precious and non precious, or other
materials. The decorative component 14 can be made from a variety
of stones, gems, glass, metals, or any other decorative
material.
[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of the adapter
comprising a substantially flat one piece circular disc 10 composed
of resilient metal, plastic, or other material. The diameter of the
circular disc 10 is slightly larger than the diameter of the jean
button 16 to be covered so that it covers and hides the jean button
16 once it is attached to it. This front facing side of the adapter
is the side to which a decorative component 14 is affixed by
gluing, riveting, soldering or other means.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a perspective of the back view of the adapter and
is comprised of a circular disc 10 and a prong 12 at opposite
points on the perimeter extending out from the front facing side of
the circular disc 10 and turning under the circular disc 10 in such
a way that they form a means for engaging and retaining a jean
button 16 that is inserted. The prong 12 is configured with a
groove 13 for holding the jean button 16 in place once the button
is inserted.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a side view of the adapter illustrating the
general shape of a prong 12 and the angle that is formed when a
prong 12 is turned under the front facing side.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a side view of the assembled adapter showing a
decorative component 14 affixed to the front facing side of the
circular disc 10 and a prong 12 positioned at opposite points on
the perimeter of the circular disc 10.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a view of the back side of the circular disc 10
illustrating a jean button 16 being inserted under and engaged by a
prong 12 positioned at opposite points on the perimeter of the
circular disc 10 and a groove 13 on each prong 12 that will hold
the jean button 16 in place.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a view of an alternate embodiment in which the
back side of the circular disc 10 has a rim 18 around the perimeter
to add a decorative element around the jean button 16.
ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS
[0040] The present invention can be manufactured with a number of
alternate embodiments and/or features. A circular disc 10 could be
comprised of alternate shapes and sizes to accommodate buttons of
various shapes and sizes. Prong 12 can have a variety of
configurations; they can be rolled inward, for example. A rim 18 or
rolled edge extending around the perimeter of the circular disc 10
could be added on the back side to add a decorative element around
the edge of the jean button 16. This invention can also be
manufactured with more than two prong 12 placed around the
perimeter on the back side. It can also be manufactured in two
pieces joined together by gluing riveting, soldering or other
means: the first piece comprising a circular disc 10 with or
without a rim 18; the second piece comprising prong 12.
[0041] Operation:
[0042] This one piece button cover adapter for jeans is intended to
have a decorative component 14 affixed to the front facing side by
gluing, riveting, soldering or other means. Once the decorative
component 14 is affixed, a user simply inserts the jean button 16
under the prong 12 until the jean button 16 is engaged and held in
place by the groove 13 on the prong 12
[0043] To remove the jean button 16 from the device, the jean
button 16 is pushed out from under the prong 12.
[0044] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit
particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent
to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered
limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and
covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute
departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
[0045] Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be
protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently
appended claims.
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