Patent Application
20210204629
The invention relates to a device for attaching a button to a garment easily and rapidly without the use of a needle or traditional thread.
It is a reality that from time to time, buttons apparently permanently attached to a garment, come loose and fall off the garment, or becomes broken and unusable. Sewing a button on with a needle and thread, the traditional method, is easy for many people who have experience with a needle and thread, or people willing to take the time to learn the basics of sewing.
For many people who prefer not to work with a needle and thread, professional tailors are available. There are devices invented intended to make the attachment of a button less challenging. The following is a description of some of the patented devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,182 to Seibt discloses an anchor device for attaching a button to a garment in the form of a tiny strap that engages both the button and the garment with the ends of the strap engaging each other by pushing one end into the other end. Seibt requires dexterity to insert the very short straps together.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,795,191 to Jacobson discloses a method of attaching a button to a garment using a bundle of threads attached to a needle at each end of the bundle to pass through the button and the garment in one pass to avoid repeated operations of sewing with thread. The ends with the needles are tied together. The number of threads in the bundle could be unsuitable for a button with relatively small buttonholes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,343 to Riche discloses an anchoring device in the form of a short thick thread having ends in the form of needles. The needles are used to engage the button to the garment and then the ends of the thread are tied together. The diameter of the thick thread must be suitable for small buttonholes, and the tying of the ends of the thread requires some dexterity.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,468,246 to Hamilton discloses a device having two parts. One part is in the form of a “U” with sharp ends for engaging a button and pushing the “U” through the garment. The other part is also in the shape of a “U” and designed to engage and remain attached to the first part. The act of pushing a device with sharp ends makes this invention potentially dangerous.
The present invention overcomes the challenges of prior art devices for attaching buttons to a garment. The invention is a single unit and enabling the method of attachment to be simple without a demand for good dexterity.
The invention is a button attachment device adapted to attach a button having buttonholes, to a garment. A large range of buttons with small to large buttonholes, regardless of the spacing between the buttonholes.
The device has a base, and a raised portion on one side of said base. The raised portion defines first and second channels extending from one side of the raised portion to the opposite side of the raised portion. The first and second channels are generally parallel to each other and non-intersecting. There are first and second plastic strands extend from the raised portion and the strands are spaced apart from each other. Each of the first and second strands is thicker near the raised portion, and narrows to a point at the respective distal ends of each strands. Each of the first and second strands has a plurality of short elements extending from the out surface of the strand in a direction away from its point. Each of the channels has a narrow portion allowing movement of each of the strands there through easily in a direction one direction, and inhibiting movement of each strand in the opposite direction due to the short elements.
Generally, the button attachment device according to the invention can be used to attach a button to a garment by placing the button in a predetermined position on one side of the garment, placing the button attachment device on the opposite side of the garment, pushing one of the strands through the garment and then through one of the buttonholes. Thereafter, pushing the strand through a different buttonhole, and through the garment to the opposite side. The strand is pushed into the first channel to tighten the button to the garment, and to retain the strand in a locked position. Subsequently, the foregoing is repeated for said second strand.
The invention has many advantages, including being a single unit, easily manufactured, and easy to use. Other advantages will be apparent from the specification and drawings.
Base 11 is shown as a circular; however, any convenient shape can be used such a rectangular shape, or a square shape, or an elliptical shape. Preferably, the base 11 is made of a plastic to enable a unitary construction of the device 10. The thickness of the base 11 can be about 0.5 mm, and depends on the mechanical properties of the plastic used to make the base 11. A suitable thickness can be determined experimentally. The portion 11 along with strands 16, 17 can be manufactured as part of the base 11 to minimize the production costs of the device 10.
The portion 12 has channels 13, 14 which can be defined at the time of manufacturing of the device 10.
The relationship between the diameter of the strands 16, 17, the channels 13, 14, the bands 18, 19, and the elements can be determined experimentally to achieve the desired results.
It has been shown that the device 10 is a convenient unitary device suitable for very low cost production. Moreover, the use of the device 10 does not require dexterity, or training because the design communicates its application. The size, and low cost of the device 10 makes it suitable for travelers to keep in case of an emergency, a loss of a button.
The patent claims follow:
