Patent Application
20080005871
The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a button repair kit 10. Kit 10 comprises a button 12 which has a first surface 14 which is an outer surface when the button is in use and a second surface 16 which is a rear surface when the button is in use. The button shown is merely an example of the many types of buttons that can be used and is not intended as a limitation. A plurality of different buttons can be included with kit 10 so the kit can be used to repair a wide variety of wearing apparel articles.
A layer of material 20 has a first surface 22 which is located adjacent to second surface 16 of the button when the layer of material is in use and a second surface 24. A first layer 30 of adhesive material is located on first surface 22. First layer 30 of adhesive material affixes the layer of material to second surface 16 of the button when the layer of material is in use.
A release liner 40 is removably mounted on first layer 30 of adhesive material on first surface 22 of the layer of material, and is removed when the kit is to be used as will be understood from the teaching of this disclosure. A second layer of adhesive material 50 is located on the second surface of the layer of material.
A stud element 60 includes a mounting plate 62 which has a first surface 64 that is located adjacent to second surface 24 of the layer of material and which is adhered to second surface 24 of the layer of material by second layer 50 of adhesive material. Mounting plate 62 further includes a second surface 66.
A post 70 is unitary with mounting plate 62 and extends from second surface 66 of the mounting plate. A clutch element 80 is releasably mounted on post 70 when the clutch element is in use as shown in
Use of kit 10 can be understood from the teaching of the foregoing disclosure and thus will not be described in detail. To replace a button that has fallen off of an article of wearing apparel, one simply selects a suitable button (or uses the button that has fallen off of the article of wearing apparel if that button can be found and retrieved), removes the release liner and fixes the button to the layer of material which is fixed to the mounting plate of the stud element. The post of the stud element is then forced through the wearing apparel and the clutch element is attached to the post. The post is thus attached to the article of wearing apparel, and the button is located in the position of the lost button. The button is then used in the manner of the button that was lost. The button can be removed in order to sew a permanent button onto the article of wearing apparel.
While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.
