BUTTON

Abstract

A quick connect temporary button replacement having a main button and a support button connected together which may or may not be separated by a piece of fabric, the main button and the secondary button connected by means of a fastener connected to the main button and adjustably connected to the secondary button.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to buttons for clothing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a replacement button for a garment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of button attaching devices is well known in the prior art. These button attaching devices require the use of special tools and instruments to connect the button to the shirt. Although these apparatuses are intended to make button sewing or attaching more simple, these apparatuses frequently make the job more difficult because of the equipment required. Further, the traditional method of button attachment, a needle and thread, is time consuming and requires special training. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to provide a quick fix for a person who has lost a button and needs an easy button replacement on the go.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a quick connect temporary, and/or permanent button replacement. The button includes a main button and a secondary button connected together by means of a fastener connected to the main button and adjustably connected to the secondary button. In one embodiment, the main button includes an elongated thread having a plurality of plastic balls, bulges or teeth allowing for a secure connection to the secondary button. A second embodiment also provides for a main button and a secondary button. The main button includes a piercing member having a neck portion. The secondary button is configured to engage the neck portion of the piercing member. In each embodiment the button assembly allows for a user to quickly and easily replace a lost button on the go.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the button assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the button assembly and garment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the button assembly of the present invention where the secondary button is in an installed position;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional side view of the button assembly in an installed position;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the button assembly of the present invention being installed;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the button assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an isolated view of the main button shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an isolated view of the secondary button show in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 taken along lines 9-9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A button assembly is provided for easy replacement of a button while on the go. The present embodiment includes a main button, a secondary button and a fastener. The fastener may be an elongated plastic thread connected to a bottom surface of the main button. The thread includes a plurality of plastic balls, teeth or bulges operable to secure a secondary button to the thread. The user inserts the plastic thread through the garment where the user wants the button placed. After the thread is connected to the garment, the user connects the secondary button to the thread and moves the secondary button up the thread towards the bottom surface of the main button. After the secondary button is secured with fabric separating the main button and the secondary button, the user can then cut the remainder of the thread having plastic balls, bulges, or teeth.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the one embodiment of the present invention. The button assembly 10 includes a main button 12, a secondary button 16 and a fastener 14. The fastener 14 is shown as a plastic thread 14 projecting axially from the main button 12. The main button 12 includes an upper surface 20 and a lower surface 22. The thread 14 is connected to the lower surface 22 of the main button 12. The main button 12 further includes apertures 26, or indentations which simulate the look of a real button. The main button 12 further includes an outer surface 24.

The secondary button 16 includes an upper surface 30 and a lower surface 32. The upper surface 30 of the secondary button 16 includes an aperture 36 operable to connect to the thread 14. The secondary button 16 further includes an outer surface 34.

The thread 14 includes an upper end 46 and a lower end 48. The upper end 46 connects to the bottom surface 22 of the main button 12. The thread 14 is made of a plastic, rubber, polymer, polymer like, plastic like, or rubber like material. The thread 14 includes a plurality of plastic bulges, teeth or balls 40 spaced apart by thread portions 42. The balls 40 include a smooth outer and rounded surface 44. The aperture 36 is smaller in diameter than the balls 40. The thread 14 further is tapered at end 48 so as to form a piercing member 48a. The piercing member 48a is operable to thread through the aperture 36 of the secondary button 16.

FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 illustrate the button assembly connected to a garment. The button assembly 12 connects to a garment 60, such as a shirt. The garment 60 includes a first piece of material 50 and a second piece of material 52. The first piece of material 50 includes a buttonhole 54. The second piece of material 54 includes an aperture or pinhole 56 allowing the thread 14 to extend therethrough. It should be appreciated that the piercing member 48a of the thread 14 may be configured to have sufficient resiliency so as to pierce through the second piece of material 52 so as to form the pin hole 56.

In the assembled position, such as shown in FIG. 4, the garment 60 and first and second pieces of material 50, 52 are sandwiched between the main button 12 and the secondary button 16. The thread 14 extends through the garment 60 and through the secondary button 16. The main button 12 and the secondary button 16 are secured to the garment 60 by means of the balls 40 being passed through the aperture 36 of the secondary button 16. The thread 14 and the balls 40 have the requisite resiliency to pass through the aperture 36 of the secondary button 16.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein like elements are referenced by like numbers increased by 100. The button assembly 110 includes a main button 112, a plastic thread 114 and a secondary button 116. The main button 112 includes an upper surface 120 and a lower surface 122. The main button 112 further includes an outer surface 124. The main button 112 includes at least two apertures 126.

With reference now to FIG. 7, an isolated view of the main button 112, shown in FIG. 6, showing the plastic thread 114 is provided. The plastic thread 114 is fixedly mounted to the lower surface 122 of the main button 112. The thread 114 is a generally cylindrical member having an upper end 146 and a lower end 148. The upper end 146 connects to the bottom surface 122 of the main button 112. The thread 114 is rigid and is made of a plastic, rubber, polymer, polymer like, plastic like, or rubber like material. The thread 114 tapers from the upper end 146 to the lower end 148.

The thread 114 includes a neck portion 62 having a top side wall 62a opposite a bottom side wall 62b and a recessed surface 62c which is recessed with respect to the outer surface of the thread 114 so as to form a detent extending generally radially inward with respect to the outer surface of the thread 114. The end 148 of the thread 114 is tapered so as to form a piercing member 148a. The piercing member 148a is operable pierce through a fabric. The thread 114 may include a weakening point 64. The weakening point 64 is disposed between the neck portion 62 and the piercing member 148a and is configured to break away from the upper end 146 of the thread 114. The weakening point 64 includes a plurality of detents 64a disposed radially beneath the neck portion 62. Thus, as there is less material, the weakening point 64 is more susceptible to being torn away relative to the remainder of the thread 114.

FIG. 8 is an isolated view of the secondary button 116. The secondary button 116 is made of a resilient material to have a memory shape, such as a plastic. The secondary button 116 includes a top surface 130, a side wall 134, a bottom surface 132, an inner peripheral lip 66 and a slot 68. The inner peripheral lip defines an aperture 136 configured to receive the thread 114. The slot 68 extends axially from the top surface 130 to the bottom surface 132 of the secondary button 116. The slot 68 assists the secondary button 116 in expanding as the thread 114 is run through the aperture 136. The resiliency of the secondary button 116 closes in on and engages the neck portion 62 of the thread 114.

With reference now to FIG. 9 an illustrative view of the button assembly 110 securing a garment 160 together is provided. The garment 160 includes a first piece of material 150 and a second piece of material 152. The first piece of material 150 includes a buttonhole 154. The second piece of material 154 includes an aperture or pinhole 156 allowing the thread 114 to extend therethrough. It should be appreciated that the piercing member 148a of the thread 114 may be configured to have sufficient rigidity so as to pierce through the second piece of material 152 to form the pin hole 156.

The main button 112 is disposed above the buttonhole 154 and the upper end 146 of the thread 114 extends through the buttonhole 154. The top side wall 62a of the neck portion engages a top surface of the second piece of material 152 and the recessed portion 62c of the neck portion 62 is passed through pinhole 156.

The secondary button 112 is engaged with the second piece of material 152 opposite the top side wall 62a of the neck portion 62, pinching the second piece of material 152 therebetween. The inner peripheral lip 66 of the secondary button 112 clamps onto the recessed surface 62c of the neck portion 62 securing the main button 110 to the second piece of material 152. It should be appreciated that the first piece of material 150 may be secured or released from the second piece of material 152 by respectively passing the main button 110 through the button hole 156 or out of the button hole 156.

The invention is not restricted to the illustrative examples and embodiments described above. The embodiments are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Methods, apparatus, compositions, and the like described herein are exemplary and not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A button assembly for replacing a button on a garment, the button assembly comprising: a main button;a secondary button, the secondary button having at least one aperture; anda fastener operable to connect the main button to the secondary button, the fastener extending at least partially though the secondary button to secure the main button to the secondary button.

2. A button assembly for replacing a button on a garment, the button assembly comprising: a main button, the main button having an elongated thread, the elongated thread having at least one bulge; anda secondary button having an aperture, the second button operable to accept the elongated thread of the main button, the secondary secured by the at least one bulge.

3. The button assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein the elongated thread includes an upper end opposite a lower end, the upper end fixed to the main button, and a piercing member disposed at a lower end of the thread.

4. The button assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein the aperture is smaller in diameter than the at least one bulge.

5. The button assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein the thread and the at least one bulge is formed of a resilient material configured to pass through the aperture.

6. The button assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein the at least one bulge has a smooth outer surface.

7. The button assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein the at least one bulge has a rounded surface.

8. A button assembly for replacing a button on a garment, the button comprising: a main button, the main button having a thread, the thread having a neck portion;a secondary button, the secondary button including an inner peripheral lip defining an aperture and a slot extending between a top surface and a bottom surface of the secondary button, the inner peripheral lip configured to clamp onto the neck portion of the thread so as to secure the main button to the secondary button, the slot facilitating the expansion of the secondary button so as to accommodate the thread.

9. The button assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein the thread is a generally cylindrical member having an upper end, a lower end and a piercing member, the upper end fixed to the main button the piercing member disposed on the lower end and configured to pierce through a fabric.

10. The button assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein the neck portion includes a top side wall opposite a bottom side wall and a recessed surface, the recessed surface is recessed with respect to an outer surface of the thread, the inner peripheral lip configured to clamp onto the recessed surfaced of the neck portion.

11. The button assembly as set forth in claim 10, further including a weakening point disposed between the neck portion and the piercing member.

12. The button assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein the weakening point is a plurality of detents.

13. The button assembly as set forth in claim 12, wherein the secondary button is formed of a resilient material having memory shape.

14. The button assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein the slot extends axially between the top surface and the bottom surface of the secondary button.