Patent Application
20110000052
The present invention relates to button covers in general and, more particularly, to button covers for children's clothing.
Children love to express their individuality by personalizing their clothing. They do this in a variety of ways including affixing patches, painting on designs, adding beads, ripping or fraying the fabric, adding decorations, and many other inventive techniques. However, currently, other than removing existing buttons and sewing on new ones, there are few options to change buttons. In addition, current button covers are not designed for children to easily use.
Prior art discloses devices for covering buttons that utilize in one form or another a two part metal button cover. One part of the button cover is a metal cup and the other part is a hinged metal back plate designed to secure the device to the button to be covered. There are several problems pertaining to children using existing metal button covers. One problem is that they are difficult for young children to put on and take off. In addition, the metal components present a risk of a child cutting himself or herself on an exposed edge of the hinge. Also, after repeated use, the hinged back plate of the button cover becomes bent out of shape and therefore less secure.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,494 issued Mar. 14, 2000, to Duke, discloses a button cover comprising two metal parts, a base for attachment to a garment, and a cover removably coupled to said base.
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 metal 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.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,285 issued Nov. 10, 1992 to Jerjian discloses a metal button cover that addresses safety issues related to inadvertent loss of the button cover during use. This device is also constructed of two metal 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.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,731 issued Sept. 10, 1985 to Torrini, discloses a button cover for use with a shirt cuff button. This button cover is formed in two metal parts, a button-covering member and a button-engaging member pivotally connected to one another.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,230 issued Sept. 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.
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.
It is an object of this invention to provide a detachable button cover for children's apparel that is both functional and decorative.
It is another object of this invention to provide a detachable button cover for children's apparel that is safe for children to use.
It is another object of this invention to provide a button cover for children's apparel that is easy to put on and take off.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a detachable, flexible, decorative button cover for children's apparel that is both functional and easy to use. The button cover consists of a round, molded, flexible cap that fits snugly over a button and has a decorative component molded onto or otherwise affixed to it. The front side of the cap is substantially flat so that a decorative component can be molded on or otherwise affixed to it; the back side has an inwardly turned wall that extends from the outer edge of the front of the cap and turns under it in such a way that a hollow cavity to securely encase and hold the button to be covered is formed.
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:
For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.
This invention consists of a detachable, molded, round, flexible cap 10 that fits snugly over a button. It has a substantially flat front 12, an inwardly turned wall 14 that extends from the outer edge of the front 12 and turns under it in such a way that a cavity 16 to hold and encase a button is formed, and a decorative component 18 that is molded onto or otherwise affixed to the flat front 12.
To operate the button cover, a user simply inserts the button to be covered under the inwardly turned wall 14 and into the hollow cavity 16 on the back side of the button cover. To remove, a user simply pulls the button out of the cavity 16 of the button cover.
Other variations of the preferred embodiment are possible. For example:
The button cover can be fabricated in one or more pieces.
The front 12 of the cap 10 can be slightly convex or concave.
The cap 10 can be fabricated in different colors, sizes, and shapes.
The cap 10 can be fabricated from a variety and combination of other suitable materials.
The cap 10 can be fabricated in non-flexible materials.
The inwardly turned wall 14 of the cap 10 can be fabricated in different configurations. For example the unattached edge of the wall 14 can have a horizontal and/or vertical cut out for added security and ease of insertion as in
Thus, in summary, it can be seen that what is provided in this invention is a detachable, molded, flexible decorative button cover that is both functional and decorative. The button cover fits snugly over a button and is safe and easy for children to use. In addition, while this button cover is designed for children, it can easily be used by adults as well.
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.
Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.
The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,494, issued Mar. 14, 2000, by Duke, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,951, issued Apr. 22, 1997, by Gould, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,285, issued Nov. 10, 1992, by Jerijan, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,731 i, issued Sep. 26, 1967, by Torrini, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,230, issued Sep. 26, 1967, by Darvie, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 2,577,723, issued Dec. 4, 1951, by Groh, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,313, issued Jan. 27, 1976, by Hocq, included by reference herein.
