Decorative button attachment device

[0015]While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

[0016]As described throughout this document, the term “complementary shape,” and “complementary dimension,” shall be used to describe a shape and size of a component that is identical to, or substantially identical to the shape and size of another identified component.

[0017]As described herein, the term “removably secured” and derivatives thereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow the same objects to be repeatedly joined and separated. Conversely, the term “permanently secured” shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a manner so as to prevent the same objects from being separated. Several nonlimiting examples include various adhesives such as glue or resin, hardware such as nuts and bolts, and welds, for example.

[0018]As will be described below, the inventive concepts contemplate a decorative button attachment device that can function to engage the buttons of any type of clothing, in order to allow a user to display decorative elements in accordance with their own unique likes and styles. The inventive concepts allow such a device to be used without causing damage to the clothing, and ensures the decorative elements include a non-rotating orientation. Although described herein for use with clothing, this is for illustrative purposes only, as the inventive concepts described herein can be utilized with any type of material having a button or buttonhole.

[0019]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of a decorative button attachment device 10 that are useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. In each of the drawings, identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms“upper,”“bottom,”“right,”“left,”“front,”“vertical,”“horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.

[0020]As shown, the device 10 can include, essentially, a main body 11, a frame 20 and a fastener 30.

[0021]The main body 11 is the portion of the device that is intended to be visible when the device 10 is in use. As such, the main body can include any number of different shapes, sizes, and construction materials. More specifically, the main body 11 can include a shape and size that is identical to the shape and size of a button 1 to which it is designed to be secured or can include a shape and size that is different from the shape and/or size of the button to which it is to be secured.

[0022]As is known to those of skill in the art, the most common type of buttons 1 for use on clothing are called “flat buttons,” and typically include between two and four centrally located apertures 2 for receiving stitching that secures the button to the fabric of the clothing. Flat buttons are constructed to include industry-standard dimensions so that buttons produced from one manufacturer can be used on clothing produced by another manufacturer. The most common sized flat buttons range between 12L and 36L, however other sizes are also produced.

[0023]Owing to the standardized shapes and sizing of such buttons, the device 10 can be constructed with dimensions designed specifically to be used with a particular button or class of buttons, as will be described below.

[0024]As described herein, the main body 11 can be constructed from any number of different materials such as metal or plastic, for example, and can include any number and type of decorative elements 12 such as various colors, markings, words, shapes, symbols, logos, designs, textures, patterns or images, for example. These decorative elements can be secured onto or within the main body in accordance with known techniques so as to be flush with the surface thereof or can be recessed, raised and/or protruding outward therefrom, in order to give a three-dimensional effect.

[0025]In addition to the above, the main body 11 and/or the decorative element(s) 12 can include, comprise or consist of any type of jewelry having various precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum, for example, along with any number and type of gemstones such as diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies, for example. Accordingly, one embodiment of the device contemplates a main body comprising a single jewel, whereas another embodiment of the device contemplates a non-precious main body having one or more jewels secured thereto.

[0026]In one embodiment, the device 10 can include a frame 20 that functions to secure the main body 11 onto an article of clothing and/or a button 1. One embodiment of the frame 20 can include a generally T-shaped member having a front facing surface 21, a back facing surface 22, and a pair of elongated posts 23.

[0027]In one embodiment, the front facing portion of the frame 21 can be permanently secured to the back portion of the main body 11a via an adhesive, or through manufacturing processes wherein both elements are constructed as a single device.

[0028]Conversely, the frame 20 and main body 11 can be removably secured together via a pair of connectors 15a and 15b. Each of the connectors can be positioned anywhere along or within the frame and main body elements and can function to allow a user to quickly and easily swap decorative elements without requiring the frame to be separated from the button.

[0029]Several nonlimiting examples of connectors for use herein include but are not limited to opposing strips of hook and loop material (i.e. Velcro®), magnets, and/or compression fittings such as locking pins, clamps, and snaps, for example. Of course, any other devices capable of securing two items together in a non-permanent manner are also contemplated.

[0030]Each of the posts 23 can extend outward from the back surface 22 and can include one or more notches 24 for engagement by the fastener 30. As shown, each of the posts 23 can be separated by a specific distance D1. In one embodiment, distance D1 can correspond to the known separation distance A between the apertures 2 of the button 1 for which the device 10 is intended to be used with.

[0031]Although described and illustrated with regard to a frame having two posts 23, other embodiments are also contemplated. For example, another embodiment of the device can include a frame having four posts with separation distances that are complementary to the separation distances of the apertures on a four-aperture button.

[0032]As described herein, the frame 20 can be formed from materials that are, for example, relatively strong and stiff for their weight. Several nonlimiting examples include but are not limited to various metals or metal alloys (e.g., aluminum, steel, titanium, or alloys thereof), plastic/polymers (e.g., high-density polyethylene (HDPE), rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), and/or various composite materials, for example.

[0033]The fastener 30 can function to receive and engage the distal ends of the posts 23 in a removable manner. In this regard, the fastener can preferably include a flat-backed body section 31 having a pair of openings 32 for receiving and engaging the distal ends of the posts 23. In the preferred embodiment, the fastener can include, comprise or consist of one or more clutch-style clasps such as a butterfly clutch, a rubber clutch or locking clutch, for example. Of course, any number of other known devices are also contemplated. For example, in an alternate embodiment, the posts can be removed, and the fastener can comprise a magnetic-style fastener.

[0034]In operation, the device 10 can be secured to the button 1 by first aligning the posts 23 with two of the button apertures 2. Next, a user can push the posts through the apertures until the bottom end of the frame 22 is in contact with the top surface of the button. Finally, the user can position the distal ends of the posts within the openings 32 of the clasp 30 which will secure the device onto the button. When so positioned, the main body 11 will be positioned so as to conceal the original button, so as to display the decorative element(s) 12 thereby creating a custom user-defined look.

[0035]As shown in FIG. 2, any number of button attachment devices 10 can be secured onto a single article of clothing 5 using the above noted steps. Moreover, as each device can include different main body shapes 11 and decorative elements 12, there is no limit to the number of possible combinations a user can create.

[0036]In addition to the above, by using two points of contact with the button, the device 10 will not rotate during use. As such, orientation-dependent decorative elements 12 such as images, symbols, letters or words can be provided and will remain in an upright orientation for as long as the device is attached to the button.

[0037]Although described above as a device for use with a button, the inventive concepts are not limited to only this use. To this end, other embodiments are contemplated wherein the posts include a separation distance D2 that is complementary to the size of a buttonhole 6 on an article of clothing 5. Additionally, or alternatively, the main body of the device can include a shape and size that is complementary to the shape and size of a button on an article of clothing, so as to function as a button itself. In such embodiments, the device 10 can be permanently secured to an article of clothing so as to function as a replacement button whereby the main body can be passed through the buttonhole 6 of a garment and used as a button. Such features being possible owing to the fact that buttons and buttonholes are manufactured to include specific and known dimensions, as noted above.

[0038]As described herein, one or more elements of the button attachment device 10 can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individually identified elements may be formed together as one or more continuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof.

[0039]As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0040]The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the terms “consisting” shall be used to describe only those components identified. In each instance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherently consist of each of those identified elements as well.

[0041]The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.