Snap button with variable fastening positions

Abstract

[Problem] When a fastener is attached to a fabric of a garment and the like, the fastener may be fixed by sewing or punching; however, this leads to the problem that the fastener cannot be connected when the fastening position is shifted due to a change in body shape, making the garment unwearable. [Solution] The present invention provides a snap button with variable fastening positions that is not fixed to a fabric by punching or the like, and yet can connect two fabrics even when the fastening position is changed. A snap button 1 with variable fastening positions according to the present invention comprises: a female button 2; an intermediate button 3 to be elastically engaged with the female button 2; and a male button 4 to be elastically engaged with the intermediate button 3. The female button 2 is disposed in a predetermined position on a first face of a first fabric C1. The intermediate button 3 is disposed in a position on a second face of the fabric corresponding to the predetermined position. The female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 are elastically engaged together via the fabric to fasten the fabric, and then the buttons are fixed. Next, the male button 4 and the intermediate button 3 are elastically engaged together via a second fabric C2 to fasten the fabric, and then the buttons are fixed, whereby the first and second fabrics C1, C2 are connected.

Description

Adjustable snap button closure

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastener for connecting two pieces of flat material such as clothing fabric, and in particular to a snap button with an adjustable fastening position that can be connected by freely changing the fastening position without sewing or drilling the fabric.

[0002] Conventional fasteners for connecting two pieces of flat material, such as clothing fabric, include pairs of buttons and buttonholes, pairs of zippers, pairs of hook-and-loop fasteners, and pairs of snap buttons. However, each of these conventional fastener pairs is firmly fixed to a predetermined position on the fabric by sewing, heat welding, or drilling holes, and the fastening position of the button pair cannot be freely changed. For example, in a dress shirt, buttons are fixed to the fabric by sewing to correspond to the buttonholes, and even if the fastening position of the pair changes due to changes in body shape, the fastening position of the button cannot be changed to accommodate the change. In other words, they cannot connect two pieces of fabric, do not function as a fastener, and cannot be worn properly. The same is true for pairs of hook-and-loop fasteners and pairs of snap buttons.

[0003] In everyday life, body shape often changes due to growth, obesity, pregnancy, eating, etc., which can cause the fastening positions of the two pieces of fabric to become misaligned, making clothing impossible to wear. Body shape varies from person to person, including height, sitting height, waist, and hip size, and even individual changes occur rapidly, such as waist size before and after eating. While individuals can devise ways to change buttons, this is time-consuming and not a universally effective solution. In other words, despite the aforementioned need for clothing fasteners that can accommodate changes in body shape, no effective, simple, or practical proposals have been made for conventional fasteners that address this need.

[0004] JP 2021-154120 A JP 2016-094691 A U.S. Patent No. 07398558

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a state-of-the-art snap button that can be attached to thick fabrics. However, like conventional snap buttons, the snap button in Patent Document 1 is attached by drilling holes in the fabric, so the fastening position is fixed and cannot be adjusted to accommodate changes in body shape. Patent Document 2 discloses trouser suspenders consisting of an internal clip 10 with an elastic loop portion 14 and an external clip 20 with a locking groove 26 that engages with the elastic loop portion 14 and a support means 27 for the trousers T. The internal clip 10 and the external clip 20 are elastically engaged with each other while the outer garment S is sandwiched between the elastic loop portion 14 and the locking groove 26. The external clip 20 is fixed to the trousers T by the support means 27, connecting the outer garment S and the trousers T and preventing the trousers T from falling off. Here, the internal clip 10 is in a loose state when not engaged with the external clip 20. As shown in Fig. 1, the internal clips 10 are equipped with loops 18 for fastening shoulder straps. Each time pants and jacket are connected, securing several loose internal clips 10, clamping the jacket S, and elastically engaging each with a pair of external clips 20 is more time-consuming and cumbersome than conventional suspenders, making it impractical. Patent Document 3 discloses internal suspenders that secure pants using multiple members equipped with fastening elements. The internal suspenders secure the pants by clamping the outer garment between members 28 and 34, each equipped with fastening elements, and further engaging with fastener elements on the inside of the pants. Here, each fastening element or member is positioned and secured on the user's desired belt line on the underwear, outer garment, or inside the pants. However, as mentioned above, even on the belt line, individual body shapes vary, and even individuals' body shapes change on a daily basis. Fixing these members in a fixed position cannot accommodate these changes in body shape.

[0006] When fastening two pieces of fabric together, conventional fasteners require a process such as punching holes to firmly fix the fastening position, and if the fastening position changes due to changes in body shape, the fabric cannot be fastened, making it impossible to wear the garment. The present invention has been made in consideration of this problem, and provides a simple and practical snap button with an adjustable fastening position that can fasten two pieces of fabric together without punching holes in the fabric, and allows the fastening position of the fastener to be moved in accordance with changes in body shape.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, the adjustable fastening position snap button of the present invention comprises a female snap button (hereinafter referred to as the "female button"), an intermediate snap button (hereinafter referred to as the "intermediate button"), and a male snap button (hereinafter referred to as the "male button"). The female button has a peripheral engagement claw whose outer periphery is divided into multiple segments in the radial direction and a pressing portion with a curved cross section, the intermediate button has an engagement portion that elastically engages with the peripheral engagement claw of the female button via a first fabric and a bending engagement portion that has multiple slits on its outer periphery and is bendable in the radial and vertical directions, and the male button has an engagement protrusion that elastically engages with the bending engagement portion of the intermediate button via a second fabric, a bending portion that is bendable in the vertical direction, and a flange. A female button is placed at a predetermined position on the first surface of the first fabric, an intermediate button is placed on the second surface of the first fabric at a position corresponding to the predetermined position of the female button, and the intermediate button is pressed against the female button via the first fabric to elastically engage the female button and the intermediate button, fastening the first fabric and fixing the female button and the intermediate button in a predetermined position. Next, a male button is pressed against the intermediate button in the predetermined position via the second fabric to elastically engage the intermediate button and the male button, fastening the second fabric and fixing the intermediate button and the male button, thereby joining the first and second fabrics.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, the adjustable fastening position snap button of the present invention comprises a female button, an intermediate button, an elongated male button, and an inverted female button. The female button has peripheral engagement / release claws whose outer periphery is divided into multiple segments in the radial direction and a pressure portion with a curved cross section. The intermediate button has an engagement portion that elastically engages with the peripheral engagement / release portion of the female button via the first fabric, and a bending engagement portion that has multiple slits on its outer periphery and is bendable radially and vertically. The elongated male button is the aforementioned male button elongated vertically, and like the male button, has an engagement protrusion that elastically engages with the bending engagement portion of the intermediate button, a bending portion that is bendable vertically, and a flange. The inverted female button is the aforementioned female button turned upside down, and has peripheral engagement / release claws whose outer periphery is divided into multiple segments in the radial direction and a pressure portion with a curved cross section. A female button is placed at a predetermined position on the first surface of the first fabric, an intermediate button is placed at a position on the second surface of the first fabric corresponding to the predetermined position of the female button, and the intermediate button is pressed against the female button via the first fabric to elastically engage the female button and the intermediate button at the predetermined position, fastening the first fabric and fastening the female button and the intermediate button. Next, an elongated male button is placed at a predetermined position on the first surface of the second fabric corresponding to the predetermined position, and the elongated male button is pressed against the inverted female button via the second fabric to elastically engage the inverted female button and the elongated male button, fastening the second fabric and fastening the inverted female button and the elongated male button. Finally, the elongated male button is pressed against the intermediate button to snap-fit, connecting the first and second fabrics.

[0009] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the adjustable fastening position snap button of the present invention comprises a female button, an intermediate button, and a U-shaped clip. The female button has a peripheral engagement / release claw whose outer periphery is divided into multiple radial segments and a pressing portion with a curved cross section, and the intermediate button has an engaging portion that elastically engages with the female button via a third fabric and a flexible engaging portion that has multiple slits on its outer periphery and is flexible in both the radial and longitudinal directions. The U-shaped clip has a male button portion that snaps into engagement with the intermediate button integrally with the outer surface of the first surface, and has multiple offset tooth surfaces on its inner surface, shaped to be elastic in the closing direction. The female button is placed in a predetermined position on the first surface of the third fabric, and the intermediate button is pressed against the female button via the third fabric to elastically engage the female button and intermediate button at the predetermined position, fastening the third fabric and simultaneously securing the female button and intermediate button. The fourth fabric is fastened with a U-shaped clip near the fixed position, and the male button portion is pressed against the intermediate button to elastically engage the intermediate button and the male button portion, snapping the intermediate button and the U-shaped clip together and connecting the third and fourth fabrics.

[0010] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the snap button with adjustable fastening position comprises a first U-shaped clip having an intermediate button portion integrally formed on the outer surface of the second surface side, an elastic engagement portion having a plurality of interdigitated tooth surfaces on its inner surface, and molded to be elastic in the closing direction; and a second U-shaped clip having a male button portion that snap-fits with the intermediate button portion integrally formed on the outer surface of the first surface side, an elastic engagement portion having a plurality of interdigitated tooth surfaces on its inner surface, and molded to be elastic in the closing direction, wherein the first U-shaped clip fastens a fifth fabric and the second U-shaped clip fastens a sixth fabric, and the first and second U-shaped clips are connected by snap-fitting the male button portion with the intermediate button portion.

[0011] According to the adjustable fastening position snap button of the present invention, by elastically engaging the middle button with the female button via the first fabric, the female button and the middle button can be fixed at the same time as fastening the first fabric. Furthermore, by elastically engaging the male button with the fixed middle button via the second fabric, the middle button and the male button can be fixed at the same time as fastening the second fabric. Therefore, since the female button and middle button can be fixed to the first fabric and the middle button and the male button can be fixed to the second fabric without drilling holes or other processes in the fabric, the first fabric and the second fabric can be connected by elastically engaging the female button, middle button, and male button.

[0012] Here, the engagement positions of the female button, intermediate button, and male button may be anywhere as long as the first and second fabrics are interposed. In other words, the fastening positions of the female button, intermediate button, and male button can be changed and fixed according to changes in body shape. The fastening positions of the female button, intermediate button, and male button can be repositioned any number of times to optimal positions according to changes in body shape, and once positioned in the optimal positions, the buttons will not come loose and the connection between the first and second fabrics will not be released unless the engagement is intentionally released.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the adjustable fastening position snap button of the present invention, the basic operation is the same as that of the adjustable fastening position snap button of the above-mentioned embodiment, in that the female button and the middle button are elastically engaged and fixed via the first fabric, and the elongated male button and the reverse female button are elastically engaged and fixed via the second fabric. Therefore, before connecting the first and second fabrics, the respective buttons are fixed to the first and second fabrics, and finally, the middle button and the elongated male button are snap-fitted to connect the first and second fabrics like a normal snap button. It goes without saying that even in this embodiment, even after they are fixed, the elastic engagement of the respective buttons can be released, allowing the fastening position to be freely changed.

[0014] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a variable fastening position snap button can be used for fabrics of different thicknesses and hardnesses. Specifically, the female button portion and the intermediate button are fastened by elastic engagement via a third fabric, the position of the male button portion is determined by fastening a fourth fabric with a U-shaped clip equipped with a male button portion, and the male button portion of the U-shaped clip fastened to the fourth fabric is pressed against the intermediate button to engage, thereby connecting the third and fourth fabrics. Further effects and advantages of the variable fastening position snap button of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, which is provided with reference to the drawings.

[0015]

[0023] Figure 1A is an exploded enlarged cross-sectional view showing a variable fastening position snap button according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 1A showing the female button, Figure 1B showing the middle button, and Figure 1C showing the male button, and Figure 1D is an assembly diagram of the entire variable fastening position snap button when the first and second fabrics are connected by elastically engaging the female button and the middle button via a first fabric and elastically connecting the middle button and the male button via a second fabric.

[0024] Figure 2A is an exploded enlarged perspective view of the variable fastening position snap button according to the first embodiment, with Figure 2B showing the middle button and Figure 2C showing the male button.

[0025] Figure 2B is a perspective view of the variable fastening position snap button according to the first embodiment when worn at various positions around the body.

[0026] Figure 2C is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the variable fastening position snap button according to the first embodiment worn around the body. 5A is an exploded enlarged cross-sectional view showing a variable fastening position snap button of Example 2 of the present invention, in which FIG. 5A is a female button of the variable fastening position snap button, FIG. 5B is an intermediate button, FIG. 5C is an elongated male button, and FIG. 5D is an inverted female button. FIG. 5E is an assembly diagram of the entire variable fastening position snap button when the female button and intermediate button are elastically engaged via a first fabric, the elongated male button and inverted female button are elastically engaged via a second fabric, and the intermediate button and elongated male button are snap-fitted together to connect the first and second fabrics.

[0033] Figure 6A is an exploded enlarged cross-sectional view showing a variable-fastening-position snap button according to a third embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 6A showing the female button, Figure 6B showing the middle button, and Figure 6C showing the U-shaped clip with the male button portion integrated therein. Figure 6D is an assembly diagram of the variable-fastening-position snap button as a whole, with the female button and middle button elastically engaged via a third fabric, the U-shaped clip clamping a fourth fabric, and then the middle button and the male button portion matingly engaged to connect the third and fourth fabrics. Figure 6B is a perspective view of the variable-fastening-position snap button according to the third embodiment when worn at various positions around the body. Figure 9A is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the variable-fastening-position snap button according to the third embodiment worn around trousers. Figure 9B is an exploded enlarged cross-sectional view of a modified variable-fastening-position snap button, with Figure 9A showing the second U-shaped clip and Figure 9B showing the first U-shaped clip.

[0016] Embodiments of the variable-fastening-position snap button of the present invention will be described below with reference to the respective examples. (Example 1) Figures 1A to 1D are enlarged, exploded cross-sectional views of the variable-fastening-position snap button 1 of Example 1. Figure 1A shows the female button 2 of the variable-fastening-position snap button 1, Figure 1B shows the middle button 3, and Figure 1C shows the male button 4. Figure 1D is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the variable-fastening-position snap button 1 assembled by pressing and elastically engaging the various components of the variable-fastening-position snap button 1 through the first and second fabrics C1 and C2. Furthermore, Figure 2 is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of the variable-fastening-position snap button 1. Figure 2A shows the female button 2, Figure 2B shows the middle button 3, and Figure 2C shows the male button 4. Specifically, the female button 2 in Figure 1A comprises a pressing portion 21 with a curved cross section and a peripheral engagement / detachment claw 22 divided by multiple slits arranged around the periphery of the pressing portion 21. The intermediate button 3 in Fig. 1B comprises an engaging portion 31 that elastically engages with the peripheral edge engaging / detaching claw 22 of the female button 2 via the first fabric C1, and a bending engaging portion 32 that has multiple slits 33 on its outer periphery to allow the intermediate button 3 to bend radially and vertically and to elastically engage with the engaging protrusion 41 of the male button 4. The male button 4 in Fig. 1C comprises an engaging protrusion 41 that elastically engages with the bending engaging portion 32 of the intermediate button 3 via the second fabric C2, a bending portion 42 that allows the male button 4 to expand and contract vertically, and a flange 43 around the bending portion 42.

[0017] 1A and 1B, the female button 2 is placed on the first surface D1 of the first fabric C1 in a predetermined position corresponding to the body shape, and the intermediate button 3 is placed on the second surface D2 of the first fabric C1 in a position corresponding to the predetermined position of the female button 2. The intermediate button 3 is then pressed in the direction F1 against the female button 2 via the first fabric C1. This causes the peripheral engagement / release claws 22 of the female button 2 to spread and elastically engage with the engaging portion 31 of the intermediate button 3 via the first fabric C1, fastening the first fabric C1 together in the predetermined position, securing the female button 2 and intermediate button 3 together so that they cannot separate from each other. Next, as shown in FIG. 1C, when the male button 4 is pressed in the direction F2 against the fixed intermediate button 3 via the second fabric C2, the bending engaging portion 32 of the intermediate button 3 spreads and elastically engages with the engaging protrusion 41 of the male button 4. That is, the middle button 3 and the male button 4 also fasten the second fabric C2 at predetermined positions and are fixed so that they cannot come apart from each other, thereby connecting the first and second fabrics C1 and C2 as shown in the overall assembly diagram of Figure 1D.

[0018] Here, the peripheral edge engaging / detaching claws 22 of the female button 2, divided by multiple slits, are elastic and flexible, and when pressed by the engaging portion 31 of the intermediate button 3, they bend in the direction D1, using the boundary between the peripheral edge engaging / detaching claws 22 and the pressing portion 21 as a fulcrum, and expand by narrowing the gap between the slits, so that the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 elastically engage via the first fabric C1. The intermediate button 3 also has elasticity and flexibility due to the bending engaging portion 32 with a V-shaped cross section and the multiple slits 33, and when the engaging protrusions 41 of the male button 4 are pressed into the bending engaging portion 32, they expand by narrowing the gap between the slits 33, so that the intermediate button 3 and the male button 4 elastically engage via the second fabric C2. The male button 4 also has elasticity and flexibility due to the bending portion 42 with a V-shaped cross section. The bending engagement portion 32 of the intermediate button 3 is inserted into the female button 2 via the first fabric C1, but because the bending engagement portion 32 has multiple slits 33 and also has a small amount of space between it and the tip of the peripheral engagement / detachment claw 22 of the female button 2, it easily spreads open when the engagement projection 41 of the male button 4 is pressed in, and the intermediate button 3 and male button 4 elastically engage. In other words, the female button 2, intermediate button 3, and male button 4 are structurally snap-fit, but because they are elastic and flexible, they also elastically engage through the fabric.

[0019] Here, the thickness of the first and second fabrics C1 and C2 is approximately 0.5 mm, and the vertical elasticity and bending stroke of the middle button 3 and male button 4 are also approximately 0.5 mm. However, by adjusting these elasticity and bending properties, fabrics of different thicknesses can be fastened. That is, by loosening the elasticity and bending properties of each snap button to reduce the fastening force against the fabric, thicker fabrics can be fastened. Alternatively, the fastening force of each snap button can be increased or the surface can be matte-finished to increase the frictional resistance between each fabric and each snap button, resulting in even stronger fastening. For very thick or hard fabrics, the same applies as described in Example 3 below.

[0020] When the adjustable fastening position snap button 1 is not fastened through fabric, the female button 2, middle button 3, and male button 4 can be snap-fitted together to hold them together. In other words, by fastening the first and second fabrics C1 and C2 in predetermined positions with the elastic and flexible female button 2 and middle button 3, and the middle button 3 and male button 4, the buttons are fixed and the fabrics are also fixed and connected. The material for the adjustable fastening position snap button of the present invention is elastic hard plastic or metal.

[0021] When the pressing portion 21 of the female button 2 is pressed, the peripheral edge-engagement claw 22 moves upward away from the first fabric C1, acting as a lever with the boundary between the pressing portion 21 and the peripheral edge-engagement claw 22 as a fulcrum, thereby releasing the elastic engagement between the peripheral edge-engagement claw 22 and the intermediate button 3 via the first fabric C1. In other words, simply pressing the pressing portion 21 of the female button 2 releases the elastic engagement with the intermediate button 3, allowing the fastening position to be adjusted repeatedly until it is optimally positioned to accommodate changes in body shape. Furthermore, by lightly pressing the pressing portion 21 and holding the female button 2 and intermediate button 3 facing each other with both fingers to release the elastic engagement between the two buttons, the first fabric C1 can be sandwiched between the female button 2 and intermediate button 3, allowing the first fabric C1 to be fastened and the two buttons to be elastically engaged at the optimal position. In other words, the fastening position can be easily and freely changed.

[0022] Patent Document 1, JP 2021-154120 A, discloses a state-of-the-art snap button that can be attached to thick fabrics, but like conventional snap buttons, holes are drilled into the fabric when attached, so the fastening position is fixed and the fastening position of the button pair cannot be changed. In other words, it is commonly believed that conventional snap buttons are firmly fastened by drilling holes into the fabric, but the adjustable fastening position snap button of the present invention can be fastened without drilling holes in the fabric, and the fastening position of the button pair can be freely changed, which is crucially different from conventional snap buttons.

[0023] The elastic engagement between the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 is mechanical in structure and cannot be released unless the pressing portion 21 of the female button 2 is intentionally pressed, and will not come loose even after washing, etc. In other words, while the fastening positions of the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 on the first fabric C1 can be fixed semi-permanently, the elastic engagement between the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 can be released and the fastening position can be changed as needed by pressing the pressing portion 21 of the female button 2.

[0024] Furthermore, when the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 are elastically coupled via the first fabric C1, wrinkles form around the female button 2 in the first fabric C1. However, as will be described later in more detail, the female button 2 is in a position that cannot be seen from the outside, so this is not a visual problem. Depending on the fabric, no traces of elastic engagement may remain, or they may be almost completely removed by ironing. When the intermediate button 3 and the male button 4 are elastically engaged, wrinkles also form around the fastening position of the second fabric C2. However, by increasing the diameter of the flange 43 and providing a slight gap between the second fabric C2 and the flange 43, these wrinkles in the second fabric C2 can be hidden. Furthermore, the elastic engagement with the intermediate button 3 can be released by inserting a finger into this gap and pulling the flange 43 away from the second fabric C2.

[0025] Below, we will describe a specific example in which the above-mentioned adjustable fastening position snap button 1 is applied to underwear shirts and pants. Conventionally, pants are fastened to the body using elastic materials such as rubber bands. However, as body shape changes due to obesity, after eating, pregnancy, etc. and the waist circumference increases, problems arise such as the elastic bands becoming too tight and causing discomfort, inhibiting breathing and blood circulation, leaving marks on the body, and causing rashes from the elastic bands. Furthermore, as the waist circumference decreases, there is also the problem of pants slipping down. Therefore, it is desirable for pants to be able to be worn on the body regardless of waist size without the need for elastic bands or the like.

[0026] Therefore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, we propose replacing the first fabric C1 with a shirt S and the second fabric C2 with pants P, and connecting the shirt S and pants P vertically like a coveralls using the adjustable-fastening snap buttons 1 of Example 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the shirt S and pants P fastened with the adjustable-fastening snap buttons 1 and worn on body B. As shown in Figure 3, the shirt S and pants P can be worn on body B by fastening them at least three locations, two near the front hip bones and one near the spine, with body B at the center. Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of one of the adjustable-fastening snap buttons 1, and is the overall assembly diagram of the adjustable-fastening snap button 1 of Figure 1D, with the first and second fabrics C1 and C2 replaced with the shirt S and pants P and oriented vertically with body B at the center.

[0027] The female button 2 is placed at a predetermined position on the first side D1 of the shirt S, and the middle button 3 is placed on the second side D2 of the shirt S at a position corresponding to the predetermined position of the female button 2. When the middle button 3 is pressed against the female button 2 via the shirt S, the female button 2 elastically engages with the middle button 3. This elastic engagement fastens the shirt S with the female button 2 and the middle button 3, and the female button 2 and the middle button 3 are fixed in place and will not come loose. Next, when the male button 4 is pressed against the middle button 3 in a predetermined position via the pants P, the middle button 3 elastically engages with the male button 4. This fastens the pants P with the middle button 3 and the male button 4, allowing the shirt S and pants P to be connected. It is also possible to connect the shirt S and pants P by reversing this sequence of engagement, first elastically engaging the middle button 3 with the male button 4 via the pants P, and then elastically engaging the female button 2 with the middle button 3 via the shirt S.

[0028] As described above, by pressing the pressing portion 21 of the female button 2, the peripheral engagement claw 22 moves away from the shirt S, releasing the elastic engagement with the intermediate button 3 via the shirt S. Then, by holding the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 facing each other with both fingers and pressing the pressing portion 21 to disengage the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3, the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 can be slid across the shirt S, and the intermediate button 3 can be pressed against the female button 2 at the optimal fastening position according to changes in body shape at that time, or by stopping the pressing of the pressing portion 21, elastic engagement can be achieved. Until then, the elastic engagement position, i.e., the fastening position, can be changed any number of times. The elastic engagement between the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 is strong and can only be released by intentionally pressing the pressing portion 21 of the female button 2, and will not come loose even after washing. In other words, while the fastening positions of the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 on the shirt S can be fixed semi-permanently, the elastic engagement between the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 can be easily released and the fastening position changed as needed, such as when the body shape changes.

[0029] As described above, the adjustable fastening snap buttons 1 allow the shirt S and pants P to be securely fastened together like a coverall, so even if the waist circumference increases or decreases due to changes in body shape, the pants P can be fastened to the shirt at an optimal position according to the body shape, and the pants P can be worn without elastics. In other words, there is no need to fasten the pants P to the body B with elastics or the like, so the elastics do not leave marks on the skin, which is healthy for breathing and blood circulation, and the pants do not slip down.

[0030] Fastening a shirt and pants together like a coveralls is possible by attaching conventional snap buttons or hook-and-loop fasteners to each. However, people's body shapes vary, with differences in height (sitting height) and waist size, and even individuals' waist sizes change between before and after meals. In other words, just as commercially available dress shirts are available in a wide variety of sizes to fit waists and necks, if snap buttons or hook-and-loop fasteners were used to uniformly fasten a large number of tops and bottoms, the fastening positions of the tops and bottoms would not match and the tops and bottoms would be impossible to wear for people with different body shapes or those whose body shape changes easily, such as obese people. In other words, it was nearly impossible to sell a coveralls with fixed fastening positions to an unspecified number of people whose body shapes vary. However, the adjustable fastening snap buttons of the present invention, which allow the fastening position to be adjusted according to body shape, allow commercially available clothing to be worn like a coveralls, even by people with slightly different or easily changing body shapes. Furthermore, if the waist size decreases or if the wearer is wearing only pants without elastic strings without wearing a shirt, the number of the snap buttons with adjustable fastening position of the present invention can be increased to, for example, four, and the length between each snap button can be adjusted to be shorter, thereby reducing the overall waist size and making it possible to wear the garment on the body.

[0031] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, a specific example of application to a shirt S and pants P was shown, but the application examples of the adjustable fastening position snap button 1 of the present invention are not limited to these. That is, there are many other flat materials besides shirts and pants that require non-destructive fastening positions without the need for drilling or other processes. For example, the adjustable fastening position snap button 1 of the present invention can be used to connect such items as hemming kimonos and yukatas, easily turning skirts into culottes, bed-making sheets, fastening gauze, and connecting paper, film, and mesh materials.

[0032] Example 2 A variable-fastening position snap button according to Example 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 5. The variable-fastening position snap button 101 of Example 2 is structurally and functionally similar to the variable-fastening position snap button 1 of Example 1, with some exceptions. Therefore, corresponding components are designated by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate. Figures 5A to 5E are enlarged, exploded cross-sectional views of the variable-fastening position snap button 101 of Example 2. Figure 5A shows the female button 2 of the variable-fastening position snap button 101. Figure 5B shows the intermediate button 3 that elastically engages with the female button 2 via the first fabric C1. Figure 5C shows an elongated male button 4', which is the male button 4 shown in Figure 1C and is elongated in the vertical direction. Figure 5D shows an inverted female button 2', which is the female button 2 of Figure 5A turned upside down and elastically engages with the elongated male button 4' via the second fabric C2. FIG. 5E is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the adjustable fastening position snap button 101 when assembled by pressing the respective portions of the snap button 101 through the first and second fabrics C1 and C2 to elastically engage with each other.

[0033] More specifically, as in Example 1, the female button 2 in Figure 5A comprises a pressing portion 21 with a curved cross section and a peripheral engagement / detachment claw 22 disposed on the periphery of the pressing portion 21. The intermediate button 3 in Figure 5B comprises an engagement portion 31 that elastically engages with the female button 2 via the first fabric C1, and a bending engagement portion 32 that has multiple slits 33 on its outer periphery, allowing the intermediate button 3 to bend radially and vertically and elastically engages with the engagement protrusion 41 of the elongated male button 4'. The elongated male button 4' in Figure 5C comprises an engagement protrusion 41, a bending portion 42, and a flange 43. Note that the elongated male button 4' is the same in structure and function as the male button 4 in Example 1, except that only the thickness of the elongated male button 4 is increased. The reverse female button 2' in Figure 5D comprises a pressing portion 21 with a curved cross section and a peripheral engagement / detachment claw 22 that elastically engages with the elongated male button 4' via the second fabric C2.

[0034] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the female button 2 is placed in a predetermined position on the first surface D1 of the first fabric C1 according to the body shape, and the intermediate button 3 is placed in a position on the second surface D2 of the first fabric C1 corresponding to the predetermined position of the female button 2. Then, by pressing the intermediate button 3 in the direction F1 against the female button 2 via the first fabric C1, the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 elastically engage, fastening the first fabric C1, and both buttons are fixed in place and will not come loose. Next, as shown in Figures 5C and 5D, the elongated male button 4' is placed near a predetermined position on the first surface D1 of the second fabric C2, and by pressing the elongated male button 4' in the direction F2 against the inverted female button 2' via the second fabric C2, the inverted female button 2' and the elongated male button 4' elastically engage, fastening the second fabric C2, and both buttons are fixed near their predetermined positions. Then, by pressing the inverted female button 2' and the elongated male button 4' in the direction F3 against the intermediate button 3 fixed in place, the intermediate button 3 and the elongated male button 4' snap together, connecting the first and second fabrics C1 and C2. In this case, there is a risk that pressing the pressing portion 21 of the inverted female button 2' will release the elastic engagement with the elongated male button 4', but because the pressing direction is one-way, even if the elastic engagement is temporarily released, once the intermediate button 3 and the elongated male button 4' snap together, the inverted female button 2' and the elongated male button 4' will immediately re-elastically engage.

[0035] That is, the variable fastening position snap button 1 of Example 1 elastically engages and fastens the female button 2 and middle button 3 via the first fabric C1, and then elastically engages the middle button 3 and male button 4 via the second fabric C2 to connect the first and second fabrics C1 and C2, whereas the variable fastening position snap button 102 of Example 2 elastically engages and fastens the female button 2 and middle button 3 via the first fabric C1, then elastically engages and fastens the elongated male button 4' and reverse female button 2' via the second fabric C2, and then snaps together the middle button 3 and elongated male button 4' to connect the first and second fabrics C1 and C2.

[0036] That is, by releasing the snap engagement between the intermediate button 3 and the elongated male button 4', the connection between the first and second fabrics C1, C2 can be released. Note that, similar to Example 1, the elastic engagement between the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3, or the inverted female button 2' and the elongated male button 4', via the fabric, can be released by pressing the pressing portion 21 of the female button 2 or the inverted female button 2', as in Example 1. That is, by holding the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3, or the inverted female button 2' and the elongated male button 4', facing each other with both fingers, and pressing the pressing portion 21 to disengage the buttons, the respective buttons can be slid between the first and second fabrics C1, C2, and elastically engaged at the optimal fastening position according to the changing body shape at that time, thereby fastening the fabrics and securing the respective buttons. In other words, the elastic engagement position, i.e., the fastening position, can be freely changed.

[0037] In the following, in this embodiment, the first and second fabrics C1 and C2 are replaced with an underwear shirt S and pants P, and an example is described in which the above-mentioned adjustable fastening position snap button 101 is applied. In this embodiment, the arrangement of the adjustable fastening position snap button 101 around the body is the same as in Figures 3 and 4, and is therefore not shown.

[0038] Unlike Example 1, in Example 2, the female button 2 and the middle button 3 are elastically engaged and fixed via the shirt S, and the reverse female button 2' and the elongated male button 4' are elastically engaged and fixed via the pants P, and the fixed middle button 3 and the elongated male button 4' are snap-fitted to connect the shirt S and the pants P. Other basic operations are the same as in Example 1.

[0039] That is, the female button 2 is placed in a predetermined position on the first side D1 of the shirt S according to the body shape, and the middle button 3 is placed in a position on the second side D2 of the shirt S corresponding to the predetermined position of the female button 2. When the middle button 3 is pressed in the F1 direction against the female button 2 via the shirt S, the female button 2 and the middle button 3 elastically engage, the shirt S is fastened, and both buttons are fixed in a predetermined position and will not come loose. Next, the inverted female button 2' is placed near a predetermined position on the second side D2 of the pants P, and the elongated male button 4' is placed in a position on the first side D1 of the pants P corresponding to the predetermined position of the inverted female button 2'. When the elongated male button 4' is pressed in the F2 direction against the inverted female button 2' via the pants P, the inverted female button 2' and the elongated male button 4' elastically engage to fasten the pants P, and both buttons are fixed in a predetermined position and will not come loose. Then, by pressing the elongated male button 4' against the middle button 3 in the direction F3, the middle button 3 and the elongated male button 4' are snap-fitted together, connecting the shirt S and pants P in the same way as with a normal snap button. Also, by releasing the snap-fit ​​between the middle button 3 and the elongated male button 4', the shirt S and pants P can be separated.

[0040] Here, as in Example 1, simply by pressing the pressing portion 21 of the female button 2 or inverted female button 2', the elastic engagement between the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 or the inverted female button 2' and the elongated male button 4' at a predetermined position via the shirt S or pants P can be released. That is, the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 or the inverted female button 2' and the elongated male button 4' can be held in their facing relationship with both fingers and slid across the shirt S or pants P in a disengaged state, allowing elastic engagement at the optimal fastening position that matches changes in the body shape at that time. In other words, the fastening position can be easily changed any number of times.

[0041] As described above, in this second embodiment, the adjustable-fastening snap buttons 101 can also securely fasten the shirt S and pants P together like a coverall, so even if the waist circumference increases or decreases due to changes in body shape, the optimal fastening position of the pants P can be selected to fit the body shape, and the pants can be connected to the shirt S without elastic bands. In other words, there is no need to tighten the pants around the body B with elastic bands or the like, so the elastic bands do not leave marks on the skin, breathing is easier, blood circulation is improved, and the pants P will not slip down even if the waist circumference decreases. In other words, if the elastic stretch of conventional pants is too tight, the shirt and pants can be connected and worn on the body using the adjustable-fastening snap buttons 101 of the present invention, even if the elastic stretch is removed or cut, and pants without elastic stretches can also be worn on the body.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as in Example 1, the elastic engagement between the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3, and between the inverted female button 2' and the elongated male button 4' is structurally strong and cannot be released unless the pressing portion is intentionally pressed, and does not come loose even when washed. In other words, while the fastening positions of the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3, and the inverted female button 2' and the elongated male button 4' on the shirt S and pants P can be semi-permanently fixed, the fastening positions can be easily and freely changed as needed by releasing the elastic engagement between the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 or the inverted female button 2' and the elongated male button 4', and then, while maintaining that facing relationship, pinching the shirt S and pants P and sliding them together to re-establish the elastic engagement.

[0043] Although the second embodiment described above also shows an application example to a shirt S and pants P, the variable fastening position snap button 101 of the present invention can be used in other applications as well. Fixing a variable fastening position fastener to each of two pieces of flat material such as fabric in a non-destructive manner without the need for drilling or sewing, and then snap-fitting the fixed fasteners to connect the two pieces of flat material, is not limited to underwear and other clothing. For example, the variable fastening position snap button 101 of the present invention can be used to fasten the hems of kimonos and yukatas, to easily turn skirts into culottes, to fasten gauze, to make bed sheets, and to connect paper, film, and mesh materials.

[0044] (Example 3) In Examples 1 and 2, the adjustable fastening position snap buttons 1, 101 of the present invention were applied to a shirt S and pants P, but conventional pants may have elastic stretch material or thickness at the fastening position, making it impossible to elastically engage the female button 2 and the middle button 3 through the pants. Therefore, the adjustable fastening position snap button 201 of this example is designed to be compatible with thick or hard fabrics or fabrics that have elastic stretch material, and is otherwise substantially similar in structure and function to the adjustable fastening position snap button 1 of Example 1. Therefore, corresponding components are designated by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate.

[0045] A variable-fastening position snap button 201 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Figs. 6A to 6D are enlarged, exploded cross-sectional views of the variable-fastening position snap button 201 of the third embodiment. Fig. 6A shows the female button 2 of the variable-fastening position snap button 201, Fig. 6B shows the intermediate button 3 that elastically engages with the female button 2 via the third fabric C3, and Fig. 6C shows a U-shaped clip 5 that has a male button portion 51 integral with its outer surface that elastically engages with the bending engagement portion 32 of the intermediate button 3 and has multiple tooth surfaces 52 for fastening a thick or hard fourth fabric C4. The basic shape and function of the male button portion 51 of the U-shaped clip 5 are the same as those of the male button 4 of Examples 1 and 2. Fig. 6E is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the variable-fastening position snap button 201 assembled by elastic engagement when pressed against the third and fourth fabrics C3 and C4.

[0046] More specifically, the female button 2 in Fig. 6A, like those in Examples 1 and 2, comprises a pressing portion 21 having a curved cross section and a peripheral engagement / detachment claw 22 disposed on the periphery of the pressing portion 21. The intermediate button 3 in Fig. 6B comprises an engaging portion 31 that elastically engages with the female button 2 via the first fabric 3, and a bending engaging portion 32 that has multiple slits 33 on its outer periphery to allow the intermediate button 3 to bend radially and vertically and that elastically engages with the male button portion 51 of the U-shaped clip 5. The U-shaped clip 5 in Fig. 6C has a male button portion 51 integrally molded on its outer surface on the D1 side, and multiple tooth surfaces 52 on both inner surfaces that are molded to bias it inward in the closing direction.

[0047] As in Examples 1 and 2, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the female button 2 is placed at a predetermined position on the first surface D1 side of the third fabric C3, and the intermediate button 3 is placed at a position on the second surface D2 side of the third fabric C3 corresponding to the predetermined position of the female button 2. The intermediate button 3 is pressed in the F1 direction against the female button 2 via the third fabric C3, and the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 are elastically engaged at the predetermined position to fasten and fix the third fabric C3.

[0048] Next, as shown in FIG. 6C , the opening 53 of the U-shaped clip 5 is opened in direction D, and the fourth fabric C4 is fastened. The U-shaped clip 5 has multiple toothed surfaces 52 on its inner surface, each of which is formed with a smaller inclination angle toward the opening 53 and a larger inclination angle toward the rear. This allows the fourth fabric C4 to be smoothly inserted into the U-shaped clip 5. However, after insertion, the U-shaped clip 5 is shaped to be biased inward in the closing direction, and the multiple toothed surfaces 52 on the opposing sides are shaped to interlock with each other. Therefore, the fourth fabric C4 will not come off unless the opening 53 of the U-shaped clip 5 is intentionally opened and the fourth fabric C4 is pulled out. At this time, the U-shaped clip 5 is positioned so that the male button portion 51 is located near a predetermined position on the intermediate button 3. Then, by pressing the male button portion 51 against the intermediate button 3 in direction F2 to snap-fit, the intermediate button 3 and the U-shaped clip 5 are connected, thereby connecting the third and fourth fabrics C3 and C4.

[0049] The fastening position adjustable snap button 1 of Example 1 fastens and secures the first fabric C1 by elastically engaging the female button 2 and the middle button 3, then fastens the second fabric C2 by elastically engaging the male button 4 and the middle button 3, thereby fastening the first and second fabrics C1 and C2. The fastening position adjustable snap button 102 of Example 2 fastens and secures the fabric C1 by elastically engaging the female button 2 and the middle button 3, then fastens and secures the fabric C2 by elastically engaging the elongated male button 4' and the inverted female button 2', and then snaps the middle button 3 and the elongated male button 4' together to fasten the first and second fabrics C1 and C2. In contrast, the adjustable fastening position snap button 201 of Example 3 fastens and secures the third fabric C3 by elastically engaging the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 at a predetermined position, and then fastens the thick or hard fourth fabric C4 near the optimal position using the U-shaped clip 5, and snaps the male button portion 51 of the U-shaped clip 5 into the intermediate button 3 to connect the third and fourth fabrics C3 and C4.

[0050] Here, the elastic engagement between the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3 via the third fabric piece C3 can be released by pressing the pressing portion 21 of the female button 2, just as in Examples 1 and 2. The U-shaped clip 5 then fastens the fourth fabric piece C4 in the vicinity of the optimum position according to changes in the body shape at that time, but by pressing the pressing portion 21 while maintaining the facing relationship between the female button 2 and the intermediate button 3, and sliding the third fabric piece C3 between them in a disengaged state, it is possible to snap-fit ​​the male button portion 51 on the side of the U-shaped clip 5 in the optimum position.

[0051] In Examples 1 and 2, the first and second fabrics C1 and C2 are illustrated as a shirt S and pants P. The variable fastening position snap button 201 of this example can also be applied to a shirt S and pants P, but to more clearly illustrate the characteristics of the variable fastening position snap button 201 of Example 3, which can also be applied to thick or hard fabrics that are difficult to elastically engage, the following description will be given of a specific example in which the third and fourth fabrics C3 and C4 are a dress shirt Y and pants (or skirt) T.

[0052] The purpose of applying the variable-fastening-position snap button 201 of the present invention to the dress shirt Y and trousers T is, as in Examples 1 and 2, to enable the dress shirt Y and trousers T to be worn on the body B, regardless of the waist size of the trousers T or the type of belt, even if the body shape changes. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the dress shirt Y and trousers T when worn on body B using the variable-fastening-position snap button 201. FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the dress shirt Y and trousers T fastened together using the variable-fastening-position snap button 201 of this example. In this Example 3, the dress shirt Y is fastened and both buttons are fixed by elastically engaging the female button 2 and the middle button 3 via the dress shirt Y. However, unlike Examples 1 and 2, the trousers T are fastened with a U-shaped clip 5 having a male button portion 51 on its side near the outer edge of the waist of the trousers T (belt line) and an optimal position according to the body shape, and the dress shirt Y and trousers T are connected by snap-fitting the middle button 3 and the male button portion 51. The rest of the structure and function are the same as in Examples 1 and 2.

[0053] That is, the female button 2 is placed in a predetermined position on the first side D1 of the shirt Y, the middle button 3 is placed on the second side D2 of the shirt Y in a position corresponding to the predetermined position of the female button 2, and by pressing the middle button 3 in the direction F1 against the female button 2 via the shirt Y, the female button 2 and the middle button 3 are elastically engaged at the predetermined position to fasten the shirt Y and secure both buttons, and then the trousers T are fastened in the optimum position according to the shape of the belt line with a U-shaped clip 5 having a male button portion 51 on its side. The male button portion 51 is then pressed in the direction F2 to snap into the middle button 3, thereby connecting the shirt Y and the trousers T.

[0054] Here, as in Examples 1 and 2, by pressing the pressing portion 21 of the female button 2, the elastic engagement between the female button 2 and the middle button 3 via the dress shirt Y can be released, allowing the dress shirt Y to be taken off. Here, the middle button 3 remains elastically engaged with the male button 51, so it will not come loose. Furthermore, while maintaining the facing relationship between the female button 2 and the middle button 3, the pressing portion 21 can be pressed to slide the buttons across the dress shirt Y in a disengaged state, allowing the buttons to slide across the dress shirt Y in an optimal position to suit changes in body shape at that time, or at a position where they engage with the male button portion 51, and the pressing of the pressing portion 21 can be stopped to re-engage the two buttons. The female button 2 and the middle button 3 are fixed in the optimal position, and the male button portion 51 is also fixed in the optimal position. However, by releasing the snap engagement between the middle button 3 and the male button portion 51, the dress shirt Y can be easily separated from the pants T as many times as necessary, just like changing pants and dress shirts.

[0055] As described above, in Example 3, the adjustable-position snap buttons 201 also allow the dress shirt Y and pants T to be securely fastened together like a coverall, so that even if the waist circumference increases or decreases due to changes in body shape, the dress shirt Y and pants T can be connected and worn on the body B by clamping the belt line of the pants T at the optimal position to fit the body shape with the U-shaped clip 5 and snapping the middle button 3 and the male button portion 51 together. This eliminates the need to fasten the pants T to the body B with a belt or the like, which is healthy for breathing and blood circulation, and prevents the pants T from slipping or the dress shirt Y from sticking out. If the waist circumference decreases, as described in Example 1, the number of snap button sets can be increased to, for example, four, and the distance between each snap button can be adjusted to be shorter, thereby reducing the overall waist circumference size and making the pants T easier to wear on the body.

[0056] Furthermore, as in Examples 1 and 2, in Example 3, the elastic engagement between the female button 2 and the middle button 3 is strong and cannot be released unless the pressing portion 21 is intentionally pressed, and they do not come loose even after washing. In other words, the female button 2 and the middle button 3 via the dress shirt Y can be semi-permanently fixed in the fastening position, while the elastic engagement between the female button 2 and the middle button 3 can be released as needed to change the fastening position. Furthermore, the U-shaped clip 5 and the trousers T will not come loose from the trousers T or come loose even after washing unless the opening 53 of the U-shaped clip 5 is intentionally opened against the biasing force in the closing direction. In other words, the U-shaped clip 5 can be semi-permanently fixed in the optimal position on the trousers T, while the optimal fastening position can be changed as needed by opening the opening 53 and separating the U-shaped clip 5 from the trousers T.

[0057] The aforementioned Patent Document 2 (JP 2016-094691 A) and Patent Document 3 (US Patent No. 07,398,558 A) disclose suspenders that connect a jacket to pants to prevent the pants from falling down, but they differ from the present invention in that they do not include a structure corresponding to the middle button of the present invention and do not describe its purpose. That is, the middle button of the present invention engages with a female button via the jacket to fix the positions of both buttons and has a structure that elastically engages with a male button (portion), connecting the jacket to pants through elastic engagement with the male button (portion). Furthermore, while the male button (portion) of the U-shaped clip of the present invention has a variable fastening position, the trouser-side fasteners of both patent documents are fixed to the pants with a support means such as a screw or a zipper element. Therefore, the concept, purpose, structure, and function of the fastener of the present invention are fundamentally different from those of the fasteners of the two patent documents, making it impossible to conceive of the fastener of the present invention. Furthermore, as the names "suspenders" suggest, the fastening position in both patent documents is limited to the vicinity of the belt line, but the snap buttons with variable fastening position in the broad sense, including Examples 1 and 2 of the present invention, can be fastened at any position, and can be fastened not only near the belt line but also over almost the entire area of ​​the garment.

[0058] (Modification) Conventional trousers usually have a front opening and are fastened at the top with hooks or buttons, but as the body shape changes and the waist circumference increases, it can be difficult to fasten the hooks or buttons even when worn like a coveralls with the adjustable fastening position snap buttons 201 of Example 3. Therefore, when using the adjustable fastening position snap buttons 201, it is possible to remove the hooks and buttons and cover them with a belt or the like, but this can also be achieved with the adjustable fastening position snap buttons 301 shown below.

[0059] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a variable-fastening-position snap button 301 according to a modification of the third embodiment. The variable-fastening-position snap button 301 according to the modification differs only in part from the variable-fastening-position snap button 201 according to the third embodiment, and therefore identical or similar components are designated by the same or similar reference numerals. FIG. 9A shows a second U-shaped clip 6 having an intermediate button portion 61 on its outer surface on the D2 side and fastening fabric C5, while FIG. 9B shows a first U-shaped clip 5 having a male button portion 51 on its outer surface on the D1 side and fastening fabric C6. The basic shape and function of the intermediate button portion 61 are the same as those of the intermediate button 3 according to the first and second embodiments, and the male button portion 51 is integrally molded with the second U-shaped clip 6. Similarly, the basic shape and function of the male button portion 51 are the same as those of the male button 4 according to the first and second embodiments, and in this modification, the male button portion 51 is integrally molded with the first U-shaped clip 5, as in the third embodiment. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the size of the variable fastening position snap button of the present invention can be reduced or enlarged depending on the part of the fabric to which it is used, but the variable fastening position snap button 301 of this modified example, which is applied to the front opening of trousers, is smaller than the variable fastening position snap button 201 of Example 3.

[0060] The front opening can be adjusted to fit different body shapes by adjusting the length of fastening when fastening the fabrics C6 and C5 with the two U-shaped clips 5 and 6. In other words, the U-shaped clips can fasten the fabric sufficiently without clamping it all the way to the deepest part, and clamping it shallower allows for a looser front opening. The length by which the front opening is loosened is approximately 1 to 1.5 cm. Once the length of fastening of the fabric with the two U-shaped clips is determined, the fabrics C5 and C6 can be connected, like the front opening of trousers, by pressing the male button portion 51 against the middle button portion 61 in the F direction to snap them together. In other words, the hooks or buttons on the front opening can be replaced with the modified adjustable-position snap button 301.

[0061] Conventional shirt necklines and torso sections that cannot be fastened when the body shape changes can also be connected by applying a further reduced version of the variable-fastening-position snap button 301. That is, the variable-fastening-position snap button 301 of the modified version has a first U-shaped clip 5 with a male button portion 51 on its side and a second U-shaped clip 6 with an intermediate button portion 61 on the opposite side, and by using these U-shaped clips to clamp the fabric of both sleeves and torso sections around the neck of the shirt, and then snapping the male button portion 51 and female button portion 61 together while adjusting the clamping positions of the two U-shaped clips, it becomes possible to connect both sleeves and torso sections around the neck.

[0062] Furthermore, the collar and cuffs of dress shirts are particularly prone to dirt and wear, forcing them to be sent to the dry cleaners even if the dress shirt itself is clean, or rendering it unusable prematurely. Many solutions to this problem have been proposed, including commercially available replacement collar and shirt components that can be separated and connected using snap buttons. However, differences in snap button size and fastening position depending on the manufacturer and product make them difficult to connect properly. However, by further reducing the size of the adjustable fastening snap button 301 in this modified version, and by clamping the replacement collar and shirt components with both U-shaped clips, respectively, and adjusting the fastening position while snapping the male and middle button portions of both U-shaped clips together, the two components can be easily separated and connected, making them interchangeable. Furthermore, by using the adjustable fastening snap button in this modified version to easily connect and replace collar and cuff components from the start, it is possible to remove old collars and cuffs and attach new collars and cuffs of different colors and shapes, thereby extending the life of the entire dress shirt and allowing for variety and fashion within the same dress shirt.

[0063] The above describes an effective, simple, and practical adjustable-fastening snap button, but the adjustable-fastening snap button of the present invention also has the following applications and effects: (1) If the elastic elastic of conventional pants is too tight, the elastic elastic can be removed or cut, and the shirt and pants can be connected and put on using the adjustable-fastening snap button of the present invention. In other words, pants that do not require elastic elastic or pants (skirts) that do not require a belt can be created.

[0064] (2) Even for people with normal builds, strenuous work or exercise can cause their shirts (or shirts) to slip out from their trousers (or pants), resulting in a messy outfit. In particular, in sports such as soccer and tennis, the jacket can slip out or be pulled during play, causing the outfit to become messy. Tightly tightening pants with elastic or other materials can lead to reduced breathing and motor function. However, the adjustable snap fasteners of the present invention securely connect the top and bottom garments, and the shirt is structurally connected and secured to the trousers (pants) at three or more points, so the shirt will not slip out over the trousers (pants), preventing the outfit from becoming messy. Needless to say, for even more strenuous work or exercise, fastening the shirt to the trousers (pants) at four or more points, rather than just three, as described above, will ensure a more secure connection.

[0065] (3) Suspenders are used to fasten a dress shirt and pants together, but suspenders worn over the shoulders are often avoided because they are unfashionable, cumbersome, and can cause shoulder stiffness. However, the adjustable snap button 201 of the present invention can easily and securely fasten a dress shirt Y and pants T together in an inconspicuous manner, without causing shoulder stiffness or other problems, making it a viable alternative to suspenders.

[0066] (4) Usable as clothing for obese people, pregnant women, hospitalized patients, and medical examination wear. Unlike people with normal body types, obese people lack a waistline between their abdomen and waist, meaning that pants tend to slip down even when fastened with a belt. However, the adjustable fastening snap buttons of the present invention allow the top and bottom garments to be securely fastened together at any time, eliminating problems such as tightness and slipping down. Pregnant women's waist circumferences change daily, but the adjustable fastening snap buttons of the present invention allow the top and bottom garments to be securely fastened together at any time. The adjustable fastening snap buttons of the present invention are also useful for hospitalized patients and those requiring care who cannot be restrained for long periods by the elastic bands of pants, as they can securely fasten the top and bottom garments at any time. Furthermore, the adjustable fastening snap buttons of the present invention allow pants to be fastened to the body at three points—two at the front waist and one at the back spine—to be able to sit on the toilet and use the toilet by removing the fastener at the back spine, making them useful for some hospitalized patients, medical examination wear, and those requiring care.

[0067] (5) In the above-described embodiments, the adjustable-position snap buttons are primarily attached near the edge of the fabric to connect the garments, but the adjustable-position snap buttons can be attached anywhere, not just near the edge of the fabric. That is, even if the dress shirt (shirt) is attached so that it hangs down on the outside of the trousers (pants), the above-described function of preventing the trousers or pants from slipping down can be achieved. That is, although there is also a fashion trend of wearing the dress shirt (shirt) outside the trousers (pants) (so-called "shirt out"), the above-described connecting function can be achieved while also being fashionable.

[0068] Furthermore, by using the adjustable fastening snap buttons of the present invention, multiple fabric parts created in advance can be freely connected without limiting the fastening positions, making it possible to easily connect huge flags, long banners, etc., without the need for sewing or punching. It also makes it possible to create new fashions, such as combination clothing made by combining multiple fabric parts.

[0069] Although the above-mentioned embodiment shows an example of application to a dress shirt and trousers, the application of the variable fastening position snap button of the present invention is not limited to these. That is, the variable fastening position snap button of the present invention is non-destructive and does not require drilling or other processes, and can freely connect flat materials such as fabric at any time, and is also applicable to thick, hard materials. In other words, it can connect not only soft flat materials such as fabric, sheets, gauze, paper, film, and mesh material, but also hard flat materials such as thick fabric, leather, fur, rubber sheet, aluminum sheet, plastic sheet, and steel sheet in a manner that allows them to be attached to and detached from other flat materials, and its range of applications is extremely wide.

[0070] In each of the above embodiments, the adjustable fastening position snap buttons are circular, but as long as each snap button can reliably engage with other snap buttons, they are not limited to circular shapes. For example, female buttons, male buttons (flanges), and U-shaped clips can be rectangular, or they can be button-shaped to match the design, color, or fabric of the clothing, or they can be the same color as the fabric to make them less noticeable, or they can have a floral pattern.

[0071] As described above, the adjustable fastening snap button of the present invention is non-destructive and does not require drilling or other processes when fastening, and it can freely move two pieces of flat material, such as clothing fabric, without limiting the fastening position, allowing it to be fastened in the optimal position at any time to suit changes in body shape. Furthermore, it can create new fashions, such as pants without elastic or pants without a belt, and the present invention, which allows two pieces of flat material to be connected non-destructively, has a wide range of applications in both everyday life and industry, and has great industrial applicability.

[0072] 1, 101, 201, 301 Variable fastening position snap button 2 Female button 2' Inverted female button 21 Pressing portion 22 Peripheral engagement claw 3 Middle button 31 Engagement portion 32 Bent engagement portion 33 Slit 4 Male button 4' Elongated male button 41 Engagement protrusion 42 Bent portion 43 Flange 5 First U-shaped clip 51 Male button portion 52 Tooth surface 53 Opening 6 Second U-shaped clip 61 Middle button portion C1 First fabric C2 Second fabric C3 Third fabric C4 Fourth fabric C5 Fifth fabric C6 Sixth fabric S Shirt Y Dress shirt P Pants T Trousers B Body

Claims

1. a female button having a peripheral engaging pawl whose outer periphery is divided into a plurality of parts in the radial direction and a pressing portion having a curved cross section; an intermediate button including an engaging portion that is elastically engaged with the peripheral edge engaging / detaching claw of the female button via a first fabric, and a bending engaging portion that is provided with a plurality of slits on an outer periphery and is bendable in a radial direction and a vertical direction; a male button having an engagement protrusion that elastically engages with the bent engagement portion of the intermediate button via a second fabric, a bent portion that is bent in the vertical direction, and a flange; a female button arranged at a predetermined position on a first surface side of the first fabric, a middle button arranged at a position corresponding to the predetermined position of the female button on a second surface side of the first fabric, the middle button being pressed against the female button via the first fabric to open the periphery engagement claws of the female button, the periphery engagement claws and the engagement portion being elastically engaged to fasten the first fabric while fixing the female button and the middle button at the predetermined position, and the male button being pressed against the middle button at the predetermined position via the second fabric to open the bending engagement portion, and the bending engagement portion being elastically engaged with the engagement projection to fasten the second fabric while fixing the male button and the middle button at the predetermined position, thereby connecting the first and second fabrics; The female button further includes a boundary between the pressing portion and the peripheral engagement / detachment claw, By pressing the pressing portion of the female button, the border comes into contact with the upper surface of the intermediate button via the first fabric, serving as a fulcrum, and the peripheral engagement / detachment claws of the female button open and move in a direction away from the first fabric, releasing the elastic engagement between the female button and the intermediate button via the first fabric. by further pressing the pressing portion while maintaining the facing position of the female button and the intermediate button via the first fabric, the female button and the intermediate button can be slid along the first fabric while maintaining the female button and the intermediate button in a disengaged state, By stopping the pressing of the pressing part at the optimum fastening position and elastically engaging the female button and the middle button, the fastening positions of the female button and the middle button can be fixed at the same time as fastening the first fabric, A snap button with variable fastening position, characterized in that the first and second fabrics can be connected at an optimal fastening position by pressing the male button against the intermediate button at the optimal fastening position via the second fabric to elastically engage the male button.

2. a male button having an engagement protrusion that elastically engages with the bent engagement portion of the intermediate button, a bent portion that is elongated in the vertical direction and bendable, and a flange, The button further includes a peripheral edge engagement claw having an outer periphery divided into a plurality of parts in the radial direction, a pressing portion having a curved cross section, and an inverted female button having a boundary between the peripheral edge engagement claw and the pressing portion, the female button being turned upside down, the elongated male button is disposed on the first surface side of the second fabric at a position corresponding to the predetermined position of the male button, and the elongated male button is pressed against the inverted female button via the second fabric to elastically engage the inverted female button and the elongated male button, thereby fastening the second fabric and at the same time fixing the inverted female button and the elongated male button; The first and second fabrics can be connected at the optimal fastening position by pressing and snapping the elongated male button elastically engaged with the reverse female button onto the intermediate button elastically engaged with the female button at the optimal fastening position via the first fabric, Furthermore, by pressing the pressing portion of the inverted female button, the border comes into contact with the underside of the elongated male button via the second fabric, becoming a fulcrum of leverage, and the peripheral engagement / detachment claw moves in a direction away from the second fabric, releasing the elastic engagement between the inverted female button and the elongated male button via the second fabric. By further pressing the pressing portion of the reverse female button while holding the reverse female button and the elongated male button in a facing position via the second fabric, the reverse female button and the elongated male button can be slid along the second fabric while keeping the reverse female button and the elongated male button in a disengaged state, By pressing the pressing portion of each of the female button elastically engaged with the intermediate button via the first fabric and the inverted female button elastically engaged with the elongated male button via the second fabric, the female button and the intermediate button, and the inverted female button and the elongated male button can be slid along the first and second fabrics, respectively; By stopping the pressing of the pressing parts of the female button and the reverse female button at the optimum fastening position, the female button and the intermediate button, and the reverse female button and the elongated male button are elastically engaged with each other, so that the first and second fabrics can be fastened together; 2. The variable fastening position snap button according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second fabrics are configured to be connectable at the optimum fastening position.

3. Instead of the male button, a male button portion that snaps into the intermediate button is integrally provided on the outer surface of the first surface side, and a U-shaped clip is provided on the inner surface, which has a plurality of teeth faces that are offset from each other, and is formed so that elasticity acts in the closing direction to fasten a third fabric, 2. The variable fastening position snap button according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and third fabrics can be connected at an optimal fastening position by pressing and snapping the male button portion of the U-shaped clip that fastens the third fabric to the intermediate button at the optimal fastening position.

Images