Abstract:
A interchangeable button system that comprises an interchangeable cap, a base button and a pronged fastener allowing the user to change the appearance and functionality of buttons, quickly and conveniently without sewing. The pronged fastener penetrates fabric exposing the prong tips for alignment with the base buttonholes located on the base button. Compression on the base button couples the pronged fastener with the base buttonholes creating a secure permanent attachment. The base button has an external base thread that aligns with internal cap thread for coupling. Thus the interchangeable cap can be torqued on or off. Different functional decorative and technological types of interchangeable caps may be selectively torqued onto base button for end use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention pertains to the field of clothing and accessory buttons. More particularly, the invention pertains to an interchangeable button system that attaches with a fastener replacing the sewing operation and allowing the facing of the button to be changed quickly, serving decorative or utility functions. 
         [0003]    Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    It is a very time consuming and fabric-deteriorating task to change the appearance of the buttons which are sewn on garments and accessories. On average, the changing of sewn-on buttons on a garment or accessory occurs once during the lifetime of the garment or accessory, and is mainly for repair purposes. For those who have no knowledge of sewing or users with visual impairment, sewing a button correctly onto a shirt can be extremely difficult. 
         [0005]    Therefore, replacing the aesthetic or function of sewn on buttons without the sewing operation to compliment or enhance a garment or accessory in a quick manner is desirable. The garment and accessories industry have long sought an effective quick changing button system and more so, an interchangeable button system that can be applied without sewing. 
         [0006]    Interchangeable button covers, detachable buttons and fasteners have taken on a variety of constructions and configurations. There exist many different solutions attempting to solve the above-mentioned problems. However, none of these solutions seemed to have solved the problems in combination or without the use of special tools, creating disadvantages. 
         [0007]    The first group of configurations is quickly attachable buttons with pronged fasteners that have shank projections on the back of the button. These kinds of configurations are more commonly seen on heavier denim or outerwear because of the stiffness and support of the shank projections. The pronged fasteners limit flexibility and ergonomic maneuverability for closure of dual layered fabrics, smaller buttons and tighter button holes. This first group may be represented by Perrine, U.S. Pat. No. 485,848, Weiland, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,033, and Lajmerim FR2702342, which all have one pronged fasteners not suitable for button interchangeability. 
         [0008]    In Liljendahl, U.S. Pat. No. 4,035,874, a button body has a shank with the added ability for changing the head in conjunction with a locking plate. However, the head and button body limits the coverage options of the interchanging heads and requires a special drive pin along with a locking plate making it a complex task. Furthermore, the hooked shaped projections of the pin heads are partial, minimizing gripping strength when applied to the button body. 
         [0009]    There is also known from Thurber, U.S. Pat. No. 136,882, a threaded shank that passes through fabric and screws into a nut on the backside of the garment to anchor the button in place. This assembly requires that a hole be positioned in fabric permitting passage of the threaded shank. This arrangement causes severe wear to the punctured area weakening the fabric over time. In addition, the nut is only stationary when used in conjunction with the threaded shank, creating the possibility of losing either piece when not in use. Furthermore, this process of application is unfavorable for current day manufacturing. 
         [0010]    The second group of configurations are attachable button assemblies with a single pronged fastener. In Burgio, U.S. Pat. No. 3,725,980, the entire structure is difficult to dismember and creates the potential for losing all the parts. In Hsiau, U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,766, the serrated prong is exposed when fully inserted into the female element requiring a special tool for cutting off the excess point. This process is time consuming and if done improperly can leave undesired results. 
         [0011]    The third group of configurations is changeable button assemblies without fastening devices. These known configurations are generally formed from two elements, specifically a cover and retainer base. In Chaves, U.S. Pat. No. 2,713,187 the button cover snaps in place with the retainer base sewn to the garment by means of a stud. The stud method of sewing is less desirable, not used in a majority of applications and is more susceptible to breaking with a constantly interchanging cover. Similarly, in DeRosa, U.S. Pat. No. 4,471,510, a button cover of the aforementioned type, is also constructed from a detachable button head and a base section. The button cover slides tightly into registration with a base, interlocking the two pieces. As a consequence of this slide-on arrangement, seams caused by the joining of the button cover and base, lead to an unpleasant and non-conventional button aesthetic. In addition, the smaller the button, the more difficult it would be to accurately register the two parts. 
         [0012]    There is also known from Walker, U.S. Pat. No. 3,583,039, a two-piece changeable button structure comprised of a base part and a cap part. The base and cap parts are coupled together by means of interrupted screw threads. The interrupted screw threads pose quite a few disadvantages. Initially registering the flanges to align the interrupted threads is time consuming and can lead to misregistration of the helical thread. Interrupted helical threads are difficult to manufacture and are much easier to damage with constant twisting. In addition, if the cap part is lost, the edges of the interrupted threads can damage fabric and button holes. Furthermore a pointed tool is needed to engage and disengage the interrupted thread elements. This can cause extreme wear if fastened by thread. 
         [0013]    Similarly in Sidoti, EP2078469A2, the stationary base and interchangeable cap are coupled together by means of registering the base flaps and cap notches and rotating them into a locked position. Initially registering the base flaps to the cap notches is time consuming, specifically if the base is attached by thread creating an unstable platform. In addition, if the cap part is lost, the edges of the base flaps can damage fabric and button holes. 
         [0014]    The fourth group of configurations is button fasteners intended to eliminate the need of a needle and thread for conventional buttons. In Stuart, U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,104, spearheads are compressed through the fabric and into the female element of the button. The spearhead is exposed when fully inserted into the female element requiring a special tool for cutting off or flattening the excess point. In a further embodiment, a locking plate is used. Both processes are time consuming and if done improperly can leave undesired results or change the full appearance of the button. 
         [0015]    Also known from Rantfors, U.S. Pat. No. 8,769,775, is a button fastener having a u-shaped penetrating part and a u-shaped receiving part attached to a gripping member. The gripping member is detached by means of rupture once the two u-shaped parts are interlocked. This fastening system couples onto itself independently from any button and is susceptible to greater movement and strain. It is specifically inadequate for an interchangeable button system that is constantly pressured, pulled and torqued in non-standard button requirements. In addition there is high material wastage by discarding the gripping members leading to an inefficient and non-sustainable product for manufacturing. 
         [0016]    Further known is Baggerud, U.S. Pat. No. 1,598,597, which discloses a U-shaped barbed loop which is inserted into the face of the button, penetrating the fabric and gripping the lock plate of the button lock. This particular configuration can be frustrating to register and provides no backing to the u-shaped barbed loop for maximum compression. An additional disadvantage is that the barbed loop is relatively difficult to handle due to the fact that the parts must be relatively small. 
         [0017]    The prior art does not provide a button system with both interchangeability and fastening which is closest in appearance to, functionality of and ease of use to conventional buttons. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    In an embodiment of the present invention, an interchangeable button system with a fastener is provided which is decorative, universal, and quickly interchangeable for a variety of products without the need of sewing. 
         [0019]    The interchangeable button assembly system may include a pronged fastener that penetrates a material coupling to a button base. The pronged fastener and button base become permanently affixed to the material allowing mating with an interchangeable button cap until securely tightened. Embossed designs on the rear of pronged fastener base provide grip creating maximum torquing stability when interchanging button caps. The interchangeable button cap can be replaced indefinitely, changing the appearance and function of a button quickly. 
         [0020]    The interchangeable button system may be used in safety applications such as but not limited to, reflective properties on a button face for high visibility, utilitarian functions, signaling, ranking, etc. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the interchangeable button system is preferably utilitarian in nature, and may embed technology into an interchangeable button cap. The technology may be non-self-powered micro devices such as passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, near field communication (NFC) devices, microdot devices, or the like. Alternatively, the technology may be independently electrically charged micro devices such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), wireless transceivers, medical devices, batteries, active radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders, or the like, into an interchangeable button cap for changing and storing information. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0022]      FIG. 1A  shows an expanded, front perspective view of the interchangeable button. 
           [0023]      FIG. 1B  shows an expanded, back perspective view of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0024]      FIG. 1C  shows an expanded top view illustrating fabric penetration of the pronged fastener with alignment of the base buttonholes. 
           [0025]      FIG. 1D  shows an expanded top view illustrating assembly of the pronged fastener and the button base attached to fabric with alignment of the interchangeable cap. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1E  shows a lateral cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1D , showing assembly of the fastener and the button base attached to fabric with alignment of the interchangeable cap. 
           [0027]      FIG. 1F  shows a back view of the pronged fastener. 
           [0028]      FIG. 1G  shows a front view of the pronged fastener. 
           [0029]      FIG. 1H  shows a front view of the base button. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1I  shows a back view of the base button. 
           [0031]      FIG. 1J  shows a back view of the interchangeable cap. 
           [0032]      FIG. 1K  shows a front view of the interchangeable cap. 
           [0033]      FIG. 2A  shows an expanded front view of the interchangeable cap and base button of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 2B  shows an expanded back view of the interchangeable cap and base button of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 2C  shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the interchangeable cap moving the bolt along the helical track into locking position completely assembling the invention of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 2D  shows a front view of the base button of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 2E  shows a back view of the base button of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 2F  shows a back view of the interchangeable cap of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 3A  shows an expanded front view of the two-part interchangeable cap of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 3B  shows an expanded back view of the two-part interchangeable cap of the third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 3C  shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the two-part interchangeable cap of the third embodiment, showing assembly of the fastener and the button base attached to fabric with alignment of the two-part interchangeable cap. 
           [0042]      FIG. 3D  shows a back view of a two-part interchangeable cap with a locking pin of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 3E  shows a back view of the assembled two-part interchangeable cap of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 4  shows an expanded front view of the interchangeable cap and button base of a fifth embodiment illustrating the button base attached to fabric by means of a sewing method with alignment of the interchangeable cap. 
           [0045]      FIG. 5  shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the interchangeable cap and button base of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, showing the button base and interchangeable cap, fully assembled attached to fabric by means of sewing. 
           [0046]      FIG. 6  shows a lateral cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment where the interchangeable cap is fitted with an independent embedded device fully assembled attached to fabric by means of prong fastener. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0047]      FIGS. 1A-1K  shows an interchangeable button system of a first embodiment of the present invention. The interchangeable button system has an interchangeable cap  6 , a base button  7  and a pronged fastener  8 . 
         [0048]    The interchangeable cap  6  is the main visible part of a button assembly that registers with an external base thread  16  on base button  7 , interlocking the two parts. The interchangeable cap  6  is the main visible part of a button assembly that allows a user a wide selection of different designs, materials and/or functions. Although interchangeable cap  6  shown in the preferred embodiment is relatively simple in design, its appearance can greatly be varied without departing from the teachings of the present invention. For example, interchangeable cap  6  can be contoured to replicate a traditional sewn on button design for fashion purposes. Similarly, interchangeable cap face  10  can be coated with reflective material for use as a removable safety function in hazardous situations. Interchangeable cap  6  can also be formed to provide a wide range of different colors, functions, shapes, sizes and patterns. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1D, 1J, and 1K , the interchangeable cap  6  has a cap face  10  on a first side and a recessed inner cap  13  on a second side. The recessed inner cap  13  has an internal cap thread  12  within the inner cap  13 . A beveled cap edge  11  surrounds the recessed inner cap  13  and provides a softer contour for ease of passage through fabric buttonholes. At the center of inner cap  13  are prong tracks  14  which provide room for prong tips  19  of the pronged fastener  8  and can accommodate prong tips  19  of the pronged fastener  8  in a maximum tightened position. 
         [0050]    A pronged fastener  8  has a fastener base  21  with a beveled fastener edge  22 . The beveled fastener edge  22  maintains a soft contour for user handling. On one side of the fastener base  21  is an embossed design  23  and a company logo  24 . Embossed designs  23  are embossed on fastener base  21  of the pronged fastener  8  and are used by a user for gripping and to create greater torque when changing interchangeable cap  6 . Embossed designs vary in design and are situated on the rear face of fastener base  21  providing grip for stability and counter torque between the base button  7  and the interchangeable cap  6 . In addition, company logo  24  also varies in design and is for example purposes and may be engraved for product identification and authenticity. 
         [0051]    On the opposite side of the fastener base  21  are prong shafts  20  with prong tips  19  which extend from the fastener base  21 . The prong shafts  20  and associated prong tips  19  are in alignment with base buttonholes  15  of the base button  7  that pass from the front side shown in  FIG. 1A , to the backside of base button  7 . 
         [0052]    A base button  7  has a first front side and a second back side with a plurality of base buttonholes  15  which extend from the first front side to the second back side. The second back side has a convex base back  17  containing a plurality of base button holes  15  and external base thread  16  that securely fastens counterpart internal screw thread  16  on the interchangeable cap  6 . The external base thread  16  on the outer perimeter of base button  7  encompasses the inner base button  18  containing a plurality of base buttonholes  15 , which are aligned with pronged fastener  8 . Base buttonholes  15  create pathways for prong tips  19  and prong shafts  20 , coupling pronged fastener  8  with base button  7 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 1C  shows an expanded top view of prong tips  19  and prong shafts  20  penetrating fabric  9  in position for fastening with base buttonholes  15 . Penetration of pronged fastener  8  is achieved by means of applying pressure to the fastener base  21  shown hidden in view. Upon registration of prong tips  19  and buttonholes  15 , compression is applied snappingly interlocking pronged fastener  8  with base button  7  shown in  FIG. 1D . 
         [0054]      FIG. 1D  shows an expanded top view of button base  7  fastened to fabric  9  by means of pronged fastener  8  in alignment with interchangeable cap  6 . Arrows illustrate torquing motion for coupling upon registration of external base thread  16  and internal cap thread  12  (shown in  FIG. 1B ). As can be seen prong tips  19  are sheathed within inner base button  18  by its outer walls for user safety. 
         [0055]      FIG. 1E  is a lateral cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1D , showing a full structural schematic of all components. While shown on one side of fabric  9 , fastener base  21  creates support for maximum penetration of prong tips  19  and prong shafts  20  when applying pressure. The user can simply apply pressure with a finger causing the prong tips  19  to penetrate the fabric. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 2A-2F  show an interchangeable button system of a second embodiment of the present invention. The base button  7  has at least one helical track  25  with a locking groove  34  on an outer perimeter which receives a locking pin or protrusion  26  on the interchangeable cap  6 . As in the first embodiment, the inner base button  18  of the base button  7  contains a plurality of base buttonholes  15  aligned with pronged fastener  8 . Base buttonholes  15  create pathways for prong tips  19  and prong shafts  20  coupling with the pronged fastener  8 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 2C  is a lateral cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the present invention with the interchangeable cap  6  and button base  7  attached to fabric  9  by prong fastener  8 . The interchangeable cap  6  and locking pin or protrusion  26  are tightened and secured to button base  7 . Further shown are arrows indicating the rotational tightening motion of interchangeable cap  6  in synchronization with the projected path of locking pin  26  along helical track  25 . The locking position of the interchangeable cap  6  is achieved when locking pin  26  slides along edge of helical track  25  registering into locking groove  34  (also seen in  FIG. 2B ). It should be noted that that the prongs tips  19  are not shown in this figure for clarity purposes. 
         [0058]      FIG. 3A-3C  shows an interchangeable button system of a third embodiment. 
         [0059]    In this embodiment, a cap member  27  of the interchangeable cap  6  has a chamfered flange  28  with non-slip teeth  30 . Non-slip teeth  30  are used in combination with interchangeable cap  6  to prevent internal spinning of cap member  27  from excessive torque or constant interchange use. The cap member  27  also has internal cap member threads  29  that securely fastens counterpart internal cap thread  12  on base button  7 . 
         [0060]    The interchangeable button system of the third embodiment may be used when various materials are to be used for interchangeable cap  6  that are different from cap member  27 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 3D-3E  show an interchangeable cap of a fourth embodiment in which the cap member  27  is formed as one piece with the interchangeable cap  6 . In  FIG. 3D , the one piece interchangeable cap  36  includes a lock pin or protrusion  26  present within the inner cap member  31 . In  FIG. 3E , the one piece interchangeable cap  36  includes internal cap threads  29  for receiving a button base  7 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 4  shows an expanded front view of the interchangeable cap and button base of a fifth embodiment illustrating the button base  7  attached to fabric  9  by means of a sewing method with alignment of the interchangeable cap  6 . The button base  7  is fastened to fabric  9  by means of pronged sewing thread  32  in alignment with interchangeable cap  6 . Arrows illustrate torquing motion for coupling upon registration of external base thread  16  and internal cap thread  12  (shown in  FIG. 1B ). As can be seen prong tips  19  are sheathed within inner base button  18  by its outer walls for user safety. 
         [0063]      FIG. 5  shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the interchangeable cap and button base of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, showing the button base and interchangeable cap, fully assembled attached to fabric by means of sewing. The interchangeable cap  6  and button base  7  are attached to fabric  15  by sewing thread  32  passing through base buttonholes  15 . Also shown is interchangeable cap  6  tightened and secured to button base  7  creating vacant space within inner base button  18 . Respectively, the sewing method can apply to all alternate embodiments containing a plurality of base buttonholes  15  as an option to the user. 
         [0064]      FIG. 6  shows a lateral cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment where the interchangeable cap is fitted with an independent embedded device fully assembled attached to fabric by means of prong fastener. The interchangeable cap  6  is fitted with an independent embedded device  33 . Independent embedded device  33  may be representative of any independent device, either self-powered or non-self-powered such as passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, near field communication (NFC) devices, microdot devices, light emitting diodes, wireless transceivers, medical devices, active RFID tags or transmitters or the like. The independent embedded device  33  can be mold injected during the manufacturing process or inserted thereafter. 
         [0065]    It should be recognized that a benefit of the interchangeable cap of the interchangeable button system of the present invention is that if an interchangeable cap is lost, a wearer is left with a useable base member that resembles a conventional button eliminating damage to the fabric. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 REFERENCE NUMERALS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                  6 interchangeable cap 
               
               
                   
                  7 base button 
               
               
                   
                  8 pronged fastener 
               
               
                   
                  9 fabric 
               
               
                   
                 10 interchangeable cap face 
               
               
                   
                 11 beveled cap edge 
               
               
                   
                 12 internal cap thread 
               
               
                   
                 13 inner cap 
               
               
                   
                 14 prong track 
               
               
                   
                 15 base buttonholes 
               
               
                   
                 16 external base thread 
               
               
                   
                 17 convex base back 
               
               
                   
                 18 inner base button 
               
               
                   
                 19 prong tip 
               
               
                   
                 20 prong shaft 
               
               
                   
                 21 fastener base 
               
               
                   
                 22 beveled fastener edge 
               
               
                   
                 23 embossed design 
               
               
                   
                 24 company logo 
               
               
                   
                 25 helical track 
               
               
                   
                 26 locking pin 
               
               
                   
                 27 cap member 
               
               
                   
                 28 chamfered flange 
               
               
                   
                 29 internal cap member thread 
               
               
                   
                 30 non-slip teeth 
               
               
                   
                 31 inner cap member 
               
               
                   
                 32 sewing thread 
               
               
                   
                 33 independent embedded device 
               
               
                   
                 34 locking groove 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0066]    Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.