Abstract:
A garment button for insertion into a button hole to secure two segments of material together, is described. Generally speaking, the button is a two piece device and includes a first body forming an outer perimeter of the button, the first body being sized to fit into a desired button hole and having an opening defined inside of the outer perimeter, and a second body detachably fixed within the opening, wherein the second body divides the opening to define two distinct and separate openings. The two bodies snap together after passing through a custom strap or loop of material.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present device relates to a button, button assembly and a method of use for the button and assembly. Particularly, the present device relates to a two-piece replaceable button. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Button-like objects have been found in the Indus Valley of ancient Pakistan and date back to around 2000 B.C. Originally, buttons were not used as fasteners, but rather as ornaments for clothing much like jewelry such as broaches are used today. Before buttons, people used pins, leather lacing and belts to secure clothing closed. 
         [0003]    One impediment to using buttons as fasteners was that the button hole had yet been devised. Evidence dates the first button and button hole closure systems to the 13th century in Germany. This may have been a solution to the problem of how to secure clothing that was becoming more and more form-fitting, without having to resort to the danger of using sharp pins. 
         [0004]    Buttons come in nearly an infinite number of sizes, colors and shapes and have been made from materials such as ivory, gold, brass, wood, plastics and even paper. But, whether mostly functional or purely aesthetic, little has changed in buttons over the many years. 
         [0005]    As simple as the button and button hole concept is, the problem with most buttons is that they are not easy to replace. While many garments come with extra buttons sewn to an inside panel, the loss of a button still requires a trip to the dry-cleaners or at the very least home to find a needle and thread to attach a new button. A service will make you wait at least an hour if not longer for your garment and if doing it one&#39;s self, there is the trouble of positioning the button properly and threading a needle to complicate the matter. 
         [0006]    The present device solves these and other problems associated with prior art buttons. By providing a button assembly which can be readily attached to a custom site without use of thread or any other material, the present device can replace a broken or lost button in a matter of seconds. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    There is disclosed herein an improved button and method of use which avoid the disadvantages of prior devices and methods while affording additional structural and operating advantages. 
         [0008]    A garment button for insertion into a button hole to secure two segments of material together, is described and claimed. Generally speaking, the button comprises a first body forming an outer perimeter of the button, the first body sized to fit into a desired button hole and having an opening defined inside of the outer perimeter, and a second body detachably fixed within the opening, wherein the second body divides the opening to define two distinct and separate openings. 
         [0009]    In various embodiments of the inventive button, many features are evident. For example, the second body is configured to snap-fit within the opening of the first body; the second body is configured to form a portion of the outer perimeter of the button; the first body and the second body are molded as a single component which can be separated; and, the surfaces of the two bodies are flush when formed into a button. 
         [0010]    A method for securing at least two segments of material together using the inventive button is also described and claimed. Generally speaking, the method comprises the steps of providing a securing strap attached to a first segment of material, inserting a free portion of the securing strap into an opening of a first body, sliding a second body under the free portion of the securing strap, securing each of two ends of the second body to the first body thereby securing the first body to the securing strap, and inserting the secured first body into a button hole defined within a second segment of material. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment of the method, the first body is first detached from the second body before the step of sliding a second body under the free portion of the securing strap. 
         [0012]    These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present button attached to a garment; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are front face views of two distinct embodiments of the present button design; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are front face views of the buttons illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , respectively, showing one way in which the two pieces may be adjoined before use; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present button design; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a back face view of the embodiment of the button illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the embodiment of the button illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a top side view of the embodiment of the button illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of the two-piece embodiment of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a front face view of the unassembled embodiment of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a back face view of the unassembled embodiment of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the unassembled embodiment of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a top side view of the unassembled embodiment of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is an opposite side view of the unassembled embodiment of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present button design; 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a back face view of the embodiment of the button illustrated in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is a side view of the embodiment of the button illustrated in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is a front perspective view of the two-piece embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  is a front face view of the unassembled embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  is a back face view of the unassembled embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  is a side view of the unassembled embodiment of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-22 , there is illustrated embodiments of a button, generally designated by the numerals  10  and  110 . In each of the illustrated button configurations,  10  and  110 , a two-piece replaceable assembly is shown. By “replaceable” it is meant that the buttons can be readily attached and detached from the custom button site without any additional materials. The “button site” is preferably a loop of material with either one attachment point or two attachment points ( FIG. 1 ) on the subject garment. The disclosed buttons are ideal for use on garments where the buttons are subject to damage through excessive wear, impact, chemicals or the like. For example, use on uniforms and equipment for military, law enforcement, and sports are all particularly applicable. The loss of a button “in the field” can be quickly and easily remedied with use of present inventive buttons. 
         [0036]    With reference to the embodiment of FIGS.  3  and  5 - 15 , the illustrated button  10  has a first body  12  and a second body  14  which releasably secures to sections  16   a  and  b  of the first body  12 . The two-piece configuration, as shown in  FIG. 5 , is preferably manufactured as a single component. The attachment of the two bodies together facilitates the use of the button  10  by preventing a user from having to search through a pocket, for example, for the separated components. By molding the two components as one, e.g., using injection molding techniques, the bridge  17  can be easily designed to separate with a twist of the components. The button  10  can be made in virtually any size or shape to accommodate a button-hole. 
         [0037]    The first body  12  of button  10  includes an outer periphery  20  which should be small enough to be inserted within a particular button-hole (not shown), but large enough to prevent slipping back through the hole unexpectedly. The outer periphery  20  includes two sections  16   a  and  b  where the second body  14  attaches, as will be explained in greater detail below. At the approximate center of the first body  12  an opening  18  is formed. The size of the opening  18  is determined to allow a securing strap  30  ( FIG. 1 ) to be at least partially inserted and retained. 
         [0038]    Once the securing strap  30  is inserted, the second body  14  is positioned under the strap  30  and connected to the first body  12  at the two sections  16   a  and  b.  The second body  14  includes two ends  24  which are identical to allow for attachment to the first body  12  in either direction. Each end  24  includes a hook-like member  26  with an inner surface  28  that conforms to an upper surface  29  of the two sections  16   a  and  b.  The two ends  24  preferably clip onto the two sections  16   a  and  b  by hooking around an outer edge and underside of the first body  12 . Securing one end first and then the other end is believed to be the most effective method for attachment. Once secured in place, the second body  14  prevents removal of the securing strap  30  from the opening  18  of the first body  12 , effectively holding the button  10  in place on the garment  50  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0039]    The design of the ends  24 , periphery  20 , opening  18 , sections  16   a  and  b  and other features of the button  10  shown in the many figures are for illustrative purposes only. Changes to these components can be easily made without departing from the general utility of the disclosed button  10 . Such possible changes are exemplified in the illustration of a second embodiment, button  110 , described below. 
         [0040]    With reference to the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  16 - 22 , the illustrated button  110  has a first body  112  and a second body  114  which releasably secures to sections  116  of the first body  12 . The two-piece configuration, as shown in  FIG. 4 , is preferably manufactured as a single component. The attachment of the two bodies together facilitates the use of the button  110  by preventing a user from having to search through a pocket, for example, for the separated components. By molding the two components as one, e.g., using injection molding techniques, the bridge  117  can be easily designed to separate with a twist of the components. The button  110  can be made in virtually any size or shape to accommodate a button-hole. 
         [0041]    The first body  112  of button  110  includes an outer periphery  120  which should be small enough to be inserted within a particular button-hole (not shown), but large enough to prevent slipping back through the hole unexpectedly. Unlike the embodiment of button  10  described above, the outer periphery  120  of button  110  is uninterrupted. At the approximate center of the first body  112  an opening  118  is formed. The size of the opening  118  is determined to allow a securing strap (not shown) to be at least partially inserted and retained. The opening  118  includes two sections  116   a  and  b  where the second body  114  attaches, as will be explained in greater detail below. 
         [0042]    Once the securing strap  130  is inserted into the opening  118 , the second body  114  is positioned under the strap  130  and connected to the first body  112  at the two sections  116   a  and  b.  The second body  114  includes two ends  124  which are identical to allow for attachment to the first body  112  in either direction. The two ends  124  preferably clip into the two sections  116   a  and  b  by abutting a surface  140  within recess  142  and clipping under a flange  144  using an angled-protuberance  146  of the second body  114 . Placing the ends  124  of the second body  114  within the recesses  142  and pushing downward on the ends  124  will effectively “snap” the angled-protuberances  146  into place. Once secured, the second body prevents removal of the securing strap  130  from the opening  118  of the first body  112 , effectively holding the button  110  in place on the garment. 
         [0043]    The design of the periphery  120 , opening  118 , sections  116   a  and  b,  ends  124  and other features of the button  110  shown in the many figures are for illustrative purposes only. Changes to these components can be easily made without departing from the general utility of the disclosed button  110 . 
         [0044]    Another feature of the inventive buttons  10  and  110 , is that an upper surface  60  ( 160  for button  110 ) of the second body  14  ( 114 ) is intentionally made flush to a corresponding upper surface  62  ( 162 ) of the first body  12  ( 112 ). In fact, the second body  14  ( 114 ) is intended to provide such aesthetic continuity along all surfaces to best look like an integral portion of the first body  12  ( 112 ). This feature also minimizes the possibility of catch-points on the resulting button which might snag material or result in the accidental disassembling of the two-piece configuration. 
         [0045]    The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.