Patent Publication Number: US-6704973-B1

Title: Device for facilitating button engagement

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     Reference is made to my co-pending provisional application for letters patent Ser. No. 60/294,126 filed May 30, 2001, to which a claim of priority is made. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of manually operated tools, and more particularly to a tool for use by older persons, and those having difficulty in manipulating their fingers. 
     Button hook devices for use with boots and shoes are well known in the art. Such devices normally include a handle from which a relatively stiff wire extends, the wire having a free open end forming a generally circular hook which can be passed through a buttonhole to engage a button or other enlargement and guided through a corresponding buttonhole. While such devices are not without utility, they are not easy to use in the buttoning of garments upon a user because of excess length, and the inability of the hook to pass over buttons of relatively flat configuration to engage the threads interconnecting the button with the garment, or the shank of the button in the case of a shank button. Normally, the garment is of relatively limp cloth, rather than relatively stiff leather, and the button upon engagement will not remain in fixed position for easy engagement with the tool. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the provision of an improved tool of the type described in which the above described disadvantages have been eliminated or at least substantially ameliorated. To this end, the disclosed device comprises a molded or stamped generally planar tool of metal or synthetic resinous materials, one end of which forms a hook like opening in which the configuration is generally tapered toward that end, there being an entrance slot from the periphery of the device leading to the opening. In use, the threaded shank is passed through the slot to be engaged by the tapered end, such that the surrounding surface of the device may be engaged with the undersurface of the generally planar button. The tool then exerts a guiding action to pass the button through the corresponding buttonhole following which the device is disengaged. 
     In the case of very small buttons, the opening forming the hook may pass over the button during engagement. In the case of larger buttons, the hook end of the device is inserted in the buttonhole and is moved to directly engage the interconnecting threads or shank. In the alternative, the device may be also formed as a metallic stamping. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
     FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing an embodiment of the device in engaged position relative to a garment. 
     FIG. 2 is a view in elevation of the device in detached condition. 
     FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing the device in engaged condition with a relatively smaller button. 
     FIG. 4 is a similar view in elevation showing engaged condition of device with a relatively larger button. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character  10  comprises an elongated body  11  formed as a synthetic resinous or metallic molding. In the alternative, it may be formed as a metallic stamping. The body includes first and second planar services, one of which is indicated by reference character  13  and is bounded by a peripheral edge  14  between first and second end portions  15  and  16 . The periphery includes first and second side edges  17  and  18 . 
     Adjacent to first end  15  is an entrance slot  20  of width sufficient to permit passage of threaded interconnection or a shank of a button  25 . The slot  20  leads to a tapered opening  21  having a larger generally arcuate end  22  and a smaller tapered end  23 , the direction of taper being toward the first end portion  15 . 
     FIG. 1 in the drawing illustrates the use of the device in buttoning a garment, such as a shirt having relatively small buttons where the diameter of the same is slightly larger than that of the size of the opening  21 . It is noted that the device may also be used with a smaller button (not shown) which is at least as large as the tapered portion of the opening. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the use of the device with a somewhat larger button  26  as might be used on a sweater. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the use of the device with a still larger button  27  as might be used with an outer garment such as a coat. 
     In each case, the threaded or shank interconnection of the button will be engaged with the tapered opening such that the outer surface of the device will engage the undersurface of the button to guide the button through the corresponding buttonhole. Because the device is of generally planar configuration, as distinguised from wire like configuration, it may be of relatively short length, typically two to three inches, and while one planar surface engages the undersurface of the button, the other planar surface is adapted to engage the edge of the corresponding buttonhole and keep it in relatively spread condition to facilitate the passing of the button therethrough. Once this has been accomplished, the button will remain in relatively stable position, and the device may be readily disengaged without further disturbing the buttonhole. 
     I wish you to be understood that I do not consider the invention to be limited to the precise details of structures shown and set forth in the specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.