Patent Publication Number: US-8533866-B1

Title: Article having an improved closure device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to apparel and, more particularly, to an article having an improved closure device permanently affixed to the article to enable easier buttoning of various articles having button fasteners. 
     (2) Description of the Prior Art 
     Traditionally, small children and arthritic or disabled adults have been unable to use buttons because of the dexterity needed to pull a small button through a hole. Therefore, people who needed help fastening buttons on clothing, bags, covers, and other articles having openings relied on hook-like buttoning tools, which are well known in the art, to aid in pulling a button through a buttonhole. Such tools usually had a relatively stiff hook attached to a handle. A person would guide the hook through a buttonhole to ensnare the button. The tool was then pulled to bring the button through the buttonhole. However, these devices were simply tools that could be misplaced or had to be carried around to be convenient. Also, the tools may be difficult for small children to use as a certain amount of dexterity is still needed to insert the hook through a buttonhole in the first place. Also, it can be difficult to hook a flat button that is tightly sewn onto a garment. 
     Thus, there remains a need for a new and improved article having an improved closure device that is both permanently affixed to the item needing fastening and relatively easy for small children or disabled adults to use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an article having an improved closure device. The improved closure device may include an opening having a garment body and an asymmetrically offset fastener attached to the underlying surface of the opening for fastening the underlying surface to the overlapping portion. In a preferred embodiment, the opening may include: (i) an overlapping portion with a receiving aperture and (ii) an underlying surface. The asymmetrically offset fastener may be dimensionally greater in one direction than in the other direction with respect to the aperture, and may also include an attachment device for permanently affixing the asymmetrically offset fastener to the underlying surface of the article and a shell portion adjacent to the opening. 
     The article having an improved closure may further include a shell portion adjacent to the opening. The overlapping portion of the shell may be a pocket. 
     The shell may also be a garment body. The garment body may be a garment bottom such as a pair of pants, a garment top such as a blouse or a coat, or a pair of gloves. The shell may also be a tote such as a book bag or a protective covering such as a tarp. 
     Preferably, the asymmetrically offset fastener includes indicia on at least one surface of the asymmetrically offset fastener. Also, the asymmetrically offset fastener may include a tactile aid on at least one surface. The tactile aid may be a notch along one edge of the asymmetrically offset fastener for aiding finger positioning. In a preferred embodiment, the asymmetrically offset fastener includes a decorative embellishment attached to the distal end. The distal end of the asymmetrically offset fastener may also be adapted for receiving a pull. Preferably, the adaptation for receiving a pull may be an aperture. The aperture may be elongated in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the asymmetrically offset fastener. Also preferably, the adaptation for receiving a pull is a portion adjacent to the distal end. 
     In another embodiment, the asymmetrically offset fastener may include at least one piece formed with an interior groove adapted to receive an existing button on the article. Also preferably, the asymmetrically offset fastener is a two-piece fastener adapted to attach to an existing button on the article. The two-piece fastener may include a split chevron for receiving the button and a sheath for closing the split chevron, thereby permanently affixing the asymmetrically offset fastener to the underlying surface of the article. Alternatively, the asymmetrically offset fastener may be a one-piece fastener adapted to attach to an existing button on the article. The one-piece fastener may include an elongated loop with at least one interior locking tab for permanently affixing the asymmetrically offset fastener to the underlying surface of the article. In another embodiment, the one-piece fastener may include an elongated loop with at least one exterior locking tab for permanently affixing the asymmetrically offset fastener to the underlying surface of the article. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the attachment device for permanently affixing the asymmetrically offset fastener to the underlying surface of the article is a male/female attachment. The female portion of the attachment device may be an aperture in the asymmetrically offset fastener, while the male portion of the attachment device may be a protrusion on the asymmetrically offset fastener. Preferably, the male/female attachment device may be a post and rivet, a plastic tag, or by sewing. 
     Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an article having an improved closure device. The article having an improved closure device may include (a) an opening including: (i) an overlapping portion with a receiving aperture; and (ii) an underlying surface; and (b) an asymmetrically offset fastener attached to the underlying surface of the article for fastening the underlying surface to the overlapping portion, wherein the asymmetrically offset fastener is dimensionally greater in one direction than in the other direction with respect to the aperture. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an article having an improved closure device. The improved closure device may include: (a) an opening including: (i) an overlapping portion with a receiving aperture; and (ii) an underlying surface; (b) an asymmetrically offset fastener attached to the underlying surface of the article for fastening the underlying surface to the overlapping portion, wherein the asymmetrically offset fastener is dimensionally greater in one direction than in the other direction with respect to the aperture; and (c) an attachment device for permanently affixing the asymmetrically offset fastener to the underlying surface of the article. 
     Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide an article having an improved closure device. The article having an improved closure device may include: (a) an opening having a garment body including: (i) an overlapping portion with a receiving aperture; and (ii) an underlying surface; (b) an asymmetrically offset fastener attached to the underlying surface of the article for fastening the underlying surface to the overlapping portion, wherein the asymmetrically offset fastener is dimensionally greater in one direction than in the other direction with respect to the aperture; (c) an attachment device for permanently affixing the asymmetrically offset fastener to the underlying surface of the article; and (d) a shell portion adjacent to the opening. 
     These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a sequential illustration of the operation of the device on an article having an improved closure device, constructed according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  show various articles utilizing the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates various embodiments of the closure device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates various embodiments of attachment devices the closure device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a sequential illustration of the operation of a two-piece retro-fit embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  are illustrations of one-piece retro-fit embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “forward,” “rearward,” “left,” “right,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. 
     Referring now to the drawings in general and  FIG. 1  in particular, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. As best seen in  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b ,  1   c , and  1   d , an article having an improved closure device generally labeled  10  is shown.  FIG. 1   a  in particular shows the article having an improved closure device  10  including an opening  12 . The opening  12  includes an overlapping portion  14  with a receiving aperture  16  and an underlying surface  18 . The article having an improved closure device  10  also includes an asymmetrically offset fastener  20  attached to the underlying surface  16  of the article  10  for fastening the underlying surface  16  to the overlapping portion  14 . The asymmetrically offset fastener  20  is preferably dimensionally greater in one direction than in the other direction with respect to the aperture  62 . 
       FIG. 1   b  shows how the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  is inserted into the receiving aperture  16 .  FIG. 1   c  shows the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  being pulled through the receiving aperture  16  on the overlapping portion  14  and being rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction in a circular motion to help pull the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  through the aperture  16 . The asymmetrically offset fastener  20  may be rotated a full 360 degrees, but a full 360 degree rotation is not necessary to pull the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  through the aperture  16 .  FIG. 1   d  shows the article having an improved closure device  10  with the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  after the opening  12  has been closed. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b , and  2   c  there is illustrated the shell portion  22  surrounding the article having an improved closure device  10  as best seen in  FIG. 1 . The shell portion may be a garment  24 , as best seen in  FIG. 2   a  such as a garment bottom  26 . The garment bottom  26  may be a pair of pants  28 . The garment  24  may also be a garment top  32 , such as a coat  34  or a blouse  36 . The shell  22  may also be a pocket  30 , a tote  38 , or a protective covering  42 . The tote  38  may be a book bag  40  as illustrated in  FIG. 2   b . The protective covering  42  may be a tarp  44  as illustrated in  FIG. 2   c  for covering boats, cars, etc. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ,  3   e ,  3   f ,  3   g ,  3   g ,  3   i , and  3   j , the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  may take on many embodiments. Preferably, the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  is generally egg-shaped as best seen in  FIG. 3   a.  The asymmetrically offset fastener  20  may be formed into the shape of a wrench, screwdriver, flower, baseball bat, snake, or other shape. Further, the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  may include indicia  48  on at least one surface of the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  as best seen in  FIG. 3   b . The asymmetrically offset fastener  20  may also include a tactile aid  50  on at least one surface of the asymmetrically offset fastener. The tactile aid  50  may be a notch  52  along one edge of the asymmetrically offset fastener for finger positioning, as best seen in  FIG. 3   c , or a textured surface to aid gripping. The asymmetrically offset fastener  20  may also include a decorative embellishment attached to the distal end  55  such as a colorful flower or a wrench as best seen in  FIGS. 3   d ,  3   e , and  3   f.    
     Additionally, the distal end  55  of the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  may also be adapted for receiving a pull  56  as best seen in  FIG. 3   h . The adaptation for receiving a pull  56  may be an aperture  58  or a portion adjacent the distal end  60  as seen in  FIG. 3   g . The aperture  58  may be elongated in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the asymmetrically offset fastener. As best seen in  FIG. 3   i , the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  may be constructed in a figure eight shape with a minimal amount of material used for construction. Such an embodiment may be made with wire twisted in the middle to form the figure eight shape.  FIG. 3   j  shows another figure eight shaped embodiment of the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  in which the fastener may be formed by pinching wire in the middle to form a figure eight shape. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b , and  4   c , the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  may be attached to the underlying surface  18  by an attachment device  61 . The attachment device  61 , which permanently affixes the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  to the underlying surface  18 , may be a male/female attachment  63 . The female portion  62  of the “attachment device”  61  is an aperture in the asymmetrically offset fastener. The male portion  64  of the attachment device  61  is a protrusion on the asymmetrically offset fastener  20 . The attachment device  61  may be a post  66  and rivet  68  as best seen in  FIG. 4   a . The attachment device  61  may be a plastic tag  70  as best seen in  FIG. 4   c . Also, the attachment device  61  may be by sewing  72  as best seen in  FIG. 4   b . The plastic tag may be attached with a SWIFTACHER® tagging gun manufactured by Dennison Manufacturing Company Corporation Nevada of Pasadena, Calif. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  may be a two-piece fastener  74  adapted to attach to an existing button on the article  10 . As best seen in  FIG. 5   a , the two-piece retro-fit fastener  74  includes a split chevron  76  for receiving a button and a sheath  78  for closing the split chevron, thereby permanently affixing the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  to the underlying surface of the article  10 . As best seen in  FIG. 5   b , the split chevron  76  snaps into the sheath  78 , which locks the chevron  76  into place. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b , and  6   c , the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  may be a one-piece fastener  80  adapted to attach to an existing button on the article  10 . In one embodiment, as best seen in  FIG. 6   a , the one-piece fastener  80  is adapted to attach to an existing button on the article, wherein the one-piece fastener  80  includes an elongated loop  86  with at least one interior locking tab  88  for permanently affixing the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  to the underlying portion  18  of the article having an improved closure device  10 . As best seen in  FIG. 6   b , the one-piece fastener  80  includes an elongated loop  86  with at least one exterior locking tab  90  for permanently affixing the asymmetrically offset fastener  20  to the underlying portion  18  of the article having an improved closure device  10 . As best seen in  FIG. 6   c , the one-piece fastener  80  includes at least one piece formed with an interior groove  84  adapted to receive an existing button on the article. 
     Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading of the foregoing description. By way of example, while in a preferred embodiment the shape of the asymmetrical fastener is roughly egg shaped, other shapes such as an ellipse, dog bone, baseball bat, flower, wrench, snake, teardrop, or any other shape. Further, while the fastener is shown for a shell such as a garment, tote, or protective covering, the fastener may be used in other devices or articles with and overlapping portion and an underlying surface such as tarps, gloves, boat covers, tents, vests, jackets, suspenders, shoes, pocketbooks, or any other article that needs to be fastened. Also, there is no pre-set size for the asymmetrically offset fastener. Thus the fastener may be made in various sizes. Also, the asymmetrically offset fastener may be made with many different materials such as plastic, metal, wood, leather, wire, or other suitable materials. The female portion, which may be an aperture, may be larger or smaller, and only requires a way to permanently affix the asymmetrically offset fastener to the underlying surface. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims.