Patent Publication Number: US-9408439-B2

Title: Interchangeable decorative cover for buttons

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,811, filed Sep. 14, 2011. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to fashion accessories, and in particular to interchangeable decorative covers that may be selectively applied to and removed from buttons, snaps, studs and the like to display a particular theme or to produce a desired fashion accessory. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Buttons used for displaying patriotic, political, sports, or other themes typically comprise separate items that are attached to clothing by pins, clips, studs, or the like, and are not used as covers for pre-existing buttons that are sewn on. 
     Children, for example, generally have favorite sports and/or favorite heroes or characters, but their preference for and display of these favorites is typically limited to use of separate pin-on buttons, or on banners, posters, backpacks, and the like. 
     Moreover, sewn-on buttons generally impart a certain decorative function or fashion theme to the item of clothing to which they are attached. For example, buttons can have a more formal or less formal appearance, and thus impart a more formal or less formal appearance to the item of clothing to which they are attached. However, they are fixed in appearance once sewn onto the clothing. Thus, for example, a blouse might be fashionably appropriate for use with certain accessories or for wear on certain occasions depending upon the buttons that are sewn onto the blouse. If a different look, e.g. a more formal appearance or less formal appearance or use with different accessories is desired, a different blouse with different buttons typically must be chosen. 
     Decorative covers for pre-existing sewn-on buttons are known, as exemplified for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,983,975, 3,500,507 and 7,350,274. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,983,975 discloses a decorative overlay that can be secured to a button to match a button with other accessories. The overlay is secured to the button by the use of adhesive. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,500,507 discloses a decorative overlay that is secured to a button by the use of a spring clip. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,274 discloses an accessory device that can be removably attached to the button of a hat. The device can include a base unit and a decorative unit that are integrally formed or formed as separate pieces snapped together. In that form wherein the base unit and decorative unit are integrally formed as one piece, the device is frictionally retained on the button. This patent discloses the device as being made of PVC or polyethylene. 
     Prior art covers for buttons are either too complex or expensive in construction, or are made of materials that are too hard to achieve a secure grip on a button unless the button is covered with a fabric. 
     It would be desirable to have an interchangeable decorative or thematic cover for removable application to buttons, snaps, studs and the like wherein the cover is simple and inexpensive in construction and is made for secure frictional attachment to conventional buttons, snaps, studs and the like whether the buttons and the like are made of metal, plastic, wood or other material. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a decorative or thematic cover for removable and interchangeable application to buttons, snaps, studs and the like wherein the cover is simple and inexpensive in construction and is made for simple and secure attachment to conventional metal, plastic or wooden buttons, snaps, studs and the like. As used hereinafter, the term “button” is intended to include snaps, studs, and the like. 
     The cover of the invention comprises a decorative part permanently adhesively attached to a base member. The base member has a hollow bore with a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the button to which it is to be attached, and has a tight fit on the button to prevent its inadvertent removal but permit it to be pressed onto and removed from a button. In preferred embodiments the base member is made of an elastomeric material that deforms or stretches to receive the button. Detents may be provided in the hollow bore of the base member to enhance secure attachment to a button. In a preferred construction the elastomeric material comprises Buna N rubber with a durometer of 55 to 65 Shore A, although it could be made of other materials, such as silicone, for example, having the appropriate durometer. 
     In an alternate construction the base member can be made of a plastic material and slotted on at least one side so that it can yield or spread apart to enable it to be pressed onto a button. In this version a detent is preferably formed in the hollow bore to help retain the base member on the button. 
     The base member may be colored, opaque, translucent, or transparent, as desired. 
     In one form of the invention the base member is an open-ended cylinder with the bore extending completely therethrough. In another form it is generally cup-shaped with the bore extending through the open end of the cup, and in yet another form it is circular in plan view and generally T-shaped in longitudinal cross-section, with the bore extending through the leg of the T and terminating at the head of the T. In either event, when the decorative part is attached to the base member the bore is open only at the end that goes over the button. If desired, suitable indicia to indicate a series number or some other desired message may be placed in the blind end of the bore. In that form where the bore extends completely through the base member, the indicia can be easily applied to the underside of the decorative cover before it is applied to the base member. 
     The decorative covers according to the invention can have any desired graphics or theme and can be more formal or less formal in appearance. They can be used to impart a different look to a shirt or blouse, enabling a single garment to be quickly and easily converted from a less formal look to a more formal look, and vice versa. Thus, for example, a blouse might be fashionably appropriate for use with certain accessories or for wear on certain occasions depending upon the buttons that are sewn onto the blouse. If a different look, e.g. a more formal appearance or use with different accessories is desired, a different blouse with different buttons typically must be chosen. The present invention enables the appearance of a single garment to be altered to suit a desired occasion or result. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a fragmentary front view of a shirt, showing one conventional uncovered button and a decorative cover according to a first embodiment of the invention applied to another button. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the decorative cover of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged sectional view of the base member of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , shown without the decorative cover. 
         FIG. 4  is an end view in elevation of a second embodiment of the base member according to the invention, looking toward the back end or end of the base member that receives the button, and wherein an open bore extends completely through the base member. 
         FIG. 5  is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is an end view in elevation of a third embodiment of the base member according to the invention, looking toward the back end of the base member, and wherein a detent is provided in the hollow bore spaced from its opposite ends. 
         FIG. 7  is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is an end view in elevation of a fourth embodiment of the base member according to the invention, looking toward the back end of the base member, and wherein a tapered detent or lip is provided in the hollow bore at the end that is placed over a button. 
         FIG. 9  is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the circled area in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a longitudinal sectional view of a fifth embodiment of base member according to the invention, wherein the base member is generally cup-shaped. 
         FIG. 12  is a longitudinal sectional view of a sixth embodiment of base member according to the invention, wherein the base member is an open-ended cylinder free of detents in its hollow bore. 
         FIG. 13  is a longitudinal sectional view of a seventh embodiment of base member according to the invention, wherein the base member is an open-ended cylinder and has a recessed groove between the ends of its hollow bore to serve as a detent for receiving a button over which the base member is placed. 
         FIG. 14  is a longitudinal sectional view of an eighth embodiment of base member according to the invention, wherein the base member is an open-ended cylinder and has a pair of spaced rings in its hollow bore defining a space therebetween serving as a detent for a button over which the base member is placed. 
         FIG. 15  is a longitudinal sectional view of a ninth embodiment of base member according to the invention, wherein the base member is generally T-shaped in longitudinal cross-section, with a smooth surfaced bore extending through the leg of the T and terminating at the head of the T. 
         FIG. 16  is a longitudinal sectional view of a tenth embodiment of base member according to the invention, wherein the base member is generally T-shaped in longitudinal cross-section, with a screw thread formed in the bore extending through the leg of the T. 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom isometric view of an eleventh embodiment of the invention, looking toward the end that is placed over a button, wherein the base member is made of a more rigid material and is longitudinally slit to enable it to spring open to receive and grip a button. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A first preferred embodiment of the invention is indicated generally at  10  in  FIGS. 1-3 , and comprises a decorative member  11  secured to a base member  12 . In this embodiment the base member is generally T-shaped in longitudinal section, with a disc-shaped end wall  12 A and a cylindrically shaped leg  12 B. A central bore  13  extends through the leg and terminates at the end wall. An inturned lip  14  is in the open end of the leg  12 B to enhance the grip of the base member on a button. 
     In a preferred construction the decorative member is adhesively secured to the base member, and the base member is made of an elastomeric material preferably having a durometer of 55 to 65 Shore A. One suitable material is Buna N rubber. The bore has a length L 1  adapted to fully receive a button B therein with some clearance between the button and the closed end of the bore, and a diameter D 1  slightly less than the diameter of the button to which the decorative cover is to be attached so that the button will be snugly engaged in the bore. Although the button is tightly frictionally engaged in the bore of the base member, the inturned lip  14  engages behind the button and provides extra assurance that the decorative cover will not be inadvertently displaced from the button. 
     In a specific example of this form of the invention the base member has an overall length L 2  of about ¼ inch and an outside diameter D 2  of about ¾ of an inch at the disc-shaped end wall  12 A. The diameter D 1  of the bore is approximately ⅜ inch, the outer diameter D 3  of the leg  12 B is slightly more than ½ inch, and the lip  14  has an inner diameter D 4  of slightly more than 5/16 of an inch. These dimensions are exemplary of a workable size that fits most common buttons but it should be understood that other sizes could be adapted to different size buttons and studs. 
     A second embodiment of the invention is indicated generally at  20  in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . This form of the invention is generally the same as that form of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 3  except that the bore  21  extends completely through the base member, whereby a radially outwardly extending flange  22  is on the outer end of the base member rather than a disc-shaped end wall as in the previous embodiment. Also, the lip on the inner end of the cylindrical wall  23  is omitted and the bore  21  has a smooth surface throughout its length. Otherwise, the materials and dimensions are essentially the same as in the previous embodiment. 
     A third embodiment is indicated generally at  30  in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . This form of the invention is generally the same as that form shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  except that an annular rib  31  is on the inner surface of the bore  32 , spaced inwardly from the inner end of the base member a distance calculated to engage the rib behind a button when the base member is fully engaged on the button. Otherwise, the materials and dimensions are essentially the same as in the previous embodiments. 
     A fourth embodiment is indicated generally at  40  in  FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 . This form of the invention is similar to that shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  but differs in that the detent comprises an inturned lip  41  formed in the bore at the end that receives the button, and this lip has a tapered surface  42  to facilitate its placement over a button. In one specific construction as an example of the invention, the cylindrical portion of the base member has an outer diameter D 1  of 0.53 inch, an inner diameter D 2  of 0.410 inch, and a length L 1  of 0.18 inch. The base member has an overall length L 2  of 0.25 inch. The lip  41  has an inner diameter D 3  of 0.300 inch and the taper on the lip extends at an angle α of 65°. 
     A fifth embodiment is indicated generally at  50  in  FIG. 11 . The base member in this form of the invention is cup-shaped, with a constant outside diameter throughout its length, and comprises an end wall  51  and a cylindrical side wall  52  with a smooth bore  53  extending from the inner end of the side wall to the end wall. Otherwise, the materials and dimensions are essentially the same as in the previous embodiments. 
     A sixth embodiment of the invention is indicated generally at  60  in  FIG. 12 . This form of the invention comprises an open-ended cylinder  61  having a constant diameter outer surface and a smooth bore  62  extending through its length. 
     A seventh embodiment of the invention is indicated generally at  70  in  FIG. 13 . This form of the invention is generally the same as the  FIG. 12  embodiment except that an annular channel  71  is formed in the bore between its ends for receiving the margin of a button inserted into the bore. 
       FIG. 14  depicts an eighth embodiment  80  that is similar to the  FIG. 12  embodiment except that a pair of rings  81  and  82  form a space or channel  83  between them to receive the margin of a button on which the base member is placed. 
       FIG. 15  depicts a ninth embodiment that is similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , wherein the base member  90  is generally T-shaped in longitudinal section, with a disc-shaped end wall  91  and a cylindrically shaped leg  92 . A central bore  93  extends through the leg and terminates at the end wall. The bore is smooth and of constant diameter throughout. 
       FIG. 16  depicts a tenth embodiment  100  that is similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 15 , but the surface of the bore is threaded at  101  so that it can be threaded onto a button. 
     The base member  110  in the eleventh embodiment shown in  FIG. 17  is shaped similarly to the base member shown in  FIG. 15 , but the cylindrically shaped leg  111  is slit longitudinally on at least one side. In the particular example shown slits  112  and  113  are formed on each of two opposite sides, forming opposed segments  114  and  115  that are separate from one another. The base member in this form of the invention is made of a more rigid material, such as plastic, than is used in the previous embodiments and the slits are necessary to enable the segments to move away from one another to receive a button. Annular ribs are formed on the inner surface of at least one of the segments, and preferably on both, to ensure secure attachment of this form of base member to a button. Only one rib  116  is shown in this view. 
     In all forms of the invention the base member has a snug friction fit on the button and some suction is produced by the closed bore, whether the bore is closed by a decorative member fixed on the outer end of that form of base member having a bore extending completely therethrough or by an end wall on the base member. 
     A variety of decorative members can be attached to base members to produce decorative covers having various themes, whether whimsical or formal in nature, and different decorative covers can be applied to buttons or studs or similar objects to produce desired results and can be readily removed and replaced with other decorative covers to produce different results.