Patent Publication Number: US-9889551-B2

Title: Apparatus for coupling and decoupling button and loop connections of a garment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/069,714, filed Oct. 28, 2014. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure relates, in general, to buttoning and unbuttoning garments with button back detail and, in particular, to an apparatus for coupling and decoupling button and loop connections of a garment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Without limiting the scope of the present disclosure, its background will be described with reference to wedding gowns, as an example. There are many styles of wedding gowns that a bride may choose for her special day. For example, wedding gown silhouettes include ballgown, A-Line, modified A-Line, trumpet, mermaid and sheath. Wedding gown necklines include square, scoop, sweetheart, sheer, halter, Queen Ann and bateau. Wedding gown waistlines include basque, dropped, empire, natural and princess. Wedding gown sleeves include strapless, spaghetti straps, straps, sleeveless, cap sleeve, ¾ sleeve and long sleeve. Wedding gown dress lengths include above the knee, knee length, tea length, ankle length and floor length. Wedding gown trains include sweep, court, chapel length and cathedral length. Wedding gown fabrics include charmeuse, chiffon, crepe, duchesse satin, dupioni, georgette, Mikado, organza, satin, shantung, taffeta and tulle. 
     One aspect many wedding gowns have in common, however, is button back detail in the form of a long series of button and loop connections which may be used in combination with or without a zipper connection. Not only does this button back detail give the wedding gown a brilliant texture but it also look gorgeous as the bride walks down the aisles. It has been found, however, that coupling and decoupling the button and loop connections is tricky and time consuming, typically requiring the dexterity of a bride&#39;s helper. Accordingly, a need has arisen for improvements in coupling and decoupling the button and loop connections of a wedding gown. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the detailed description along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which: 
         FIGS. 1A-1B  are front and side views of an apparatus for coupling and decoupling button and loop connections of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  are front and side views of an apparatus for coupling and decoupling button and loop connections of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  are front and side views of an apparatus for coupling and decoupling button and loop connections of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  are schematic illustrations depicting sequential steps for coupling a button and loop connection using an apparatus for coupling and decoupling button and loop connections of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  are schematic illustrations depicting sequential steps for decoupling a button and loop connection using an apparatus for coupling and decoupling button and loop connections of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While various embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure provides many applicable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative and do not delimit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     In a first aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for coupling button and loop connections of a garment having buttons disposed on a first portion of the garment and loops disposed on a second portion of the garment. The apparatus includes a longitudinally extending body member having a first end and an oppositely disposed second end. A handle member extends from the first end of the body member. A first prong extends from the second end of the body member, the first prong having a hook on an end distal from the body member. A second prong extends from the second end of the body member generally parallel with and forming a gap with the first prong. The second prong has an expanded end member on an end distal from the body member. An axis of rotation is defined through the first and second prongs proximate the hook of the first prong and the expanded end of the second prong such that upon insertion of the first and second prongs into a loop that is not coupled with a button, the first and second prongs cooperate to open the loop and position the loop relative to the button such that rotation of the apparatus about the axis of rotation causes the loop to be positioned behind the button, thereby coupling the loop and the button. 
     In a first embodiment, the handle member may be integral with the body member. In a second embodiment, the first and second prongs may be integral with the body member. In a third embodiment, the first prong may be parallel with the second prong. In a fourth embodiment, the first and second prongs may have tapered longitudinal profiles. In a fifth embodiment, the first and second prongs may have non uniform longitudinal profiles. In a sixth embodiment, the first and second prongs may have uniform longitudinal profiles. In a seventh embodiment, the first and second prongs may be the same length. In an eighth embodiment, the axis of rotation may be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body member. In a ninth embodiment, the handle member may be selected from the group consisting of a wedding gown and a tuxedo jacket. 
     In a second aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for decoupling button and loop connections of a garment having buttons disposed on a first portion of the garment and loops disposed on a second portion of the garment. The apparatus includes a longitudinally extending body member having a first end and an oppositely disposed second end. A handle member extends from the first end of the body member. A first prong extends from the second end of the body member, the first prong having a hook on an end distal from the body member. A second prong extends from the second end of the body member generally parallel with and forming a gap with the first prong. The second prong has an expanded end member on an end distal from the body member. An axis of rotation is defined through the first and second prongs proximate the hook of the first prong and the expanded end of the second prong such that upon insertion of the first and second prongs into a loop that is coupled to a button, the first and second prongs cooperate to open the loop and position the loop relative to the button such that rotation of the apparatus about the axis of rotation causes the loop to be removed from behind the button, thereby decoupling the loop and the button. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-1B , therein are depicted front and side views of an apparatus  100  for coupling and decoupling button and loop connections of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Apparatus  100  includes a generally longitudinally extending body member  102  having a upper end  104  and an oppositely disposed lower end  106 . Even though  FIGS. 1A-1B  depict apparatus  100  in a vertical orientation, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the apparatus of the present disclosure is equally well suited for use in other orientations. Accordingly, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure. Apparatus  100  includes a handle member  108  that extends upwardly from upper end  104  of body member  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, handle member  108  is in the form of a wedding gown  110 . Even though  FIGS. 1A-1B  depict handle member  108  as having a particular design, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that handle members of the present disclosure may have any suitable design that enables the user to hold and control movement of apparatus  100  including, but not limited to, the additional designs discussed below. 
     Apparatus  100  includes a prong  112  that extends downwardly from lower end  106  of body member  102 . Prong  112  has a hook  114  on an end distal from body member  102 . Apparatus  100  also includes a prong  116  that extends downwardly from lower end  106  of body member  102 . Prong  116  has an expanded end member depicted as a sphere  118  on an end distal from body member  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, prongs  112 ,  116  each have a generally circular cross section and a tapered longitudinal profile wherein prongs  112 ,  116  have a larger cross section near lower end  106  of body member  102  and a smaller cross section toward the distal ends. In this configuration, prongs  112 ,  116  are considered to be generally parallel with each other. In addition, prongs  112 ,  116  form a gap  120  therebetween that is preferably narrower than the width of a button but wide enough to allow prongs  112 ,  116  to sufficiently open a loop to enable easy coupling and decoupling of the loop and button connection. Toward their distal ends and proximate hook  114  and sphere  118 , prongs  112 ,  116  define an axis of rotation  122 , the purpose of which will be described below. 
     Even though  FIGS. 1A-1B  depict prongs  112 ,  116  as having a particular cross section, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the prongs of the present disclosure may have any suitable cross section, including, but not limited to, an oval cross section, a square cross section, a diamond cross section, a rectangular cross section, a regular polygon cross section or other polygon cross section and the like. Similarly, even though  FIGS. 1A-1B  depict prongs  112 ,  116  as having a particular longitudinal profile, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the prongs of the present disclosure may have any suitable longitudinal profile including, but not limited to, a greater or lessor taper, a uniform longitudinal profile, a non uniform longitudinal profile and the like. Additionally, even though  FIGS. 1A-1B  depict the expanded end member as sphere  118 , it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the expanded end member of the present disclosure may have alternate shapes including, but not limited to, ellipsoid, cube, cuboid, cylinder, tetrahedron, square pyramid, dodecahedron, icosahedron and the like. Also, even though  FIGS. 1A-1B  depict prongs  112 ,  116  as being the same length, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the prongs of the present disclosure may be different lengths. Further, even though  FIG. 1A  depicts axis of rotation  122  as being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of body member  102 , it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the axis of rotation of an apparatus of the present disclosure may deviate from perpendicular by up to 45 degrees or more, particularly in embodiments where prongs  112 ,  116  are different lengths. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-2B , therein are depicted front and side views of an apparatus  200  for coupling and decoupling button and loop connections of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Apparatus  200  includes a generally longitudinally extending body member  202  having a upper end  204  and an oppositely disposed lower end  206 . A handle member  208  extends upwardly from upper end  204  of body member  202 . In the illustrated embodiment, handle member  208  is in the form of a tuxedo jacket  210 . Apparatus  200  includes a prong  212  that extends downwardly from lower end  206  of body member  202 . Prong  212  has a hook  214  on an end distal from body member  202 . Apparatus  200  also includes a prong  216  that extends downwardly from lower end  206  of body member  202 . Prong  216  has an expanded end member depicted as a sphere  218  on an end distal from body member  202 . In the illustrated embodiment, prongs  212 ,  216  have a generally circular cross section and a tapered longitudinal profile wherein prongs  212 ,  216  have a larger cross section near lower end  206  of body member  202  and a smaller cross section toward the distal ends. In this configuration, prongs  212 ,  216  are considered to be generally parallel with each other. In addition, prongs  212 ,  216  form a gap  220  therebetween that is preferably narrower than the width of a button but wide enough to allow prongs  212 ,  216  to sufficiently open a loop to enable easy coupling and decoupling of the loop and button connection. Toward their distal ends and proximate hook  214  and sphere  218 , prongs  212 ,  216  define an axis of rotation  222 , the purpose of which will be described below. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3B , therein are depicted front and side views of an apparatus  300  for coupling and decoupling button and loop connections of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Apparatus  300  includes a generally longitudinally extending body member  302  having a upper end  304  and an oppositely disposed lower end  306 . A handle member  308  extends upwardly from upper end  304  of body member  302 . In the illustrated embodiment, handle member  308  is integral with body member  302  but handle member  308  and body member  302  are nonetheless considered to be individual parts. Apparatus  300  includes a prong  312  that extends downwardly from lower end  306  of body member  302 . Prong  312  has a hook  314  on an end distal from body member  302 . Apparatus  300  also includes a prong  316  that extends downwardly from lower end  306  of body member  302 . Prong  316  has an expanded end member depicted as a sphere  318  on an end distal from body member  302 . In the illustrated embodiment, prongs  312 ,  316  have a generally circular cross section with a uniform longitudinal profile forming cylindrical prongs. In this configuration, prongs  312 ,  316  are parallel with each other. In addition, prongs  312 ,  316  form a gap  320  therebetween that is preferably narrower than the width of a button but wide enough to allow prongs  312 ,  316  to sufficiently open a loop to enable easy coupling and decoupling of the loop and button connection. Toward their distal ends and proximate hook  314  and sphere  318 , prongs  312 ,  316  define an axis of rotation  322 , the purpose of which will be described below. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 4A-4C , therein are schematic illustrations depicting sequential steps for coupling a button and loop connection using an apparatus for coupling and decoupling button and loop connections of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, a section of a garment  400  is depicted wherein a plurality of buttons  402  is disposed on a first portion  404  of garment  400  and a plurality of loops  406  is disposed on a second portion  408  of garment  400 . Also illustrated is a portion of an apparatus  410  for coupling and decoupling button and loop connections which is representative of apparatus  100 , apparatus  200  or apparatus  300  described above or similar apparatus. In the illustrated portion, apparatus  410  includes body member  412  having a prong  414  with hook  416  and prong  418  with sphere  420  extending therefrom. As best seen in  FIG. 4A , prongs  414 ,  418  are operable to be received within a loop  406 . Once disposed within a loop  406 , prongs  414 ,  418  cooperate to maintain the loop  406  in an open configuration. As best seen in  FIG. 4B , prongs  414 ,  418  are operable to position a loop  406  relative to a button  402  by moving and/or stretching the loop  406 . Preferably, a rear portion of prongs  414 ,  418  may be in contact with the button  402  which may helps to determine the exact location of axis of rotation  422  along prongs  414 ,  418 , however, such contact is not required. Once in this configuration, apparatus  410  is rotated about axis of rotation  422  causing loop  406  to be positioned behind button  402 , thereby coupling the loop  406  and the button  402  and forming a button and loop connection  424 , as best seen in  FIG. 4C . After button and loop connection  424  has been formed, apparatus  410  releases the loop  406  and may be sequentially used in a similar manner to continue the process of fully buttoning garment  400 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 5A-5C , therein are schematic illustrations depicting sequential steps for decoupling a button and loop connection using an apparatus for coupling and decoupling button and loop connections of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The illustrated embodiment continues the example from  FIGS. 4A-4C  wherein a section of garment  400  includes a plurality of buttons  402  disposed on first portion  404  of garment  400  and a plurality of loops  406  disposed on second portion  408  of garment  400 . Also illustrated is a portion of apparatus  410  includes body member  412  having prong  414  with hook  416  and prong  418  with sphere  420  extending therefrom. To begin the process of decoupling a button and loop connection  424 , hook  416  is preferably used to grab a loop  406 . Hook  416  may then be used to move and/or stretch the loop  406  such that sphere  420  can be inserted into the loop  406  allowing prongs  414 ,  418  to cooperate to maintain the loop  406  in an open configuration. From this configuration, prongs  414 ,  418  are operable to position the loop  406  relative to a button  402  by moving and/or stretching the loop  406 , as best seen in  FIG. 5A . Preferably, a front portion of prongs  414 ,  418  may be in contact with the button  402  which may helps to determine the exact location of axis of rotation  422  along prongs  414 ,  418 , however, such contact is not required. Once in this configuration, apparatus  410  is rotated about axis of rotation  422  causing loop  406  to move around the edge of the button  402 , as best seen in  FIG. 5B . Further rotation of apparatus  410  about axis of rotation  422  causing loop  406  to fully release from the button  402 , thereby decoupling the loop  406  and the button  402 , as best seen in  FIG. 5C . After each button and loop connection  424  has been disconnected, apparatus  410  releases the loop  406  and may be sequentially used in a similar manner to continue the process of fully unbuttoning garment  400 . 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the illustrative embodiments described herein are not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this disclosure. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.