Patent Publication Number: US-6702162-B1

Title: Button attaching device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to button fastening apparatuses and more particularly pertains to a new button fastening apparatuses for allowing a user to more efficiently secure a button to an article of cloth. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of button fastening apparatuses is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,782 describes a button sewing device for use in attaching a button to a piece of material. Another type of button fastening apparatus is U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,747 describes a double needle button attacher for attaching buttons. U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,562 describes a button attaching tool having thread receiving eyes. The tool is extendable through material and through holes in a button to secure the button to the material. U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,101 describes a pocket button attaching device. Other related patents include U.S. Pat. No. Des. 362,606, U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,371, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,614. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that is more efficient and quicker to use than prior inventions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention meets the needs presented above by utilizing a flexible needle that can easily bend and has perforations that easily tear allowing the user to quickly separate the needle from the thread. 
     The object of the present invention is to provide a new button fastening apparatus includes thread having needles attached thereto. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new button fastening apparatus that could be easily carried in a purse or wallet for emergencies. 
     To this end, the present invention generally comprises a pair of elongate members each has a first end and a second end. Each of the first ends is pointed Each of the elongate members has a hole extending therethrough and positioned adjacent to the second ends. The elongate members each have a slit therein extending from an outer surface to a corresponding one of the holes. A thread extends between the elongate members and extends through the holes. The thread has a pair of knots therein disposed generally adjacent to opposite ends of the thread such that the elongate members are secured together by the thread. Each of the elongate members may be extended through one of a pair of openings in a button and through a cloth such that the button is secured to the cloth. The thread is releasable through the slits such that the thread is released from the elongate members. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a button attaching device according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1 of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new button fastening apparatuses embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the present invention generally comprises a button attaching device  10  for attaching a button  2  to an article of cloth  4 . The button  2  has at least two openings  6  extending therethrough. The device  10  includes a pair of elongate members  12  each having a first end  14  and a second end  16 . Each of the first ends  14  is pointed. Each of the elongate members  12  has a hole  18  extending therethrough and positioned adjacent to the second ends  16 . The elongate members  12  each have a slit  20  therein extending from an outer surface of the second end  16  to a corresponding one of the holes  18 . Each of the elongate members  12  comprises a flexible material. The flexible material is preferably is a plastic material, though other materials such as substantially rigid elastomers may also be used, as wells as sufficiently malleable metals. 
     A thread  22  extends between the elongate members  12  and also extends through the holes  18 . The thread  22  has a pair of knots  24  therein disposed generally adjacent to opposite ends of the thread  22  such that the elongate members  12  are secured together by the thread  22 . Ideally, the knots  24  are each positioned in one of the holes  18  so that they are easily brought through the cloth  4 . The thread  22  ideally includes a plurality of threads, and more preferably at least two threads. The thread  22  preferably has a length between ¼ inch and ½ inch. 
     In use, each of the elongate members  12  may be extended through one of the openings  6  in the button  4  and through the cloth  4  such that the button  4  is secured to the cloth  4 . The elongate thread  22  can be pulled from the elongate members due to the slits  22  so that the knots  24  and thread  22  remain behind to secure the button  2  to the cloth  4 . Because the thread  22  is already attached to the elongate members  12 , the user does not have to thread them and thus the often-difficult step of threading a needle is bypassed. Additionally, because the knots  24  are passed through the cloth, the user need not tie the button  2  down. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.