Improved Shield for Protecting the Cloth of Uniforms and the like when Cleaning Buttons.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 15th Sept., 1898--Accepted, 29th Oct., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Shield for Protecting the Cloth of Uniforms and the like
when Cleaning Buttons.
I, WILLIAM AUGUSTUS VALENTINE, of 45, West 35th Street, New York, N.Y.,
U.S.A., Physician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an improved shield for protecting the cloth of uniforms
and the like when cleaning the buttons thereon with powder or other cleaning
substance.
The shield comprises two discs which are centrally pivoted together by an
eyelot. Each disc has an aperture of sufficient diameter to permit the insertion
therethrough of a button. A slot extends from the apertures to the central aper-
ture of the eyelet; the circumference of which is broken. When in use the discs
are turned so that the apertures therein coincide. The button is then passed
through them, and the shank moved along the slot into the eyelet aperture. The
discs are then turned around the eyelet until the apertures do not coincide, the
button is then held so that it can be polished without soiling the cloth as will be
readily understood.
Dated this 14th day of December 1897.
R. RAINSFORD,
Agent for Applicant.
Improved Shield for Protecting the Cloth of Uniforms and the like
when Cleaning Buttons.
I, WILLIAM AUGUSTUS VALENTINE, of 45, West 35th Street, New York, N.Y.,
U.S.A., Physician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:―
My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in metal button
cleaning shields; the object being to provide a shield device adapted to receive
and hold the button, and, whilst said button is being cleaned, shield the uniform
to which the button is attached, from being soiled by the powder or other cleaning
compound employed.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shews a top or plan view of the button-
cleaning shield, the openings in the two discs being in alignment for reception of

page_text: the button. Figure 2 is a similar view, but shewing the button held in position
and the slots of the discs out of alignment or coincidence. Fig. 3 is a cross
sectional view of the button holding shield, taken on a line through the openings
therein.
In carrying out my invention, I employ two discs, 1,2, connected together at
the centre by a metal eyelet 3, applied in the usual way and having a flaring
opening 4 in communication with a passage 5 in the discs, and which passages
terminate in an enlarged hole or slot 6 adapted to receive the button as will be
presently described. The two discs may be constructed of cardboard, stiff cloth,
rubber or any other suitable material, and are connected by the metal eyelet in
such manner that while they are securely attached relatively to each other they
may be revolved independently on the said eyelet in order that the two disc open-
ings may be brought into and out of coincidence with each other.
Fig. 2 shews the device with the button which has been inserted from below
through the enlarged circular slot 6 and passage 5 into opening 4 of the eyelet 3.
In this position the head of the button rests upon the upper end of the eyelet,
and in position on one side of the shield, which is between it and the cloth 8,
to which it is attached. One of the said discs 1, 2, is then turned so as to bring
its passage leading to the eyelet out of coincidence with the passage in the other
disc so that the button is securely confined in the outlet and there is no passage
through the plate to the cloth. By this means the buttons may be readily cleaned
and shined without the garment becoming soiled or injured by the cleansing
powder or compound, as the disc shield is interposed between the button and
fabric of the garment and shields the same.
After the button has been cleaned, the device may be readily disconnected
from the button, by merely turning one of the discs back to its original position,
so as to bring the opening in the two dises into coincidence, as will be clearly
understood.
My invention provides a simple and effective form of device for the purpose
stated and which may be manufactured at a very small cost.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
A metal button shield, comprising two discs of substantially equal diameters,
pivotally connected, and each provided with similar openings so arranged that
the openings may be brought into coincidence for the reception of the button,
and by partial rotation of the discs, all openings, except that for holding the shank
of the button, closed, substantially as described.
Dated this 15th day of September 1898.