IMPROVEMENTS IN STUDS OR BUTTONS
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, of 35, South-
ampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STUDS OR BUTTONS."-A communication
from abroad by John Braxton Carter, of Hartsville, in the County
of Bartholomew, Jeweller, and William Dudley Knowles, of New
Albany, in the County of Floyd, Dealer in Sewing Machines, both
the State of Indiana Tinited States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard
Mills at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition and Declaration, on the 19th April 1870, pursuant to the
9th Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, BENJAMIN
JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of 35, Southampton Buildings, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for “IMPROVEMENTS IN
STUDS OR BUTTONS," and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for
the same, and have made solemen Declaration that the same has been
communicated to me from abroad by John Braxton Carter, of Hartsville,

page_text: in the County of Bartholomew, Jeweller, and William Dudley Knowles,
of New Albany, in the County of Floyd, Dealer in Sewing Machines,
both in the State of Indiana, United States of America.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills,
do hereby declare that the following Complete Specification, under my
hand and seal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, in and by
the following statement thereof, that is to say :-
The nature of this Invention consists in constructing a stud or button
with a thin and wide neck, approximating in its transverse section to the
shape of the button hole it is intended to fit, and with a head of such
form that being retained in proper position by the shape of the neck it
will mask or conceal the button hole. The entire device is adapted
better than buttons of common construction to retain its own proper
position in the cuff or collar or any garment to which it may be applied
to keep the parts of the garment in place, and to present a neat and
ornamental appearance.
And in order that the Invention may be more clearly understood and
readily carried into effect I will proceed, aided by the accompanying
Drawings, more fully to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents in side elevation a collar button illustrating the
Invention, the neckband of the shirt, the two parts of the collar, and the
cravat being shown in vertical section; Figure 2 is a plan or top view
of the same button; Figure 3 is a front view of the same; Figure 4 is a
perspective view thereof; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a cuff button
made on the same principle; Figure 6 is a plan or top view of the same;
Figure 7 is a side view thereof.
The base B of the button or stud may be of elliptical, circular, or any
preferred shape. The neck N is of elliptical or approximately elliptical
form, adapting it to fit within the button holes usually made in collars
and cuffs, and to prevent any accidental turning of the button when in
position in such button hole. The head H is made of such size and
shape that it will project beyond the neck on all sides, and it may have
a corresponding elliptical shape. The head is thus adapted while held
from turning by the elliptical neck to effectually mask or conceal the
button hole.

page_text: For the combined purposes of facilitating the introduction of the
button and preventing its accidental escape I construct the head II with
a convex face and a concave back, making it taper or decrease in thick-
ness as well as in width towards each end. The base B of the cuff
button (Figures 5, 6, and 7) is made of large area to prevent chafing
upon the wrist. The collar button (Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4) is provided
with an additional flanged shank F to button in the neck band of the
shirt, as shewn in Figure 1. In this Figure A, A', represent the two
parts of the shirt band, and C the collar; the neck band c, c', of the
collar being also shown in two parts by the section. To insert the button
in the collar or cuff one end of its head is introduced in an oblique
position, the bevel at back adapting it to slip in easily as well as pre-
venting the ends catching within the button hole after the button is in
position in such a manner as to endanger its escape. This bevelled or
curved form is however equally beneficial in adapting the button to be
slipped out with ease when desired. It is also beneficial in preventing
the parts of the collar from bearing outward against the margin or edge
of the button head. The convexity aids in keeping the collar pressed
neatly against the shirt, and serves in connection with the elliptical
form of the neck in keeping the button head in correct position over the
button holes of the collar or cuff, completely hiding them from sight.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the mode
in which the same is carried into effect, I would have it understood that
what I claim is, the improved buttons or studs herein described con-
structed with an elliptical or oblong head bevelled or tapered in thickness
towards its ends, and an elliptical or oblong neck to retain the head in
proper position over the button holes.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of
April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy.
Witness,
FRED. HARRIS,
35, Southampton Buildings.
B. J. B. MILLS. (L.s.)