Button Sticks and Cleaning Shields.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 20th Jan., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Button Sticks and Cleaning Shields.
"
We, THOMAS OLIVER CURTISS, Jr., Merchant, residing at No. 42, Brewster
Street, Borough of Richmond, City of New York, State of New York, and JOHN
ADAM KNOX, Mechanical Engineer, residing at No. 673, East 144th Street, City
of New York, Borough of Manhattan, State of New York, United States of
America, 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:-
--
In this class of devices, of which we are aware, the edges of the buttons have
been held so close to the surface of the shield or protector that the brush could
not conveniently reach the edges to polish them.
The object of our invention is to provide a convenient device adapted to hold
buttons so that they may be readily cleaned while still attached to the garment,
and one of the principal features of our invention is that the device will hold
the buttons in such position that their edges as well as their outer surfaces can
be reached for the purpose of polishing them.
A further object of the invention is to so arrange the device that it may act
as a shield to pass between buttons attached to a stiff article, such as a harness
saddle and the like, where the material of the part carrying the button will not
readily bend so as to be used in accordance with the part of our invention above
mentioned.
In carrying out our invention we provide a button stick having a slot adapted
to receive the shanks of buttons, the edges of which slot are arranged so as to
elevate the buttons from the surface of the device to present their edges in posi-
tion to be polished. In one form of our invention we provide a stick or shield
in two parts hinged together, the raised edges of which parts are adapted to
register so that the parts of the shield can be spread apart to receive the shanks
of the buttons in the slot and can then be closed against said shanks.
In another form of our invention the plates are so arranged with a slot between
them that their surfaces can be bent or folded out of line so that the edges of
the buttons can be exposed above the adjacent edges of the slot in position to
be cleaned.
The invention also consists in the novel details of improvement and the com-
binations of parts that will be more fully hereinafter set forth and then pointed
out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof,
wherein
7
Figure 1 is a face view of a button stick and cleaning shield embodying our
improvement;
Figure 2 is a cross section on the line 2, 2, in Figure 1, showing the button
stick applied to a button on a garment:

page_text: '
Figure 3 is a detail section on the line 3, 3, in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a face view of the folding button stick in the open position;
Figure 5 is a cross section thereof on the plane of the line 5, 5, in Figure 4,
showing the position of the device when in use;
Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of the device, showing the two main parts
or plates pivoted or hinged together differently from that shown in Figure 4;
Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of a button stick and cleaning shield in
which the two main parts or plates can swing laterally of each other;
Figure 8 is a cross section on the plane of the line 8, 8, in Figure 7, and
Figure 9 is a detail view hereinafter explained.
In the accompanying drawings, in which similar numerals of reference indicate
corresponding parts in the several views, 1, 2 indicate plates strips or the like
shown provided with recesses 1", 2" in their edges so that when brought together
they will form a space 3 adapted to receive a button. The plates 1, 2 shown in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8, are to be hinged together so that they can spread apart
and be reversed in position, and for this purpose we use a bar or bars pivotally
connected to said plates as by rivets, eyelets or the like 4", the outer ends 1b, 2b
of the plates 1, 2 being shown curved so that they can be swung around and
reversed in position, whereby the longitudinal edges on opposite sides of the
plates can be brought into juxtaposition by swinging their plates on their pivots.
In order to hold the plates rigidly from longitudinal movement relatively to
each other, when they are in their closed position, as shown in Figure 1, by pre-
ference we depress the outer ends of the plates 1, 2, at 1º, 2º, to form
shoulders 1ª, 2d that are in such position that the bar 4 will rest against them,
as shown in Figure 3, whereby said shoulders and the bar 4 in conjunction with
the pivots 4 act to lock the parts from relatively longitudinal movement. In
Figure 7 we have shown the abutments 1ª, 2d, as formed by pressing out the
material of the plate. It is evident, however, that the parts 1, 2 can be other-
wise hinged together if desired.
Between the edges 5, 6 of the plates 1, 2 is a slot 7 adapted to receive the
shanks of buttons 8, and at one end of the slot the material of the plates is pre-
ferably left at 9 to provide an abutment to limit the movement of the button
shank in the slot, as in Figure 1, while in Figures 4, 6 and 7 the hinge or bar 4
forms such abutment.
In Figures 1 and 2, the edges 5, 6, of the plates 1, 2 are raised from the sur-
face of the plate so as to form a channel between them, and the webs 10, 11
preferably incline outwardly from the edges 5, 6 to the main part of the plates 1, 2,
and by preference at the junction of the parts 1, 10, and 2, 11 are grooves or
depressions 12, 13 adapted to receive powder that may be brushed off the buttons.
As shown in Figure 2 when the button shank is clamped between the edges 5, 6,
the material of the garment or other fabric 14 will bend and pass up into the
channel under said edges, particularly when the button shank is short, and it
will furthermore be seen that the edges of the button are raised from the main
surface of plates 1, 2 in such position that a brush can be conveniently rubbed
against them in addition to being rubbed across the surface of the buttons.
The edges 15, 16 of the plates 1, 2, in Figures 1, 2 and 3, are shown flat and
by preference are each provided with a longitudinal notch or recess 15ª, 16ª that
are adapted to register when the plates 1, 2 are swung around on their pivots,
which notches are adapted to receive the shanks of buttons. It will be under-
stood that when the edges 15, 16 come together they will only be the thickness
of the plates 1, 2 and can thus be pushed under buttons that have short shanks
and that are attached to rigid articles, such as a helmet, harness saddle and the
like and when in such position will act as a shield to keep the powder or cleaning
material that is used on the buttons from being forcibly brushed upon the articles
carrying the buttons. It will likewise be seen that when the button is held
between the edges 5, 6 of the plates, the button stick will act as a shield to keep
the cleaning material from being forcibly brushed upon the garment, and as

page_text: several buttons can be held at the same time in the slot 7 and their edges can
be pushed into contact they will substantially close said slot.
The plate 2, at its free end, in Figures 1, and 8, has an extending portion 2°
that laps over the free end 1° of plate 1 and is shown provided with a slot 2
that is adapted to receive a stud or the like 17 carried by plate 1, so as to hold
the parts firmly together when the plates are closed in the position shown in
full lines in Figures 1 and 7.
In Figures 4 to 9 the plates 1, 2, are connected at their meeting edges so that
they can fold or bend on a line substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis
of the device. In Figures 4, 6, and 7 we have shown the plates or strips 1, 2
as connected together by pivots or hinges 4, and in Figure 9 said plates are shown
connected together by a flexible or spring-acting plate 4, either connection
enabling the plates to fold toward each other. The pivots or hinges 4 may
be made from the material of the plates 1, 2 by properly forming the same into
eyes to receive pins 43, as in Figure 4, or independent hinges 4 can be provided
and attached to the plates 1, 2 by rivets or other suitable means as in Figures 6
and 7. By preference the pivots or hinges are so made that the plates may fold
flat against each other in one direction, but cannot fold against each other in
the opposite direction, whereby they may be held at a suitable angle when
bent or folded, as indicated in Figure 5. In Figures 4, 5 and 6 the plates 1, 2
are movably connected or hinged near opposite ends and this holds the edges
of the slot 7 in relative alignment in all positions of the plates when moving
toward each other.
In Figures 7 and 8 the plates 1, 2, are pivoted together at one end substan-
tially similarly to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 and in addition they are hinged
so as to bend or fold toward and from each other as before described, and for
this purpose the part 4 may be in the form of a hinge pivotally connected to
said plates, as at 4, or in the form of a flexible strip or bar, as in Figure 9,
similarly pivoted to said plates.
To use the button stick and cleaning shield as illustrated in Figures 4, 5
and 6, the heads of the buttons are passed through the space 3 and their shanks
slipped into the slot 7 and then the plates are bent or folded toward each othe
to carry them out of right line and present them in a position at an angle to
each other transversely of the plates, as indicated in Figure 5. It will thus be
seen that the exposed outer face of the button and also its edges are elevated
above the plates 1, 2 by the raised edges of the slot 7, as in Figure 2, or by the
folding of the plates toward each other, as in Figure 5, the button being in
such position that the face and edge of the same can be cleaned and polished
without interference by said plates. It will also be seen in Figure 5 that the
material 14 to which the buttons are attached is concealed in the space formed
between the angularly disposed plates 1, 2. In all instances illustrated the
device acts as a shield to keep the powder and cleaning material that is used
on the buttons from being forcibly brushed upon the article carrying the same.
The plates 1, 2 by being movably connected or hinged together as explained,
can be folded one upon the other into a comparatively small compass for con-
venience in carrying and transportation.
The device shown in Figures 7 and 8 can be folded so that one plate will over-
lie the other by moving the plates sideways sufficiently far to separate the
parts 1, 2, and then turning the plates upon the hinge 4, whereby the device
can be folded into a comparatively small compass in manner similar to that
explained with reference to Figures 4, 5, and 6.
It will be seen that several buttons can be held at the same time in the slot 7
and their edges can be pushed into contact so that they will substantially close
said slot.
We do not limit our invention to the details of construction shown and des-
cribed as they may be varied without departing from the spirit thereof.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is: _
1. A device of the character. described comprising a pair of plates or strips
hinged together so that corresponding pairs of edges may be brought into sub-
stantially parallel juxtaposition to receive button shanks between them respec-
tively, substantially as described.
2. A device of the character described comprising a pair of plates or strips
and a transverse bar, pivoted thereto so that pairs of edges may be brought into
juxtaposition to receive button shanks between them by reversing the relative
position of the plates, substantially as described.
3. A device of the character described comprising a pair of plates having
shoulders or abutments near their outer ends and a cross bar pivotally connected
with said plates, whereby said shoulders and par may abut, and whereby oppo-
site edges of said plates may be brought into juxtaposition to receive button
shanks between them, substantially as described.
4. A device of the character described comprising a body having a slot to
receive button shanks, the opposed edges of said slot being raised from the sur-
face of the body providing a channel beneath them and a slot between them,
whereby a button can be held raised from the surface of the body. to enable its
edges to be polished, substantially as described.
5. A device of the character described comprising a body having a longitudinal
slot the edges of which are raised from the surface of the body providing a
channel on the opposite side, and an abutment at the end of the slot, substan-
tially as described.
6. A device of the character described comprising two plates or strips pivotally
connected together and adapted to form a slot to receive button shanks between
them, the edges of said slot being raised from the surface of the plates, the
material of the plates forming abutments to limit the movement of the button
shanks in the slot, substantially as described.
7. A device of the character described comprising a pair of plates or strips
connected together and having a slot between them, the material of said plates
having recessed edges to form a space for the passage of buttons into the slot,
substantially as described.
8. A device of the character described comprising a pair of plates or strips
pivotally connected together and each having an edge raised from the surface
of the plate adapted to be brought into juxtaposition, the opposite edge of each
plate having a notch adapted to register when said edges of the plates are brought
together, substantially as described.
9. A device of the character described comprising a body having a slot to
receive button shanks, and means to enable the opposite side portions of said
body to be folded toward each other, substantially as described.
10. A device of the character described comprising a pair of plates or strips
joined together so that they may fold toward each other and having a slot between
them to receive button shanks, substantially as described.
11. A device of the character described comprising a pair of plates or strips
pivoted or hinged together so that they may fold toward each other and having
a.slot between them to receive button shanks, substantially as described.
12. A device of the character described comprising a pair of plates or strips
having pivots or hinges near opposite ends so that said plates can fold toward
each other and having a slot between the adjacent edges of said plates and
between said pivots or hinges to receive button shanks, substantially as described.
13. A device of the character described comprising a pair of plates or strips
pivoted or hinged together so that they may fold toward each other, said plates
having opposed recesses forming a space to receive a button head, and having a
slot extending from said space to receive a button shank, substantially as
described.

page_text: 14. A device of the character described comprising a pair of plates or strips
having a slot between them to receive button shanks, and a hinge pivotally con-
necting said plates so that they may fold toward each other and also be swung
outwardly on the pivots connecting them to the hinge, substantially as described.
15. A device of the character described comprising a pair of plates or strips
pivotally connected together and adapted to form a longitudinally disposed slot
between their adjacent edges to receive button shanks, and means at the free
ends of said plates for holding them together, substantially as described.
16. A device of the character described comprising a pair of plates or strips
pivotally connected together and adapted to form a longitudinally disposed slot
between their adjacent edges to receive button shanks, one of the plates having
a slotted portion adapted to extend over the other plate, the latter plate having
a stud or the like to receive said slotted portion, substantially as described.
Dated this 25th day of November 1899
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicants.