Improvements in Hand Button Attaching Implements.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Feb., 1898- Accepted, 11th June, 1898.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hand Button Attaching Implements.
A communication by THE MCKENNEY BUTTON FASTENING Co., of 698, Woodward
Avenue, Detroit, in the County of Wayne and State of Michigan, United
States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
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:-
-
This invention is designed to provide an improvement in a universal hand button
attaching implement, the object being to simplify and cheapen the cost of con-
struction, as well as to secure greater efficiency and utility.
To these ends the invention consists of the construction embodied, in the accom-
panying drawings, and in the following specification and claims.
In the drawings,
Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the jaws of the implement in operative
position in full lines, and in inoperative position in dotted lines.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing parts in vertical section.
Figure 3 is a plan view.
Figure 4 is a front end elevation of the device.
Figure 5 is a detail view in plan of the button holding plate.
Figure 6 is an edge view of the same.
Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view of the button plate holder partly in vertical
section.
Figure 8 is an inverted plan view of the same.
Figure 9 is an inverted plan view of the button holding plate.
Figure 10 is a detail view of the button hub holder in plan.
Figure 11 is an edge view of the same.
Figure 12 is an enlarged detail view showing the fastener seat in place.
Figure 13 is a detail view showing in side elevation a modification of the button
holding device.
Figure 14 is a detail view showing in vertical section the button holding device
illustrated in Figure 13, together with a modified form of the fastener seat.
Figures 15 and 16 illustrate modifications in the construction of the button
holding plate.
Figure 17 is an edge view of the same.
Figure 18 is a detail view showing a modification in the construction of the
guard.
Figure 19 is a front end view of the same.
Figure 20 is a detail view in perspective of a form of the fastener seat, and
Figure 21 is an end view of the same.

page_text: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a universal button attacher
constituting a hand implement adapted for setting a pronged fastening in engage-
ment with a button upon various articles of manufacture, as upon shoes, various
articles of apparel and the like, said implement being adapted for setting buttons
of different kinds and of different sizes in an efficient and satisfactory manner.
The present invention is carried out as follows:-
In the drawings, A and B represent two jaws, each provided with a suitable
operating handle and fulcrumed one upon the other, as indicated at b. The jaw A
is constructed with two arms, an upper arm A2 and a lower arm A', the arms A'A²
being integrally connected to their operating handle and being essentially of a
G-shaped structure. The jaw B is bifurcated, as shown, at its forward end to
embrace the jaw A, the bifurcated portions being indicated at 6' and 63. Through
the arm A² is sleeved a die spindle Û made reciprocatory therein, the spindle carry-
ing preferably a removable die C¹.
D and are two spindles sleeved through the forward end of the arm A² and
made reciprocatory therethrough, said spindles carrying at their lower ends a
button plate holder E. Said spindles are made self-retracting in any suitablo
manner, as by means of a spring 103 upon one of said spindles. D³ is an operating
thumb piece surmounting said spindles D and D¹ for depressing the button plate
holder independently of the movement of the die spindle.
B' is a yoke connecting the bifurcated ends of the jaw B with the upper end of
the die spindle, whereby said die spindle is reciprocated by the movement of said
jaw.
The button holding device carried by the spindles D and D¹ consists essentially
of the button plate holder E provided with an attaching arm E¹ by which said
holder is connected to said spindles in any suitable manner. E is a button holding
plate, said plate being united to the plate holder E in any suitable manner, as by
a screw e having a threaded engagement with said holder. The button holding
plate is constructed with a series of recesses e¹ of different sizes for holding buttons
of various sizes where the buttons are provided with holes therethrough or an
attaching bar. The plate may also be further provided with a more contracted
recess e for holding the shank or eye of a button, as the eye of a shoe button, for
example. The upper edge of this recess e² is preferably countersunk to receive
and support the eye of such a button. The button holding plate E2 is arranged to be
oscillated about the connecting screw e so as to bring any desired orifice or recess
upon its outer edge into proper position relative to the die C¹. To hold the button
holding plate in a given position to which it may be adjusted, a button holder
pin set into a chamber e in the button plate holder E is provided, a spring
Fig. 2 being engaged within said chamber about the stem of said pin, the pin
being formed with a conical point, as shown, at its lower end. To receive the point
of the spring actuated pin e³, the button holding plate is constructed with a
series of suitable indentations, indicated at e concentric with the pin e or with the
orifice e through which said pin projects. It will be perceived that when pressure
is applied by the operator to adjust the plate E2, the spring actuated pin e³ will
readily ride out of one of the indentations or recesses e6, the pin yielding within
the chamber, allowing the button holding plate to be adjusted laterally, and
when adjusted to desired position, the spring actuated pin will rest in one of the
corresponding indentations, the indentations being arranged also in a radial line
with the recess on the outer edge of said plate. The button plate holder is con-
structed with a screw threaded orifice es to receive the pin e. The attaching arm El
may be provided with orifices indicated at e and elo to engage the spindles D
and D!.
F indicates a button holder spring which may be rivetted or otherwise secured
to the plate E, as indicated at f, its inner end being turned into a corresponding
socket, as at f¹. The forward end of the spring is constructed with clamping
spring jaws fa and f³ projecting about the edge of the recess e² and over the counter-
sunk portion of said recess e², said jaws being separated to allow the die to be forced

page_text: down upon the eye of the button. The inner edge of the recess e³ forms a stop to
limit the entrance of the eye of the button into place and to centre it under the die.
F is a button hub holder engaged upon the under side of the plate Eª and con-
centric with the fulcrum or connecting screw of said plate, the screw e preferably
passing through an orifice f* of said holder to secure the holder in place. The
button hub holder is formed with spring clamping arms f to grasp a separate hub
or shank R of a button, and hold it in position while the fastener is being set
upon the button. The button hub holder may be adjusted about the pin e to
correspond with any required recess c¹. To hold the button hub holder in given
position, the plate 12 is formed on the under side thereof with a series of indenta-
tions or recesses, indicated at f in a radial line with the centre of the recesses e¹
and concentric with the orifice e or connecting pin e.
The button hub holder is
provided with a rib, indicated at f which may be formed by indenting said holder,
said rib arranged to enter one of the indentations fo to hold the button hub holder
in any given position.
The lower arm A' of the jaw A carries a die seat A³ for a pronged fastener. This
seat is preferably removable and may be connected with the arm A' in any suitable
manner. To this end, the said arm may be recessed, as indicated at a to receive a
corresponding stem a¹ of the seat. By making the seat removable, seats of various
sizes for different sizes of fasteners may be employed and readily be placed into
position for use. The edges of the die seat are bevelled as indicated at a³.
GG indicate spring clamping arms constructed with bevelled or inwardly turned
flanges g at their upper ends to reach over the bevelled portion of the seat A³
to hold the head of the fastener in place upon the seat, and also serving to hold the
seat in position in the arm A¹. These clamping arms are preferably extended
rearward, as shown in Figure 1, and engaged with the arm A¹ at their rear
extremities, as by screws G¹.
HH are spring guard arms, the upper edges of which are turned inward, as
indicated at, said arms serving to protect the points of the fastening and prevent
their catching a fabric in the engagement of the implement in place to set the
button upon the fabric. These clamping arms and guard arms have a lateral
movement away from the seat of the fastening, while the guard arms H are also
vertically movable, the construction and arrangement of said clamping arms and
guard arms being similar to those embodied in my previous patent No. 282417.
Said guard arms are preferably made of flat pieces of metal constructed with
elongated recesses, indicated at h². A spring is provided to retract the guard
arms and force them into normal or lifted position.
132 is a retracting spring to open the jaws. It will be evident that when the
die is pressed toward the seat of the fastening to set the prongs of the fastening
upon the button, the button holding plate coming into contact with the upper edges
of the guard arms will force said arms downward toward the seat of the fastening.
The same movement of the button holding plate coming into contact with the
clamping arms will also spread the arms apart from the adjacent bevelled edge of
the seat of the fastening, this movement of the guard arms and the clamping arms
allowing the die to set the prongs of the fastening and effect the release of the
fastener upon the seat when the setting has been accomplished.
It will be observed by simply changing the position of the button holding plate
and by changing the plate A3 and by making the die C¹ interchangeable, fastenings
of different sizes may readily be set upon different kinds and sizes of buttons all
by one and the same implement. The button holding plate may be swung
entirely out of the way, if desired, permitting the implement to be used for still
other purposes other than attaching buttons, as for example, for uniting straps by
means of a pronged fastening, attaching hooks and eyes and other articles. It
will be observed that the spring actuated pin e³ forms an automatic and positive
stop to hold the plate in any given position of adjustment.
The clamping arms GG are preferably provided with guide shoulders g³ entering
the elongated recesses h² of the guard arms. The edge of the plate is also prefer-

page_text: ably countersunk adjacent to the recess to form the stop, indicated at E³, and
the countersunk portion being indicated at E to allow the die to be forced down
upon the eye of the button. It will be apparent that when a button is in place
upon the button holding plate, the downward pressure of the die will simultaneously
force downward the button holding plate, while said plate may also be depressed
independently by means of the thumb piece D³.
While the button holding plate as formed with indentations or recesses to receive
the spring actuated pin e³ and the rib of the button hub holder has been described, the
relation of parts might be reversed, and it is to be understood that the formation
of the button holding plate with any suitable stop or stops to engage the spring
actuated pine and the button hub holder, for the purposes described is contem-
plated; so also, while a spring actuated stop e has been described and shown
this invention contemplates the provision of any other suitable holding device to
hold the button holding plate in given position.
The button hub holder F is arranged to be swung entirely out of operative
position, as indicated, for example, in Figure 3 when its use is not required.
While the button hub holder engaged on the under side of the button holding plate
has been shown and described, it may be located on the upper side thereof, if
preferred. It is well understood that some buttons are provided with an integral
hub or shank to space the periphery of the button from the fabric or garment to
which it is applied to give more room for the opposite edge of a garment to be
buttoned thereover. But where buttons are employed that are made flat on their
under surface, this invention contemplates the employment of a separable hub or
shank R which may consist simply of a metal or other suitable ring which only
needs to be held in proper position while the fastening is being set upon the button,
the prongs of the fastening passing through the ring and holding it in position
when set, the separable hub or shank serving the same purpose as the integral hub
or shank formed with other kinds of buttons. Where flat faced buttons have been
used heretofore, it has often been common to wind the thread about between the
button and the garment to form a shank or to space the button from the garment,
which, however, is rendered unnecessary by the employment of this separable hub
or shank, and the device herein described to secure the same in place. The button
hub holder may be used independently of a button holding plate or other button
holding device, as the button holding device or plate may be swung clear of the
work, and the button hub holder be moved into position to support the separable
hub in position for the die to pass therethrough. So also, it should be understood
that although the device F¹ has been described as a button hub holder, it may be
used to hold small sized buttons in position to set the fastening thereon.
To carry different sizes of dies and fastening seats and any other desired
implement, one of the handles of one of the jaws is constructed with a closed
chamber, indicated in Figure 2 at Q, permanently closed at one end, as at its
forward end, preferably by one of the fixed walls of the handle, the chamber being
provided with a swinging spring actuated gate Q', which may be fulcrumed inter-
mediate its ends, as shown at q, a spring Q2 being engaged with the wall of the
chamber Q, as indicated at q¹, said spring engaging the adjacent end of the gate,
as indicated at q² to automatically close the gate and hold it in closed position.
The gate is preferably constructed with a raised boss Q³. By pressing upon said
boss, it is evident that the opposite extremity of the gate will be opened to release
the contents of said chamber, or to permit the insertion of any part or tool there-
into. Although this invention has been described as a button attaching implement
more particularly it will be understood that its use is contemplated as coming
within the scope of this invention for any and all purposes to which it may be
found adapted.
The countersunk portion about the recess e² may be formed by stamping down-
ward the body of the plate, forming on the under face of the plate a shoulder about
the diameter of the die, permitting that portion of the plate to be forced down more
closely, upon the head of the fastening and material to which the fastening is

page_text: applied. The edges adjacent to the front portion of the recess ea are preferably.
milled out to permit the end of the shank of the button to extend backward to
the centre of the setting die. This position of the button shank provides for one
prong of the fastening passing through the eve of the button, and the opposite
prong to enter the die on the opposite side of the shank, the operation of the die
convoluting the prongs of said shank.
Instead of the button holding device hereinbefore described, a hollow hub Es
might be employed provided with an attaching arm E¹ by which the hub is con-
nected to the spindles D and D¹ in any suitable manner. Through said hub may
pass a pin E provided with a tension spring E7 within said hub, the upper end of
said pin engaging a cap E8 seating on the top of the hub, the lower end of said
pin engaging a thimble supporting a button holding plate E2. The cap E8 and
the adjacent end of the hub have a toothed or ratchet engagement the one with
the other, so that said cap may readily be lifted out of engagement with the hub
and held thereupon in any given position of adjustment. It will be observed that
the pin E, with the cap E8 and the thimble E9 have a limited vertical movement
in connection with the hub. By pressing upward upon said thimble or upon the
button holding plate, the cap 18 is disengaged from the hub, being lifted out of
ratcheted engagement therewith, permitting the button holding plate being adjusted
laterally in any desired position, when by releasing the said thimble or plate the
spring E will force the cap down into engagement with the hub to secure the
button holding plate in any given position of adjustment.
In the form of button holding plate shown in Figures 16 and 17, the plate on
each side the adjacent recess el is provided with spring clamping arms E10 to clasp
down upon the eye of a button, and at the edges of the adjacent recess are points Eu
to form stops to centre the eye of a button.
Inside of a fastener seat, like the seat A³ provided with a single countersunk
portion, a seat A may be employed provided with multiple countersunk portions a
of different diameter to hold fastenings of different sizes. By simply releasing the
device A, it may be turned end to end, as may be required. The seat may be held in
place in any suitable manner, as by means of a set screw J. The edges of this seat
are bevelled on the sides of said recesses, as shown.
The guard arms, as illustrated in Figures 18 and 19, may be formed of wire bent
into the form of a loop, the forward ends of the clamping jaws being provided with
orifices, as at 93 to receive the lower extremities of the loop and permit its recipro-
cation. In the form of fastener seat shown in Figures 20 and 21, the beveled
portions of the seat are preferably made deeper opposite the recess of the narrowest
diameter, so that the clamping arms will properly clamp over the head of the
fastener.
The seat provided with multiple countersunk portions, as indicated in Figure 14,
may be centered upon the set screw J, and may be reversed end to end when it is
desired to change the same to employ the countersunk portion thereof at the
opposite end.
The spring clamping arms El shown in Figure 16, may also be applied to the
button holding plate instead of the clamping spring F. The arm shown in Figure 16
may be integral with the body of the plate and bent over onto the plate.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is: -
1. In a button attaching implement, the combination with two pivotally con-
nected jaws, of a seat for a fastening carried by one of said jaws, clamping spring
arms adjacent to said seat, and spring guard arms having a vertically movable
connection upon said clamping arms, substantially as set forth.
2. In a button attaching implement, the combination with two pivotally con-
nected jaws, of spring clamping arms carried by one of said jaws, and spring guard
arms constructed with elongated slots having a vertically movable engagement

page_text: upon the clamping arms, the clamping arms provided with guide shoulders enter-
ing said slots, substantially as set forth.
3. In a button attaching implement, a jaw provided with a chambered operating
handle, a gate fulcrumed intermediate its ends to said handle, and a spring engaging
one extremity of said gate, substantially as and in the manner set forth.
4. In a button attaching implement, a button holding plate formed with a
recess at one edge thereof, said plate provided with spring clamping arms pro-
jecting over said recess, for the purpose set forth.
5. In a button attaching implement, a button holding plate formed with a
recess at one edge thereof, the face of said plate being countersunk about said recess
and provided with a stop to limit the insertion of the button shank and centre the
end of the shank, substantially as set forth.
6. In a button attaching implement, a button holding plate formed with a recess
at one edge thereof, the face of the plate about said recess being stamped down to
form a countersunk portion on the upper face of the plate, the countersunk portion
on the upper face of the plate being milled out adjacent to the front portions of
said recess to form a stop to centre the shank of the button, substantially as set
forth.
7. In a button attaching implement, the combination with two pivotally con-
nected jaws, of a seat for a fastening having its lateral edges bevelled, spring
clamping arms, and vertically movable spring guard arms, the upper ends of said
clamping arms and of said guard arms constructed with inwardly turned bevelled
flanges to contact with the bevelled edges of the fastener seat, substantially as
set forth.
8. In a button attaching implement, the combination with two pivotally con-
nected jaws, of a reciprocatory spindle carried by one of said jaws, a button plate
holder attached to said spindle, a laterally movable button holding plate connected
with said button plate holder, and a spring actuated pin carried by the button
plate holder to engage the button holding plate and hold the plate in a given
position substantially as set forth.
9. In a button attaching implement, the combination with two pivotally con-
nected jaws, of a reciprocatory spindle carried by one of said jaws, a button plate
holder attached to said spindle, a laterally movable button holding plate con-
nected with said button plate holder, and a locating device carried by the button
plate holder to engage the button holding plate in a given position, substantially
as set forth.
10. In a button attaching implement, the combination with two pivotally con-
nected jaws, of a reciprocatory spindle carried by one of said jaws, a chambered
button plate holder attached to said spindle, a laterally movable button holding
plate connected with said button plate holder, a pin located within the chamber of
the button plate holder, and a spring in said chamber to actuate the pin, said button
holding plate provided with stops to engage the end of said pin, substantially as
set forth.
11. In a button attaching implement, the combination with two pivotally con-
nected jaws, of a reciprocatory spindle carried by one of said jaws, a button plate
holder attached to said spindle, a button holding plate formed with recesses on
its outer edge, and a spring actuated locating device carried by the button plate
holder, said button holding plate provided with locating stops arranged radially in
line with said marginal recesses to engage said spring actuated device, substantially
as set forth.
12. In a button attaching implement, a button holding plate provided with
marginal recesses, and an independent button holder spring engaged upon said
plate, said spring provided with clamping arms adjacent to one of the marginal
recesses, substantially as set forth.
13. The combination with a button attaching implement, of a button hub
holder, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 14. In a button attaching implement, a button holding plate provided with
marginal recesses, and a button hub holder, for the purpose set forth.
15. In a button attaching implement, the combination of a button holding plate,
and a button hub holder, substantially as set forth.
16. The combination with a button attaching implement, of a button hub holder
to hold a separable hub or shank, substantially as set forth.
17. The combination of a button attaching implement, of a holder F formed
with spring clamping arms, substantially as set forth.
18. In a button attaching implement, a button holding device, a movable button
hub holder, and means to hold the button hub holder and button holding device
in a given position of adjustment, substantially as set forth.
19. In a button attaching implement, a button holding plate, and a movable
button hub holder, said holder and plate, one provided with indentations or recesses,
and the other with a corresponding rib or projection, substantially as set forth.
20. In a button attaching implement, the combination with two pivotally con-
nected jaws, spring clamping arms having inwardly turned flanges at their upper
ends carried by one of said jaws, and a fastener seat bevelled on its margin carried
by one of said jaws, said seat held in place by said clamping arms, substantially
as set forth.
21. In a button attaching implement, the combination of a movable button
holding plate, and an automatic stop to hold said plate in a given position, sub-
stantially as set forth.
22. In a button attaching implement, the combination of a movable button
holding plate, a support therefor, and an automatic stop carried by said implement
to hold said plate in a given position, substantially as set forth.
23. In a button attaching implement, the combination with two pivotally con-
nected jaws of a seat for a pronged fastening, a reciprocatory spindle carried by
one of said jaws, a button holding plate an intermediate support connecting said
plate with said spindle, said plate being adjustable upon said support, and means
to hold the plate in a given position of adjustment, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 14th day of February 1898.