Improvements in Metallic Buttons.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 19th Sept., 1891
COMPLETE DIECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metallic Buttons.
A communication from abroad by JOSEPH MATHISON, of 21, Thurston Street,
Somerville, in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, United
States of America, Gentleman.
I, GEORGE CECIL DYMOND, M. Inst. M.E., of the Agency for Foreign Patent
Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, 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 has relation to metallic buttons generally, and particularly to
buttons adapted fo application to the flies of boots and shoes; and it has for its
object the provision of such improvements as will render the button durable,
efficient for servic, and cheap of construction.
The invention consists in a metallic button composed of a single piece of sheet
metal comprising the enlarged central portion b constituting the head of the button,
the shank sides or extensions e e formed on opposite edges of said head, but narrower
than the latter and having a concavo-convex form in cross section, said shank sides
being bent inwardly from the margin of the head under the latter with their convex
sides outward to form a rounded two part shank, and bent outwardly at their outer
or lower portions to form feet to rest on the material and give the shank an
elongated bearing thercon, and the prongs g g formed on the outwardly bent ends
of the shank sides and adapted to pass through the material, the concavo-convex
form of the shank sides giving them smooth bearing surfaces devoid of cutting or
wearing angles, and strengthening the shank made of said sides by giving the same
a substantially tubular form in cross section.
The invention will first be described in connection with the drawing hereto
annexed and forming a part of this Specification, and then be pointed out in the
claims.
Of the said drawing
Figure 1 is a plan view of the blank from which the improved metallic button
may be formed.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the improved button formed from the blank shown in
Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a view taken at right angles to the view shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the button shown in Figures 2 and 3.
Fig. 5 is a view showing the improved button attached to a piece of material, the
latter being represented in section.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all of the figures.
In carrying out the invention, a blank a may be taken of sheet metal of the form
shown in Fig. 1 and composed of the circular central part b, the extensions or
shank sides e e
extending in opposite directions from said central part, and the
prongs gg extending from the shank sides and made narrower than the latter. In
making a button from said blank, the central part is struck or stamped up into a
which is preferably dome-shaped or of concavo-convex form as shown, the
outer or convex surface constituting the exposed side of the button head.
head
C,
"
18
In stamping up the head e, or subsequent thereto, a rounded shank e e is formed
from the material extending beyond the head; and the term "rounded shank
to be understood as explaining a part or feature which shall be devoid of angles or
corners, so that the shank, in coming into contact with the edges of a button hole,
may not unduly abrade or wear the same. To this end a concavo-convex form in

page_text: cross section is given to the shank sides e e, and subsequently said sides are bent
toward each other from the margin of the head and under the latter so. as to cause
them to collectively form a shank which is circular or approximately circular in
cross section, the convex surfaces of said sides constituting the exterior of the
shank, which is prevented by its circular form in cross section from wearing or
injuring the edges of the button hole with which the button may be engaged.
The outer portions of the shank sides are bent outwardly in opposite directions
and constitute feet, as it were, to bear on the outer surface of the article or piece
to which the button is attached, and give the shank an elongated bearing on said
article so that the button is firmly supported and prevented from tipping loosely.
The prongs 99, which, as already stated, are extensions of the shank sides e e, are
bent substantially at right angles with the outwardly bent ends of the shank sides,
are adapted to pass through the piece to which the button is to be applied and to
be clinched upon the inner side of said piece, as shown in Fig. 5, the ends of said
prongs being preferably pointed so that they may penetrate the said piece.
It is preferable in forming the head c to turn inwardly those portions of the
margin of the head that come between the shank sides e e, thus forming, in con-
nection with the said shank sides a continuous, inwardly projecting flange d, which,
by reason of its rounded form in cross section, prevents the margin of the head
from cutting or defacing the outer surface of the button hole piece on which it
bears when in use.
Mr. Mathison is aware that a button or fastening device has been made from a
single piece of sheet metal by striking up a cup-shaped projection from the central
portion of said piece and forming said projection by successive operations into a
flanged head, the body of the piece surrounding said projection being bent to
form prongs adapted to pass through the piece to which the fastening device is
applied.
The chief advantages attending the improved construction are as follows:
First, the enlarged central portion can be formed at one blow or operation into a
dome-shaped or concavo-convex head of substantial size without decreasing its
thickness and at much less expense than would be involved in converting a cup-
shaped projection into a flanged head. Secondly, the extensions or shank sides,
being narrower than the head piece, can be converted into a shank by the simple
operation of bending said extensions under the head piece, the shank thus formed
being narrower than the head and in a great measure concealed thereby, and made
at much less expense and with less labor than would be involved in converting a
portion of the cup-shaped projection above referred to into a tubular shank.
Thirdly, the concavo-convex form of the shank sides, not only gives the shank a
smooth exterior devoid of wearing angles, but also strengthens and stiffens the
shank so that it will not be liable to bend or cripple and permit the button head to
topple over. Fourthly, the prongs, being narrower than the extensions or shank
sides, can be readily inserted in the button piece without the necessity of forming
slits or holes of any considerable size therein, the said prongs being adapted by
their narrowness and by their pointed ends to penetrate the piece, if desired,
without the necessity of previously forming holes therein. Lastly, the general
form of the blank, the same being widest at the centre and reduced by successive
steps to the ends, enables a sheet of metal to be cut up into blanks without waste,
the edges of each blank conforming to the edges of other blanks.
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 correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:
A metallic button composed of a single piece of sheet metal comprising the
enlarged central portion b constituting the head of the button, the shank sides or
extensions e e formed on opposite edges of said head, but narrower than the latter
and having a concavo-convex form in cross section, said shank sides being bent
inwardly from the margin of the head under the latter with their convex sides

page_text: outward to form a rounded two part shank, and bent outwardly at their outer or
lower portions to form feet to rest on the material and give the shank an elongated
bearing thereon, and the prongs 9 g formed on the outwardly bent ends of the
shank sides and adapted to pass through the material, the concavo-convex form of
the shank sides giving them smooth bearing surfaces devoid of cutting or wearing
angles, and strengthening the shank made of said sides by giving the same a sub-
stantially tubular form in cross section, as set forth.
Dated thin 17th day of Avust 1801
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.