IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BUTTONS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BUTTONS." A communication
from abroad by Jean Moreteau, of Lyons, France, Merchant.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th March 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
BUTTONS." [A communication from abroad by Jean Moreteau, of Lyons, France,
Merchant.]
This Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of buttons, and is
designed to provide buttons having a larger surface of contact with the material to
which they are attached than those heretofore used, and to prevent cutting of the
thread by the rubbing of the sides of the button hole against the same, thereby
obtaining greater security for the button in its attachment to the material.
In the accompanying Drawing, Figure 1 represents. a button constructed
according to this Invention, and which is shown in plan and in section. This
button presents a surface or base of contact a, a, as large as possible. I generally
construct this base flat, as shown in the Drawing, but it may be slightly concave or
convex.
The said button comprises, moreover, an annular surface b to receive the button
hole. This surface carries a flange c intended to retain the button hole. The base
of the button has a certain number of holes for the purpose of sowing on the
button.
Figure 2 represents the same button carrying at its lower part a circular pro-
jection or flange d intended to prevent more surely the rubbing of the button hole
against the thread which attaches the button.
The holes necessary for the passage of the attaching thread may be pierced
obliquely to the surface of contact, in order to extend still more the surface of con-
tact of the button with the fabric of the garment.

page_text: In order to thoroughly understand the advantages of the said improved button,
Figure 4 represents, in plan and in section, a button as heretofore constructed and
pierced with holes and used for trousers.
The comparison of these two buttons allows it to be clearly seen that the
said improved button has the advantage of providing a perfect contact between
the button and the fabric to which it is attached by as large surfaces as
possible, and to prevent the cutting of the thread which serves to unite the
button to the stuff.
Figure 5 represents a livery button modified in the same manner as herein-
before described, in order to obtain a very large base of contact, replacing, with
the same advantages as above stated, the buttons of this form manufactured up to
the present time, the shanks of which latter had only a circular contact with the
stuff.
Figure 6 represents the application of this Invention to metallic glove buttons,
glove buttons of other material being made in the same manner, but of the dimen-
sions required, as in Figure 1.
Buttons constructed according to this Invention may be of horn, metal "corozzo,”
or other material, and covered with any kind of fabric or skin.
The form and the dimensions may vary from the largest coat button to the
smallest glove button.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
September 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
BUTTONS." A communication from abroad by Joan Moreteau, of Lyons, France,
Merchant.
This Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of buttons, and consists
in a peculiar manner of forming the buttons, whereby they are caused to have a
larger surface of contact with the material to which they are attached than those
heretofore used; the cutting of the thread by the rubbing of the sides of the button
holes against the same will be prevented, and the connection of the buttons to the
said material will be very secure.
Figure 1 represents, in plan and transverse section, a button constructed
according to this Invention. This button presents the largest practicable surface or
base of contact a, a. I generally construct this base flat, as shewn in the Drawing,
but it may be slightly concave or convex.
The said button comprises, moreover, an annular surface b to receive the button
hole. This surface carries a flange c intended to retain it in the button hole. The
base of the button has a suitable number of holes for the sewing on of the button.

page_text: Figure 2 represents the button having at its lower part a circular projection or
flange d intended to prevent more surely the rubbing of the button hole against the
thread which attaches the button to the material or garment on which it is sewn.
The holes necessary for the passage of the attaching thread may be pierced
obliquely to the surface of the button, in order to extend still more the surface of
contact of the button with the said material or garment.
In order that the advantages of the said improved button may be thoroughly
understood, I have represented in Figure 4, in plan and in section, an ordinary
button pierced with holes, and designed to be used for trousers.
A comparison of these two buttons will clearly shew that my Invention has the
advantage of placing the button in contact with the fabric to which it is attached
by as large a surface as possible, and prevents the cutting of the thread which
serves to unite the button to the said fabric or stuff.
Figure 5 represents a livery or uniform button modified in the same manner as
herein-before described, in order to obtain a very large base of contact, replacing,
with the advantages above stated, the buttons hitherto manufactured for such pur-
pose, and whose shanks had only a circular contact with the stuff.
Figure 6 illustrates the application of this Invention to metallic glove buttons.
Other kinds of glove buttons may be made in the same manner as the button shewn
in Figure 1.
Buttons may be constructed according to this Invention of horn, metal, "corozzo,"
or other suitable material, and covered with any kind of fabric or skin.
The buttons may be of any desired form, so long as the peculiar feature of my
Invention is retained in their construction, and their dimensions may be varied
as required, from the largest coat button to the smallest glove button.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to mo by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim the improvements in the manufacture of buttons, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eleventh day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (Le)