IMPROVEMENTS IN BUTTONS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Fletcher, of the City of Manchester, in the County
of Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BUTTONS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Fletcher at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th October 1876.
JOSEPH FLETCHER, of the City of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BUTTONS."
The object of this Invention is the production of a button which can be instantly
affixed to wearing apparel, and whereby stitching is entirely dispensed with, and
consists in constructing buttons with a metallic shank sufficiently long to pass
through the fabric or wearing apparel, and the extremity of which shank is
provided with an oblong or other suitable shaped head capable of passing through a
correspondingly shaped hole formed in a metallic disc or washer, and which locks
itself in position when turned at an angle with respect to such hole, or I sometimes
form a square on the shank close up to the head herein-before mentioned, and at
right angles therewith which permits the washer to lock itself more perfectly in
position when its hole is turned at a complete right angle with such head.
Another modification consists of a flat circular shaped head at the extremity of
the shank herein-before mentioned capable of passing through a narrow slot in the
washer, and one side of which slot is partially cut away to allow the shank to enter
it whilst the head is being passed through the slot at a suitable angle for the
purpose of locking it in position behind such slot.
Instead of having the disc all in one piece I sometimes divide such disc into
halves down the centre, having half the hole which encircles the shank on each half
of such disc which are hinged together at one side, and thus are capable of opening
to permit the head to pass between, and are then locked together, slightly over-
lapping by a projecting piece or hook on one side, entering a small slot on the other
side

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Fletcher in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th April
1877.
JOSEPH FLETCHER, of the City of Manchester.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BUTTONS."
The object of this Invention is the production of a button which can be instantly
affixed to wearing apparel, and whereby stitching is entirely dispensed with, and
consists in constructing buttons and other similar articles with a metallic shank
sufficiently long to pass through the fabric or wearing apparel, and the extremity of
which shank is provided with an oblong or other suitably shaped head capable of
passing through a correspondingly shaped hole formed in a metallic disc or washer,
and which locks itself in position when turned at an angle, with respect to such
hole, or I sometimes form a square on the shank close up to the head herein-before
mentioned, and at right angles therewith, which permits the washer to lock itself
more perfectly in position when its hole is turned at a complete right angle with
such head.
Another modification consists of a flat circular shaped head at the extremity of
the shank herein-before mentioned capable of passing through a narrow slot in the
washer, and one side of which slot is partially cut away to allow the shank to enter
it whilst the head is being passed through the slot at a suitable angle for the
purpose of locking it in position behind such slot instead of having the disc all in
one piece.
I sometimes divide such disc into halves down the centre, having half the hole
which encircles the shank on each half of such disc which are hinged together at
one side, and thus are capable of opening to permit the head to pass between,
and are then locked together, slightly operlapping by a projection piece or hook on
one side entering a small slot in the other side.
And in order that this my said Invention may be the more readily understood
and carried into practical effect I have hereunto annexed a Sheet of Drawings
illustrating several modifications of my improvements in buttons, similar letters
marked upon the several views being used to indicate similar parts.
Fig. 1 is a front view of a button constructed in accordance with this Invention,
and Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of the same, and also of one inodification of
washer for securing such button in position, a flat view of this washer being seen
in Fig. 3.
Figs. 4 and 5 are the same views as Fig. 2, but shewing in the one case the washer
in the act of being introduced on to the shank, and in the other case the washer in
position upon the shank.
In all these views A is the button, which may be formed of metal, bone, ivory, or
any other suitable material, and B is a shank, having at one extremity the head C,
and being securely affixed at its other extremity by rivetting or screwing to the
button A, or such button and shank may all be formed in one piece. D is the
washer stamped out of thin sheet metal, and E is an oblong hole of the same width
as the shank B formed through it as illustrated. In the process of stamping this
washer I cause the part marked F to be partially punched out as indicated by the
curved lines G by employing a correspondingly shaped bevil nosed punch, and thus
the part F is capable of yielding or springing back when pressure is exercised
against it to allow the head on the button shank to pass through, as seen in Fig. 4,
and then to lock itself in position behind the hole E, as seen in Fig. 5.
Fig. 6 is the same button as illustrated in Fig. 2, and Figs. 7 and 8 are flat views
of another form of washer or disc hinged together in two halves H and I for
securing my improved construction of button in position, Fig. 7 shewing the two
halves closed together and fastened by a stud J on one half, entering a corresponding
hole K in the other half, and Fig. 8 shewing the two halves in the open position
ready to embrace the shank of the button, half the hole for encircling such shank
being formed in each half of the washer or disc, as illustrated.
Fig. 9 is a side sectional view of another button constructed in accordance with

page_text: my Invention, and which differs from the preceding modifications in having a
square L formned upon its shank close up to the head M, which is of an oblong
shape, the washer for securing this button in position being illustrated in flat
view in Fig. 10, and consisting simply of a disc of metal having a hole O formed in
it corresponding in shape to the head M on the shank of the button. This button
is fastened in position by the washer being slipped on to the shank until it has
passed the square L, as seen dotted in Fig. 9, when it can be turned at right angles,
and then drawn back upon the square close up to the inner side of the head M.
Fig. 11 shews a back view of the relative positions of the disc and oblong head M
of the button when so secured in position.
This Invention is applicable in the construction of all classes of buttons, solitaires,
studs for shirts, and other similar fastenings.
I claim constructing buttons and other similar articles with a shank and head in
combination with a washer or disc substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described and illustrated on the accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Fletcher, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Nineteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
TACENT TAT MAT