Improvements in and relating to Buttons.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Apr., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 8th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 10th Feb., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Buttons.
I, ROBERT ELSDON, of The Highlands, Burnt Ash Hill, Lee, in the County
of Kent, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention to be as
follows:-
It is well known that gilt, brass, bronzed, and other metallic buttons which are
more or less constantly exposed to the sea air, such, for example, as those used on
the uniforms of naval officers and men, soon lose their lustre and become tarnished
and spotted, and consequently require to be frequently renewed. The object of
the first part of my invention is to produce a button which, while presenting more
or less the appearance of a button as at present manufactured, shall nevertheless
retain its lustre in the presence of those chemicals which have hitherto caused the
surface to become tarnished and spoiled as before stated.
In constructing a button according to my present invention, I stamp or otherwise
form the design of the front or face of the button in thin metal and I insert such
stamped piece of metal into or place the same behind a crown, face or shell of glass
in such a manner that the design is seen through the front of the transparent crown,
face or shell. The bottom or back of the button may be attached to the glass
crown, face or shell by being set or spun over the outer edge of same and the whole
may then be inserted in an enamelled metal flanged ring the back edge of which is
then pressed or closed over on to the rim of the bottom or back of the button. Or
the edge of the bottom or back may be sunk or recessed into the back of the crown,
face or shell behind the aforesaid piece of metal bearing the stamped design. Or
in some cases the glass may be heated and the edge thereof so moulded or turned
in or over as to hold the back permanently in place. Or the connection between
the bottom or back of the button and the crown, face or shell may be made in any
other suitable or convenient manner. The shank of the button may also be
attached to the bottom or back by soldering, rivetting, or otherwise.
Instead of stamping or otherwise forming the design in thin metal, other suitable
materials may be employed such for example as paper, leather, cloth, etcetera ; or
the design may be imparted to the glass itself by pressing, moulding, or otherwise,
and coated with gold or silver leaf, enamel, paint, or otherwise.
In some cases instead of employing a separate piece of glass, I coat the outer
surface of the crown, face or shell of an ordinary button of the kind-first-above
referred to with one or more layers of molten glass or transparent enamel, which
may also be applied, if desired, to the entire button.
The second part of my invention relates to a removable case, covering or mask,
whereby an ordinary cloth-faced or other button, on a coat for example, may be
readily made to appear like a livery or other button without detaching such cloth-
faced or other button from the coat or other garment. The case, covering or
mask may consist of a crown, face or shell, stamped or pressed similarly to that of
an ordinary button but preferably so shaped that a slight bed is formed on its
internal circumference to receive a loose ring or keeper. This loose ring or keeper
is circular on its entire outer circumference but has one or more projecting portions
on its inner circumference. The bottom or back of the case, covering or mask
consists of a similarly shaped ring to that last above described but is connected to
the circumference of the crown, face or shell by setting, closing, spinning, or

page_text: -
soldering, in the ordinary manner, whereas the beforementioned loose ring or
keeper is free to rotate more or less between the internal surfaces of the crown,
face or shell and the botton or back. When the loose ring or keeper is in its
normal position its internal outline coincides, more or less, with that of the bottom
or back, and in this position the case, covering or mask may be placed over the
button, and the loose ring or keeper being then turned round so as to bring its pro-
jecting portion or portions behind another part of the button, the area of the opening
through which the button was passed is thereby reduced and the case, covering or
mask secured on the button. This movement of the loose ring or keeper may be
effected by means of a tang or pin formed thereon or secured thereto, which tang
or pin may pass through a guide slot formed in the bottom or back. The case,
covering or mask is thus held securely on to the cloth-faced or other button and
imparts thereto the appearance of a livery or other button according to the nature
or design of the crown, face or shell of the case, covering or mask. On restoring
the loose ring or keeper to its normal position by means of the beforementioned
tang or pin, the case, covering or mask may be readily removed.
In some cases the case, covering or mask may consist of an outer and an inner
crown, face or shell, the edges of each being turned over at the back and so shaped
and arranged that the inner crown, face or shell may be rotated, by means of a
tang or pin, for example, within the outer crown, face or shell, or rice versa, and the
outline of their respective openings at the back be brought to coincide or not for
the purpose of releasing the mask from the cloth-covered or other button, or
securing the same thereto. Or a ring or keeper, similar to that above described,
or a crescent-shaped keeper may be inserted in the recess of a crown, face or shell,
and the edges of the latter be so shaped and turned over as to retain the said ring
or keeper in place and permit of its being rotated as desired into the locking, or
releasing, positions as hereinbefore described. Or the case, covering or mask may
consist of a crown, face or shell on the circumference of which is loosely mounted
a keeper ring or rim which is adapted to be rotated thereon. The bottom or back
edges of the said keeper ring or rim and the crown, face or shell are suitably
shaped and turned over as before explained so as to enable the case, covering or
mask to be released from, or be held in place, on the cloth-covered or other button.
It will be understood that, in this last described arrangement, the crest or other
design may be carried by the central portion of the crown, face or shell, and the
front part of the keeper ring or rim may be ornamented in a variety of ways,
preferably in such a manner as to include in the design the circle or other line
formed by the inner edge thereof. In locking this case, covering or mask to the
button after it is in position thereon, the central portion of the crown, face or shell
may be pressed tightly between the finger and thumb against the cloth of the coat
or other garment, while the keeper ring or rim is rotated into the locking position,
the crown, face or shell being thereby held stationary and the correct position of
the design thereon ensured, while the thread, which secures the button to the coat
or other garment, is not subjected to any torsion by the act of locking or releasing
the case, covering or mask to or from the button.
I sometimes construct the crown, face or shell of the case, covering or mask, of a
piece of glass preferably mounted in a circular or other frame the edges of which
are suitably shaped and turned over as hereinbefore described, and in this case, the
thin metal or other material carrying the design, as herein before referred to in
respect of the first part of my invention, may be easily removed and replaced by
another design when desired.
I prefer to provide a more or less elastic pad or packing between the inner
surface of the crown, face or shell and the face of the cloth-covered or other button
in order to prevent the case, covering or mask shifting round or working loose
after having been locked in position. Suitable stops may also be provided to
prevent the parts from being turned beyond certain points whereby not only is the
design always secured in its correct position, but the case, covering or mask is
prevented from being inadvertently turned beyond the locking, or releasing,

page_text: position respectively. Other suitable transparent material may be employed in
place of the glass crown, face, or shell, herein before referred to.
R. ELSDON,
Per W. H. Beck,
115, Cannon Street, E.C., Agent.
Improvements in and relating to Buttons.
I, ROBERT ELSDON, of The Highlands, Burnt Ash Hill, Lee, in the County
of Kent, Gentleman, 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, reference being had to the accompanying sheet of
drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
It is well known that gilt, brass, bronzed, and other metallic buttons which are
more or less constantly exposed to the sea air, such for example as those used on the
uniforms of naval officers and men, soon lose their lustre and become tarnished and
spotted, and consequently require to be frequently renewed.
The object of the first part of my invention is to produce a button which, while
presenting more or less the appearance of a button as at present manufactured,
shall nevertheless retain its lustre in the presence of those chemicals which have
hitherto caused the surface to become tarnished and spotted as before stated.
In constructing a button according to my invention, I stamp or otherwise form
the required design of the front or face of the button in thin metal and I insert
such stamped piece of metal into or place the same behind a crown, face, or
shell, of glass, in such a manner that the design is seen through the front of the
transparent crown, face or shell. The bottom or back of the button may be
attached to the glass crown, face or shell, by being set or spun over the outer edge
of the same.
Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrate, in transverse section, various methods of
manufacturing buttons according to this part of my invention. In Figure 1, A is
the glass crown, face or shell which may be cast, moulded, or otherwise formed of
the desired shape, and preferably provided with a groove or recess A¹ as shown.
B is a thin metal disc on which is stamped or otherwise formed the required design,
and which is then placed behind the crown, face or shell A. so. that the design is
seen through the same. C is the bottom or back carrying the shank C' which may
be attached thereto in any convenient or suitable manner. The outer circumference
of the bottom or back is then spun or closed over so as to be embedded in the
groove-or-recess-A-in-the-glass crown, face or shell A. as shown. If preferred, the
space D, between the back of the thin metal disc B and the inner surface of
the bottom or back C, may be filled with any suitable or convenient filling piece,
but such is not in all cases necessary. Figure 2 shows a modification in which the
edge of the bottom or back is embedded in a groove or recess A¹ formed in the
thickness of the glass. Figure 3 illustrates a further modification in which
the bottom or back C is not turned over at its circumference but is caused to enter
a groove or recess A¹ in the crown, face or shell A, such groove or recess being
undercut as shown, and the metal at the circumference of the bottom or back C
spun or fullered out to fit same closely. Figure 4 illustrates a further modification
in which the glass crown, face or shell A and the bottom or back are inserted in a
metal or other ring E of a suitable section and the straight side of such ring (see
dotted lines) are closed down into a recess formed on the bottom or back Cas
shown in full lines in the figure. The ring E may be enamelled or otherwise
decorated or protected and may form a continuation of the design formed on the

page_text: thin metal B. In some cases, instead of closing the bottom or back C over the
crown, face or shell A, the glass may be softened by heat and, while in a soft state,
be made to close round the edge of the bottom or back and thereby retain the parts
permanently in position. And in some cases; instead of employing a separate piece
of glass to form the crown, face or shell as hereinbefore described, and illustrated,
the outer surface of the crown, face or shell of an ordinary button of the kind just
above referred to may be coated with one or more layers of molten glass or
transparent enamel, which may also be applied, if desired, to the entire button.
It will be understood that in consequence of the metal disc B being protected by
the transparent crown, face or shell A and not itself forming part of the framework
of the button, it may be of very thin metal capable of receiving very intricate
designs in bold, relief, which designs will not be subject to wear, and will
consequently retain their freshness and sharpness as long as the button lasts.
Moreover the thinness and lightness of the disc B allows of the employment of a
better quality of metal for the design than is commonly used, without increasing
the cost of the button in consequence.
Instead of stamping or otherwise forming the design in thin metal, other suitable
materials may be employed, such for example as paper, leather, cloth, et celera;
or the design may be imparted to the internal surface of the glass itself by
pressing, moulding, or other process, and coated with gold or silver leaf, enamel,
paint, or otherwise.
I desire it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise methods
and arrangements described and illustrated for connecting the crown, face or shell
to the bottom or back of the button, as such connection may be effected in a variety
ways according to circumstances. The shank of the button may also be attached
to the bottom or back by soldering, rivetting or otherwise as desired or preferred,
and strengthened or not by a washer G as shown.
of
In order to improve the general appearance of the button, I prefer to subject the
glass crown, face or shell to any suitable polishing process and if desired the same
may be of any required colour or colours; and instead of glass, other suitable
transparent materials may be employed if desired.
The second part of my invention relates to a removable case, covering or mask,
by the employment of which an ordinary cloth-faced or other button, on a coat for
example, may be readily made to appear like a livery button for example, without
detaching such cloth-faced or other button from the coat or garment.
Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings illustrate in transverse section
and underside plan view respectively a removable case, covering or mask constructed
in accordance with this part of my invention. A is an inner crown, face or shell
stamped or pressed similarly to the crown, face or shell of an ordinary set, spun or
closed button and having its bottom or back edge closed over as at A¹. B is an
outer crown, face or shell similar to and containing the inner crown or shell A, as
shown, in such a manner that they are free to move one on or in the other. After
the bottom or back edges have been turned over, as shown at A' and B', so as to
form superposed annular rings at the back of the crowns, a suitable portion of such
annular rings (indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 5) is cut away, thereby
enlarging the opening Cat the back of the said superposed crowns A and B. D is
a pin or tang whereby the crown or shell A may be revolved within the crown, face
or shell B, or vice versa, as desired. It will now be understood that if the two
parts A and B are placed in such relative positions as that the outline of the
opening C, in the back thereof, coincides with one another (as shown in full lines
in Figures 5 and 6) the said opening will allow of the introduction of a cloth faced
or other button, on a coat for example, and if one of the said crowns is then partly
rotated on or in the other, the size of the opening will be reduced, as shown in
dotted lines in Figure 6, and the turned-over portions A' and B' will no longer
coincide in position as before. The case, covering or mask is thereby held on to
the cloth-faced or other button, and on again turning the crowns A and B, one in
or on the other, into such a position that the outline of the opening C in the back

page_text: of each crown is brought to coincide more or less (as shown in full lines in Figures 5
and 6) the said case, covering, or mask may be removed.
Figure 7 illustrates a modification in which the central portion of the outer
crown, face or shell is dispensed with, and a keeper ring or rim B* thus formed
which is free to be rotated on the inner crown, face or shell A. The bottom or
back edges of the keeper ring or rim B* and of the inner crown, face or shell A are
turned over as shown at A' and B' and a suitably shaped opening C formed therein,
as before explained in reference to Figures 5 and 6. The crest or other design
may, in this case, be carried by the central and visible portion of the inner crown,
face or shell, and the front part of the keeper ring or rim B* may be ornamented
in a variety of ways, preferably in such a manner as to include in the design
the circle or other line formed by the inner edge thereof. In order to lock
or secure this last described case, covering or mask to the cloth-faced or other
button after it is placed in position thereon, the central portion of the inner crown,
face or shell A, the button, and the material to which it is sewn, may be pressed
tightly together between the finger and thumb, while the keeper ring or rim B* is
rotated into the locking position, the crown, face or shell being thereby held
stationary, and the correct position of the design thereon ensured, while the thread
which secures the button to the coat or other garment is not subjected to any
torsion or other strain by the act of locking or releasing the case, covering or mask
to or from the button.
Figure 8 illustrates a modification of the last described arrangement in which
AA is the crown, face or shell, the part A of which is of glass or other transparent
material similar to the buttons described in reference to the first part of my
invention.
Figure 9 illustrates a further modification in which A is the crown, face or shell
the central part of which is of glass and provided with a keeper ring or rim B* of
metal or other suitable material. A is a plate which may be firmly attached to
the glass in any convenient manner as described in reference to the first part of my
invention. C is the opening and B' the turned-over portion of the bottom or back
edge of the keeper ring or rim B* as described in reference to Figure 8. Or if
preferred the ring or rim B* may be firmly attached to the glass crown, face or
shell A and the plate A* be free to be rotated.
In the arrangements illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 the thin metal or other
material F carrying the design (as hereinbefore referred to in respect of the first
part of my invention) may be easily removed through the opening C and replaced
by another design as and when desired.
I prefer to provide a more or less elastic pad or packing between the inner
surface of the crown, face or shell and the face of the cloth-covered or other button
in order to prevent the case, covering or mask shifting round or working loose after
having once been locked or secured in position.
Suitable stops, which may be formed by the tang or pin D or otherwise, are also
preferably provided whereby the parts are prevented from-being-turned-beyond-
certain-limits, thus ensuring that the design is always secured in its correct position,
and also that the case, covering or mask is not inadvertently turned beyond the
locking or releasing position respectively.
Similar letters of reference relate to like parts in Figures 1 to 4 and also in
Figures 5 to 9 respectively.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. The improved button having a glass or other transparent crown, face or
shell with a thin metal or other design enclosed between the said glass and the
bottom or back of the button, substantially as hereinbefore described, and illustrated
in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings.
Second. The improved button having a glass or other transparent crown, face or

page_text: shell with the design pressed, moulded or otherwise imparted to the internal surface
thereof, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Third. In a removable case, covering or mask for buttons, the inner and outer
crowns or shells A and B. having their bottom or back edges A¹ B¹ closed over
and partially cut away or removed, combined, arranged and operating, substantially
.as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings.
Fourth. In a removable case, covering or mask for buttons, the crown, face or
shell A and keeper ring or rim B* having their bottom or back edges A' B' closed
over and partially cut away or removed, combined, arranged and operating
substantially as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 of the
drawings.
Fifth. In a removable case, covering or mask for buttons the crown, face or
shell A A' the part A of which is of transparent material, the ring or rim B* and
the plate A* combined, arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore
described, and illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings.
Dated this 8th day of Janual y LO
Patcu THIS OLD чy al y TO
R. ELSDON,
Per W. H. Beck,
115, Cannon Street, London, Agent.
R. ELSDON,
Per W. H. Beck,
115, Cannon Street, London, Agent.