IMPROVEMENTS IN BUTTONS, AND METHOD OF FASTENING THE SAME
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Mac Millan, of the City of London, Manu-
facturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BUTTONS, AND METHOD OF
FASTENING THE SAME.”
Sealed the 20th October 1877, and dated the 5th July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Mac Millan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th July 1877.
ALEXANDER MAC MILLAN, of the City of London, Manufacturer.
MENTS IN BUTTONS, AND METHOD OF FASTENING THE SAME."
" IMPROVE-
This Invention relates to improvements on former Letters Patent granted to me,
dated the Twenty-seventh day of November, One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-four, Number 4071; the object of the present improvements being to obviate
the necessity of employing a tool for fixing the said buttons, and also to allow of
the button having a slight oscillating motion on its fastener, instead of being fixed
rigidly thereto, as was the case with trousers' buttons when made and fastened
according to the Specification of my said former Letters Patent.
In carrying out my present improvements I employ a fastening similar to that
employed for fixing trousers' buttons, described in the Specification of my said
former Letters Patent; but I form the buttons in two parts, the top part being
stamped to the required shape, and formed with a hemispherical sink or depression
in the centre thereof. The bottom or under side of the button is also formed with
a slightly projecting neck, with a hole in the centre, the edge of which is turned or
bent over to increase the strength.
To fasten a button of this description to a garment or other article, the end of
the fastener is passed through the cloth or fabric and into the hole in the bottom of
the button, the bottom of the fastener is then pressed or struck, and the top thereof

page_text: will come into contact with the under side of the sink in the top of the button, and
will be upset or rivetted over so that it cannot now be withdrawn, but will allow of
the button freely turning and oscillating on the tubular fastener.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Mac Millan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
January 1878.
ALEXANDER MAC MILLAN, of the City of London, Manufacturer.
MENTS IN BUTTONS, AND METHOD OF FASTENING THE SAME."
" IMPROVE-
This Invention relates to improvements on former Letters Patent granted to me,
dated the Twenty-seventh day of November, One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-four, No. 4071, the object of the present improvements being to obviate
the necessity of employing a tool for fixing the said buttons, and also to allow of
the button having a slight oscillating motion on its fastener, instead of being fixed
rigidly thereto, as was the case with trousers' buttons when made and fastened
according to the Specification of my said former Letters Patent.
In carrying out my present improvements I employ a fastening similar to that
employed for fixing trousers' buttons, described in the Specification of my said
foriner Letters Patent; but I form the buttons in two parts, the top part being
stamped to the required shape, and formed with a hemispherical sink or depression
in the centre thereof, The bottom or under side of the button is also formed with
a slightly projecting neck, with a hole in the centre, the edge of which is turned or
bent over to increase the strength.
To fasten a button of this description to a garment or other article, the end of
the fastener is passed through the cloth or fabric and into the hole in the bottom of
the button, the bottom of the fastener is then pressed or struck, and the top thereof
will come into contact with the under side of the sink in the top of the button,
and will be upset or rivetted over so that it cannot now be withdrawn, but will
allow of the button freely turning and oscillating. on the tubular fastener.
But to make my Invention better understood, I will proceed to describe the same
by reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which,-
Figure 1 is an elevation, and Figure 2 a section, of a trousers' button, constructed
according to my present improvements.
Figures 3 and 4, elevation and section respectively of the fastener.
Figures 5 and 6, elevation and section respectively of my improved button shewn
fixed to a piece of cloth or other fabric by means of the tubular fastener, herein-
before referred to.
Similar letters in all the Figures represent similar parts.
a is the top part of the button; b, the hemispherical sink or depression in the
centre of same; c is the bottom of the button; d, the slightly projecting neck of
same; e, the hole in the centre of the neck d.
From this construction it will be seen that if the end of the fastener, shewn in
Figures 3 and 4, be passed through a piece of cloth or fabric f, Figures 5 and 6,
and into the hole e in the neck d of the button, and the bottom of the fastener be
then struck, the top or upper end of the fastener will come into contact with the

page_text: under side of the sink b, and will thereby be flattened or rivetted over, so that it
cannot now be withdrawn through the hole e, but will allow of the button turning
and oscillating on the fastening.
Although I have described my improvements as applied to trousers' buttons, it will
be understood that such improvements are equally applicable to other buttons,
whether covered or not.
Having thus described my Invention and the manner of performing the same, I
claim the improvements in buttons, and method of fastening the same, substan-
tially as herein-before described, and represented in the accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Mac Millan, have hereto set my
hand and seal, this Third day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
A. ALBUTT,
4, South Street,
Finsbury,
London.
ALEXANDER MAC MILLAN. (L.S.)