[0001] The present innovation refers to a button provided with an interchangeable portion
"in sight".
[0002] From time immemorial, buttons belong to those clothing complements that contribute
to making an item more or less attractive and pleasant.
[0003] In fact, through their shapes and/or colours, they complete and personalize the item
of clothing, concomitantly carrying out their technical function of closing.
[0004] Colour pairing is an extremely subjective issue; in addition, with the change of
clothing, there may be the need and/or wish to modify button shape and/or colours
in order to change the overall look of the item. Advantageously, this will also allow
to manufacture and use "thematic" buttons depicting specific subjects, depending,
e.g. on various occasions such as parties, etc.
[0005] To date, excluding the option of changing over and over again all buttons of an item
of clothing, this is possible substantially in two ways. Through "button covers" or
using specific buttons having a part fastened to the item of clothing and an interchangeable
portion "in sight".
[0006] Of the latter buttons, a couple of variants are known. A first type envisages a circular-shaped
portion to be fastened to the item, having a thread along the peripheral edge thereof
onto which the portion in sight can be screwed. Evidently, such buttons make the replacement
operation particularly indaginous. In fact, the thread is necessarily very thin, and
the button on itself is very small; there ensues a specific difficulty in replacing
the portions in sight.
[0007] Moreover, buttons with an interchangeable portion in sight are known, in which the
portion in sight has projecting tongues that are restrained in the sewing holes of
the stationary part. However, also this type of button has the drawback of entailing
a difficult replacement, in particular a difficult removal from the portion in sight.
This is due to the fact that the restrained joint occurs at the face into contact
with the fabric; therefore, in order to release it, somehow an intervention is needed
between the fabric and the sewn stationary part.
[0008] Therefore, object of the present innovation is to solve the above-mentioned problems
of the known art, by providing a button with an interchangeable capsule, as defined
in claim 1.
[0009] Moreover, secondary features of the button according to the present innovation are
defined in the corresponding dependent claims thereof.
[0010] The advantages, as well as the features and operation modes of the present innovation,
will be made apparent in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment
thereof, given by way of example and not for limitative purposes, making reference
to the figures of the annexed drawings, wherein:
- Figures 1A and 1B are two top perspective views of the two portions of a button according
to the present innovation;
- Figures 2A and 2B are two bottom perspective views of the two portions of a button
according to the present innovation;
- Figures 3A and 3B are two views, respectively plan and elevation, of the stationary
portion of a button according to the present innovation;
- Figures 4A and 4B illustrate the connection mode between the two portions of a button
according to the present innovation; and
- Figures 5A and 5B are two sectional views, respectively along lines A-A and B-B of
Figure 4B.
[0011] In order to describe the present innovation, hereinafter reference will be made to
the above-indicated figures.
[0012] Referring initially to Figures 1A and 1B, these show a button according to the present
innovation.
[0013] In particular, Figure 1B refers to a stationary portion 2. The stationary portion
2 is provided to be sewn, or fastened with other fastening means, onto the item of
clothing, exactly at the position in which the latter needs a button. According to
the described embodiment, the stationary portion 2 may be sewn to a fabric through
the classic holes 4.
[0014] The stationary portion 2 comprises a preferably concave central region 5, where moreover
there have been obtained holes 4 for the sewing onto the fabric, or anyhow bearing
the fastening means.
[0015] Along the periphery of the central region 4 two or more radially extending flaps
6 are provided. In case of only two flaps, these should preferably be placed on a
diametrically opposite position. In case of more than two flaps, these will advantageously
be evenly spaced thereamong. E.g., in the preferred embodiment described herein four
flaps are present, arranged at 90° thereamong.
[0016] Figure 1A instead shows a removable portion 3 of the button according to the present
innovation.
[0017] Such a removable portion is substantially "button-shaped" on itself, in the sense
that it may assume different shapes depending on the type of button that is to be
made. In the example described herein a "classic"-type button is depicted, yet it
is understood that the outward shape of the removable portion is not limitative to
the ends of the present innovation.
[0018] Figure 1A shows the "in sight" side of the removable portion 3, whereas Figure 2A
shows the underlying side thereof, usually hidden during use, of the removable portion
3.
[0019] The removable portion 3 is substantially hollow, i.e., empty therein. In other words,
it is like a capsule cooperating with the stationary portion 2 to give to the button
of the present innovation the desired outward appearance.
[0020] The removable portion 3, as seen in Figure 2a, has a bottom wall partially open at
the centre, prolonging along the periphery of the portion itself. On said bottom wall,
notches 16 are obtained that consequently define projections 17. The notches 16 are
equal in number, shape and dimensions to those of the flaps 6 of the stationary portion,
such as to allow accomodation of said flaps 6 inside the hollow of the removable portion
3.
[0021] Advantageously, the flaps 6, and of course the notches 16, have a greater extension
with respect to the corresponding projections 17, as it may be easily found from Figures
2A and 2B or the section of Figure 5B. This facilitates removal of the removable portion,
allowing to exert a force directly on the flaps 6 which, were they instead to have
the same dimensions of the projections 17, would be entirely hidden inside the removable
portion.
[0022] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate in sequence the connection mode of the removable portion
3 on the stationary portion 2, sewn to a fabric 10. The sense of arrow F1 indicates
the direction of the motion to be effected in order to couple the two portions.
[0023] Once the two portions are coupled, as illustrated in Figure 4B, a rotation of the
removable portion, e.g. along the sense of arrow F2, entails the restrained joint
of the flaps 6 of the stationary portion 2 with the projections 17 of the removable
portion 3, inside the hollow thereof, as shown in Figure 4B.
[0024] To improve the restrained joint between the two portions, removable restraining means
26, 27 are provided.
[0025] Such means ensure that the two portions, when coupled, be sufficiently firm therebetween,
yet at the same time allow to easily uncouple them.
[0026] Of course, uncoupling also occurs by means of rotation of the removable portion with
respect to the stationary portion.
[0027] In particular, both on the flaps 6 and the projections 17, respectively first and
second projecting tabs are obtained.
[0028] In particular, on the flaps 6 of the stationary portion (as shown in Figure 2B) first
radial tabs 26 are obtained; specifically, two tabs parallel and spaced therebetween
on each of the flaps 6, in correspondence of the underlying face, i.e. that into contact
with the fabric.
[0029] Likewise, inside the removable portion 3, at each projection 17, a corresponding
second tab 27 is obtained, it also arranged radially and in a manner such as to be
accommodated between the two tabs 26 of a corresponding flap 6.
[0030] It is understood that such restraining means could also be made according to variants
of what has been disclosed hereto, though implementing an equivalent functionality.
[0031] Figures 3A and 3B are respectively a plan view and an elevation view of the stationary
portion of a button according to the present innovation. These figures better clarify
the configuration of the stationary portion and the positioning of the restraining
tabs.
[0032] Figures 5A and 5B are instead two sectional views, respectively taken along lines
A-A and B-B of Figure 4B showing two viewpoints of a button according to the present
innovation, when the two portions are coupled therebetween.
[0033] The present innovation has been hereto described according to a preferred embodiment
thereof, given by way of example and not for limitative purposes.
[0034] It is understood that other embodiments might exist, all to be construed as comprised
within the protective scope thereof, as defined by the annexed claims.
1. A button, comprising a stationary portion (2) apt to be fastened to a fabric or the
like and a removable portion (3) apt to be removably coupled to said stationary portion,
characterised in that it comprises restraining means (26, 27) apt to allow a removable restrained joint
between said removable portion (3) and said stationary portion (2).
2. The button according to claim 1, wherein said stationary portion (2) comprises a central
region (5) bearing the means for fastening to the fabric and two or more radially
extending flaps (6) connected along the periphery of said central region (5),.
3. The button according to claim 2, wherein said stationary portion (2) provides four
flaps (6), arranged at 90° thereamong.
4. The button according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said removable portion
(3) is substantially hollow.
5. The button according to one of the claims 2 to 4, wherein said removable portion (3)
has a bottom wall on which notches (16) are obtained that define corresponding projections
(17).
6. The button according to claim 5, wherein said notches (16) are in number, shape and
dimensions such as to allow accommodation of said flaps (6) inside the hollow of the
removable portion (3).
7. The button according to claim 6, wherein said flaps (6) have a greater extension with
respect to said projections (17).
8. The button according to one of the claims 2 to 7, wherein said restraining means comprises
first and second projecting tabs (26, 27), respectively obtained on each of said flaps
(6) and on each of said projections (17).
9. The button according to claim 8, wherein said first tabs (26) are two radial tabs,
parallel and spaced therebetween, obtained on each of the flaps (6), in correspondence
of the underlying face.
10. The button according to claim 9, wherein said second tabs (27) comprise a radial tab
obtained on each of said projections (17), in a manner such as to be accommodated
between said two first tabs (26) of a corresponding flap (6) when the two portions,
stationary and removable, are coupled.