Button decoration clip

Abstract

 A button decoration clip comprising a decoration platform and an engaging portion behind the decoration platform, in which the decoration platform and the engaging portion are spaced apart such that a gap exists between them, in which the engaging portion comprises a substantially U-shaped element, and in which in use a button is disposed in the gap, and the engaging portion is disposed around a drum carrying said button.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a button decoration clip, for use particularly, but not exclusively, with buttons used with denim clothing.

[0002] Many types of denim clothing are fastened with buttons. These buttons commonly comprise a large metal button on one end of a metal drum, which is sewn into a fabric and held in place by a circular flange provided at the opposite end. This type of button construction is used with denim material because the material is often thick, and the garments in question designed to be hard wearing and rugged. In use the button is passed through a button hole in the overlying fabric, and in the process pressure can be applied from behind due to the rigid nature of the drum.

[0003] It is known to provide images or patterns on metallic buttons like those described above. In addition, it is known to wear a decorative element on the waist by means of a belt buckle attached to a belt worn with a pair of denim trousers.

[0004] However, in both cases the decorative element cannot be readily changed without either removing the button from the garment, or removing the belt and/or the buckle on the belt.

[0005] In addition, no decorative element can be applied to a button which cannot be readily passed through a button hole, for example a three-dimensional decorative element larger in size than the dimensions of the button.

[0006] The present invention is intended to overcome some of the above problems, and to provide a novel approach.

[0007] Therefore according to the present invention, a button decoration clip comprises a decoration platform and an engaging portion behind the decoration platform, in which the decoration platform and the engaging portion are spaced apart such that a gap exists between them, in which the engaging portion comprises a substantially U-shaped element, and in which in use a button is disposed in the gap, and the engaging portion is disposed around a drum carrying said button.

[0008] In a preferred construction the button decoration clip can be substantially U-shaped and the decoration platform can comprise a first arm of the U-shape, and the engaging portion can comprise a second arm of the U-shape. With this arrangement the U-shape of the engaging element is normal to the U-shape of the button decoration clip itself.

[0009] The button decoration clip can be constructed from a single piece of flat resilient material, for example spring steel, which can be bent into the U-shape described above.

[0010] In one embodiment the decoration platform and the engaging portion can be angled towards one another. With this arrangement the button decoration clip can be provided with a resilient nature which can assist in attachment to the button. Further, in this arrangement a portion of the end of each arm of the U-shape of the engaging portion can be bent outwards, such that the clip can be readily fitted to a button which is wider than part of the gap.

[0011] However, in a preferred embodiment the decoration platform and the engaging portion can be parallel with one another, and can both be flat.

[0012] It will be appreciated that the button decoration clip itself and also the gap can be of any pre-determined dimensions to fit any known button types.

[0013] The decoration platform can be a circular disk, which can carry any type of decoration element, which can be attached thereto in any known manner. In one construction the decoration element can be removably attached to the decoration platform such that it can be readily changed as desired.

[0014] However, the invention is also intended to include an arrangement in which a decoration element is an integral part of the button decoration clip.

[0015] Therefore, the invention also includes a button decoration clip comprising a decoration platform, a decoration element, and an engaging portion behind the decoration platform, in which the decoration platform and the engaging portion are spaced apart such that a gap exists between them, in which the engaging portion comprises a substantially U-shaped element, in which the decoration platform carries the decoration element, and in which in use a button is disposed in the gap, and the engaging portion is disposed around a drum carrying said button.

[0016] The invention can be performed in various ways, but one embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a rear view of a button decoration clip according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the button decoration clip as shown in Figure 1; and,

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the button decoration clip as shown in Figure 1, in use with a pair of denim trousers.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, a button decoration clip 1 comprises a decoration platform 2 and an engaging portion 3 behind the decoration platform 2. The decoration platform 2 and the engaging portion 3 are spaced apart such that a gap 4 exists between them. The engaging portion 3 comprises a substantially U-shaped element 5. As shown in Figure 3, in use a button 6 is disposed in the gap 4, and the engaging portion 3 is disposed around a drum 7 carrying said button 6.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the button decoration clip 1 is U-shaped and the decoration platform 2 comprises a first arm 8 of the U-shape, and the engaging portion 2 comprises a second arm 9 of the U-shape. As such the U-shape of the engaging portion 3 is normal to the U-shape of the button engaging clip 1 itself. Further, the decoration platform 2 and the engaging portion 3 are parallel with one another, and are both flat.

[0019] The decoration platform 2 is a circular disk, which can carry any type of decoration (not shown), which can be attached thereto in any known manner, for example an adhesive.

[0020] The button decoration clip 1 is constructed from a piece of 0.6mm thick spring steel, which was cut as a flat template, then bent into the shape shown in the Figures.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, in use the button decoration clip 1 is placed over the button 6, such that the button 6 is disposed in the gap 4, and the decoration platform 2 is disposed in front of the button 6. This is done after the button 6 has been done up. (In Figure 3 the button 6 is the waist button of a pair of jeans, but it will be appreciated that the button decoration clip 1 could be used with any button of this construction used with any type of material.)

[0022] The button 6 is carried on a drum 7, which is attached to a first layer of fabric 10 by being sewn inside aperture 11 and having flange 12 to secure it there. The button 6 is forced through button hole 13 in a second layer of fabric 14 to fasten the trousers around the waist. The button decoration clip 1 is then placed over the button 6, and the engaging portion engages the drum 7, with the U-shape of the engaging portion being disposed around it.

[0023] The button decoration clip 1 is held in place by virtue of the gap 4 being a close fit on the button 6, and by virtue of the button 6 being held against the exterior 15 of the second layer of fabric 14 in use, which also serves to hold the button decoration clip 1 in place.

[0024] It will be appreciated that any decorative element can be applied to the decoration platform 2, including colours, images or three dimensional items. In particular, three dimensional items can be attached thereto which would not pass through the button hole 13.

[0025] The above described embodiment can be altered without departing form the spirit of the invention, in particular in an alternative embodiment (not shown) attachment means are provided on the decoration platform which are adapted to cooperate with attachment means provided on decorative element, for example a hook and loop fastener or a snap-fit popper button, such that the decorative element can be readily removed and replaced with another as desired.

[0026] Also, in another embodiment (not shown), the decoration platform and the engaging portion can angled towards one another, with their free ends closer together than as shown in the Figures. With this arrangement the button decoration clip has a resilient nature to assist in attachment to the button. Further, in this embodiment a portion of the end of each arm of the U-shape of the engaging portion can be bent outwards, such that the clip can be readily fitted to a button which is wider than part of the gap.

[0027] In addition, in a further embodiment (not shown) the button decoration clip includes an integral decoration element.

[0028] Thus, a button decoration clip provides decoration to the front of a pair of trousers which has a button of the type shown in Figure 4. The button decoration clip could also be used to decorate any button of the same type on any garment. In addition, the clip can be readily removed and replaced with another, if desired, without having to remove the button or a belt. Also, a three dimensional decorative element can be applied to the button which would not pass through a button hole.

Claims

1. A button decoration clip comprising a decoration platform and an engaging portion behind the decoration platform, in which the decoration platform and the engaging portion are spaced apart such that a gap exists between them, in which the engaging portion comprises a substantially U-shaped element, and in which in use a button is disposed in the gap, and the engaging portion is disposed around a drum carrying said button.

2. A button decoration clip as claimed in Claim 1 in which the button decoration clip is substantially U-shaped and the decoration platform comprises a first arm of the U-shape, and the engaging portion comprises a second arm of the U-shape.

3. A button decoration clip as claimed in Claim 2 in which the decoration platform and the engaging portion are parallel with one another.

4. A button decoration clip as claimed in Claim 3 in which the decoration platform is a circular disk.

5. A button decoration clip as claimed in Claim 4 in which the button decoration clip is constructed from a flat template of spring steel, which is bent into a U-shape.

6. A button decoration clip as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which a decoration element is removably attached to the decoration platform.

7. A button decoration clip comprising a decoration platform, a decoration element, and an engaging portion behind the decoration platform, in which the decoration platform and the engaging portion are spaced apart such that a gap exists between them, in which the engaging element comprises a substantially U-shaped portion, in which the decoration platform carries the decoration element, and in which in use a button is disposed in the gap, and the engaging portion is disposed around a drum carrying said button.

8. A button decoration clip substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Drawing