Articulated button for items of clothing, particularly of the type of jeans or the like

Abstract

 An articulated button for items of clothing, particularly of the type of jeans or the like, which is highly practical and comfortable to use, the button (1) comprising a first bell (2) with a base (3) from which a post (4) protrudes, means (6) for fixing the first bell (2) to a strip (5) of an item of clothing, a second bell (11) or cap holder, which is associated slidingly with the post (4) of the first bell (2) and a cap (14), which is associated with the second bell (11) on the side of the second bell (11) that is opposite with respect to the side associated with the post (4), the button (1) further comprising elastic means (15) which are interposed between the second bell (11) and the first bell (2), and which bias the sliding of the second bell (11) along the post (4) away from the base (3) of the first bell (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an articulated button for items of clothing, particularly of the type of jeans or the like, which is highly practical and comfortable to use.

[0002] Articulated buttons are known which are used predominantly, although not exclusively, in items of clothing of the type of jeans or the like. Such articulated buttons are generally constituted by a first bell with a base, which is designed to be placed on one side of a first strip of the item of clothing to which the button is to be applied, from which a hollow post protrudes which supports a second bell or cap holder. The first bell is fixed to the first strip of the item of clothing by means of a stud provided with a head, which is designed to be placed on the side of the first strip of the item of clothing that is opposite with respect to the side on which the base of the first bell is placed, and with a tip that can be inserted through the first strip of the item of clothing and inside the post. The tip of the stud, once inserted into the post, is plastically deformed so as to remain permanently fixed to the post, thus locking the first strip of the item of clothing between the head of the stud and the base of the first bell.

[0003] The second bell is coupled with the post with a certain amount of play so as to be able to slide along the post and be able to be inclined with respect to the axis of the post. These movements of the second bell with respect to the post of the first bell allow the articulated button to be inserted into and extracted from slots, defined in a second strip of the item of clothing which is to be coupled to the first strip, in a manner easier than buttons of the rigid type in which the bell or cap holder does not have these possibilities for movement.

[0004] Conventional articulated buttons are completed by a cap which is placed so as to partially or totally close the side of the second bell that is opposite with respect to the side coupled with the post. The cap constitutes the most visible part of the button, and the maker's brand is generally placed on it, or ornamental elements are stamped on it or applied to it.

[0005] Such conventional articulated buttons suffer some problems.

[0006] Since such buttons are made of metal, the play between the first bell and the second bell allows the second bell to move with respect to the first bell when the button is not fastened, thus producing a metallic jingle which may be bothersome.

[0007] Another problem suffered by the conventional articulated buttons is the difficulty in managing to improve the maneuverability of the button without penalising its functionality or aesthetic appearance.

[0008] In order to improve the maneuverability of the button, it would be useful if the second bell ability to slide along the axis of the post of the first bell were increased. However, in conventional articulated buttons, this ability to slide cannot be adequately increased because the second bell would then slide along the post of the first bell for the entire length available to it even when the button is fastened, thus determining an unaesthetic detachment of the two strips of the item of clothing which are connected to each other by the button.

[0009] In the same way, again in order to improve the button maneuverability, it would be desirable to increase the play between the post and the second bell so that the second bell can be inclined laterally to the post to a greater degree, rotating about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis of the post. In conventional buttons, this increase in play is the cause of a downward rotation (as a result of the weight) of the second bell with respect to the first bell when the button is not fastened, thus producing an unaesthetic effect.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems, by providing an articulated button that is particularly practical and comfortable to use.

[0011] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide an articulated button that, even if it is made of metal, does not make jingles or noises that are bothersome to the user.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide an articulated button in which the maneuverability can be improved without penalising its functionality and/or aesthetic appearance.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide an articulated button in which the second bell does not dangle downward, but remains in position even when the button is not fastened.

[0014] A further object of the invention is to provide an articulated button that is easy to apply and which can be produced at low cost.

[0015] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by an articulated button for items of clothing, particularly of the type of jeans or the like, comprising:

• a first bell, which has a base from which a post protrudes;
• means for fixing said first bell to a strip of an item of clothing;
• a second bell or cap holder, which is associated slidingly with said post of the first bell;
• a cap, which is associated with said second bell on the side of said second bell that is opposite with respect to the side associated with said post;

characterized in that it comprises elastic means which are interposed between said second bell and said first bell, said elastic means biasing the sliding of said second bell along said post away from said base of the first bell.

[0016] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the button according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the button according to the invention, taken along a plane passing through the axis of the post of the first bell during its application to an item of clothing;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, as in Figure 1, of the button according to the invention, applied to an item of clothing;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, similar to the previous Figures, showing the possibilities for movement of the second bell with respect to the first bell of the button according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows a different embodiment of the button, showing only the elastic means, the first bell and the second bell, in a plan view from above;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4, taken along the line V-V;

Figure 6 is an enlarged-scale view of a detail of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4, taken along the line VII-VII;

Figure 8 is an enlarged-scale view of a detail of Figure 7.

[0017] With reference to the figures, the articulated button according to the invention, generally designated with the reference numeral 1, comprises a first bell 2 which has a base 3, substantially disk-shaped, from one face of which a post 4 emerges, preferably coaxially.

[0018] The first bell 2 can be associated with a strip 5 of an item of clothing by way of fixing means 6.

[0019] Conveniently, the post 4 is made hollow and the fixing means 6 comprise a stud 7 which is provided with a tip 8 which can be inserted through the strip 5 of the item of clothing and through the post 4 starting from its axial end connected to the base 3 of the first bell 2. The tip 8 of the stud 7, which, once inserted into the post 4, protrudes from the opposite axial end of the post 4, is plastically deformable, for example by means of a press of known type, in such a way as to axially lock the stud 7 in place with respect to the post 4 in order to achieve the permanent retention of the strip 5 of the item of clothing between the head 9 of the stud 7 and the base 3 of the first bell 2.

[0020] Optionally, the head 9 of the stud 7 can be covered by a cap 10 which is seamed, in a manner known per se, to the head 9 of the stud 7.

[0021] The articulated button according to the invention comprises a second bell 11 or cap holder which is associated, so that it can slide, with the post 4 of the first bell 2.

[0022] More specifically, the second bell 11 is cup-shaped with a hole 12 which is formed in the center of its base and which couples, so that it can slide, with the post 4 which has, in a region of its axial extension spaced from the base 3 of the first bell 2, an axial shoulder 13 in order to prevent the second bell 11 from completely separating from the post 4.

[0023] On the side of the second bell 11 that is opposite with respect to its side on which there is the hole 12 coupled with the post 4, a cap 14 is provided which is associated for example by means of seaming.

[0024] According to the invention, the button comprises elastic means 15 which are interposed between the second bell 11 and the first bell 2. The elastic means 15 bias the sliding of the second bell 11 along the post 4 away from the base 3 of the first bell 2.

[0025] The second bell 11 is associated with the post 4 with play so as to be able to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the axis 4a of the post 4, i.e., so as to be able to be inclined relative to the first bell 2 with respect to the axis 4a of the post 4 that constitutes the axis of the button.

[0026] Conveniently, the second bell 11 is associated with the first bell 2 so as to be able to rotate about the axis 4a of the post 4 with respect to the post 4 itself.

[0027] Preferably, the elastic means 15 are constituted by a spring 16 that is arranged around the post 4 and which is interposed between the axial shoulder 13 of the post 4 and the base of the second bell 11.

[0028] Advantageously, the spring 16 is constituted by a conical helical spring so as to achieve an extremely reduced encumbrance for such spring when it is axially compressed. Thanks to this fact it is possible to take maximum advantage of the axial length of the post 4 for axially sliding the second bell 11 along the post 4 itself.

[0029] The conical helical spring 16 engages with its end of smaller diameter against the axial shoulder 13 of the post 4 and with its end of larger diameter against the bottom or base of the second bell 11.

[0030] The axial shoulder 13 is preferably formed by an extension of the axial end of the post 4 opposite with respect to the axial end connected to the base 3 of the first bell 2.

[0031] The first bell 2, the second bell 11 and the caps 10, 14 can be made of metal, such as for example alloys of aluminum or ferrous materials, or of synthetic materials, such as for example thermoplastic or thermosetting resins, according to requirements.

[0032] Figures 4 to 8 illustrate, showing only the first bell 2, the second bell 11 and the elastic means 15, a different embodiment of the button according to which the second bell 11, instead of being able to rotate with respect to the first bell 2 about the axis 4a of the post 4, is connected to the first bell 2 in rotation about the axis 4a of the post 4 by way of connecting means.

[0033] Advantageously, such connecting means are constituted by the elastic means 15 and by the spring 16.

[0034] More specifically, one end of the spring 16 is inserted in a notch 17 defined in proximity to the axial end of the post 4 opposite with respect to the axial end connected to the base 3 of the first bell 2, while the other end of the spring 16 is inserted in a hole 18 defined in the base of the second bell 11, as shown in particular in Figures 6 and 8.

[0035] The connection in rotation about the axis 4a of the post 4 of the second bell 11 with respect to the first bell 2 makes it possible, when required, to keep the rotational position of the second bell 11, and therefore of the cap 14, fixed with respect to the first bell 2 and therefore with respect to the item of clothing in order to keep writings or designs placed on the cap 14 in a pre-established position.

[0036] Also in this embodiment, the first bell 2 can be fixed to the strip 5 of an item of clothing by way of fixing means 6 constituted by a stud 7 which can be inserted into the post 4, as already described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0037] Use of the articulated button according to the invention is the following.

[0038] In the absence of forces acting on the second bell 11, such bell, by way of the spring 16 interposed between the axial shoulder 13 and the base 3 of the first bell 2, is kept in proximity to, or actually against, the base 3 of the first bell 2. In this way, even if the user moves, the second bell 11 cannot move with respect to the first bell 2 and therefore the bothersome jingle that afflicts traditional articulated buttons is avoided.

[0039] When the button is to be inserted in a slot, the user applies a tractive force to the second bell 11, away from the base 3 of the first bell 2, and causes a lateral rotation, i.e. about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the post 4, of the second bell 11 with respect to the first bell 2. In this condition of use, the spring 16 elastically yields, thus allowing these movements of the second bell 11 relative to the first bell 2.

[0040] Once the manipulations of the button have ceased, the spring 16, by elastic reaction, returns to make the second bell 11 approach the base 3 of the first bell 2, by biasing the axial sliding of the second bell 11 along the post 4 and stabilising the second bell 11 with respect to the post 4.

[0041] Thanks to the effect of the spring 16 in stabilising, or in limiting the movements, both axial and lateral, of the second bell 11 with respect to the first bell 2, it is possible for the post 4 to have an increased length and for the hole 12 to couple with the post 4 with a level of play that is considerably greater than the play that can be found in known articulated buttons because the spring 16 keeps the second bell 11 positioned correctly, thus preventing the second bell 11 from sliding freely along the post 4 and preventing the second bell 11 from rotating laterally, i.e. about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the post 4, with respect to the first bell 2. The increased length of the post 4 and the increase in play between the post 4 and the hole 12 considerably facilitate the engagement and disengagement of the second bell 11 with a slot, thus facilitating the user, and the action of the spring 16 prevents unaesthetic detachments of the two strips of the item of clothing which are connected to each other by the fastened button, or downward rotations of the second bell 11 with respect to the first bell 2.

[0042] It should be noted, in addition, that the elastic reaction of the spring 16 increases the maneuverability of the button, thus facilitating its manipulation, both during fastening and during unfastening.

[0043] In practice it has been found that the articulated button according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim in that the presence of elastic means which, at rest, keep the second bell stationary with respect to the first bell and which, during use, allow the second bell both to slide along the axis of the post and to rotate about axes perpendicular to the axis of the post makes it possible to obtain an excellent maneuverability of the button while eliminating the bothersome noisiness that can be found in traditional articulated buttons.

[0044] A further advantage of the button according to the invention is that of being able to have a level of play between the post and the second bell that is considerably greater than that in conventional articulated buttons, without penalising the effectiveness of the closure implemented by the button and without drawbacks of an aesthetic nature.

[0045] The articulated button, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. So, for example, the elastic means 15, instead of a conical helical spring, can be constituted by a Belleville spring washer or by a biconical spring and they can be made of metal or synthetic material. In addition, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0046] In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0047] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MI2010A001186 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0048] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. An articulated button for items of clothing, particularly of the type of jeans or the like, comprising:

- a first bell (2), which has a base (3) from which a post (4) protrudes;

- means (6) for fixing said first bell (2) to a strip (5) of an item of clothing;

- a second bell (11) or cap holder, which is associated slidingly with said post (4) of the first bell (2);

- a cap (14), which is associated with said second bell (11) on the side of said second bell (11) that is opposite with respect to the side associated with said post (4);

characterized in that it comprises elastic means (15) which are interposed between said second bell (11) and said first bell (2), said elastic means (15) biasing the sliding of said second bell (11) along said post (4) away from said base (3) of the first bell (2).

2. The articulated button according to claim 1, characterized in that said second bell (11) is rotatable, relative to said first bell (2), about the axis (4a) of said post (4).

3. The articulated button according to claim 1, characterized in that said second bell (11) is tiltable, relative to said first bell (2), with respect to the axis (4a) of said post (4).

4. The articulated button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said post (4) has, in a region of its axial extension spaced from said base (3) of the first bell (2), an axial shoulder (13); said second bell (11) having a base (3) in which a hole (12) is provided that is crossed with play by said post (4); said elastic means (15) being constituted by a spring (16), which is interposed between said axial shoulder (13) of the post (4) and said base (3) of the second bell (11).

5. The articulated button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said spring 16) is a conical helical spring.

6. The articulated button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said conical helical spring (16) engages said axial shoulder (13) by means of its end that has the smallest diameter.

7. The articulated button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said post (4) is hollow and in that said axial shoulder (13) of the post (4) is formed by an extension of the axial end of said post (4) opposite with respect to said base (3) of the first bell (2).

8. The articulated button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fixing means (6) comprise a stud (7) which is provided with a tip (8) that can be inserted through the strip (5) of the item of clothing and through said post (4) starting from its axial end that is connected to said base (3) of the first bell (2); the tip (8) of said stud (7) being plastically deformable in order to lock axially said stud (7) with respect to said post (4) to retain the strip (5) of the item of clothing between the head (9) of the stud (7) and the base (3) of said first bell (2).

9. The articulated button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second bell (11) is connected to said first bell (2) in rotation about the axis (4a) of said post (4) by virtue of connecting means.

10. The articulated button according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said connecting means are constituted by said elastic means (15).

Drawing