Locking button system

Abstract

A locking button system and methods for use thereof, wherein the system includes a first component having a flange portion and a first locking pin provided on an upper surface of the flange portion. The system also includes a second component having an annular retention ring defining an interior cavity, the annular retention ring having an interior groove provided on the interior surface, the interior cavity having a diameter corresponding to an outer circumference of the flange portion of the first component, an axially telescoping cap, and a second locking pin provided on an interior surface of the axially telescoping cap.

Claims

1. A method for coupling a male component of a locking button system to a female component of locking button system, the method comprising: providing a male component having a male flange portion and a male locking pin provided on an upper surface of the male component; providing a female component, the female component comprising: an annular retention ring defining an interior cavity, the annular retention ring having an interior groove provided on the interior surface, the interior cavity having an inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the flange portion of the male component; an axially telescoping cap; and a second locking pin provided on an interior surface of the axially telescoping cap; inserting the male component into the female component; translating the male component axially until the male locking pin abuts against the second locking pin and thus causing a first axial translation of the axially telescoping cap; translating the male component radially outward in a first radial translation thus causing the male flange portion to engage a sidewall of the interior groove sufficiently to provide an axial clearance between the male locking pin and the second locking pin; translating the axially telescoping cap so as to cause a second axial translation of the axially telescoping cap such that the second locking pin interferes with a second radial translation of the male locking pin and thus the male component.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a magnet on an upper surface of the annular retention ring; and forming the axially telescoping cap of a magnetically responsive material.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a magnet on an upper surface of the annular retention ring; and providing a corresponding magnet on an interior surface of the axially telescoping cap.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising embedding the magnet into a recess provided about an upper flange of the annular retention ring such that an upper surface of the magnet is flush with the upper surface of the annular retention ring.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: providing a magnet on an upper surface of the annular retention ring; and providing an additional magnet on an interior surface of the axially telescoping cap.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: embedding a magnet within an upper surface of the annular retention ring; and providing an additional magnet on an interior surface of the axially telescoping cap.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a magnet on an inner surface of the axially telescoping cap; and forming the annular retention ring of a magnetically responsive material.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: embedding a magnet within an upper surface of the axially telescoping cap; and forming the annular retention ring of a magnetically responsive material.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first axial translation is an extension, and the second axial translation is a compression, and wherein the first radial translation is in a radial outward direction and wherein the second radial translation is a radial inward direction.

10. A method for coupling a first component of a locking button system to a second component of locking button system, the method comprising: providing a first component having a flange portion; providing a second component, the second component comprising: an annular retention ring defining an interior cavity, the annular retention ring having an interior groove provided on the interior surface, the interior cavity having an inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the flange portion of the first component; and an axially telescoping cap, wherein the axially telescoping cap encompasses an exterior portion of the annular retention ring, and wherein the axially telescoping cap is configured to move axially with respect to the annular retention ring; inserting the first component into the second component; and translating the first component radially outward causing the flange portion to engage a sidewall of the interior groove.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: providing a first locking pin provided on an upper surface of the first component; and providing a second locking pin provided on an interior surface of the axially telescoping cap.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: translating the first component axially into the second component, thus causing the axially telescoping cap to translate axially upward, thus providing clearance for the radially outward translation of the first component; and translating the axially telescoping cap axially downward so as to cause the second locking pin to interfere with an inward radial translation of the first locking pin of the first component.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the upward radial translation of the axially telescoping cap is caused by the first locking pin abutting against the second locking pin upon insertion of the first component into the second component.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising: providing a magnet on an upper surface of the annular retention ring; and forming the axially telescoping cap from a magnetically responsive material.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising embedding the magnet into a recess provided about an upper flange of the annular retainer ring such that an upper surface of the magnet is flush with the upper surface of the annular retainer ring.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising: translating the first component axially until the first locking pin abuts against the second locking pin and thus causing a first axial translation of the axially telescoping cap; wherein the translating of the male component radially outward causes a first radial translation which provides an axial clearance between the first locking pin and the second locking pin; and compressing the axially telescoping cap so as to cause a second axial translation of the axially telescoping cap such that the second locking pin interferes with a second radial translation of the male locking pin and thus the male component.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first axial translation is an extension, and the second axial translation is a compression in an opposing direction from the first axial translation, and wherein the first radial translation is in a radial outward direction and wherein the second radial translation is a radial inward direction with respect to a central axis of the locking button system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent and better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a locking button system illustrating various aspects of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a separated side perspective view of the locking button system of FIG. 1;

(4) FIGS. 3A-B illustrate exploded top and bottom perspective views of the locking button system of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of a female component for use in the locking button system of FIG. 1;

(6) FIGS. 5A-B illustrate various top perspective views of a male component for use in the locking button system of FIG. 1;

(7) FIGS. 6A-D illustrate various cross-sectional views of the locking button system of FIG. 1 and in particular the interaction between the male and female button components through various engagement steps;

(8) FIGS. 7A-D illustrate various top conceptual views of the interaction between the male and female components through various engagement steps;

(9) FIGS. 8A-D illustrate various engagement and disengagement angles between the male and female components through various steps.

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates a side cross sectional view of a locking button system having an alternative magnet configuration;

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates a side cross sectional view of a locking button system having yet another alternative magnet configuration;

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a locking button system illustrative of various alternative attachment means;

(13) FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the locking button system as illustrated in FIG. 11;

(14) FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of an alternative male component of the system as illustrated in FIG. 11;

(15) FIG. 14 illustrates a side perspective view of an alternative male component of the system as illustrated in FIG. 11;

(16) FIG. 15 illustrates a side perspective view of the locking button system as illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13 in a locked configuration;

(17) FIG. 16 illustrates a side exploded perspective view of the locking button system as illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13;

(18) FIG. 17 illustrates a side detailed perspective view of the locking button system as illustrated in FIG. 15;

(19) FIG. 18 illustrates a top view of an alternative male component applicable for use in any of the locking button systems shown above; and

(20) FIG. 19 illustrates a top view of an alternative male component applicable for use in any of the locking button systems shown above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(21) To provide an overall understanding of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, certain illustrative embodiments will be described. Although the embodiments and features described herein are frequently described for use in clothing applications, it will be understood that all the components, mechanisms, systems, methods, and other features outlined below can be combined with one another in any suitable manner and can be adapted and applied to other similar systems and in any number of suitable settings.

(22) The present application seeks to provide a solution to the aforementioned problems, namely reduce the correlation between clasp strength and material resilience and mere tension of an interference fit. This is achieved by creating various interference and locking features. The locking button system of the present invention involves the use of clasps and fasteners that rely on one or more pairs of flanges which apply opposing shearing forces to each other. These mechanisms can also include magnets or springs configured to bias the various parts into proper alignment. In some embodiments, magnets are preferable as they allow for the benefit of fewer points of failure for longer lifecycles. It will be appreciated that in some cases, the use of springs can be a reasonable substitute for magnets without requiring significant modifications to the designs.

(23) The locking button system disclosed herein illustrates an elegant and compact clasp design which utilizes a keyed slot feature being easy to engage and disengage using only one hand. Also, the execution of both engaging and releasing the locking button system is simple, intuitive and requires very little strength. However, when the clasp is engaged, because of the locking mechanisms involved, the coupling is stronger than the mere elastic properties of the interference fit between the various components, particularly in the primary tensile force direction therebetween.

(24) It should be appreciated that the locking button system has a simplified workflow that allows the mechanism to be manipulated with one hand. Simply by placing two or more fingers against the sides of the top cap and rolling the fingertips by slightly curling the fingers they will rotate and create a lifting force under an exposed lip, thus causing the top cap to rise. This lifting force simply overcomes a magnetic attraction as there is no spring. Internally, this telescoping action releases a locking mechanism as the cap rises so as to allow for disengagement.

(25) FIG. 1 illustrates a locking button system 10 in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The locking button system 10 includes a female component 100 which in this case is visible on an exterior surface after the locking button system 10 is engaged. The locking button system 10 also includes a male component 200 which as shown can be connected to an interior surface or lower layer to form a clasping point, such as to close a jacket.

(26) FIG. 2 illustrates a separated view of the locking button system 10 wherein the female component 100 is separated from the male component 200. It will be appreciated that a base portion of the male component can have various attachment means for affixing a base of the male component 200 to a desired attachment point on the specific article of clothing. For example, various apertures for stitching can be provided, or alternatively a rivet style system can be provided into the rear surface, or the male component can be adhered using an adhesive, as such it will be appreciated that numerous attachment means would be readily apparent to those having skill in the art, which alternatives fall within the scope of the present invention.

(27) FIGS. 3A-B illustrate various exploded side perspective views of the locking button system 10 so as to illustrate various components in the male and female components 200 and 100 respectively, and more particularly, female component 100. The female component 100 includes a cap 110 which engages with an exterior sliding surface of a retention ring 130. The cap can be configured to telescope with respect to the retention ring. This telescoping movement can be limited by providing interfering lips or flanges 118 and 138 about the cap 110 and the retaining ring 130 respectively. The interfering lip 138 can be provided about a distal edge of the retaining ring, and the interfering lip 118 can be provided about a bottom edge of the cap such that they only engage in a maximum expanded configuration.

(28) The retention ring 130 can be provided with a magnet 120 at an upper portion so as to bias the cap into a compressed configuration. The compressed configuration and the biasing into such a configuration will be discussed in greater detail below, as it aids in a locking step and configuration between the male and female components.

(29) It will be appreciated that the female portion can also be provided with an anchor means such as a fabric retainer 150 at a lower portion. It will be appreciated that while the fabric retainer 150 is shown here as a crimp which sandwiches a portion of fabric 300A between the fabric retainer 150 and an outer flange 137 or the retention ring 130, that it can also be affixed through adhesion, as discussed above, or otherwise provided with holes through outer flange 137 or other attachment means which can be utilized for stitching, such alternative mechanisms will be readily apparent to those having skill in the art.

(30) The retention ring 130 can be annular in shape with an open central portion along the axis for receiving a protrusion 210 of the female component 200. The protrusion 210 can include a flange portion 220 which can interact with the retention ring 130, particularly when slid radially into a channel or annular groove 134 of the retention ring 130. As such, the interior surface of the open central portion of the retention ring 130 can receive a portion of the flange portion 220 of the protrusion 210 of the male component 200 such that they interfere with one another and prevent axial relative translation between the male and female components when engaged.

(31) It will be appreciated that a base portion 250 of the male component 200 can include the attachment means discussed above for affixing the male component to the fabric at an attachment point.

(32) The locking button system 10 can also include first and second locking components, shown herein as locking pins 114 and 214 which will interact with each other as well as in conjunction with the magnet 120 so as to provide a locking mechanism which will be discussed in more detail below.

(33) In order to affix the female component 100 to an opposing fabric, end of a strap, or at a specified point, the fabric retainer 150 can be crimped or otherwise pressed into the retainer ring 130 so as to sandwich a portion of fabric therebetween so as to facilitate proper positioning.

(34) FIG. 4 illustrates an assembled female component affixed to a piece of fabric 300A wherein only the visible cap 110 and a bottom flange of the retainer ring 130 is visible. These two components can be plated, or formed of similar or differing materials so as to achieve virtually any desired aesthetic effect.

(35) FIGS. 5A-B illustrate various side perspective views of the male component 200 which includes the base, for affixing to an attachment point, as well as the male protrusion 210. The male protrusion 210 also includes a flange portion 220 and a locking pin 214.

(36) FIGS. 6A-D and FIGS. 7A-D illustrate various steps in the coupling process of the locking button system 10 between the male component 200 and the female component 100 wherein the male component is affixed to a connection point on first fabric flap 300B and a connection point on second fabric flap 300A. FIG. 6A illustrates how initially male component and locking pin 214 is aligned coaxially with the female component 100 and locking pin 114. The male component 200 including the protrusion 210 and flange portions 220 fit into and slide into the internal cavity of the retention ring 130 until the locking pin 214 of the male component abuts the locking protrusion 114 of the female component 100.

(37) As shown in FIG. 6B, the male component pushes the cap 110 upward with respect to the retention ring 130 so as to allow for axial translation of the male component until the flange portion 220 aligns with the channel or annular slot 134.

(38) Once the flange portion 220 is aligned with the annular slot 134 the male component 200 can be slid radially such that a portion of the flange portion 220 engages with a lower sidewall of the annular slot 134. This lateral movement causes the circular flange portion 220 to create a crescent-shaped engagement area with the lower sidewall of the annular slot 134. As such, at this point separation due to tensile stresses is impossible because of this engaged area.

(39) The lateral radial translation also allows for sufficient radial motion that the locking pin 114 is no longer stopped in the downward axial direction by the male locking pin 214 as shown in FIGS. 6C-D and the locking pin 114 and visible cap are allowed to translate axially downward and the locking pin slides to align radially with the male locking pin 214 preventing radial translation back with into axial alignment between the flange portion and the interior aperture of the retention ring 130. Structurally, the locking pins function solely as locking mechanisms and do not bear any of the fastening stresses that occur laterally. The pins simply prevent incidental alignment during times when tension goes to zero, as such alignment could cause the clasp to disengage. The pins insure that the clasp always maintains that crescent-shaped meshing of the crescent-shaped engagement area.

(40) The magnet 120 which can be press fit, bonded, or otherwise provided on the upper surface of the retention ring 130 can then act to retain the visible portion 110 in the axial downward position until release is desired by the user. It will be appreciated that the cap 110 can be formed of a corresponding ferromagnetic material, or even be provided with a corresponding magnet 120B on its interior surface, as shown in FIG. 10, so as to increase the magnetic coupling strength between the visible portion 110 and the retention ring so as to maintain the radial positioning of the locking pin 114 behind the male locking pin portion. In some embodiments, the male component can also be ferrous and thus be attracted to a magnet embedded in an interior surface of the cap, as shown in FIG. 9.

(41) It will be appreciated that these arrangements then provide a compressive force between the male portion and the cap, and particularly between the retention ring 130 and the cap so as to cause the pin 114 of the cap to interfere with the radial translation of the second locking pin 214 after the male portion is slid radially into the retention ring 130 and its channel or cavity 134.

(42) In other words, this attraction applies a downward force on the female annular ring, working to discourage any separation of the male and female components because the male portion will then be unable to translate radially to align the axis of the circular flange portion with the aperture in the retention ring because of the interfering pins 114 and 214.

(43) The downward pull of the magnet also plays a role as it aids the user in initial engagement since the button will try to engage when it gets close enough so as to be within the effect of the magnetic field.

(44) In this manner, the male component 200 can move within the slot in a circle about the axis, but will be prevented from moving radially inward and allowing for unlocking of the male component 200 from the female component 100.

(45) In yet additional embodiments it would also be possible to embed an additional ring magnet in the top of the male surface so as to strengthen the magnetic attraction.

(46) Additionally, because the interference area between the flange portion 220 and the annular slot 134 is a crescent-shaped engagement two-dimensional planar area the components can thus resist rotating out of axial parallel alignment, and thus prevent an unlocking under an out of axis torque load.

(47) FIGS. 8A-D, as discussed above illustrate that the male and female components can be engaged from various angles so as to establish a connection or to disengage a previously established connection. Note that while increasing the amount of play between the two components will often make it possible to affect how easy it is to transition to engaged, there will be an inflection point, i.e. a maximum angle, beyond which some stages may get harder. Also, it should be noted that the components can pass each other through the various stages if they are at an angle to each other with varying difficulty, in this manner perfect alignment is not necessarily required for purposes of engagement or disengagement. However, in practice a maximum relative angle of about 20 degrees appears to be most comfortable and useful.

(48) As such, the present invention as contemplated herein can include a locking button system 10, the system having a male component 200 having a male flange portion 220, the male component 200 further including a first locking component 214, in the form of a pin, being provided on an upper surface of the male component 200. The male component 200 being configured to interact with a female component 100, the female component 100 including an annular retention ring 130 defining an interior cavity or channel 134 provided therein on an interior surface of the annular retention ring, the annular retention ring 130 having a female flange portion 136 having an inner diameter corresponding to an outer circumference of the male flange portion 220 of the male component 200.

(49) A cap 110 can then be provided over the annular retention ring 130 wherein a second locking component 114 can be provided on an interior surface of the cap 110, the second locking component 114 being configured to engage the first locking component 214 of the male component 200.

(50) In some embodiments, a magnet 120 can be provided about an upper surface of the annular retention ring 130. It will also be appreciated that the magnet 120 can be embedded into an upper surface of the retention ring 130 such that the magnet 120 and the retention ring 130 have a flush or smooth upper surface. In an alternative embodiment, an alternative magnet 120B, as shown in FIG. 10, can be provided about an interior surface of the cap 110 wherein the annular retention ring is formed of a magnetically responsive material such that the magnet and the cap are biased in a compressed configuration, or configured such that the cap and the magnet tend to draw together.

(51) It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments the male component can include a base portion having an anchor means 250 which can then be configured to attach to a first closing component, i.e. a first end of a strap. Further, in some embodiments the female component can also include a base portion having an anchor means 150 configured to attach to a second closing component, i.e. a second end of a strap, such that two ends of a strap can be affixed together.

(52) Also contemplated herein is a method for coupling a male component of a locking button system to a female component of locking button system, the method including the steps of: providing a male component having a male flange portion and a male locking pin provided on an upper surface of the male component; providing a female component, the female component having: an annular retention ring defining an interior cavity, the annular retention ring having an interior groove provided on the interior surface, the interior cavity having a diameter corresponding to an outer circumference of the flange portion of the male component; an axially telescoping cap; and a second locking pin provided on an interior surface of the axially telescoping cap; inserting the male component into the female component translating the male component axially until the male locking pin abuts against the second locking pin and thus causing the axially telescoping cap to translate axially; translating the male component radially outward causing the male flange portion to engage a sidewall of the interior groove; translating the axially telescoping cap so as to cause the second locking pin to interfere with radial translation of the male locking pin of the male component.

(53) The method contemplated above can alternatively include the steps of providing a magnet on an upper surface of the annular retention ring; and forming the axially telescoping cap of a magnetically responsive material.

(54) In yet another alternative embodiment, the method contemplated above can include the steps of: providing a magnet on an upper surface of the annular retention ring; and providing a corresponding magnet on an interior surface of the axially telescoping cap.

(55) In some such alternative embodiments, the method can include a step of embedding magnet into a recess provided about an upper flange of the annular retainer ring such that an upper surface of the magnet is flush with the upper surface of the annular retainer ring.

(56) In yet another alternative embodiment, the method contemplated above can include the steps of: providing a magnet on an upper surface of the annular retention ring; and providing an additional magnet on an interior surface of the axially telescoping cap.

(57) In yet another alternative embodiment, the method contemplated above can include the steps of: embedding a magnet within an upper surface of the annular retention ring; and providing an additional magnet on an interior surface of the axially telescoping cap.

(58) In yet another alternative embodiment, the method contemplated above can include the steps of: providing a magnet on an inner surface of the axially telescoping cap; and forming the annular retention ring of a magnetically responsive material.

(59) FIGS. 11-18 illustrate various aspects an alternative locking button system having male and female locking components 100A and 200A respectively. These components lock together in the same manner as the embodiments described above with retaining ring 130, flange portion 220 and are attracted together using magnet 122 and locked using locking pins 114 and 214 respectively. This embodiment does however vary in that the attachment means is provided as a circular aperture 290 which can be configured to connect to a chain or a rope.

(60) FIG. 19 illustrates an alternative male locking component 200B which has yet another alternative attachment means in the shape of an elongated aperture 294, wherein the elongated aperture is more suitable for the receiving of flat straps, etc.

(61) It will also be appreciated that the top surface of the cap 110, in any of the aforementioned embodiments can be provided with one or more features, such as indicia 112. In some embodiments, the top surface can be provided with a coating of tactile material, such as rubber or silicone, so as to improve the ease of grasping the cap 110 by a user. It will be appreciated that the magnets embedded within the locking button system can greatly increase the ease of single-hand clasping functions or aide in ease of alignment for users having decreased motor function, such as the elderly or those with debilitating diseases such as ALS, etc.

(62) In yet alternative embodiments the indicia 112 can be provided instead as decorations which increase the aesthetic properties, such as gems, jewels, cameos, or other jewelry such that the button itself can become or resemble a pendant or the focal piece of the item, such as a necklace.

(63) While several embodiments have been described herein that are exemplary of the present invention, one skilled in the art will recognize additional embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention. Modification and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the applications of the embodiments disclosed herein are varied. Accordingly, additions and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the disclosure. In this regard, it is intended that such changes would still fall within the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiment as shown, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.