GARMENTS WITH SEMI-PRECIOUS STONE SNAPS

Abstract

A snap and a method for making a snap using on articles of clothing where an ornamental crystal or gem stone occupies a visible portion of the snap. To construct the snap, a housing is provided that is adapted to receive a shaped ornamental substrate only after thermally expanding the substrate, and the snap can then be used on articles of clothing to enhance the appearance of the clothing.

Claims

1. An article of clothing, comprising: a plurality of snaps having a housing and a gem stone, the gem stone formed into a shape having a cylindrical base and a smaller cylindrical upper portion having a domed upper surface, the cylindrical base sized to receive the gem stone therein after thermal expansion of at least 3-5%, the cylindrical base having a radially inwardly angled projection positioned to bear against the domed upper surface of the gem stone when the gem stone is located inside the housing.

2. An article of clothing, comprising: a plurality of snaps having a housing and a crystal, the crystal formed into a shape having a cylindrical base and a smaller cylindrical upper portion having a domed upper surface, the cylindrical base sized to receive the crystal therein after thermal expansion of at least 3-5%, the cylindrical base having a radially inwardly angled projection positioned to bear against the domed upper surface of the crystal when the crystal is located inside the housing.

3. A method for forming a snap for use with an article of clothing, comprising: selecting a gem stone having a Rockwell hardness of between 7.0 and 10.0, inclusive; shaping the gem stone into a two tier structure having a cylindrical base and a smaller cylindrical upper portion having a domed upper surface; providing a cylindrical casing having a radially inwardly angled projection along an upper surface; heating the cylindrical housing to expand the cylindrical housing at least 3-5%; inserting the gem stone into cylindrical housing and allowing the housing to cool; and attaching the housing and gem stone to an article of clothing.

4. A method for forming a snap for use with an article of clothing, comprising: selecting a crystal having a Rockwell hardness of between 7.0 and 10.0, inclusive; shaping the crystal into a two tier structure having a cylindrical base and a smaller cylindrical upper portion having a domed upper surface; providing a cylindrical casing having a radially inwardly angled projection along an upper surface; heating the cylindrical housing to expand the cylindrical housing at least 3-5%; inserting the crystal into cylindrical housing and allowing the housing to cool; and attaching the housing and crystal to an article of clothing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a garment using the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a crystal cut into a cylindrical shape;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the crystal of FIG. 2 inside a metallic casing;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of the crystal/casing combination;

[0013] FIG. 5 is an elevated, perspective view of the crystal/casing combination of FIG. 4; and

[0014] FIG. 6 is flow chart for a method of constructing the crystal/casing combination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a garment 10 of the type that may be used with the present invention. While FIG. 1 shows a particular type of garment (i.e., a shirt or blouse), it is understood that the invention is not limited to any particular type of garment and that the invention may be used with any article of clothing.

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a profile of a gem stone or crystal 12 that has been shaped into a particular geometric volume for purposes of the invention. The process by which the substrate stone or crystal 12 is shaped involves rough and then fine abrasions until the desired shape is obtained. Specifically, the stone/crystal is shaped so as to have a flat upper surface 14 with rounded corners 16 at the periphery to form a dome-type structure 18 on the upper half of the stone 12. The lower half 20 of the stone is formed to have a larger diameter cylindrical base with a flat lowermost surface 22. The different diameter cylinders 18,20 define a shoulder 24 at the transition, where the shoulder 24 is located at approximately one half of the full height of the stone. Exemplary dimensions of the stone/crystal 12 of FIG. 2 have a diameter D of 9.5 mm and a height S of 2 mm. The offset E is 0.5 mm leaving the smaller diameter C at 8.5 mm. The thickness of the ledge L is 1 mm. These dimensions are illustrative only and are not limitations of the design itself.

[0017] FIG. 3 shows the stone/crystal encased in a cylindrical housing 26 with a circular opening 28 along the top surface and a smaller circular opening 30 at the bottom surface 32. The upper opening is formed by a radially inwardly angled projection 34 that creates a bevel for purchase of the rounded corner 16 of the stone 12. The inwardly formed projection locks the stone 12 in the housing 26 while displaying a maximum surface area of the top (i.e., dome structure 18) of the stone. The bottom opening 30 serves to show the stone from the bottom. A snap peg 36 can be connected to the housing 26 (see FIG. 4) to form the upper half of the snap, or the housing can be left alone and serve as a button. FIG. 5 shows the completed snap 40 with the stone and housing together.

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a method for forming the snap 40 according to the invention. Step 100 requires that a crystal or gem stone having a Rockwell hardness of between 7.0 and 10.0 be selected for incorporation into the snap. In step 110, the stone or crystal is cut and buffed into the two-tier shape of FIG. 2, and in step 120 the cylindrical housing or casing is secured to a vice, tool, or suitable surface. The casing is then heated to expand the casing by at least 3-5% to enable the shaped stone/crystal to be inserted into the expanded opening. The casing is then permitted to cool in step 140, trapping the gem stone inside the casing and forming the snap. Preferably a snap peg is then attached to the casing via welding, adhesive, or other suitable attachment, and the snap is paired with a mating snap receiving portion and both components are attached to an article of clothing such as shown in FIG. 1.

[0019] While the foregoing depicts one preferred embodiment of the invention, it is understood that there are many other modifications and substitutions that can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, and the invention should not be interpreted as being limited in any way to the shapes, sizes, colors, or dimensions set forth above. Rather, the invention's scope will be determined by the appended claims along with the description of the invention, including the drawings, without undue limitations.