Two part button system with a snap-on decorative top piece

Abstract

A two part button system provides secure and easy snap-on/snap-off action between a domed, perforated, flexing decorative top piece and a button base member attached to fabric or apparel. When the parts are in their usable positions with respect to one another, their configurations create a small crevice between opposed perimeter edges. Separation and removal of the top piece from the base member occurs only when a compressing/prying force is applied in the crevice, allowing the top piece to be easily and promptly lifted away from the base member, and optionally replaced by a substitute top piece thus changing the button system appearance. The decorative options for top pieces are unlimited, allowing for a traditional looking and functioning base member that is connected to fabric or apparel in the usual fashion, but able one-at-a-time to accept numerous and various decorative top pieces as desired and changed at will.

Claims

1. A two part button system comprising: at least one decorative top piece having an underside perimeter surface and a fenestrated and domed angular insertion protrusion, said fenestrated and domed angular insertion protrusion centrally depending from said underside perimeter surface, said fenestrated and domed angular insertion protrusion further having a outwardly flared bottom edge movable between an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration, said underside perimeter surface selected from a group consisting of horizontally-extending perimeter surfaces and slightly upwardly-angled perimeter surfaces; a button base member having a top surface with a central opening in communication with a recessed thread pan, said top surface having an inner perimeter edge adjacent to said central opening and an outer perimeter edge remote from said central opening, said inner perimeter edge and said outer perimeter edge each having an elevation dimension, said elevation dimension of said inner perimeter edge being greater than said elevation dimension of said outer perimeter edge and creating a slightly downward angle to said top surface, said recessed thread pan having an outer perimeter with an angled inset groove, said angled inset groove complementary in configuration to that of said outwardly flared bottom edge when in said expanded configuration, allowing secure engagement between said at least one decorative top piece and said button base member when said outwardly flared bottom edge is received within said angled inset groove, and said button base member also having a downwardly-narrowing sloped inner wall between said inner perimeter edge of said top surface and said inset groove of said recessed thread pan; and said underside perimeter surface of said decorative top piece and said outer perimeter edge of said button base member together creating a small crevice when said fenestrated and domed angular insertion protrusion of said decorative top piece is received in said inset groove, said crevice configured for receipt of a combined compressing and upward prying force pushing inwardly against said domed and fenestrated angular insertion protrusion until said outwardly flared bottom edge is in said compressed configuration and withdrawn from said angled inset groove, while said upward prying portion of said combined force directed at said small crevice also pushes upwardly against said underside perimeter surface of said at least one decorative top piece, which in combination with said slightly downward angle in said top surface of said bottom base member causes said underside perimeter surface to move in an upwardly direction away from said top surface of said button base member while concurrently drawing said outwardly flared bottom edge of said angular insertion protrusion upwardly beyond said downwardly-narrowing sloped inner wall, wherein one said at least one decorative top piece can be securely combined with said button base member by centering said one at least one decorative top piece above said downwardly-narrowing sloped inner wall of said button base member and applying a downward force against said one at least one decorative top piece until said downwardly-narrowing sloped inner wall causes movement of said outwardly flared bottom edge into said collapsed configuration, allowing entry thereof into said thread pan and concurrent movement of said outwardly flared bottom edge into said expanded configuration and entry into said angled inset groove, receipt of said outwardly flared bottom edge into said angled inset groove preventing separation of said decorative top piece from said button base member until a combined compressing and upward prying force applied to said small crevice first moves said outwardly flared bottom edge into said compressed configuration causing release from said angled inset groove, and thereafter forcing said underside perimeter surface of said decorative top piece to move away from said top surface of said button base member while said downwardly-narrowing sloped inner wall concurrently guides complete withdrawal of said angular insertion protrusion from said central opening in said button base member, allowing for a change in appearance of said button system.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of said decorative top pieces configured for connection one-at-a-time to said button base member, said decorative top pieces each having a visual appearance distinctive from one another.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said button base member further comprises slightly rounded corners.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said fenestrated and domed angular insertion protrusion further comprises material creating an outward spring force to move said outwardly flared bottom edge from said compressed configuration into said expanded configuration and cause receipt thereof into said angled inset groove of said recessed thread pan of said button base member, said outward spring force securely holding said decorative top piece in place until removed by a combined compressing and upward prying force applied to said small crevice.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said button base member resembles a traditional solitaire button.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said button base member has at least a minimally decorative configuration allowing use of said button base member without said decorative top piece.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said angular insertion protrusion of said decorative top piece has a configuration and size complementary to that of said recessed thread pan in said button base member, allowing easy and prompt receipt of said outwardly flared bottom edge of said angular insertion protrusion into said recessed thread pan and also allowing secure connection between said outwardly flared bottom edge of said at least one decorative top piece within said angled inset groove of said outer perimeter of said thread pan of said button base member, avoiding inadvertent release and unplanned loss of said at least one decorative top piece during use.

8. A method for using the system of claim 1 comprising the steps of: selecting one said at least one decorative top piece; centering said selected decorative top piece directly over said button base member; pressing said outwardly flared bottom edge of said angular insertion protrusion of said selected decorative top piece into said central opening of said button base member; and further pressing said outwardly flared bottom edge of said angular insertion protrusion along and downwardly beyond said downwardly-narrowing sloped inner wall toward said recessed thread pan, while moving said outwardly flared bottom edge increasingly toward said compressed configuration and until said angular insertion protrusion reaches said recessed thread pan and said angled inset groove in communication with said recessed thread pan, and then securely snaps into said angled inset groove, wherein said outwardly flared bottom edge of said fenestrated and domed angular insertion protrusion moves into said expanded configuration, securely connecting said decorative top piece to said button base member with a small crevice established between them.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of: providing a device selected from a group consisting of tools and utensils, and at least two of said decorative top pieces; using said device to apply a combined compressing and upward prying force in said small crevice until said outwardly flared bottom edge of said fenestrated and domed angular insertion protrusion of said decorative top piece securely snapped into said angled inset groove moves into said compressed configuration and past said downwardly-narrowing sloped inner wall of said button base member toward said central opening; and continuing to use said device to apply a combined compressing and upward force against said fenestrated and domed angular insertion protrusion of said securely snapped decorative top piece until said fenestrated and domed angular insertion protrusion moves through said central opening and away from said button base member for release of said securely snapped decorative top piece from said button base member, thus allowing for attachment of an alternative selected one of said at least two decorative top pieces to said button base member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 is an exploded side view in cross-section of the most preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the snap-on/snap-off decorative top piece poised for connection to the button base member.

(2) FIG. 2 is a top view of the button base member in the most preferred embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a side view of a decorative top piece joined to a button base member in the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, and shows the most preferred positioning and configuration for one example of the slight perimeter crevice used in separation of the decorative top piece from the button base member.

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one example of a tool that can be placed into the slight perimeter crevice between the decorative top piece and the button base member to apply a combined compressing and upward prying force to release the decorative top piece from the button base member.

(5) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the most preferred embodiment of the invention showing the decorative top piece connected to the button base member.

COMPONENT LIST

(6) 1—Present invention two-part button system 2—Decorative top piece 3—Perforations/fenestrations 4—Fenestrated and domed angular insertion protrusion 5—Downwardly-narrowing sloped inner wall of button base member 8 6—Inset groove within recessed thread pan 10 7—Holes in button base member 8 for thread or other attachment means 8—Button base member 9—Crevice 10—Recessed thread pan 11—Compressing/Prying tool (example) 12—Compressing/Prying edges of tool 11 13—Underside perimeter surface of decorative top piece 2 creating top surface of crevice 9 14—Top perimeter surface of button base member 8 creating bottom surface of crevice 9

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) The present invention 1 is a two part button system allowing a secure and easy snap-on/snap-off action between a decorative top piece 2 and a button base member 8, after the button base member 8 has been attached to fabric/apparel (not shown). When they are in their usable positions with respect to one another, the decorative top piece 2 and the button base member 8 have opposed perimeter configurations that create a small/slight crevice 9 between them, defined by the straight or slightly angled underside perimeter surface 13 of decorative top piece 2 and the angled top perimeter surface 14 of button base member 8. Connection of the decorative top piece 2 to the button base member 8 is secure during use, with separation and removal of the decorative top piece 2 from the button base member 8 nearly impossible without a combined compressing and upward prying force applied in crevice 9, thereafter allowing the decorative top piece 2 to be easily and promptly lifted away from the button base member 8 and optionally replaced by a substitute top piece 2 that changes present invention button system 1 appearance. Also, since the present invention 1 has a button base member 8 that is nearly indistinguishable in form and function from a traditional solitaire button (not shown), except for the downwardly-narrowing sloped wall 5 leading to an inset groove 6 at the base of its recessed thread pan 10, when desired and as an alternative fashion statement, the button base member 8 may be worn without the attachment of a decorative top piece 2. The design options for decorative top pieces 2 are unlimited, allowing for a traditional looking and functioning base member that is connected to fabric/apparel in the usual fashion to be used alone, but also able one-at-a-time to accept numerous and varied decorative top pieces 2 as desired and changed at will.

(8) FIG. 1 is an exploded side view in cross-section of the most preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the snap-on/snap-off decorative top piece 2 poised for connection to the button base member 8, while FIG. 5 shows a side view in cross-section of decorative top piece 2 connected to the button base member 8. FIG. 2 is a top view of the button base member 8 showing multiple thread/attachment holes 7 through its recessed thread pan 10. FIG. 3 is a side view of a decorative top piece 2 joined to a button base member 8 in the most preferred embodiment of the present invention 1 and creating the slight crevice 9 into which a tool or utensil (such as but not limited to that shown in FIG. 4 and identified by the number 11) can be used to easily apply a combined compressing and upward prying force to release decorative top piece 2 from button base member 8. The straight (substantially horizontally-extending) or slightly upwardly-angled underside perimeter surface 13 of decorative top piece 2 and the angled top perimeter surface 14 of button base member 8 defining crevice 9 are respectively shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5. Until deliberately released by a user (not shown), decorative top piece 2 and button base member 8 stay firmly connected to one another even when subjected to inadvertent contact or an upward pulling force applied to decorative top piece 2, avoiding casual release and unplanned loss of decorative top pieces 2 during use. FIG. 1 shows decorative top piece 2 having a fenestrated and domed angular insertion protrusion 4, the flexing capability of which is provided in part by angled perforations 3. However, fenestrated and domed angular insertion protrusion 4 also preferably comprises material creating an outward spring force when inserted into the inset groove 6 of the recessed thread pan 10 of button base member 8 to further assist in securely holding decorative top piece 2 in its desired position of use until removed by a combined compressing and upward prying force applied to slight crevice 9.

(9) FIG. 1 also shows the angled inset groove 6 adjacent to the recessed thread pan 10 of the button base member 8 into which the fenestrated and domed angular insertion protrusion 4 of the decorative top piece 2 is snapped, including its outwardly flared bottom edge of the fenestrated and domed angular insertion protrusion 4 automatically expanding after initially being received by, and then moving downwardly beyond, the downwardly-narrowing sloped inner wall 5 of the button base member 8. In FIG. 2 the recessed thread pan 10 of the button base member 8 is shown as having four thread/attachment holes 7 used for threaded or other attachment of the button base member 8 to fabric/apparel (not shown). However, the size, number, placement, and relative positioning of holes 7 shown in FIG. 2 are not critical, and merely provided as an example. Also, rounded corners of the button base member 8 are preferred as generally shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, but not critical. Materials for decorative top piece 2 could include, but are not limited to fabric, wood, gemstones, metals, glass, shell, and plastics. Furthermore, materials for button base member 8 could include, but are not limited to metal, plastics, glass, shell, wood, and gemstones.

(10) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one example of the configuration of a tool 11 with opposing prying edges 12 that can be placed into the slight crevice 9 between the decorative top piece 2 and the button base member 8 and used to apply a combined compressing and upward prying force to cause inward flexing of the fenestrated and domed angular insertion protrusion 4 for release of decorative top piece 2 from button base member 8. To use the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, one would first sew/attach the button base member 8 to the fabric/apparel, or another support surface (not shown). Then if one chooses, a decorative top piece 2 may be snapped into place, easily, promptly, and without use of a tool 11, or other tool/utensil (not shown).

(11) While the written description of the invention herein is intended to enable one of ordinary skill to make and use its best mode, it should also be appreciated that the invention disclosure only provides examples of specific embodiments and methods, and many variations, combinations, and equivalents also exist which are not specifically mentioned. The present invention should therefore not be considered as limited to the above-described embodiments, methods, and examples, or the language in the accompanying Abstract, but instead encompassing all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.