GB2190581A

GB2190581A - Button-attaching device

Info

Publication number: GB2190581A
Application number: GB08709527A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Akihiko Takata
Original assignee: Scovill Japan KK
Current assignee: Scovill Japan KK
Priority date: 1986-05-22
Filing date: 1987-04-22
Publication date: 1987-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 2007-04-22
Also published as: KR870019382U; GB2190581B; KR910001317Y1; GB8709527D0; JPS62188206U

Abstract

A button-attaching member 10 of a two-element structure comprises: an eyelet 14 having a cap 12 and a shank 13; and a disk 11 having a recess 15 to accommodate the cap 12 and a central hole 18 to engage the shank 13 of the eyelet 14. The disk is made of sheet metal and the portion 16 surrounding the hole 18 is upwardly conically tapered to bitingly engage the shank 13. The shank 13 of integral member 10 is insertable through a garment 6 for attachment to a button or press stud 7 or the like. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Button Attaching Member Field ofthe Invention This invention relates to a button-attaching member of a two-element structure in which a disk is integrally combined with an eyelet.

The button-attaching member of the invention maintains its integrity even when the elements are made with relatively low dimensional accuracy. It fastens a button, for example either the ball or socket side of a two-piece snap, securely to an articleofclothing orthe like.

Background to the Invention Button-attaching members consisting of two elements, namely a disk and an eyelet, are extensively used because of the eminently aesthetic and ornamental effects achieved by the elements, which are available in varied colors. Atypical example of the prior art will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a conventional buttonattaching member of a two-element structure, Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line A-A of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the member, and Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the member in use.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, the button-attaching member comprises a disk 1 which may be die-cast of metal or moulded of rigid plastics, and an eyelet 4 having a cap 2 and a cylindrical or coiumnar shank 3 integrally fitted in a circular recess formed in the outer or under surface of the disk. In order to fix the eyelet 4 to the disk 1 without the aid of adhesive or the like, it is necessary to make the diameter of the through hole in the center of the disk substantially equal to that of the shank 3 of the eyelet 4. If these diameters lack dimensional accuracy, the eyelet may turn with respect to the disk or fall off. The button-attaching member of this type has a rigid surface 5 to come in contact with an article of clothing 6 or the like to be buttoned.When it is used to attach a button 7 (in this case the socket side of a snap fastener or press stud) to the fabric, the upper end of the shank 3 of the eyelet 4 must be adequately clinched and curled over against the inner bottom wall of the shank of the button. If the clinching pressure exerted happens to be insufficient or the fabric being furnished with the button is too thin, it is likely that the attaching member and the button fail to provide a firm grip on the fabric, leading to a loosened button. To avoid this, the clinching force must be accurately controlled depending on the thickness of the fabric.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved button-attaching member of a twoelement structure in which a disk and an eyelet are properly combined. Such a two-element structure can be securely attached to an article of clothing or the like.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a button-attaching member of a twoelement structure comprising a disk formed with a circular recess on an outer surface and with a hole passing through the recess in the center, and an eyelet consisting of a cap and a cylindrical or columnar shank insertable through the hole, so that the cap fits in the recess for engagement with the disk, wherein the disk is formed of sheet metal and the inner portion ofthe disk surrounding the hole is conically tapered inwardly in the direction of insertion of the shank.

Thus there is no danger of the shank of the eyelet falling offfrom the hole of the disk, because the inner portion of the disk surrounding the hole is conically tapered in the direction of insertion and it resists any pulling force to which the shank may be subjected. Moreover, the tapered inner portion imparts a spring action by dint of which the fabric of the article of clothing orthe like being furnished with the button is securely held between the bottom ofthe button piece and the tapered inner portion of the disk. This ensures secure attachment of the button to the fabric.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a disk for a button-attaching member of a two-element structure, comprising a circular recess formed in an outer surface and a hole passing through the recess into which is adapted to be inserted one end of the shank of an eyelet at whose other end is provided a cap, wherein the disk is formed of sheet metal and the inner portion of the disk surrounding the hole is conically tapered inwardly in the direction of insertion of the shank.

Brief Description of the Drawings An example of a button-attaching member according to the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 5 is a plan view of the button-attaching member embodying the invention; Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line B-B of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the member; Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the member in use; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of the attaching member.

Detailed Description Referring specifically to Figs. 5 to 7, the buttonattaching member 10 shown comprises a disk 11 and an eyelet 14 joined together. The eyelet 14, like conventional ones, comprises a circular flange or cap 12 and a cylindrical or columnar shank 13 perpendicular to the cap. The upper end of the shank has a sharp edged chamfer to facilitate insertion of the shankthrough an article of clothing or the like. The cap 12 and the shank 13 may, contrary to Fig. 6, be formed from a single piece of sheet metal by drawing. Alternatively, they may be formed separately and then united, as shown.

The disk 11 can best be seen from the perspective view of Fig. 9. Referring to Fig. 9, along with Figs. 5 to 7, the disk 11 is formed of sheet metal and has on its outer or lower surface a circular recess 15 large enough to accommodate the cap 12 of the eyelet. In the centre of the disk is formed a through hole 18 of a diameter equal to or slightly smaller than that of the shank 13 of the eyelet. The inner portion 16 of the disk around the hole 18 is conically inwardly tapered in the upward direction in which the eyelet shank 13 is inserted. Preferably slits 17 extend radially out from the hole 18, providing spring flaps therebetween, so that the tapered inner portion 16 is imparted with a spring action to allow insertion of the shank into the hole 18 with greater ease.The lower inner edge of the wall surrounding the hole 18 defines the smaller diameter of the hole because of the tapered portion 16. Consequently such sharpened edge bites into the shank 13 to keep the eyelet from slipping off.

With the structure described above, the buttonattaching member is itself attached in place by first inserting the shank 13 of the eyelet 14 upwardly through the center hole 18 of the disk 11. Since the disk portion 16 around the hole is inwardly tapered, the shank 13 passes through the hole 18 against the elasticity of this tapered portion 16, and the cap 12 of the eyelet 14 fits securely in the recess 15 on the outer or lower surface of the disk. The provision of the slits 17 makes it easier to fit the two elements together. Once this relationship has been established, the shank 13 resists any force pulling it downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 6, because the tapered portion 16 fits upwardly into the shank. This detent action is enhanced by the surrounding wall of the center hole 18 that has the minimum diameter where it is sharply edged by the tapered portion 16.

In this way there is provided a button-attaching member of a two-element structure which is securely joined integrally even when the hole 18 is not formed with dimensional accuracy.

Next, as shown in Fig. 8, the shank 13 of the button-attaching member 10 is inserted upwardly through an article of clothing 6 or the like, when its sharp-edged chamfered end can pierce through.

The upper end of the shank is then curled over outwardly and clinched against the inner bottom wall of a conventional hollow button 7. The article of clothing 6 is thus pressed down against the tapered portion 16 of the disk 11, which protrudes upwardly and elastically fastens the fabric of the clothing securely in place.

Claims

1. A button-attaching member of a two-element structure comprising a disk formed with a circular recess on an outer surface and with a hole passing through the recess in the center, and an eyelet consisting of a cap and a cylindrical or columnar shank insertable through the hole, so that the cap fits in the recess for engagement with the disk, wherein the disk is formed of sheet metal and the inner portion of the disk surrounding the hole is conically tapered inwardly in the direction of the shank.

2. A button-attaching member according to claim 1 in which the tapered inner portion is divided by a plurality of radially extending slits to form spring flaps.

3. A button-attaching member according to claim 1 or 2 in which the surrounding wall of the through hole is sharp edged for bitingly engaging with the shank of the eyelet.

4. A disk for a button-attaching member of a twoelement structure, comprising a circular recess formed on an outer surface and a hole passing through the recess into which is adapted to be inserted one end of the shank of an eyelet at whose other end is provided a cap, wherein the disk is formed of sheet metal and the inner portion of the disk surrounding the hole is conically tapered inwardly in the direction of insertion of the shank.

5. A disk according to claim 4 in which the tapered inner portion is divided by a plurality of radially extending slits to form spring flaps.

6. A disk according to claim 4 or 5 in which the surrounding wall of the through hole is sharp edged for bitingly engaging with the shank of the eyelet.

7. A button-attaching member substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 5 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A disk substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 5 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.