Custom Made Cuff LInks and Method for Making the Same
A custom cuff link structure and a method for making the same that allows for the use of the cuff link with both shirts that have cuffs specifically designed to receive cuff links and shirts that are designed with simple button and buttonhole cuffs. The structure and method use ordinary buttons or other toggles and clothing accessories that are modified to incorporate looped strands of a clear polymer fiber to allow the retention of the button like component on the cuff of the shirt. A first embodiment allows the manufacture of customized cuff links utilizing polymer based fibers or button like objects selected by the maker. A second embodiment anticipates factory made cuff links that incorporate the same basic design. Use of the cuff links may be in conjunction with shirt cuffs not specifically intended for use with cuff links, whereby a hidden button may be connected with the looped polymer fiber.
This application claims the benefit under Title 35 United States Code §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application 61/363,156 filed Jul. 9, 2010, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to clothing accessories, particularly for men. The present invention relates more specifically to devices for securing the cuffs of long-sleeved shirts in both a functional and decorative manner.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many efforts have been made in the past to provide both functional and decorative designs for cuff links and other methods for securing the cuffs of long-sleeved shirts, especially those worn by men. The standard cuff link is a generally solid object, typically in the form of a large button or the like, from which extends a short post, typically with a hinged member that may be inserted through button holes in the cuffs of a long-sleeved shirt. The hinged component may be rotated or turned so as to secure the post and the cuff link within the button holes.
A wide variety of decorative cuff links have been developed in the past. A somewhat narrower variety of mechanisms for attaching decorative cuff links to the shirt cuffs have been developed. Most all current cuff links are limited to one of a few basic structural designs that extend a post through a button hole in a cuff (one that is designed to receive a cuff link) whereafter some mechanism for securing the post within the button hole is provided, such as a hinged bar or a threaded member securable on or to the cuff link post.
A majority of shirt cuffs are not specifically configured to receive cuff links and must often be modified in order to appropriately receive and retain the same. Most shirt cuffs incorporate single button holes aligned with buttons that are sewn onto a matching part of the cuff. As indicated above, if it is desired to utilize cuff links in conjunction with such a shirt, the shirt must often be modified to adequately and appropriately receive such cuff links. In addition, there are few, if any, choices with regard to the manner of altering a cuff that has not been structured to receive a cuff link so as to easily and securely receive the cuff link without disrupting or destroying the design of the shirt.
It would be desirable to have a cuff link design that could be used in conjunction with either a shirt cuff intended to be used with cuff links or a shirt cuff that is structured for a simple button in a button hole arrangement. It would be desirable if a simplified cuff link design represented a more practical approach to securing cuffs of a long-sleeved shirt in a manner that “dresses up” a shirt without the need to purchase expensive clothing accessories.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a custom made cuff link structure and a method for making the same that allows for the use of a cuff link in conjunction with both shirts that have cuffs specifically designed to receive cuff links and shirts that are designed with simple button and button hole cuffs. The present invention describes the use of ordinary buttons or other toggles and clothing accessories that are modified to incorporate looped strands of a clear polymer fiber or fibers in a manner that allows the retention of the button like component on the cuff of the shirt through the process of looping the polymer fiber back over the button like object or over existing buttons positioned on the cuff. A first embodiment of the present invention allows the manufacture of customized cuff links utilizing polymer based fibers and button like objects selected by the maker. A second embodiment utilizes factory made cuff links that incorporate the same basic design as the custom made cuff links of the first embodiment. Use of the cuff links may be carried out in conjunction with standard cuffs designed for use with cuff links whereby two button holes may be used to secure the looped around polymer fiber, or more practically for use in conjunction with shirt cuffs not specifically intended for cuff links, whereby a hidden button may be used in conjunction with the looped polymer fiber.
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The materials from which the cuff link structure of the present invention may be made will vary according to the specific design requirements of the user. The monofilament line component of each of the embodiments of the present invention is intended to be as invisible as possible while being worn. In other words, it is desirable that the cuff link of the present invention, when attached to the cuff, might appear as a more expensive type cuff link, albeit that it utilizes a very simple and inexpensive mechanism. Monofilament line such as that utilized in conjunction with fishing line provides a preferable size and configuration for the attachment component of the present invention.
As indicated above, the button like component of the present invention may preferably be any of a number of existing buttons that are intended to be sewn directly onto a shirt or other object of apparel. Two basic configurations are anticipated, a first as shown in the attached Drawings that provides a post which extends a short distance from the back face of a flat button like object, which post has an aperture through which the monofilament line may be passed. Such is a typical configuration for a button of the type that is sewn to an article of apparel by means of passing a number of loops of thread through the aperture(s) and then through the fabric material. The alternate type of button may be that shown as used in the existing cuff design of
Various mechanisms for attaching the monofilament line of the present invention to such button structures are anticipated. It may be desirable to create a loop of thread through the apertures in the button in a manner that imitates the attachment of the button directly to the fabric. The monofilament line may then be passed through the loops of thread that have been secured to the button so as to extend from the back of the button to form the monofilament line loop end as described above. In any case, the manner of attachment may be provided in a customized form by the user/maker or may be part of a manufacturing process whereby a large number of the cuff links of the present invention are constructed for sale without the need for customization.
Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with a number of preferred embodiments, the variations described are not intended to be limitations on the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize different materials that might substitute for the same structural components described above. For example, even though a clear monofilament line may be the preferred means for attaching the cuff link of the present invention to the cuff, a non-clear cord or filament may be substituted in its place. A gold or silver flexible or resilient wire, for example, may operate in the same manner as the resilient and flexible monofilament line. Although not providing the invisibility that may be desired in most cases, such wire like cords may add to the desirable design features of the cuff link. In a similar manner, a wide variety of button like objects may be utilized in conjunction with the device of the present invention. Although the preferred embodiment describes utilizing button like components that may pass through the button hole of the cuff, it is not necessary that this occur. In other words, the geometry of the button like component of the present invention may be such as to be too large to pass through an existing button hole as long as the monofilament line component can still pass through the button hole to be connected and secured as described. The geometry of the button like component, therefore, is not limited by the size of the standard button hole configured in most men's apparel. Various other modifications regarding the material from which the components of the present invention may be constructed and the manner they are attached to each other are anticipated.
Claims
1. A cuff link for securing the sides of a shirt sleeve cuff together, the cuff link comprising:
- a button like member having an outward decorative face and an inward attachment face;
- a length of flexible, resilient, filament line, the filament line secured at a point on the inward attachment face of the button like member, the length of filament line having a generally looped configuration.
2. A method for making a custom cuff link from an existing button or button like object, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) selecting a button to be configured into a cuff link;
- (b) cutting a length of monofilament line of sufficient length to form a loop to engage and secure a button hole side of a cuff and a button side of a cuff of the sleeve of a shirt;
- (c) forming a loop from the cut length of a monofilament line;
- (d) securing a first end of the loop of monofilament line to a back face of the selected button; and
- (e) securing a second end of the loop of monofilament line to the back face of the selected button.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 8, 2011
Publication Date: Jan 12, 2012
Inventor: Mark Rodney SEVERYN (San Antonio, TX)
Application Number: 13/042,567
International Classification: A44B 5/02 (20060101); A44C 27/00 (20060101);