RIVET FOR FIXING A DIAMOND TO A GARMENT

Abstract

A garment fastening system has a male rivet and a female rivet. The male rivet is has a wide head and an elongated shaft with a widened mating ledge. The male rivet further has a through-hole extending at least partially through the head and/or shaft. A gemstone is received in the through-hole and is permanently coupled to the male rivet. The female rivet has a smooth domed outer side and an inner side with inwardly-facing tab portions defining a central opening. The male and female rivets are connected to a garment having an opening. The opening is sized and shaped to snugly receive the shaft of the male rivet from the garment outside. The widened mating ledge of the male rivet engages the tab portions of the female rivet to permanently lock the male rivet (and gemstone) to the female rivet and the garment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fastener for affixing a gemstone to a clothing garment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a rivet having a male rivet portion that receives a diamond and engages a female rivet portion to provide a permanent connection to a clothing garment.

2. Background of the Related Art

Diamonds are generally cut to form three sections: pavilion, girdle and crown. The pavilion is the lower half of the diamond below the girdle. The sides of the pavilion are formed at an angle and come to a point. The inside faces of the pavilion sides reflect light up through the crown. The girdle is the middle of the stone and is the widest point of the stone that defines the diameter of the stone. The crown is the top half of the stone above the girdle. The total depth of the stone is defined as the distance from the top of the crown to the bottom point of the pavilion.

Diamonds have been fixed to rings and other jewelry items. Care must be taken to ensure that the diamond is firmly affixed to the jewelry setting so that the diamond does not come free from the setting. In addition, the jewelry must also be properly fitted so that the jewelry does not come free from the wearer. Because diamonds are very valuable, they are typically not affixed to items that are subject to rough handling. Diamonds have a large total depth due to the size of the pavilion, and have a shape that can be awkward to affix to jewelry. Diamonds are typically fixed to a jewelry item such as a necklace, ring or stud and directly attached to the wearer such as around the neck or wrist, finger, or in the ear, respectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a reliable and permanent connection for a diamond to be fixed to items that are subject to rugged conditions and especially a clothing garment. It is another object of the invention to provide a reliable and permanent connection for a diamond to be fixed to items that are worn but not directly attached to a person. It is another object of the invention to provide a diamond fastener that is comfortable to wear. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a rivet that permanently receives a diamond, is permanently affixed to a clothing garment, is attractive and is comfortable to wear.

In accordance with these and other objectives, a garment fastening system is provided. A male rivet is provided that has a wide head and an elongated shaft extending substantially orthogonally to the wide head. The shaft has a beveled distal end with a widened mating ledge. The beveled distal end is beveled inwardly from the widened mating ledge to form a narrow leading end of the shaft. The male rivet further has a through-hole extending at least partially through the head and/or shaft. The through-hole includes an angled support shelf at a top end of the male rivet head.

A gemstone is received in the through-hole at the support shelf and is permanently coupled to the male rivet. A female rivet is also provided having a smooth domed outer side and an inner side having inwardly-facing tab portions defining a central opening. The male and female rivets are connected to a garment having an inside, an outside, and a reinforced opening. The opening is sized and shaped to snugly receive the shaft of the male rivet from the garment outside. The female rivet mates with the shaft at the inside of the garment. The shaft is received in the central opening of the female rivet whereby the widened mating ledge of the male rivet engages the tab portions of the female rivet to permanently lock the male rivet (and gemstone) to the female rivet and the garment.

These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of the intended advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of the diamond fastening system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention viewed from the outside of a garment;

FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of the diamond fastening system showing the inside of the garment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the rivet and diamond;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the male rivet portion before the diamond is received;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the male rivet portion with the diamond received;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the female rivet portion; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the assembled diamond fastening system with the rivet affixed to a garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Several preferred embodiments of the invention are described for illustrative purposes, it being understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms not specifically shown in the drawings.

Turning to the drawings, FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) show the fastening system 5 of the present invention. The fastening system 5 primarily includes a garment 10 and a fastener 20, which is preferably a two-piece rivet. As shown, the fastening system 5 is configured to affix a precious gemstone such as a diamond, to an article such as a garment 10 and preferably a women's thong panty. The fastener 20 is preferably fixed at the top rear of the garment 10, at about the center of the waistband. The waistband is sufficient sturdy and durable to provide a reliable connection with the fastener 20, and is not very susceptible to being ripped, torn, cut or broken. For instance, the waistband can be elastic or can be made of more durable or thicker material. However, any suitable garment 10 can be utilized, such as a blouse, jeans, hat or gloves, and one or more fasteners 20 can be affixed to the garment 10 at any suitable location; though preferably the fastener 20 is affixed at a portion of the garment 10 that is durable and not very susceptible to being ripped, torn, cut or broken.

Turning to FIG. 2, the details of the fastener 20 are shown. The fastener 20 includes a male rivet portion 30 and a female rivet portion 60. The male rivet portion 30 has a general T-shape with a large head 32 and a narrower elongated shaft 38. The head 32 is round and has a top surface 33 and a bottom surface 36. The top surface 33 extends upward toward the center of the head 32, so that the top surface 33 forms an acute angle with respect to the bottom surface 36 to create a circular pyramid-like shape with a flat top. A number of flat facet faces 34 are created on the top surface 33 of the head 32. The facets 34 surround a diamond 7 that is located in the center of the head 32. The facets 34 are formed by cutting or pressing into the top surface of the head 32. The facets 34 form a mirror-like surface, and for instance can be formed at angles to create triangular ridges. The facets 34 complement the shape and reflections of the diamond 7 and create an appearance of a larger diamond 7. Once the facets 34 are formed, the top surface 33 can then be polished. It will be apparent however, that the head 32 need not have a pyramid shape top surface 33, but for instance the head 32 can be relatively flat on top and bottom with the top surface 33 substantially parallel to the bottom surface 36.

The elongated shaft 38 has a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section. The shaft 38 extends downward from the head 32 and is substantially perpendicular to the head 32, which is preferably circular. The shaft 38 is formed integrally with the head 32, and has a distal end 44. A mating or locking ledge 42 is located toward the distal end 44 of the shaft 38. The locking ledge 42 projects outward from the shaft 38, then the distal end 44 is tapered inward from the locking ledge 42 to provide a narrow leading end 43 of the shaft 38.

Turning to FIG. 3, a central bore or through-hole 46 is provided at the center of the head 32. As best shown in FIG. 6, the through-hole 46 extends all the way through the head 32 and the shaft 38. However, the through-hole 46 need not extend all the way through the head 32 and shaft 38, but only a distance sufficient to receive the gemstone 7. Thus, for instance, the shaft 38 can be hollow (as shown) or solid with a small opening drilled to receive the diamond 7. Or, the through-hole 46 can extend only partially through the head 32 and not into the shaft 38.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the top portion of the through-hole 46 is widened outward at an angle to form a beveled support shelf 48 at the top of the through-hole 46. The support shelf 48 is formed at an angle with respect to the through-hole 46, so that the shelf 48 is smaller at its bottom (in the embodiments shown) and larger at the top surface 33 of the head 32 of the male rivet portion 30. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the angle of the support shelf 48 matches the angle of the side walls of the diamond 7 pavilion. Accordingly, the diamond 7 can be received in the through-hole 46 and at least the top portion of the diamond 7 pavilion can come to rest against the support shelf 48. The diameter of the through-hole 46 is smaller than the diameter of the diamond 7, so that the diamond 7 is retained on the support shelf 48 without falling through the through-hole 46.

As also shown in FIG. 6, the female rivet portion 60 has a housing 62 and an insert 70. The housing 62 forms an outer side 64 (which faces away from the male rivet 30) and a relatively flat inner side 66 (which faces toward the male rivet 30) that defines an inside space. The outer side 64 is rounded and forms a circular shape, and is curved inward at the outer circumference to form an inwardly turned lip 68. The insert 70 is provided in the inside space of the housing 62 and is shaped and sized to fit under the lip 68 of the housing 62.

Turning to FIG. 5, the insert 70, as well as the inner side 66 and inside space of the housing 62, is shown in further detail. The insert 70 has a curved section which rests up against the curved lip 68. The curved lip 68 permanently retains the insert 70 within the inside space of the housing 62. The curved section leads into a relatively flat portion that forms a ledge 72 at the outermost section of the inner side 66. The flat ledge 72 leads into the tabs 74, which are formed at the inside end of the flat ledge 72. The tabs 74 are angled downward (i.e., into the page in the embodiment of FIG. 5) away from the garment 10 and toward the back side of the dome 64 at the inside space. The tabs 74 extend inwardly (i.e., toward the center of the housing 62) into the inside space at the inner side 66 of the female rivet 60. The tabs 74 only extend partially downward and inward to leave sufficient space to receive the shaft 38 and mating ledge 42.

The tabs 74 have an extreme distal end that forms a mating face 76. The mating faces 76 define a circular central opening 78 at the center of the inside space of the inner side 66 of the female rivet 60. The tabs 74 are separated by slots 79 and the insert 70 is relatively thin, which together provides a small amount of flexibility to the rigid metal tabs 66. The slots 79 and tab thickness allow the tabs 74 to bend slightly so that the male rivet portion 30 can be received in the opening 78, as will be discussed below.

In operation, the male rivet portion 30 is formed from a hard metal such as steel, as shown in FIG. 4. At this point, the top surface 33 of the head 32 is smooth. The facets 34 are then formed in the top surface 33 of the head 32, as shown in FIG. 3. The facets 34 create a reflective mirrored surface. Once the facets 34 are formed, the diamond 7 is placed into the through-hole 46 where it comes to rest against the support shelf 48. As the diamond 7 sits on the support shelf 48, the diamond 7 is permanently sealed in position by a brandishing process whereby metal at the top surface 33 about the through-hole 46 is positioned about the girdle of the diamond 7. It should be noted that any conventional process can be utilized to affix the diamond 7 to the male rivet portion 30.

After the diamond 7 is fixed to the male rivet portion 30, the male rivet portion 30 is inserted in the opening 12 of the garment 10 from the outside of the garment 10, as shown in FIG. 6. The opening 12 has a high tolerance so that it is only slightly larger than the shaft 38 of the male rivet portion 30. By having the distal end 44 of the shaft 38 beveled, the shaft 38 can be more easily inserted into the garment opening 12. However, the shaft 38 and the opening 12 are sized and configured so that the shaft 38 must be forced into the opening 12. This ensures a tight fit between the shaft 38 and the opening 12, which hinders tearing or ripping of the garment 12. In addition, the garment 10 fabric can be reinforced around the opening 12 such as by using a strong threading or by sewing additional material about the opening 12. This further precludes tearing or ripping of the garment 10 which might otherwise result in the fastener 20 coming free of the garment 10.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the male rivet head 32 is smaller (i.e., diameter) than the female rivet 60. Accordingly, at least a portion of the flat underside of the wide male rivet head 32 overlaps with the flat ledge 72 of the female rivet 60. The proximal end of the shaft 38 can optionally have an angled section 39 to match the angle of the tabs 74, so that there is also a uniform pressure on the garment 10. It is noted that each of the diamond pavilion, the beveled support shelf 48, the angled section 39, and the tabs 74 can all be substantially set at the same angle so that they extend in planes that are substantially parallel to one another. However, not all of those elements need to be at the same angle, and one or more of them can be set at different angles to each other.

Once the shaft 38 of the male rivet portion 30 is positioned in the opening 12 of the garment 10, the female rivet portion 60 is positioned over the distal end 44 of the male rivet portion 30 at the inside of the garment 10. The narrowed leading end 43 of the shaft 38 is aligned with the central opening 78 of the female rivet portion 60. Since the leading end 43 of the shaft 38 is narrowed, that end 43 fits just inside the female rivet opening 78. In addition, since the tabs 74 are angled downwardly (away from the male rivet 30), the tabs 74 guide the narrowed end 43 toward the female opening 78.

Once the shaft 38 is aligned with the opening 78, the male rivet portion 30 and the female rivet portion 60 are then forced together. This can be accomplished manually or by use of a compression tool that has opposing curved ends that conform with the shape of the top surface of the head 32 of the male rivet portion 30 and with the curved surface of the outer surface 64 of the female housing 62. As the male rivet portion 30 is pressed into the female rivet portion 60, the beveled distal end 44 forces the tabs 74 apart (i.e., outward away from the center of the housing 62) just slightly. Once the mating ledge 42 passes the mating faces 76, the tabs 74 snap back inward (i.e., toward the center of the housing 62) toward the shaft 38 due to their inward bias of the metal. The tabs 74 can also press against the shaft 38. In this position, the mating faces 76 of the tabs 74 come into a locking relationship with the mating ledge 42. The mating faces 76 can press against the mating ledge 42. In this manner, the mating faces 76 cooperate with the mating ledge 42 to prevent the shaft 38 from being withdrawn from the female rivet portion 60.

Thus, the male rivet portion 30, as well as the gem 7, is permanently and unremovably affixed to the female rivet portion 60. This provides a sturdy and reliable connection between the male rivet 30, the gem 7, and the female rivet 60. Once in the locked position, the mating faces 76 are unable to pass by the mating ledge 42 since the tabs 74 cannot be separated outwardly. This permanent locking is important to prevent the fastener 20 from coming free of the garment 10. It is especially important where the fastener 20 is used on an item that is subject to rough usage, such as a clothing garment 10 that is continually worn and washed, and particularly where the fastener 20 also retains an expensive item like a diamond 7. The male rivet 30 cannot be readily separated from the female rivet 60 without potentially damaging the garment 10, the rivets 30, 60 and/or the gem 7. Of course, the gem 7 can be removed from the male rivet 30 by a jeweler using specialized tools (and perhaps fashioned into other jewelry or reused in a new garment 7); though the gem 7 cannot be manually removed from the male rivet 30.

Accordingly, the housing 62 of the female rivet portion 60 that is visible and contacts the wearer is smooth so that the fastener 20 is attractive, comfortable to wear and does not scratch or otherwise injure the wearer. The female rivet 60 has a button-like and ergonomic shape that is non-obtrusive. The inner side 66 faces and engages with the male rivet portion 30; while the outer side 64 faces away from the male rivet portion 30 and the garment 10, and faces toward the wearer.

It is noted that the facets 34 are formed before the diamond 7 is affixed to the male rivet portion 30. The brandishing of the diamond 7 to the male rivet portion 30 does not affect or otherwise compromise the facets 34. In addition, the facets 34 are formed and the diamond 7 is coupled to the male rivet portion 30, before the male rivet portion 30 is coupled with the female rivet portion 60. The connection of the male rivet portion 30 to the female rivet portion 60 does not affect or compromise the facets 34 or the integrity of the coupling between the diamond 7 and the male rivet portion 30. However, any suitable manufacturing process can be utilized, such as connecting the male rivet portion 30 to the female rivet portion 60, then coupling the diamond 7 to the male rivet portion 30, then forming the facets 34.

It is further noted that the male rivet 30 and the female rivet 60 (including the insert 70) are preferably formed of a hard metal, such as steel. It should be noted, however, that a soft metal can be used (particularly for the male rivet 30), such as brass or aluminum. In addition, the facets 34 can be cut in the top surface of the fastener head 32 such as for a harder metal. Or, the mirrored surface can be plated to the top surface of the fastener head 32 by a plating process such as for a softer metal. Still further, while the female rivet 60 has been described as being two pieces, it can be a single unitary piece whereby the rounded outer side 64 forms a curved integral shape with the inner side 66, the ledge 72 and the tabs 74.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the diamond 7 can be about 0.15 carats, the male rivet head 32 can have a diameter of about 0.9 cm, the through-hole 46 can have a diameter of about 3 mm, and the shaft 38 can have an outer diameter of about 4 mm. Of course, the invention can be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not intended to be limited by the preferred embodiment. Much larger or smaller diamonds 7 can be utilized, and the size of the male stud head 32 can be larger or smaller.

As discussed above in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the invention has both male and female rivet portions 30, 60. However, the fastener 20 need not have both male and female rivet portions 30, 60. Rather, for instance, the fastener 20 can only have a male rivet with a solid shaft that is inserted into the garment 10. The distal end of the shaft can then be deformed to form a permanent connection between the male rivet and the garment 10. In addition, an opening can be partially formed (e.g., drilled) in the center of the top of the male rivet and beveled to permanently receive the diamond, as above. A smooth domed cap or cover can preferably be connected to or otherwise engaged with (such as by mating features on the cover and shaft, adhesive, etc.) the deformed distal end of the male rivet (either during or after the male rivet is deformed) so that the cover is comfortable to wear and to prevent the male rivet from injuring the wearer.

The foregoing description and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Numerous applications of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A combined garment, gemstone and fastener, said combination comprising:

a male rivet having a wide head and an elongated shaft extending substantially orthogonally to the wide head, said shaft having a beveled distal end with a widened mating ledge, wherein said beveled distal end is angled inwardly from said widened mating ledge to form a narrow leading end of said shaft, said male rivet further having a through-hole extending at least partially through said head, said through-hole having an angled support shelf at a top end of said head;

a gemstone received in said through-hole at the support shelf and permanently coupled thereto;

a female rivet having a smooth domed outer side and an inner side having inwardly-facing tab portions defining a central opening; and

a garment having an inside, an outside, and a reinforced opening configured to receive said shaft of said male rivet from the garment outside to mate with said female rivet at the garment inside, said shaft received in the central opening of said female rivet whereby the widened mating ledge of said male rivet engages the tab portions of said female rivet to permanently and unremovably lock said male rivet to said female rivet and said garment.

2. The combined garment, gemstone and fastener of claim 1, wherein said garment has a reinforced portion about the opening.

3. The combined garment, gemstone and fastener of claim 1, wherein said garment has an elastic waistband and said opening is positioned at said elastic waistband.

4. The combined garment, gemstone and fastener of claim 1, wherein said smooth domed outer side of said female rivet contacts the wearer during use.

5. The combined garment, gemstone and fastener of claim 1, wherein said gemstone comprises a diamond.

6. The combined garment, gemstone and fastener of claim 1, wherein said male rivet head has a top surface and further comprising facets formed in said top surface of said male rivet head.

7. The combined garment, gemstone and fastener of claim 1, wherein said male rivet head is circular.

8. The combined garment, gemstone and fastener of claim 1, wherein said male rivet shaft is cylindrical.

9. The combined garment, gemstone and fastener of claim 1, wherein said tabs flex outwardly as the male rivet shaft is received in the central opening of the female rivet.

10. The combined garment, gemstone and fastener of claim 1, wherein said tabs do not separate outward once locked against the mating ledge of said male rivet.

11. The combined garment, gemstone and fastener of claim 1, further comprising a slots formed between the tabs.

12. The combined garment, gemstone and fastener of claim 1, wherein said female rivet comprises a housing comprising said smooth domed outer side, and an insert received by said housing, said insert forming the tab portions.

13. A combined garment and fastener, the combination comprising:

a male rivet having a wide head and an elongated shaft extending substantially orthogonally to the wide head, said male rivet further having a hole extending at least partially through said head and forming an angled support shelf at a top end of said head, said hole and support shelf configured to receive a gemstone;

a female rivet having a smooth domed outer side and an inner side having inwardly-facing tab portions defining a central opening; and

a garment having an inside, an outside, and a reinforced opening configured to receive said shaft of said male rivet from the garment outside, said shaft received in the central opening of said female rivet whereby the widened mating ledge of said male rivet engages the tab portions of said female rivet to permanently lock said male rivet to said female rivet and said garment.

14. A method for permanently securing a gemstone to a garment, said method comprising:

providing a male rivet having a wide head, an elongated shaft extending substantially orthogonally to the wide head, and a hole extending at least partially through said head;

permanently affixing a gemstone to the male rivet at the hole;

providing a female rivet having a smooth domed outer side and an inner side;

providing a garment having an inside, an outside, and a reinforced opening;

placing the elongated shaft of the male rivet through the garment opening at the outer side of the garment and into the inner side of the female rivet at the inside of the garment; and

permanently coupling the male rivet to the inner side of the female rivet to permanently lock the male rivet and the gemstone to the female rivet and the garment.

15. A combined garment and fastener, the combination comprising:

a male rivet having a wide head and an elongated shaft extending substantially orthogonally to the wide head, said male rivet further having a hole extending at least partially through said head, said hole configured to receive a gemstone, said shaft further having a distal end; and

a garment having an inside, an outside, and a reinforced opening configured to receive said shaft of said male rivet from the garment outside, said distal end configured to be deformed to permanently lock said male rivet to said garment.

16. The combined garment and fastener of claim 15, further comprising a cover engaged with the deformed distal end of said shaft, said cover comprising a smooth domed outer surface.