BUTTON REPLACEMENT

Abstract

A button closure replacement system is disclosed, comprising a button replacement portion comprising a button cover defining a button chamber for accommodating a button, and a restriction for retaining the button within the button chamber, wherein the button cover has a fastening material on an outward surface, a button hole insert having a dumbbell shape, the insert comprising a backing disk on one end for passing through a button hole and retaining the insert within the button hole; and a facing disk having a fastening material thereon, and the button cover and facing disk releasably retain each other to close a button closure. Further disclosed is a zipper closure fastening system, comprising first and second zipper covers, each comprising a spring clip having a fastener thereon for fitting over a zipper side, wherein the fasteners of the first and second zipper covers releasably retain each other.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system to replace a button and zipper fly with another fastener such as a hook and loop fastener.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Buttons and zippers are used to fasten pants for children, and have been used for generations in that regard. Buttons and zippers require strength and agility in manipulating the button through the loop, so as to fasten the pants. Zippers on pants for small children are small and difficult to fasten. Furthermore, buttons may fall off rendering the pants non-wearable for a period while the button is sewn on again. Zippers may bind and become unfastenable, or may close on children's skin, causing a painful injury.

Prior art means of removing the button and replacing it with a hook-and-loop fastener destroys the button for future use, when it is indeed desirable that the button remain intact for future use. Furthermore, the zipper is difficult to replace and a broken zipper often results in a need to discard jeans.

There is a need, therefore, for a system for replacing a button with a fastener that is easier for children to use, such as a hook and loop fastener that is removable and will permit the pants to return to the original form. There is further a need for a zipper replacement on jeans that is easy to use and can replace a broken zipper or be used temporarily without affecting the zipper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A button closure replacement system is disclosed, comprising a button replacement portion comprising a button cover defining a button chamber for accommodating a button, and a restriction for retaining the button within the button chamber, wherein the button cover has a fastening material on an outward surface, a button hole insert having a dumbbell shape, the insert comprising a backing disk on one end for passing through a button hole and retaining the insert within the button hole; and a facing disk having a fastening material thereon, and the button cover and facing disk releasably retain each other to close a button closure.

In a further embodiment, the fastening material is selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fastener and magnets. The restriction may be an elastic restriction, or a drawstring. The backing disk and facing disk may be similar in size to the button.

In one embodiment the system further comprises first and second zipper covers, each comprising a clip having a fastener thereon for removable attachment to a zipper side, wherein the fasteners of the first and second zipper covers releasably retain each other, and cooperate to close a zipper closure. The fastening material may be a hook and loop fastener. In one embodiment the clip may be a spring clip or a clasp.

Further disclosed is a zipper closure fastening system, comprising first and second zipper covers, each comprising a spring clip having a fastener thereon for fitting over a zipper side, wherein the fasteners of the first and second zipper covers releasably retain each other, and cooperate to close a zipper closure. In one embodiment the fastener is a hook and loop fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a cut-away view of the button replacement portion, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the zipper replacement portion, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 the button replacement system is described comprising a button replacement portion and a zipper replacement portion. With reference to FIG. 1 a button replacement portion 2 is shown comprising two parts: the button cover 5 and a button hole insert 10. The button cover 5 contains a button chamber 7 and a restriction 8. The chamber 7 is sufficiently large to contain the desired button 3 to be replaced therein, and fits snugly over the button 3.

The restriction 8 permits the button stem 11 to pass therethrough, but is small enough that the button 3 will not easily pass through. In one embodiment, the material of the button cover 5 is stretchable so as to allow the button 3 (mounted in garment material 4 by a fastener 1 such as a rivet or screw) to pass through the restriction 8. Once inside the button chamber 7, the button 3 remains therein. In another embodiment, the restriction 8 is a similar diameter to the button chamber 7, and the restriction 8 has a drawstring (not shown) or other constricting fastener so that the button is held within the button chamber 7.

The button chamber 7 is placed over the button 3, and the restriction 8 is tightened around the button stem 11 so that the button 3 is held within the button chamber 7. On the outward surface 9 of the button cover 5 is affixed a fastening material 18. In one embodiment, the fastening material 18 is a hook and loop fastener such as one side of a hook-and-loop material, either hooks or loops, with the corresponding portion on the button hole insert 10. In another embodiment complementary magnets on the button cover 5 and button hole insert 10 may also be used.

The button hole insert 10 has a dumbbell shape with a backing disk 12 and facing disk 13 on each side, each similar in size to the button in an embodiment, and a stem 14 connecting their centers. The backing disk 12 is a similar size to the button it is replacing and fits through the button hole 15. The backing disk 12 is inserted through the button hole 15 formed through the garment material 16 from the inside such that the facing disk 13 faces button cover 5.

The facing disk 13 has a corresponding fastening material 17 thereon to engage with the fastening material 18 on the surface 9 of the button cover 5. For example, if fastening material 17 on the facing disk 13 consists of hooks, then fastening material 18 on the button cover 5 would consist of loops, so that the hooks and loops may releasably hold the corresponding surface. In another embodiment, magnets may be used.

In use, the button cover 5 is slipped over the button 3 by passing the button 3 through the restriction 8 such that the cover 5 is reliably held on the button 3. The fastening material 17 on the button cover surface 9 faces outward from the button. The button hole insert 10 is removably affixed to the opposite side of the opening by pushing the backing disk 12 through the button hole 16. The button hole now surrounds the narrow stem 14 between the larger backing disk 12 and facing disk 13 on either side of the stem 14, and is held in place there.

With reference to FIG. 2, a zipper cover 20 is shown, comprising a spring clip 21 for fastening over the zipper 23 and a hook and loop 24 fastener attached thereto. A zipper cover 26 comprising a spring clip 27 having the corresponding fastener 25 to the hook-and-loop fastener on the zipper cover 20 attached thereto, and is removably attached to the opposite side 28 of the zipper 23. Clip 21 may be a spring clip like a large paper clip or a clasp. The hook and loop fastener 24, 25 is attached to the clip 21 by adhesive or a mechanical means such as rivets or other means known in the art.

The system is applicable to many garments which use buttons, including pants, jackets, and shirts. It permits the buttons to be temporarily replaced while the child develops the strength and coordination to close the buttons him- or herself. It is also useful for the elderly who no longer have the strength or coordination to close and open the waist closure of pants.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A button closure replacement system, comprising:

a. a button replacement portion comprising; i. a button cover defining a button chamber for accommodating a button, and a restriction for retaining the button within the button chamber, wherein the button cover has a fastening material on an outward surface; ii. a button hole insert having a dumbbell shape, the insert comprising: 1. a backing disk on one end for passing through a button hole and retaining the insert within the button hole; and 2. a facing disk having a fastening material thereon;

b. and the button cover and facing disk releasably retain each other to close a button closure.

2. The button closure replacement system of claim 1 wherein the fastening material is selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fastener and magnets.

3. The button closure replacement system of claim 1 wherein the restriction is an elastic restriction.

4. The button closure replacement system of claim 1 wherein the restriction is a drawstring.

5. The button closure replacement system of claim 1 wherein the backing disk and facing disk are similar in size to the button.

6. The button closure replacement system of claim 1 further comprising first and second zipper covers, each comprising a clip having a fastener thereon for removable attachment to a zipper side, wherein the fasteners of the first and second zipper covers releasably retain each other, and cooperate to close a zipper closure.

7. The button closure replacement system of claim 6 wherein the fastening material is a hook and loop fastener.

8. The button closure replacement system of claim 6 wherein the clip is a spring clip.

9. The button closure replacement system of claim 6 wherein the clip is a clasp.

10. A zipper closure fastening system, comprising first and second zipper covers, each comprising a spring clip having a fastener thereon for fitting over a zipper side, wherein the fasteners of the first and second zipper covers releasably retain each other, and cooperate to close a zipper closure.

11. The zipper closure fastening system of claim 10 wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener