ONE PIECE UPHOLSTERY TUFTING BUTTON
United States Patent 3816881
A one piece tufting button for use in securing upholstery. The tufting button main body has a button head formed at one end and an opposite pointed end for allowing insertion of the button main body through the upholstery. In one embodiment, a plurality of holes are formed in the main body at a portion of the main body nearest the button head. The pointed end is extended through the upholstery and then looped toward the button head so as to extend through one of the holes. A groove formed in the pointed end engages the periphery of the hole through which the pointed end extends thereby locking the pointed end in place and compressing the upholstery the desired amount. In another embodiment, a plurality of grooves are formed in a portion of the main body nearest the button head. A bifurcated wall adjacent the pointed end extends around one of the grooves thereby securing the pointed end in position.
US Patent References:
N/A
Molt - September 1971 - 3608157
BUNDLE TIE
Evans - April 1969 - 3438095
Clamping means
Roberts et al. - September 1962 - 3054585
Locking device
Kipper et al. - August 1932 - 1871064
N/A
Molt - September 1971 - 3608157
BUNDLE TIE
Evans - April 1969 - 3438095
Clamping means
Roberts et al. - September 1962 - 3054585
Locking device
Kipper et al. - August 1932 - 1871064
View Patent Images:
Application Number:
05/378567
Publication Date:
06/18/1974
Filing Date:
07/12/1973
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Ingress Manufacturing Company Incorporated (Crawfordsville, IN)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
24/114.800
International Classes:
B68G7/08; B68G7/00; A44B1/18
Field of Search:
24/16R,16PB,3.5R,3.5P,73PF,15FP,152,26A,28A,12T,103,9B,9W 5/356
Primary Examiner:
Griffin, Donald A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Woodard, Weikart, Emhardt & Naughton
Claims:
The invention claimed is
1. A one piece upholstery tufting button comprising:
2. The one piece upholstery tufting button of claim 1 wherein:
3. The one piece upholstery tufting button of claim 2 wherein:
4. The one piece upholstery tufting button of claim 3 wherein:
5. The one piece upholstery tufting button of claim 4 wherein:
6. The one piece upholstery tufting button of claim 5 wherein:
7. The one piece upholstery tufting button of claim 6 wherein:
8. The one piece upholstery tufting button of claim 4 wherein:
1. A one piece upholstery tufting button comprising:
2. The one piece upholstery tufting button of claim 1 wherein:
3. The one piece upholstery tufting button of claim 2 wherein:
4. The one piece upholstery tufting button of claim 3 wherein:
5. The one piece upholstery tufting button of claim 4 wherein:
6. The one piece upholstery tufting button of claim 5 wherein:
7. The one piece upholstery tufting button of claim 6 wherein:
8. The one piece upholstery tufting button of claim 4 wherein:
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is in the field of fasteners.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various types of upholstery fasteners have been devised. Typically, these prior art fasteners require two separate components with one component extending through the upholstery and into the second component. For example, see the U.S. Pat. No. 2,802,297 issued to Meyer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,802 issued to Mackey and U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,192 issued to Papazian. Another type of fastener which requires permanent deformation of the fastener is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,341,904 issued to Joyner et al. Another fastener of interest is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,528,693 issued to Pearson et al.
Another method of forming tufts is to extend string through the upholstery with the string being attached to a cotton ball. Disclosed herein is a new type of tufting button which does not require additional components. The tufting button disclosed herein is of one piece construction. The tufting button disclosed herein is particularly advantageous in that the button is adjustable for the difference thicknesses of upholstery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment of the present invention is a one piece upholstery tufting button comprising an elongated member with a headed end forming a button head and an opposite pointed end, the member including lock means formed thereon adjacent the pointed end and receiving means formed on the member between the button head and the lock means, the lock means and the receiving means being operable to lockingly engage together when the member is extended through upholstery forcing the button head to abut one side of the upholstery and the member being looped back on itself on an opposite side of the upholstery to connect the lock means and the receiving means together compressing the upholstery.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tufting button.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a tufting button which is of one piece construction and which does not require additional components for securing the button to the upholstery.
In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved upholstery tufting button which allows for easy adjustment of the button for different thicknesses of upholstery.
Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the upholstery button incorporating the present invention shown being inserted into upholstery.
FIG. 2 is the same view as FIG. 1 only showing an alternate embodiment of the tufting button.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tufting button of FIG. 1 installed in the upholstery.
FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of the tufting button.
FIG. 5 is the same view as FIG. 3 only showing the tufting button of FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a tufting button 10 which is being installed into upholstery 11. Upholstery tufting button 10 is of one piece construction and includes an elongated main body or member 12 which has a headed end forming a button head 13 and an opposite pointed end 14.
Member 12 includes locking means 15 formed adjacent pointed end 14. Locking means 15 is lockingly engageable with the receiving means 16 formed on the member between button head 13 and locking means 15. Locking means 15 and receiving means 16 are operable to lockingly engage together when member 12 is extended through the upholstery as shown in FIG. 3 forcing button head 13 to abut side 17 of upholstery 11 with member 12 being looped back on itself on side 18 of the upholstery so that locking means 15 may be connected to the receiving means 16 thereby compressing the upholstery as shown in FIG. 3.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, member 12 includes a web 19 which extends from button head 13 to the diametered portion 20. The locking means includes a plurality of holes 20' which are formed in web 19 with the holes extending partially along the length of the member. Locking means 15 includes a groove 21 which is formed between pointed end 14 and the reduced diametered portion 20. Holes 20' are sized so that web 19 will project into groove 21 when the pointed end 14 is forced through the hole thereby locking the pointed end to the web. Holes 20' are elongated and extend along the length of the member. The height of each hole is shorter than the length of each hole. In addition, the height of each hole is less than the diameter of groove 21 thereby causing the web to elastically deform when the groove is positioned in the hole as shown in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, the height of hole 20' was two-thirds the diameter of groove 21. As a result, the top portion 22 and the bottom portion 23 of the web are forced outwardly when the pointed end is inserted through the hole. Top portion 22 and bottom portion 23 of the web have a thickness slightly greater than the main portion of the web providing an I-cross sectional configuration for the locking means. A pair of opposite flat finger gripping side surfaces 24 and 25 are formed on member 12 between the reduced diametered portion 20 and groove 21 thereby allowing a person to grip the pointed end to pull the tufting button through the upholstery after the sharp tip of end 14 has pierced and passed through the upholstery.
Pointed end 14 may be inserted through any one of the holes 20' depending upon the thickness of the upholstery and the amount of upholstery compression desired. The tufting button is produced from a flexible plastic allowing the member to bow for the locking means 15 to engage the receiving means 16.
An alternate embodiment of the tufting button is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Tufting button 40 is identical to tufting button 10 with the exception that the locking means and receiving means are provided with a different configuration. Button head 41 is integrally attached to the main body 42 of the tufting button along with the pointed end 44. Receiving means 43 includes a plurality of grooves 48 which are spaced between a plurality of ridges 49. The locking means includes a bifurcated wall 45 which is formed by a converging channel 46 which opens into aperture 47 through an entrance 50. The width of entrance 50 is less than the diameter of groove 48 thereby necessitating the groove to be forced through entrance and into aperture 47 to lock the pointed end to receiving means 43 as shown in FIG. 5.
Each ridge 49 includes a vertical stop surface 51 which is on the side of the ridge nearest button head 41 forming a stop surface to limit movement of bifurcated wall 45. Surface 52 of each ridge which is farthest from button head 41 is tapered.
Tufting button 60 is identical to button 10 with the exception that shank 62 (FIG. 2) has a cylindrical configuration. Pointed end 64 is looped back towards head 61 to extend through one of the holes 63.
It will be obvious from the above description that the present invention provides a new and improved tufting button. It will be further obvious from the above description that the tufting button disclosed herein is of one piece construction. In addition, it will be obvious from the above description that the subject tufting button accommodates different thicknesses of upholstery.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is in the field of fasteners.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various types of upholstery fasteners have been devised. Typically, these prior art fasteners require two separate components with one component extending through the upholstery and into the second component. For example, see the U.S. Pat. No. 2,802,297 issued to Meyer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,802 issued to Mackey and U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,192 issued to Papazian. Another type of fastener which requires permanent deformation of the fastener is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,341,904 issued to Joyner et al. Another fastener of interest is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,528,693 issued to Pearson et al.
Another method of forming tufts is to extend string through the upholstery with the string being attached to a cotton ball. Disclosed herein is a new type of tufting button which does not require additional components. The tufting button disclosed herein is of one piece construction. The tufting button disclosed herein is particularly advantageous in that the button is adjustable for the difference thicknesses of upholstery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment of the present invention is a one piece upholstery tufting button comprising an elongated member with a headed end forming a button head and an opposite pointed end, the member including lock means formed thereon adjacent the pointed end and receiving means formed on the member between the button head and the lock means, the lock means and the receiving means being operable to lockingly engage together when the member is extended through upholstery forcing the button head to abut one side of the upholstery and the member being looped back on itself on an opposite side of the upholstery to connect the lock means and the receiving means together compressing the upholstery.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tufting button.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a tufting button which is of one piece construction and which does not require additional components for securing the button to the upholstery.
In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved upholstery tufting button which allows for easy adjustment of the button for different thicknesses of upholstery.
Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the upholstery button incorporating the present invention shown being inserted into upholstery.
FIG. 2 is the same view as FIG. 1 only showing an alternate embodiment of the tufting button.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tufting button of FIG. 1 installed in the upholstery.
FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of the tufting button.
FIG. 5 is the same view as FIG. 3 only showing the tufting button of FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a tufting button 10 which is being installed into upholstery 11. Upholstery tufting button 10 is of one piece construction and includes an elongated main body or member 12 which has a headed end forming a button head 13 and an opposite pointed end 14.
Member 12 includes locking means 15 formed adjacent pointed end 14. Locking means 15 is lockingly engageable with the receiving means 16 formed on the member between button head 13 and locking means 15. Locking means 15 and receiving means 16 are operable to lockingly engage together when member 12 is extended through the upholstery as shown in FIG. 3 forcing button head 13 to abut side 17 of upholstery 11 with member 12 being looped back on itself on side 18 of the upholstery so that locking means 15 may be connected to the receiving means 16 thereby compressing the upholstery as shown in FIG. 3.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, member 12 includes a web 19 which extends from button head 13 to the diametered portion 20. The locking means includes a plurality of holes 20' which are formed in web 19 with the holes extending partially along the length of the member. Locking means 15 includes a groove 21 which is formed between pointed end 14 and the reduced diametered portion 20. Holes 20' are sized so that web 19 will project into groove 21 when the pointed end 14 is forced through the hole thereby locking the pointed end to the web. Holes 20' are elongated and extend along the length of the member. The height of each hole is shorter than the length of each hole. In addition, the height of each hole is less than the diameter of groove 21 thereby causing the web to elastically deform when the groove is positioned in the hole as shown in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, the height of hole 20' was two-thirds the diameter of groove 21. As a result, the top portion 22 and the bottom portion 23 of the web are forced outwardly when the pointed end is inserted through the hole. Top portion 22 and bottom portion 23 of the web have a thickness slightly greater than the main portion of the web providing an I-cross sectional configuration for the locking means. A pair of opposite flat finger gripping side surfaces 24 and 25 are formed on member 12 between the reduced diametered portion 20 and groove 21 thereby allowing a person to grip the pointed end to pull the tufting button through the upholstery after the sharp tip of end 14 has pierced and passed through the upholstery.
Pointed end 14 may be inserted through any one of the holes 20' depending upon the thickness of the upholstery and the amount of upholstery compression desired. The tufting button is produced from a flexible plastic allowing the member to bow for the locking means 15 to engage the receiving means 16.
An alternate embodiment of the tufting button is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Tufting button 40 is identical to tufting button 10 with the exception that the locking means and receiving means are provided with a different configuration. Button head 41 is integrally attached to the main body 42 of the tufting button along with the pointed end 44. Receiving means 43 includes a plurality of grooves 48 which are spaced between a plurality of ridges 49. The locking means includes a bifurcated wall 45 which is formed by a converging channel 46 which opens into aperture 47 through an entrance 50. The width of entrance 50 is less than the diameter of groove 48 thereby necessitating the groove to be forced through entrance and into aperture 47 to lock the pointed end to receiving means 43 as shown in FIG. 5.
Each ridge 49 includes a vertical stop surface 51 which is on the side of the ridge nearest button head 41 forming a stop surface to limit movement of bifurcated wall 45. Surface 52 of each ridge which is farthest from button head 41 is tapered.
Tufting button 60 is identical to button 10 with the exception that shank 62 (FIG. 2) has a cylindrical configuration. Pointed end 64 is looped back towards head 61 to extend through one of the holes 63.
It will be obvious from the above description that the present invention provides a new and improved tufting button. It will be further obvious from the above description that the tufting button disclosed herein is of one piece construction. In addition, it will be obvious from the above description that the subject tufting button accommodates different thicknesses of upholstery.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.