| JP2006311877 | BUTTON |
| JP08182508 | STICK BUTTON |
| WO/2008/010254 | BUTTON COMPOSED OF THREE COOPERATING ELEMENTS. |
GATTO, Alessandro (Viale Brigata Marche, 57/D, Treviso, I-31100, IT)
| CLAIMS 1) Method for fixing an element (10) in precious metal, such as a button, a boss or other similar element, on a fabric (16), comprising a pivot (20) of a certain width and an upper part (18) showing a larger width than the pivot (20), characterized in that it comprises the following phases: making in the fabric (16) a hole of a size substantially equivalent to the width of the pivot (20) of the metal element (10); inserting the pivot (20) of the metal element (10) in the hole so that the upper part (18) rests on a surface (17) of the fabric (16); - coupling a perforated body (14) in precious metal to the element (10) in precious metal so that the pivot (20) is inserted in the hole of the perforated body (14) and the perforated body (14) rests on a surface (19) of the fabric (16) opposite to the fabric surface (17) on which the upper part (18) of the element (10) rests; - melting the pivot part that goes out of the perforated body (14) so that the melted part (22) becomes an only body with the perforated body (14). 2) Method according to claim 1 , wherein before inserting the pivot (20) in the hole of the perforated body (14), a washer (12) is inserted. 3) Method according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the pivot (20) is a cylindrical threaded body and the hole of the perforated body (14) is counterthreaded so that the body (14) and the pivot (20) can be screwed together. 4) Method according to claim 3, wherein the perforated body (14) is a nut and its threaded hole is so dimensioned to receive the threaded pivot (20). 5) Method according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the pivot part that goes out of the perforated body (14) is melted by a laser tool. 6) Method according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein after the melting of the pivot and a welding of the pivot to the perforated body (14), the melted part (22) is modelled so that it does not show any projections. 7) Method according to claim 6, wherein the melted part (22) is polished. 8) Fixing system to fix an element (10) in precious metal, such as a button, a boss or other similar element to a fabric (16), comprising a pivot (20) of a certain width and an upper part (18) showing a larger width than the pivot (20), characterized in that it comprises a perforated body (14) in precious material and a pivot (20) is inserted in the hole of the perforated body so that the pivot (20) passes through the hole obtained in the fabric and the upper part (18) rests on a surface (17) of the fabric (16) and the perforated body (14) rests on the opposite fabric surface (19), and in that the pivot part that goes out of the perforated body (14) is melted in order to form an only body with the perforated body (14). 9) Fixing system according to claim 8, wherein the pivot (20) is a cylindrical threaded body and the perforated body (14) is a counterthreaded nut so that it is screwed with the threaded pivot (20) and is coupled with the element (10). 10) Fixing system according to claim 9, wherein a washer (12) is placed between the body (14) and the surface (19) of fabric (16). |
DESCRIPTION
The present invention generally refers to a method for applying a metallic element to a cloth and the relative fixing system. More specifically, it is a method for applying an element in precious metal, such as a button, a boss or other similar element, to a fabric in such a way so that it remains fixed in a secure and stable manner. It is well known that buttons, bosses and other similar elements are often applied to fabrics by means of sewing. Alternatively, these elements can be applied to a surface of the fabric by coupling them with a counterpart on the opposite side of the same fabric.
Moreover, in the case at hand of bosses or clip buttons, these elements can have protruding portions which, once having passed through the thickness of the fabric, can be upset, thereby acting as rivets.
These methods of application allow for certain elements to be fixed to a fabric with variable resistance, based on the robustness of the elements that make up the fixing system, as well as the mechanical characteristics of the element to be fixed, the fabric and, in case of sewing, the thread which is utilised. In order to meet the requirements of the fashion industry, garments are created which, in order to have a significant impact, are made from prized fabrics. These garments can be adorned with elements, such as buttons, bosses of other similar items, which are also made from prized materials, such as precious metals. Therefore, wherever buttons or other elements made from precious metals are used, it is necessary to ensure that they are fixed to the fabric in a secure and stable manner.
The ductility characteristics of precious metals, such as gold, platinum or silver, do not allow for the safe use of known fixing systems.
In the case of sewing, in fact, not only the thread is at risk of breaking, but also one or more bridges that make up the perforations for threading the stitches. In the case of fixing by riveting or by coupling with counter elements, the ductility of the material with which the elements have been created could cause the fixing system to fail.
The purpose of the invention which is the subject of this patent application it to remedy the above problems, amongst others, by means of a fixing method and a relative fixing system which will allow for a metal element, such as a button, boss or other similar item, to be fixed to a fabric in a secure and stable manner. According to the invention, these objectives and advantages can be achieved through a method for fixing an element in precious metal, such as a button, a boss or other similar element to a fabric, comprising a pivot of a certain width and an upper part showing a larger width than the pivot, characterized in that, following the creation of a hole of a size substantially equivalent to the width of the pivot of the metal element, it requires the metal element's pivot to be inserted through the hole so that the upper part rests on a surface of the fabric. The method is also characterized by the subsequent coupling of a perforated body in precious metal to the element in precious metal so that the pivot is inserted in the hole of the perforated body and the perforated body rests on a surface of the fabric opposite to the fabric surface on which the upper part of the element rests; finally, the pivot part that goes out of the perforated body is melted in such a way so that it becomes an only body with the perforated body.
The melting of the perforated body with the pivot part that goes out allows for a secure fixing to be obtained, which guarantees an optimal hold, even if the element to be fixed and the perforated body are in precious metal, such as, for example, gold, platinum, silver or other metals with particular ductility characteristics.
The method according to the invention can also provide for the insertion of the pivot into a washer before the pivot itself is inserted into the perforated body, thereby resulting in the washer being positioned between the fabric and the perforated body.
In this manner, the fabric will not be affected by the thermal action caused by the melting of the pivot's tip, which could also affect the perforated body, at least partially. The pivot can also be comprised of a cylindrical threaded body, with the hole of the perforated body being counterthreaded accordingly, so that the perforated body, a nut for example, can be screwed on and coupled with the pivot.
Moreover, the melting of the pivot part that goes out of the perforated body can be performed by means of a laser device in order to allow for precision workmanship which is limited to the required area, thereby avoiding possible damage to the fabric.
In order to improve the aesthetic and functional aspects of the melted part of the pivot, it can be modelled, so that it does not to show any projections, and polished so that it appears shiny. The invention's purposes and advantages can also be achieved by means of a system for fixing an element in precious metal, such as a button, a boss or other similar element to a fabric, comprising a pivot of a certain width and an upper part showing a larger width than the pivot, characterized in that it comprises a perforated body in precious material and a pivot is inserted in the hole of the perforated body so that the pivot passes through the hole obtained in the fabric and the upper part rests on a surface of the fabric and the perforated body rests on the opposite fabric surface, and in that the pivot part that goes out of the perforated body is melted in order to form an only body with the perforated body. Similar to the method which is the subject of the invention, the fixing system can require for the pivot to be a cylindrical threaded body and for the perforated body to be a counterthreaded nut, so that it is screwed to the threaded pivot and is coupled with the element. The fixing system according to the invention can provide for a washer to be placed between the perforated body and the surface of the fabric.
For exemplary and non-exhaustive purposes, the invention's additional specifications and features are provided in greater detail within the description below, as well as within the attached diagrams, which include: Figure 1 lateral cross-section view of an element to be fixed to a fabric; Figure 2 schematic view in perspective of a washer; Figure 3 schematic view in perspective of a nut; Figure 4 schematic lateral cross-section view of a phase of the method according to the invention; Figure 5 schematic lateral cross-section view of the fixing system at the end of the application method according to the invention. In reference to the attached diagrams, 10 indicates a element in precious metal and, more precisely, an element which acts as a button, comprising an upper part
18 and a cylindrical pivot 20 with threading 24. The element 10 must be applied to a fabric 16. Figure 3 illustrates a nut 14 whose hole is of a diameter equal to that of the pivot and has threading 26 in order to allow the same nut 14 to be screwed onto the pivot 20.
Moreover, figure 2 shows a washer 12 with a hole of dimensions equal to those of the pivot 20. The method according to the invention requires for a hole to be initially created in the fabric 16, with a diameter substantially equal to that of the diameter of the element's 10 pivot 20.
The pivot is inserted into the hole in the fabric so that the upper part 18 rests on a surface 17 of the fabric 16 itself.
From the opposite side of the fabric, the pivot 20 is inserted into the hole of the washer 12 and the nut 14 is subsequently screwed onto the same pivot 20, as shown in figure 4. Once the washer 12 is resting on the surface 19 of the fabric 16, and the nut 14 is likewise resting on the washer 12, a part of the pivot will protrude with respect to the nut 14.
This part is subjected to a melting process by means of a laser device so that it is transformed into a melted part and becomes an only body with the nut 14. The nut
14 is therefore securely fixed to the pivot and to the element 10.
Once the pivot part is melted, it is modelled as a cap, as indicated by point 22 in figure 5, and subsequently polished.
The method according to the invention and the relative fixing system can naturally be utilised for bosses or other elements to be applied to a fabric; this element must nevertheless comprise a protruding part, or rather a pivot to be inserted in the hole created in the fabric.
According to a variation of the invention, the method can also be performed using an element in precious metal comprising a non-threaded pivot inserted within the hole of a perforated body. According to the method that is the subject of the invention, the pivot that goes out of the perforated body must be melted and securely fixed to the perforated body, which therefore cannot be moved from its resting position on the surface of the fabric.
Moreover, if using a laser device to melt the protruding part of the pivot, the method according to the invention can provide for the insertion of the nut without requiring the insertion of a washer between the fabric and the nut itself. Additional variations may also be established and shall be covered within the sphere of the innovation as defined by the following claims.
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