Self-fastening and replaceable button for a fabric

Abstract

A self-fastening and replaceable button for a fabric that includes a first portion, and a second portion. The first portion includes a retainer, and a first projection that extends from the retainer and is a hollow coil that is helically-shaped so as to form a thread pattern that pierces and threads through the fabric. The second portion includes a fastener that is button-shaped, and a second projection that depends from the fastener and engages with the first projection. In a first embodiment, the retainer is disk-shaped, and the second projection is cylindrically-shaped and has a socket that threadably receives the first projection. In a second embodiment, the retainer is the proximal end of the first projection enlarged. In a third embodiment, the second projection is another hollow coil that is helically-shaped so as to form a thread pattern that threadably engages with the first projection.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . A self-fastening and replaceable button for a fabric, wherein the fabric has an inner side and an outer side, said button comprising: 
 a) a first portion for puncturing through the fabric; and    b) a second portion engaging said first portion and being for capturing the fabric between itself and said first portion.    
     
     
         2 . The button as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first portion comprises: 
 a) a retainer for abutting against the inner side of the fabric; and    b) a first projection that extends axially from, and is narrower than, said retainer, and is for puncturing and threading through the fabric, from said inner side thereof, to said outer side thereof, with said retainer for limiting travel of said first projection through the fabric.    
     
     
         3 . The button as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said second portion comprises: 
 a) fastener; and    b) a second projection that depends axially from said fastener and selectively engages with said first projection, and when engaged therewith, causes the fabric to be captured between said retainer and said fastener.    
     
     
         4 . The button as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said first projection is a hollow coil that is slender, elongated, and helically-shaped so as to form a thread pattern for threading through the fabric, from the inner side thereof, to the outer side thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The button as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said first projection has: 
 a) a proximal end that cooperates with said retainer, and is for positioning on the inner side of the fabric; and    b) a distal end that is sharp for facilitating puncturing the fabric.    
     
     
         6 . The button as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said fastener is button-shaped.  
     
     
         7 . The button as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said fastener has a lowermost surface with a center for facing the outer side of the fabric.  
     
     
         8 . The button as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said retainer is disk-shaped.  
     
     
         9 . The button as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said retainer has an uppermost surface with a center for abutting against the inner side of the fabric.  
     
     
         10 . The button as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said proximal end of said first projection is attached to said center of said uppermost surface of said retainer, and extends upwardly therefrom, to said distal end of said first projection.  
     
     
         11 . The button as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said second projection is cylindrically-shaped.  
     
     
         12 . The button as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said second projection has: 
 a) a proximal end; and    b) a distal end for abutting against the outer side of the fabric.    
     
     
         13 . The button as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said proximal end of said second projection is attached to said center of said lowermost surface of said fastener, and depends axially therefrom, to said distal end of said second projection.  
     
     
         14 . The button as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said second projection further has a throughbore that extends axially therethrough, from said proximal end thereof, to said distal end thereof, and is threaded so as to form a socket that selectively and threadably receives said first projection, and when received, causes the fabric to be captured between said retainer and said fastener.  
     
     
         15 . The button as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said retainer is said proximal end of said first projection enlarged circularly laterally.  
     
     
         16 . The button as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said second projection is another hollow coil that is slender, elongated, and helically-shaped so as to form a thread pattern that threadably engages with said first projection.