System and method for a detachable button

Abstract

A detachable button system has a fixed base component permanently attached to a garment and a detachable button component. The base and the detachable button components each have cooperating attachment elements that allow the components when assembled to function as a button. The button component may be easily detached by the user, and replaced with a different button component. The attachment elements may be a mateable combination of a slotted abutment cylinder and cooperating pin catch, a mateable combination of a threaded cylinder and threaded pin, or the like. The base component may have a disc or shank which can be sewn or otherwise attached to the garment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A detachable button system comprising:
 a first portion adapted for permanent attachment to an article of clothing;   a second button-shaped portion;   said first portion having a cylindrical member;   said second portion having a pin;   said cylindrical member having an open end, said open end adapted to receive said pin therein to effect attachment of said first portion to said second portion;   said first and second attachment elements being adapted to permit detachment of said second portion from said first portion.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said cylindrical member has at least one slot;   said pin has at least one arm extending therefrom; and   said at least one slot is adapted to receive said at least one arm to effect said attachment of said first portion to said second portion.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one slot is a J-shaped slot extending along said cylindrical member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said at least one slot is a J-shaped slot having a first section extending along said cylindrical member from said open end;
 said slot having a second curved section connected to said first section; 
 said slot having a third section connected to said second section opposite the first section and extending along said cylindrical member; 
 said slot and said arm being adapted to allow said arm to travel through said first section and said second section into the third section; 
 and further comprising a spring adapted to oppose movement of said pin when said arm is located in said third section. 
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said cylindrical member has threads, and said pin has threads for engaging said threads of said cylindrical member. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said cylindrical member has two slots and said pin has two arms, each of said slots being adapted to receive one of said arms to effect said attachment of said first portion to said second portion. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first portion has a disc shaped base, and said cylindrical member extends perpendicular to said base. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first portion has a disc shaped base having a plurality of apertures;
 and said base is adapted for attachment to an article of clothing by sewing through said apertures. 
 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first portion has a shank having at least one aperture;
 said shank being adapted for attachment to an article of clothing by sewing through said at least one aperture. 
 
     
     
         10 . A detachable button system comprising:
 a first portion adapted for permanent attachment to an article of clothing;   a second button-shaped portion;   said first portion having a first attachment element;   said second portion having a second attachment element;   said first and second attachment elements adapted to effect attachment of said first portion to said second portion;   said first and second attachment elements adapted to permit detachment of said second portion from said first portion.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said first attachment element is an abutment cylinder extending from said first portion. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said second attachment element is a pin extending from said second portion. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said second attachment element is a pin; and said abutment cylinder has an open end adapted to receive said pin. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein:
 said abutment cylinder further comprises at least one slot extending from said open end; 
 said pin further comprises at least one arm extending from the pin; 
 and said slot is adapted to receive said arm as said pin is received in the open end of said abutment cylinder. 
 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein:
 said abutment cylinder further comprises threads on a surface thereof; 
 said pin further comprises threads on a surface thereof; 
 and threads of said abutment cylinder are adapted to engage said threads of said pin to effect attachment of said first portion and said second portion. 
 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said first attachment element is a a pin extending from said first portion. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said second attachment element is an abutment cylinder extending from said second portion. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said first attachment element is a pin extending from said first portion; and said abutment cylinder has an open end adapted to receive said pin. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein:
 said abutment cylinder further comprises at least one slot extending from said open end; 
 said pin further comprises at least one arm extending from the pin; 
 and said slot is adapted to receive said arm as said pin is received in the open end of said abutment cylinder. 
 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein:
 said abutment cylinder further comprises threads on a surface thereof; 
 said pin further comprises threads on a surface thereof; 
 and threads of said abutment cylinder are adapted to engage said threads of said pin to effect attachment of said first portion and said second portion.