Unitary button fastener

Claim 1

A button attaching system for attaching a button having a hole or eyelet therein to a fabric, said button attaching system comprising in combination: a. a base element having opposed first and second surfaces, said base element having a retaining aperture extending through said base element from said first surface to said second surface, said base element having a thickness which is substantially less than the lateral dimensions of said first and second surfaces; b. a shaft having a first end attached to said first surface extending approximately perpendicularly from an attachment point of said first surface, said shaft including a sharp second end for penetrating the fabric, said attachment point being spaced from said retaining aperture, said flexible shaft being sufficiently flexible to permit said shaft to be bent to pass said second end through said hole, the portion of said shaft remaining on the first surface side of said base element forming a U-shaped path; and c. retaining means attached to said shaft between said first and second ends for allowing said shaft to be easily passed through said retaining hole in the direction from said first side to said second side and preventing said shaft from being moved through said retaining hole in the direction from said second surface to said first surface, the portion of said second end of said shaft being removable after said passing of said shaft through said retaining hole; said retaining means including a tapered element extending outwardly from said shaft, said tapered element having a first surface slightly inclined outwardly from the surface of said shaft and a second surface steeply inclined outwardly from the surface of said shaft, a plurality of flange means disposed around the periphery of said retaining aperture for flexing toward said second surface of said base element in response to pressing of said first slightly inclined surface against said flange means as said tapered element is forced through said retaining aperture by a first force applied in a first direction to said shaft, said flange means also resisting flexing toward said first surface of said base element in response to pressing of said second steeply inclined surface against said flange means as a second force is applied to said shaft in a direction opposite to said first direction, said second force being substantially greater than said first force, said base element and said shaft being composed of plastic material, said base element being sufficiently thick that it is substantially unflexible, whereby said second end of said shaft can be passed through the fabric, one or more holes or eyelets of the button, back through the fabric, and through said retaining aperture fasten the button to the fabric.