Universal Connector

Abstract

The invention discloses a universal connector, a method of making it, and a method of using it, by example. In a first embodiment, a universal connector is disclosed comprising an improved carabiner that incorporates a magnet into its structure. The carabiner magnet has a force of attraction of at least 2 kilograms to enable it to connect to any magnetic material. A second of many possible embodiments discloses the addition of hook and loop tape (i.e. a Velcro® strip) to enable the universal connector to connect to any other article having hook and loop tape. A third possible embodiment discloses the addition of a loop for connection to any strap or keychain, for example. A fourth contemplated embodiment discloses the addition of male and/or female snaps.

Claims

1. A universal connector comprising at least one carabiner having a housing with a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side; said housing further comprising a magnet enclosed within.

2. The universal connector of claim 1, further comprising hook and loop tape affixed to the first side of said housing.

3. The universal connector of claim 1, further comprising a loop at the bottom of said housing.

4. The universal connector of claim 2, further comprising a loop at the bottom of said housing.

5. The universal connector of claim 1, wherein said magnet has at least two kilograms strength.

6. The universal connector of claim 2, wherein said magnet has at least two kilograms strength.

7. The universal connector of claim 3, wherein said magnet has at least two kilograms strength.

8. The universal connector of claim 4, wherein said magnet has at least two kilograms strength.

9. The universal connector of claim 1, further comprising at least one male fastener and at least one female fastener monolithic with the housing.

10. The universal connector of claim 2, further comprising at least one male fastener and at least one female fastener monolithic with the housing.

11. The universal connector of claim 3, further comprising at least one male fastener and at least one female fastener monolithic with the housing.

12. The universal connector of claim 4, further comprising at least one male fastener and at least one female fastener monolithic with the housing.

13. The universal connector of claim 5, further comprising at least one male fastener and at least one female fastener monolithic with the housing.

14. The universal connector of claim 6, further comprising at least one male fastener and at least one female fastener monolithic with the housing.

15. The universal connector of claim 7, further comprising at least one male fastener and at least one female fastener monolithic with the housing.

16. The universal connector of claim 8, further comprising at least one male fastener and at least one female fastener monolithic with the housing.

17. A method of making a universal connector, comprising the steps of: a. loading a magnet into a cavity of a carabiner mold; b. closing the mold; c. injecting a plastic into the mold; d. allowing said plastic to cure; e. removing the universal connector from the mold.

18. The method of making the universal connector of claim 17, further comprising the step of adding a strip of hook and loop tape to a side of the housing.

19. The method of making the universal connector of claim 17, further comprising the step of adding a at least one male fastener and at least one female fastener to a side of the housing.

20. The method of making the universal connector of claim 18, further comprising the step of adding a at least one male fastener and at least one female fastener to a side of the housing.

21. A method of using a universal connector comprising clipping said universal connector to a fishing net having a magnetic clasp system, said universal connector comprising at least one carabiner having a housing with a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side; said housing further comprising a magnet enclosed within.

22. The method of using the universal connector of claim 21, wherein said universal connector further comprises hook and loop tape affixed to the first side of said housing.

23. The method of using the universal connector of claim 21, wherein said universal connector further comprises a loop at the bottom of said housing.

24. The method of using the universal connector of claim 21, wherein said universal connector further comprises at least one male snap fastener and at least one female snap fastener monolithic with the housing.

25. The method of using the universal connector of claim 22, wherein said universal connector further comprises a loop at the bottom of said housing.

26. The method of using the universal connector of claim 21, wherein said magnet has at least two kilograms strength.

27. The method of using the universal connector of claim 22, wherein said magnet has at least two kilograms strength.

28. The method of using the universal connector of claim 23, wherein said magnet has at least two kilograms strength.

29. The method of using the universal connector of claim 24, wherein said magnet has at least two kilograms strength.

30. The method of using the universal connector of claim 25, wherein said magnet has at least two kilograms strength.

31. The method of using the universal connector of claim 21, wherein said fishing net has a hook and loop tape clasp system.

32. The method of using the universal connector of claim 29, wherein said universal connector further comprises a loop at the bottom of said housing.

33. The method of using the universal connector of claim 21, wherein said fishing net has a snap fastener clasp system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a universal connector showing a first side 010 with only a magnet inside its housing.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a universal connector showing a second side 020 with only hook and loop tape affixed outside the universal connector housing.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a universal connector with a loop 030 incorporated into the bottom structure of its housing.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a universal connector with a male snap 030 incorporated into a side of its housing.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a universal connector with a female snap 020 incorporated into a side of its housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The present invention relates to a new universal connector comprising at least one improved carabiner having a housing with the top being the hook and clip part. The bottom may have a loop 030 which exists on conventional carabiners for a strap or keychain (the strap being connected at the other end with either a snap or hook and loop tape called Velcro®). A stated purpose of the invention is to remove the necessity of having a conventional strap attached to a carabiner clip, and, instead, conjoin one or more sized snap(s) (male 040 and/or female 050) or Velcro® 020 directly onto the monolithic structure of the new and improved carabiner having a magnet 010 with at least two kilograms strength fully or partially enclosed within its housing. It is contemplated that any side of the universal connector can house at least one male 040 and/or female 050 snap fastener of various sizes. The second side in various embodiments may only expose the plastic enclosure fully or partially covering the magnet 010 inside.

[0017] The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and the scope of this invention being limited solely by the claims.