Magnetic fasteners

Abstract

A magnetic snap fastener for releasably coupling a first material to a second material. The fastener includes a first fastening assembly affixable to the first material, and disposed in a first water-resistant enclosure. The fastener includes in one embodiment a second fastening assembly affixable to the second material. The first and second fastening assemblies each include a ferromagnetic eyelet having an integrally formed flange and protrusion magnetically coupled to a toroidal-shaped magnet. Alternatively, the second fastening assembly is a ferromagnetic cap or button. The first and second fastening assemblies provide magnetic coupling to releasably couple the first and second materials.

Claims

1. A magnetic snap fastener for releasably coupling a first material to a second material, the fastener comprising: a first fastening assembly affixable to the first material, the first fastening assembly comprising a first ferromagnetic eyelet having an integrally formed flange and a hollow protrusion magnetically coupled to a first toroidal-shaped magnet such that the hollow protrusion of the first ferromagnetic eyelet is received in a center channel of the first toroidal-shaped magnet and an outer end of the hollow protrusion is substantially flush with a surface of the first toroidal-shaped magnet, the first fastening assembly disposed in a water-resistant enclosure; and a second fastening assembly affixable to the second material, the second fastening assembly comprising a ferromagnetic material, the second fastening assembly not being disposed is a water-resistant closure; the first and second fastening assemblies providing magnetic coupling to releasably couple the first and second materials.

2. A garment comprising pockets or flaps closable by the magnetic snap fastener of claim 1.

3. A magnetic snap fastener as defined in claim 1, wherein the second fastening assembly comprises a ferromagnetic button or cap.

4. A magnetic snap fastener as defined in claim 1, wherein the first fastening assembly is substantially hidden within a garment and the second fastening assembly extends outwardly from and is mounted to an outer surface of the garment.

5. A magnetic snap fastener as defined in claim 1, wherein the second fastening assembly is a decorative cap or button.

6. A magnetic snap fastener assembly for releasably coupling a first material to a second material, the fastener comprising: a first fastening assembly affixable to the first material, the first fastening assembly including a base plate and a magnet on one surface of the base plate, the first fastening assembly disposed in a water-resistant enclosure; and a second fastening assembly affixable to the second material, and composed of a ferromagnetic material, the second fastening assembly not being disposed in a water-resistant enclosure; the first and second fastening assemblies providing magnetic coupling to releasably couple the first and second materials; wherein the magnet is toroidal in shape and the base plate comprises a hollow protrusion which is receivable in a center channel of the toroidal-shaped magnet.

7. A garment comprising pockets or flaps closable by the magnetic snap fastener assembly of claim 6.

8. A magnetic snap fastener assembly as defined in claim 6, where the magnet is solid and wherein the base plate is a ferromagnetic cup.

9. A magnetic snap fastener assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein the base plate and hollow protrusion are a single piece of ferromagnetic material.

10. A magnetic snap fastener assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein the base plate and the hollow protrusion are separate components.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The features and advantages of the present invention can be more readily understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary magnetic snap fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2A is a top plan view of an exemplary fastening element of the magnetic snap fastener shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 2B is a bottom plan view of the exemplary fastening element shown in FIG. 2A;

(5) FIG. 3A is a top plan view of an exemplary fastening element of the magnetic snap fastener shown in FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 3B is a bottom plan view of the exemplary fastening element shown in FIG. 3A;

(7) FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an exemplary fastening element of the magnetic snap fastener shown in FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional, exploded view of another embodiment of magnetic snap fastener according to the present invention;

(9) FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of an exemplary magnetic snap fastener shown in FIG. 5; and

(10) FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of an exemplary snap fastener assembly shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) Embodiments of the present invention can provide a novel water-resistant sew-on magnetic fastener for clothing, garments, fashion accessories, or any other items requiring a magnetic closure. The fasteners can be substantially water-resistant to prevent water from contacting the fasteners when the item to which they are attached or affixed are exposed to moisture and/or water (e.g., when being washed, encountering weather such as rain and snow, etc.) and are magnetic so that they are easily manipulated, even by persons with limited dexterity and/or use of their fingers.

(12) FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary magnetic snap fastener 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, magnetic snap fastener 1000 can include first magnetic fastening assembly 1100, which can be configured to magnetically couple to second magnetic fastening assembly 1200 when first magnetic fastening assembly 1100 and second magnetic fastening assembly 1200 are brought in close proximity to each other. First magnetic fastening assembly 1100 can include magnet 1106 and eyelet 1108 and be disposed in pocket or pouch 1104 formed between covering 1102. Similarly, second magnetic fastening assembly 1200 can include magnet 1206 and eyelet 1208 and be disposed in pocket or pouch 1204 formed between covering 1202. Preferably, the magnets of either magnetic fastening assembly 1100 and 1200 are oriented so that they are oppositely poled with respect to one another. For example, magnet 1106 of magnetic fastening assembly 1100 can be situated with its north-pole against the flange of eyelet 1108 magnet while magnet 1206 of magnetic fastening assembly 1200 can have its south-pole oriented so that it is against the flange of eyelet 1208, or vice versa.

(13) As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, according to certain embodiments, magnets 1106 and 1206 can be toroidal in shape, and eyelets 1108 and 1208, which can be formed from a ferromagnetic material, can be magnetically coupled to magnets 1106 and 1206. As shown in FIG. 1, eyelets 1108 and 1208 can include flange portions 1108a and 1208a, respectively, and integral rivet-like center protrusions 1108b and 1208b, respectively. Preferably, eyelets 1108 and 1208 are stamped, formed, or drawn from the ferromagnetic material from which they are made so that rivet-like center protrusions 1108b and 1208b are integrally formed with flange portions 1108a and 1208a. Alternatively, flange portions 1108a and 1208a may be separate components from the center protrusions 1108b and 1208b, respectively. These assemblies can provide an inexpensive and efficient magnetic closure which could be used for garments, apparel, and many other applications.

(14) In forming magnetic fastening assembly 1100 and magnetic fastening assembly 1200, flange portions 1108a and 1208a can be disposed adjacent to a surface of magnets 1106 and 1206, respectively, and the rivet-like center protrusions 1108b and 1208b can be received within a center channel of magnets 1106 and 1206, respectively. The shape of eyelets 1108 and 1208 (e.g., rivet-like center protrusions 1108b and 1208b) channel the magnetic flux of magnets 1106 and 1206 to attenuate the magnetic flux through the center of magnets 1106 and 1206 (e.g., through the toroid's center channel) so that the flux of the magnets is used effectively to attract magnetically to one another. If eyelets 1108 and 1208 were not ferromagnetic, they would not conduct magnetic flux, but would rather be inert to magnetic flux and act simply as a spacer (or an air gap) and would have no effect on the flow of the magnetic flux.

(15) In use, when magnetic fastening assemblies 1100 and 1200 are brought into close relationship, the magnetic attraction of magnets 1106 and 1206 (e.g., one including a magnet oriented with its north pole oppositely to the other magnet) causes magnetic fastening assemblies 1100 and 1200 to magnetically couple with each other. For example, when magnets 1106 and 1206 are brought together, the magnetic flux from the back face of magnet 1106 is channeled through magnet 1106's toroid center by the flange and bump of backplate 1108 and conducted to the magnet 1206's rear surface by eyelet 1208, creating a magnetic circuit. When magnets 1106 and 1206 are attracted in this manner, little flux flows through space at the rear of magnets 1106 and 1206, as the flux is mostly conducted toward the opposing magnet through the ferromagnetic eyelets' flanges 1108a and 1208a, and integrally formed rivet-like center protrusions 1108b and 1208b. This results in an efficient magnetic circuit to attract fastening assemblies 1100 and 1200 together and create a magnetic closure. In this regard, fastening assembly 1100, having a particularly poled magnet, is preferably attached to one side of the item or garment, and fastening assembly 1200, having an oppositely oriented magnet, is affixed to the other side of the item or garment.

(16) Further, as shown in FIG. 1, magnetic fastening assembly 1100 and magnetic fastening assembly 1200 can be disposed/encased within an enclosure such as pocket or pouch 1104 and 1204 formed by coverings 1102 and 1202, respectively. According to certain embodiments, covering 1102 and 1202 can include a material that is substantially resistant to water/moisture, such as plastics (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane, etc.), silicone, coated fabrics, etc. so that pocket or pouch 1104 and 1204 are substantially water-resistant enclosures. For example, pocket or pouch 1104 and 1204 can be formed by bonding or sealing (e.g., via ultrasonic welding, high frequency welding, radio frequency welding, heat sealing or welding, adhesives, etc.) coverings 1102 and 1202 along a perimeter of pocket or pouch 1104 and 1204 to encapsulate and form pocket or pouch 1104 and 1204. Although FIGS. 1 and 4 show utilizing two sheets of covering 1102 and/or 1202, alternatively, a single folded sheet of covering 1102 and/or 1202 can be utilized. Other possible constructions may utilize at least one cup that is molded or cast of water-resistant material joined to a sheet or another cup of water-resistant material. According to certain exemplary embodiments, covering 1102 and 1202 can include 0.3 mil or 0.4 mil thick plastics. Preferably, covering 1102 and 1202 includes a thickness of at least 0.3 mil and includes a constant thickness. Alternatively, covering 1102 and 1202 can include any substantially water-resistant material known in the art. Water-resistant pocket or pouch 1104 and 1204 can allow components such as electronics and sensors (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) or other electronic tracking components, radio-frequency identification devices (RFID), security tags, etc.) that may be sensitive to moisture and/or water to be coupled to or embedded in magnetic fastening assemblies 1100 and 1200.

(17) Additionally, pocket or pouch 1104 and 1204 can facilitate securing, affixing, or attaching magnetic fastening assemblies 1100 and 1200 to the item or garment. For example, the material forming coverings 1102 and 1202 can be punctured by a needle and thread to allow magnetic fastening assemblies 1100 and 1200 to be stitched and/or sewn into position onto or into a garment, or other item, so that magnetic fastening assemblies 1100 and 1200 are securely attached to the item. Further, pocket or pouch 1104 and 1204 are preferably substantially water-resistant so that the garment or item to which magnetic fastening assemblies 1100 and 1200 are affixed and/or attached may be washed, cleaned, or exposed to weather such as rain and snow, without exposing magnetic fastening assemblies 1100 and 1200 to the water and/or moisture.

(18) FIGS. 2A and 2B are plan view illustrations of magnetic fastening assembly 1100 from a top view and a bottom view, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, magnet 1106 and eyelet 1108 are disposed within pocket or pouch 1104 formed by covering 1102. As shown in FIG. 2A, when viewed from the top, only eyelet 1108 is visible, and magnet 1106 is largely hidden by flange portion 1108a of eyelet 1108. Similarly, when viewed from the bottom, as shown in FIG. 2B, eyelet 1108 is largely hidden by magnet 1106, and only rivet-like center protrusion 1108b is visible, which is preferably received within a center channel of magnet 1106.

(19) FIGS. 3A and 3B are plan view illustrations of magnetic fastening assembly 1200 from a top view and a bottom view, respectively. The views of magnetic fastening assembly 1200 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are substantially mirror images of the views shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B of magnetic fastening assembly 1100. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, magnet 1206 and eyelet 1208 are disposed within pocket or pouch 1204 formed by covering 1202. As shown in FIG. 3A, when viewed from the top, eyelet 1208 is largely hidden by magnet 1206, and only rivet-like center protrusion 1208b is visible, which is preferably received within a center channel of magnet 1206. Similarly, when viewed from the bottom, as shown in FIG. 3B, only eyelet 1208 is visible, and magnet 1206 is largely hidden by flange portion 1208a of eyelet 1208.

(20) FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view illustration of magnetic fastening assembly 1100. As shown in FIG. 4, magnetic fastening assembly 1100 includes magnet 1106 and eyelet 1108. As described herein, magnet 1106 and eyelet 1108 are preferably disposed within a water-resistant enclosure formed by covering 1102.

(21) Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 5-7. In this embodiment, only one of the assemblies contains a magnet. First fastening assembly 1302 is affixed to or contained within first material 1304 of the garment. The assembly is similar to that shown in FIG. 1. There is a ferromagnetic eyelet having an integrally formed flange and a hollow protrusion magnetically coupled to a toroidal-shaped magnet. The hollow protrusion of the eyelet is received in a center channel of the magnet and the outer end of the hollow protrusion is substantially flush with a surface of the magnet. The magnet and the eyelet are disposed in a water-resistant enclosure. However, instead of a second fastening assembly as shown in FIG. 1, there is a ferromagnetic button or cap forming the second assembly. The second assembly is directly fastened to second material 1308 without a water-resistant closure by means of rivet, tack or eyelet 1310. The first and second fastening assemblies couple together to releasably couple first and second materials. The first assembly is substantially hidden within the garment. This embodiment is particularly useful in closing a pocket or flap in a garment and is less expensive to manufacture than the fastener shown in FIG. 1, because only a single magnet is necessary. Further, the second assembly can be a decorative cap or button which may also be used to display a logo or trademark. In addition, in use for closing a garment, the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 5 can be used in a repeating series.

(22) Still further, the first assembly of the magnetic snap fastener need not comprise a toroidal-shaped magnet. It could simply comprise a base plate with a solid magnet on one surface. Or, alternatively, the base plate may be in the form of a ferromagnetic cup.

(23) The embodiments and examples shown above are illustrative, and many variations can be introduced to them without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative and exemplary embodiments herein may be combined with each other and/or substituted with each other within the scope of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the disclosure, reference should be had to any accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.