MAGNETIC HARNESS FOR RECEIVING TOOLS

Abstract

A magnetic harness for holding magnetically attractable metallic work items there against for convenient access is described. The harness includes an elongated pocket that holds a plurality of magnets. The plurality of magnets are attached side by side and one atop the other to increase the strength of the magnetic field or attractability of the magnets. The pocket is easily accessible to the user to allow the user to manually manipulate the strength of the magnetic field by increasing or decreasing the amount of magnets in the pocket. The harness includes a series of elongated pockets across the front of the harness.

Claims

1. A garment, comprising a magnetic portion having at least one resealable pouch housing at least one magnet, the pouch having an internal surface being sized and shaped to receive within said pouch a plurality of magnets situated in at least one of: (a) along a longitudinal axis and stacked so as to engage one another and (b) traverse the longitudinal axis and side by side so as to engage one another.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the plurality of magnets form a magnetic engagement surface to support a metallic object.

3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet is selected from a group consisting of square, rectangular, and circular magnets.

4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet is selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets, ferromagnets, alnico magnets, rare earth magnets, injection molded magnets, flexible magnets, ceramic magnets, and electromagnets.

5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the magnet includes a fastening means to couple to the internal surface of the pouch.

6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the pouch further includes a sealable water resistant layer that couples to the internal surface of the pouch, and wherein the sealable water resistant layer maintains an alignment of the plurality of magnets.

7. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a fastener.

8. The garment of claim 7, wherein a belt is coupled to the fastener.

9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the magnetic portion is located on an inner surface of the garment.

10. The garment of claim 1, wherein the magnetic portion is located on an outer surface of the garment.

11. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of external pockets of various shapes and sizes.

12. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a clip on an outer surface of the garment.

13. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a loop on an outer surface of the garment.

14. The garment of claim 1, wherein like poles align about the longitudinal axis.

15. A method of affecting the magnetic strength of a magnet in a magnet holding garment, comprising: a. providing a garment with a magnetic attractive portion, the magnetic portion having an open accessible pocket with at least one magnet within the pocket; b. manipulating the magnetic strength of the at least one magnet within the pocket; c. attaching a metallic object to the magnetic attractive portion of the gown.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein step b further comprises adding a second magnet to the at least one magnet in of at least one: an over-under configuration and a side by side configuration.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one magnet is removed from the at least one magnet and second magnet within the pocket.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the second magnet has a different strength than the at least one magnet within the pouch.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the magnetic attractive portion includes a second pouch.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the pouch includes an interior layer that is sealable and water resistant.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] A further understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a bar or block magnets with an anisotropic magnetic north on the top and a magnetic south on the bottom to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of two bar or block magnets with an anisotropic magnetic north on the top and a magnetic south on the bottom situated one on top of the other according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of two bar or block magnets with an anisotropic magnetic north on the top and a magnetic south on the bottom situated side by side according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the interior magnetic pouch, water proof sealing, and set of magnets according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a magnetic vest according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 6 is a front view of the magnetic harness of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 7 is a back view of the magnetic harness of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 8 is a side view of the magnetic harness of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 9 is another side view of the magnetic harness of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 10 is a top view of the magnetic harness of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the magnetic harness of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 12 is a top view of the magnetic harness of FIG. 4 laid out according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a magnetic harness according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the magnetic wrist band laid out according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the magnetic gown laid out according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the magnetic necklace laid out according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 17 is a method of affecting the magnetic strength of the magnetic portion of the magnetic holding garment according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. It is also noted that any reference to the words top, bottom, up and down, and the like, in this application refers to the alignment shown in the various drawings, as well as the normal connotations applied to such devices.

[0038] A magnet is a material or object that produces a magnetic field which is a vector field that has a direction and a magnitude (also called strength). The illustrated FIGS. 1-3 are various illustrations to explain different concepts about magnetic technology, which can be utilized in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an exemplary block or bar magnet 10a which has a South pole 12 and a North pole 14 and magnetic field vectors that represent the direction and magnitude of a magnet's moment 18. The magnet moment 18 is a vector that characterizes the overall magnetic properties of the magnet 10. For the bar magnet 10 illustrated, the direction of the magnetic moment points 18 from the South pole 12 to the North pole 14. The North and South poles 14, 12 are also referred as positive (+) and negative () poles or polarity, respectively.

[0040] Two magnets aligned such that their polarities are the same (not shown) direction (i.e. North aligned with North) results in a repelling spatial force (not shown) which causes the two magnets to repel each other. In contrast, FIGS. 2-3, depicts two magnets 10a and 10b that are aligned such that their polarities are in opposite resulting in an attracting spatial force which causes the two magnets 10a and 10b to attract (stick) to each other.

[0041] In FIG. 2, the magnets 10a and 10b are illustrated as being aligned with one another one a top the other as a single magnet 11a, where they stick to each other and maintain their positions relative to each other unless a sliding force is used to disengage them.

[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates the magnets 10a and 10b as being aligned with one another one side by side, where they stick to each other and maintain their positions relative to each other unless a sliding force is used to disengage them. The power or strength of the combined magnets 10a, 10b will increase in a ratio with which the size of the overall magnet 11b increases, even if the strength of the magnets 10a, 10b are different. If the two magnets are stacked together on atop the other or side by side (with opposite poles touching), as a close approximation, the magnets 10a, 10b will act like a single magnet 11a, 11b of the same overall dimension (FIG. 2). This is a close approximation because the stacked or side by side magnets have slightly less magnet material in-between each other that would not be the case for a single magnet. As more and more magnets are stacked together one atop the other, they receive diminishing returns but an increase is still seen. The more magnets 10a, 10b that are stacked up (not shown), the less increase in pull force. Therefore, the better solution is to have stacks of magnets 10a, 10b in an elongate pattern, i.e. side by side, to increase the overall strength of the magnets 10a, 10b, or in a way combining the illustrated patterns seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0043] It will be appreciated that FIGS. 4-13 teach by way of example and not limitation. The number of apparatus components may be increased or decreased with respect to what is shown. In one such example, further pockets 35, loops 36, magnets 20, and further magnet pockets 21 may be incorporated into an apparatus.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 5-11, there is illustrated a sleeveless vest or harness 1 essentially consisting of a belt 2, an integral front portion 3, an integral back portion 4, two shoulder straps 6 integral with the front and back portion 3, 4, and an interior magnet holding portion 7 capable of holding at least one set of magnets 20 (FIG. 4). In the preferred embodiment, the harness 1 is worn on the outside of clothing, but it is foreseen that the harness 1 may be worn under clothing, as well.

[0045] The belt 2 may be a single piece interwoven between the front portion 3 and the back portion 4 or it may be two separate pieces. The belt 2 may be fastened about the trunk of the wearer by means of a buckle or fastener 13, such as a hook and loop material. The belt 2 may consist of fabric, flexible leather, or soft plastic and it will be appreciated that the exact nature of the materials of construction employed in the supporting structure is not critical.

[0046] The two shoulder straps 6 define with the front and back portions 3, 4 an opening 8 through which the neck of a wearer normally passes. It is foreseen that the straps 6 may include have free ends (not shown), which are fixedly fastened to either the front or back portions 3, 4. It is foreseen that the harness may not include a back portion 4, wherein the straps 6 would tie or otherwise attach around the neck of a user.

[0047] The harness 1 illustrated in FIGS. 4-12 includes pockets 35 that are attached to a front outer surface 34 of the front portion 3 to hold various objects such as plastic or non-metallic parts, rubber washers, wooden objects such as pencils, or measuring devices such as rulers. It is foreseen that the pockets 35 could also be clips or clip on attachments. Pockets 35 could also be used to hold bulky items such as tape measurers, rolls of adhesive tape or a work cloth and come in various shapes and sizes. The harness 1 also includes a loop 36 that is attached to at least one of the front outer surface 34 and a back outer surface 37. Pockets 35 and loop 36 are merely illustrative of other conventional receptacles, which the harness 1 may have in addition to the magnetic tool retaining device of the invention.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 4, the magnet holding portion 7 includes several sets of magnets 20, in the illustrated example, there are four sets of magnets 20 in individual re-sealable pouches, cavities, pockets 21. It is foreseen there may be more or less pockets 21 in the present invention. It is also foreseen that the interior magnet holding portion 7 may incorporate a single re-sealable pocket (not shown), with multiple cavities to install separate arrays or magnets 22, each cavity large enough to hold an array of magnets, as well, as a sealable layer (see FIG. 4).

[0049] A pocket 21 is sewn or otherwise attached to the interior of front portion 3 to situate the magnet bars 22 therein. It is foreseen that the pouches 21 may be attached by a hook and loop fastening system or some combination thereof with some being sewn, heat sealed, pressure sealed, and some being attached by hook and loop fasteners. In the preferred embodiment the pouch is located on the interior of the front portion 3, but it is also foreseen that the pouches 21 may be located on the exterior of the front portion 3. It is foreseen that the pockets or pouches 21 may be different heights, width, and thickness to allow for a variety of different combinations of magnets 22 in a variety of different combinations. In the illustrated example the magnet holding portion 7 further includes a water proof or resistant sealable layer 24, wherein the aligned magnets may be enclosed in. It is foreseen that the sealable layer 24 may be removeably situated within the pocket 21 or permanently attached to the pocket 21. The sealable layer 24 prevents the magnets 22 from moving around within the pocket 21, and is meant to maintain the array of magnets 22 in a proper alignment

[0050] Each set of magnets 20 comprises a plurality of juxtaposed (side by side) magnetic bars 22 which are positioned in the interior portion 7 of the front portion 3 inside a pouch 21, the polarity of the magnets 20 are such that the magnetic bars 22 will attract metal on both the front face 24 and the rear face (not shown) of the magnetic bar 22. The magnet 22 inserted is assumed to have one pole on each face, such that the direction of a pole is situated towards the at least one of front portion 3 and the back portion 4 facing inwardly and outwardly in a longitudinal direction or axis A. It is foreseen that the bottom surface 29 of the magnet bars 22 may have a hook material and a bottom interior surface of either the pocket 21 or a sealable layer 24 may have a loop material to attach the magnet to the material or vice versa. The magnet bars 22 are uniformly situated in a transverse direction B to the front and back faces and are slightly more than 1 inch distance from another set of magnets 20. It is foreseen that the set of magnets 20 may come in different configurations, for example, a double set or a two dimensional array of magnets 20 is envisioned (not shown), wherein the set of magnets 20 extends in both directions A and B. These configurations would allow for a greater magnetic pull either across the entire array or if only needed more on a particular side, then stacking magnets 22 atop one another on the requisite side is envisioned, and the pocket 21 is envisioned to be sized and shaped to allow for this. It is foreseen that a rubber spacer (not shown) may create spaces in-between the magnets.

[0051] The front face 24 of the magnet 20, and thereby the front portion 3 is used to hold various tools 26. Tools 26 having an approximately flat surface automatically orient themselves in such a manner that their flat surface is adjacent the maximum possible number of magnet poles. Each magnet bar 22 is identical in shape and in strength. Preferably, magnets 22 are of the rare earth hard, permanent type such as Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) magnets, but other types of hard magnets may be used alone or in combination with NdFeB magnets, such as Samarium Cobalt (SmCo), Aluminum Nickel Cobalt (AlNiCo), Ferrite, or Ferrite/Ceramic magnets. Also, it is foreseen to use flexible magnets to replace the hard magnets. Furthermore, although magnets 22 are rectangular, magnets 22 may be round, square, or any other shape. It is foreseen that different strengths may be introduced into the set of magnets 20. It is also foreseen that the harness can be attached to and easily slide away from a mounting surface (not shown).

[0052] The array of magnets 20 being aligned cannot wrap or fold themselves about a cylindrically arcuate surface (not shown) of a retained tool 26, but such a surface has been found to orient itself automatically in such a manner that it is engaged by more than one adjacent magnet 22. Although the drawing shows magnetic bars 22 having sharp edges, the edges may be rounded or smoothed to facilitate the insertion. The harness 1 may consist of strong flexible fabric that will contour to the shape of the wearer. Flexible materials which are useful for the harness 1 include, but are not limited to, leather, mesh, denim, simulated leather, plastic and cloth or some combination of the like. In the illustrated example, the front and back surfaces 34, 37 are not made of the same material, wherein the back surface includes a mesh fabric 38. It is foreseen that some of the material selected for the harness 1 may also be an insulative material, such as polycarbonate, for placement of the holder on a hot or electrically conductive mounting surface. Such a material would prevent the tools from getting hot and could also offer protection for the user against the heat or electrical conductivity of the environment.

[0053] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 illustrates a chest strap 100 having a strap portion 110, a magnetic attractive portion 120, and straps 130 to go around a wearer's shoulder (not shown). The magnetic attractive portion 120 is defined by a plurality of magnets 140 within pockets 141 disposed in chest strap 100 in an array such that each magnet 144 is contiguous with another magnet 144, as described above. The magnetic attractive portion 120 of chest strap 100 functions in a similar manner as the interior magnet holding portion 7 of harness 1 as described above. It is foreseen that the magnetic attractive portion 120 may be attached to the strap portion 110 by means of a hook and loop fastener, allowing the user the ability to place the magnetic means anywhere that is best suited for the task at hand. The strap portion 110 may include a pockets (not shown) and/or loop(s) (not shown) which are attached to the front outer surface 111 of the strap portion 110 to hold various objects such as plastic or non-metallic parts, rubber washers, wooden objects such as pencils, or measuring devices such as rulers. The strap portion 110 could also include a slit (not shown) for holding such objects. In the preferred embodiment, the chest strap 100 is worn underneath clothing, but it is foreseen that the chest strap 100 may be worn on the exterior of clothing, as well.

[0054] In another alternative embodiment the magnetic tool holder shown in FIG. 14, a magnetic wrap 200 comprises attachment means 210, such as clamps, clips, loops or straps to allow a user to wear the device on a wrist, waist, arm, hip, thigh, chest or other body area (not shown), a strap 230, and an interior magnetic portion 220. The attachment means 210 of the strap 230 is illustrated as a hook and loop material arrangement for attachment of the holder to a body area (not shown). The set of magnets 240 could be in parallel along the body area (not shown), or could be in juxtaposition perpendicular to the body area. The strap 230 being made of a flexible material to conform to the contours of the body area.

[0055] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 15 illustrates a gown 300 having a gown portion 310 and a magnetic attractive portion 320. The magnetic attractive portion 320 is defined by a plurality of magnets 340 within pockets 342 disposed in an array 342 such that each magnet 344 is contiguous with another magnet 344, as described above. The magnetic attractive portion 320 of the gown 300 functions in a similar manner as the interior magnet holding portion 7 of harness 1 as described above. The gown portion 310 may include a pockets (not shown) and/or loop(s) (not shown) which are attached to the front outer surface 311 of the gown portion 310 to hold various objects such as plastic or non-metallic parts, rubber gloves, pens, wooden objects such as pencils, or measuring devices such as rulers. In the preferred embodiment, the magnetic portion 320 is attached on the interior of the gown, but it is foreseen that the magnetic portion 320 may be attached on the exterior of clothing, as well.

[0056] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 illustrates a necklace 400 having a chain 410 and a magnetic attractive portion 420. The chain 410 being sized to go around the neck of a wearer. The magnetic attractive portion 420 is defined by a plurality of magnets 440 disposed in an array 442 in a pocket 441, such that each magnet 444 is contiguous with another magnet 444, as described above. The magnetic attractive portion 420 of necklace 400 functions in a similar manner as the interior magnet holding portion 7 of harness 1 as described above.

[0057] It is foreseen that the magnetic tool holder may be other embodiments such as cottonoid holders, vests, tool belts, etc., each foreseen to be adjustable in size and fit due to a fastening system.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 17, a method 500 of affecting the magnetic field strength of a magnet in a magnet holding garment is illustrated. At step 510, a garment with a magnetic attractive portion is provided. The magnetic portion having an open accessible pocket with at least one magnet within the pocket. At step 520, a metallic object or device is attached to the magnetic attractive portion of the garment. At step 530, if the metallic device does not stick to the magnet portion, then at step 540, the magnetic strength of the at least one magnet may be increased by the insertion of another second magnet within the accessible pocket. It is foreseen that step 540 may include adding a second magnet atop the at least one magnet or by affixing the magnets side by side. At step 550, if the metallic device is stuck to the magnetic portion of the garment, but is determined to be difficult to remove, then at step 560, a magnet may be removed from the pocket to adjust the overall strength of the magnets within the pocket. At step 570, the accessible pocket is closed. It is foreseen that the strengths of first and second magnets do not need to be the same. It is foreseen that the magnetic portion may include more than a single pocket to hold sets of magnets. It is foreseen that the method 500 may further include a step of removing the metallic object.

[0059] Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. Further, it will be understood that certain features and subcombinations may be of utility and may be employed within the scope of the disclosure. Further, various steps set forth herein may be carried out in orders that differ from those set forth herein without departing from the scope of the present methods. This description shall not be restricted to the above embodiments.

[0060] It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.