MAGNETIC BUTTON TO HOLD A REMOVABLE ACCESSORY

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a magnetic button disposed on an apparel. The magnetic button includes a post configured to be inserted into a fabric of the apparel. The magnetic button further includes a magnetic washer configured to be removably attached with a magnetic or metallic accessory.

Claims

1. A magnetic button assembly comprising: a post and an accessory adapted to be magnetically attached to the post; the post having a first end configured to be inserted into a buttonhole of a fabric of an apparel, and second end configured to be exposed on an outer surface of the apparel, the second end comprising a recessed slot configured to accept a first disk magnet therein; the accessory comprising a second disk magnet configured to magnetically attach to the first disk magnet; and wherein the accessory can be removably and magnetically attached to the post.

2. The magnetic button assembly of claim 1, further comprising a washer adapted to be inserted within the recessed slot.

3. The magnetic button assembly of claim 2, wherein the washer has a cyanoacrylate-based gel adhesive on each side thereof.

4. The magnetic button assembly of claim 1, wherein the first disk magnet is an epoxy-coated disk.

5. The magnetic button assembly of claim 4, wherein the first disk magnet is attached to the cyanoacrylate-based gel adhesive on the washer.

6. The magnetic button assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second disk magnet attached to one side of the accessory.

7. The magnetic button assembly of claim 6, wherein the second disk magnet is designed and arranged to magnetically attach to the first disk magnet to releasably hold the accessory to the post.

8. The magnetic button assembly of claim 1, wherein the apparel is a golf shirt and wherein the accessory is a golf ball marker.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a magnetic button installed on a garment with an accessory attached in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a magnetic button installed on a garment with an accessory detached in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a magnetic button with an attached accessory in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a magnetic button with a detached accessory in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 5 depicts a front exploded view of a magnetic button assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 6 depicts a rear exploded view of a magnetic button assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 depicts a section view of the magnetic button taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 8 depicts a section view of the magnetic button of FIG. 1 with the accessory detached; and

[0016] FIG. 9 depicts a preferred assembly process for use in connection with the magnetic button of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0018] The present invention is directed at a magnetic button assembly that can be permanently attached and worn on apparel, such as a golf shirt, and that can magnetically hold an accessory, such as a ball marker. The magnetic button includes a post configured to be inserted into the fabric of the apparel. The magnetic button further includes a magnetic insert configured to be removably attached with a magnetic or metallic accessory (e.g., a golf ball marker).

[0019] The magnetic button, as disclosed in the present disclosure, becomes part of the uniform of the player. The marker that is removably attached to the button can be custom made to complement the player's apparel so that it can be fashionable even when not playing. The placement of the magnetic button allows for easy access and replacement. Further, the player is not required to search for the attached marker in pockets. Furthermore, the probability of losing or forgetting the marker is considerably reduced.

[0020] FIGS. 1-8 depict a magnetic button 10 in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention. The magnetic button 10 may be assembled on an apparel, e.g., a shirt 26, and may be configured to removably hold an accessory, e.g., a golf ball marker 22. FIG. 9 depicts a preferred assembly process for use in connection with the magnetic button of the present invention

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, an existing button of shirt 26 (such as the lower button) may be removed by a user. The magnetic button 10 may lay flush and connect through buttonhole 32. The user may then apply a metal (or magnetic) golf ball marker (or any other accessory) 22 to the magnetic button 10 to hold the ball marker 22 on the shirt 26.

[0022] FIG. 9 depicts a flowchart showing the assembly process for the magnetic button of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 9, the process comprises four primary parts. Parts 1 and 2 of the process are directed at assembly of the button of the present invention. Part 3 is directed towards the assembly of the ball marker of the present invention, and Part 4 is directed at applying the system of the present invention.

[0023] As seen in FIG. 9, Part 1 of the process is directed at attaching the button to the garment by preparing the apparel and the press. The user can locate the position of the button on the apparel and load the button and pin into a press machine. Once aligned, the button and pin can be pressed together through the apparel.

[0024] As seen in FIG, 9, Part 2 of the process is directed at insertion of the magnet. The button and epoxy magnet are prepared. Adhesive is applied to the interior of the button, and the polymer clay washer is affixed to the south pole of the magnet. The components are aligned, the magnet assembly is inserted into the hollow button.

[0025] As seen in FIG. 9, Part 3 of the process is directed at assembling the ball marker. The magnet is prepared, and the poles of the magnet are determined. The marker is prepared, and adhesive is applied to the center of the ball marker. The components are joined by affixing the north pole of the magnet to the marker.

[0026] As seen in FIG. 9, Part 4 of the process is directed at applying the ball marker system of the present invention. The magnetic ball marker that was prepared in Part 3 and the magnetic button prepared in Part 2 are connected to complete the system of the present invention.

[0027] The magnetic button 10 places the golf ball marker 22 at an accessible area of the apparel (e.g., the collar area of shirt 26) for quick removal and replacement. The location of the ball marker 22 on the player's apparel is superior to all other storage locations. It makes the magnetic button 10 part of the player's uniform, instead of a separate element that is easily lost or hard to access. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in a preferred embodiment the magnetic button 10 may replace the bottom button of a golf polo shirt. In other aspects, the magnetic button 10 may be disposed at the bottom pleat of a golf skirt.

[0028] In some aspects, one or more improvements to the magnetic button 10 may be added. For example, a button may be sewn into shirt 26 that allows for this bottom button to function like an ordinary button. The surface of the magnet could have a thin rubberized skin or the metal itself could be textured to reduce the possibility of any slight movement to the affixed ball marker. Further, this same application can be applied to other areas of the player's apparel. Furthermore, the magnetic button 10 could be applied to a woman's skirt or men's short leg, collar, shoe, inside pocket, etc.

[0029] In some aspects, the metallic button 10 on the shirt 26 could be used outside of the game of golf. For example, the removable marker 22 could be used simply as an interchangeable fashion accessory. Further, other types of accessories could be applied to the magnet other than a ball marker for ease of convenience. For instance, a divot tool, a pen, a pill box, a locket, a referee whistle or any other small item may be affixed to the magnetic button 10 after being customized with a fitted disk magnet. Furthermore, the attachment could be customized to complement the apparel or to whatever the user would like to express.

[0030] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a magnetic button assembly 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows accessory 22 attached to the post 12 of the magnetic button.

[0031] FIG. 4 depicts an exploded view of the magnetic button assembly shown in FIG. 3. As seen in FIG. 4, magnetic button 10 comprises a post 12 that comprises an epoxy-coated disk magnet 20 that has a recessed slot 14 (see FIGS. 5 and 6 showing washer 16). FIG. 4 also depicts accessory 22 in a detached state.

[0032] FIGS. 5 and 6 depict exploded views of a magnetic button assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, washer 16 comprises an adhesive 18 on one side and disk magnet 24 comprises an adhesive 18 on one side. In a preferred embodiment, adhesive 18 is a cyanoacrylate-based gel adhesive. As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, magnetic button assembly 10 further comprises an epoxy-coated disk magnet 20 and an uncoated disk magnet 24.

[0033] FIGS. 7 and 8 depict cross section views of a magnetic button assembly installed on a shirt. As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the button assembly is installed through the rear button placket 28 and through buttonhole 32 in the front button placket 30. Washer 16 fits within recessed slot 14 with adhesive 18 on each side of the washer. Disk magnet 24 is attached to a rear surface of accessory 22 via adhesive 18 on one side of magnet 24, with the opposite side of magnet 24 fitting within recessed slot 14 in button post 12.

[0034] Except as may be expressly otherwise indicated, the article a or an if and as used herein is not intended to limit, and should not be construed as limiting, the description or a claim to a single element to which the article refers. Rather, the article a or an if and as used herein is intended to cover one or more such elements, unless the text expressly indicates otherwise.

[0035] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.