The present invention is directed to a means of fastening materials together, more particularly to a system involving a magnetic peg-and-hole assembly.
The fastening of materials is usually accomplished with devices such as buttons, clips, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, buckles, and the like. These devices often require strength and dexterity to manipulate. The present invention features a fastening system for fastening materials together. The fastening system of the present invention is easy to use and allows a user to quickly fasten materials together with very little strength or dexterity.
Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims.
Referring now to
The fastening system 100 comprises a first magnet 110 and a second magnet 120. The first magnet 110 has a top surface 114 and a bottom surface 115. The second magnet 120 has a top surface 124 and a bottom surface 125. The magnets 110, 120 are engageable, for example the bottom surface 115 of the first magnet 110 can engage the bottom surface 125 of the second magnet 120.
Disposed on the bottom surface 115 of the first magnet 110 is a first locking component 210 and disposed on (or protruding from) the bottom surface 125 of the second magnet 120 is a second locking component 220. As shown in
The peg-in-the-hole system (e.g., first locking component 210 and second locking component 220) allows for a secure connection between the two magnets 110, 120. To fasten two pieces of material together (e.g., a garment), the second locking component 220 (e.g. peg) and the first locking component 210 (e.g., aperture, hole) are aligned so that the second locking component 220 (e.g. peg) slides into the first locking component 210 (e.g., aperture, hole) and the attraction between the two magnets 110, 120 holds them together. Without wishing to limit the present invention to any theory or mechanism, it is believed that the slanted peg and slanted aperture are advantageous because they provide additional strength to the connection between the two magnets. For example, the slanted peg and slanted hole (when engaged) can resist separation when forces exist (in the opposite direction of the slant of the peg 220) that would tend to separate the two magnets 110, 120. The magnetic attraction helps hold the peg firmly in the aperture.
The fastening system 100 may be constructed in a variety of sizes and shapes, as well as designs. In some embodiments, the first magnet 110 and/or second magnet 120 are generally trapezoidal in shape. The fastening system 100 may be constructed so as to be generally inconspicuous on a garment. For example, as shown in
The system 100 may further comprise a plurality of embedded clips for helping to secure the magnets 110, 120 to clothing or material (e.g. the first material 101a and/or second material 101b). For example, in some embodiments, a first embedded clip 310 (or a plurality of first embedded clips 310) is disposed on the first magnet 110 on a first side and a second embedded clip 320 (or a plurality of second embedded clips 320) is disposed on the first magnet 110 on a second side. In some embodiments, a third embedded clip 330 (or a plurality of third embedded clips 330) is disposed on the second magnet 120 on a first side and a fourth embedded clip 340 (or a plurality of fourth embedded clips 340) is disposed on the second magnet 120 on a second side.
As shown in
The following the disclosures of the following U.S. Patents are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,241; U.S. Pat. Application No. 2006/0236509; U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,938; U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,120; U.S. Pat. No. 7,065,841; U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,597.
Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.
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