SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAGNETICALLY ALIGNING AND CONNECTING A GARMENT

Abstract

A system and method of attachment for a tubular garment including a single piece of flat fabric, the fabric has a first side and a second side and at least one pair of magnets on each of the first side and the second side of the fabric. Each pair of magnets has a polarity arrangement to removably attract the first side of fabric and the second side of fabric.

Description

The present invention relates to a system and method for connecting two elements of a garment together with magnetic internal components, such as a tubular neck surround, garments that attach behind the line of sight, or for appliances like orthotics for the disabled or the arthritic.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the early phases of the coronavirus pandemic, a variety of methods of respiratory containment were pursued. One of the earliest and most rudimentary design approaches was a neck gaiter, or balaclava, which could be easily pulled up or down as a form of protection. While the gaiter provided some form of protection, it also required pulling it over the head, and frequently in colder climates, created considerable undesirable static-electricity. The same issues of ease of use, relate to other garments that require being pulled over the head, with the same undesirable effects.

Prior Art U.S. Pat. No. 10,433,600 teaches a garment for people with physical disabilities that includes multiple pieces of fabric to be connected with releasable strap fasteners. U.S. Pat. No. 10,448, 687 teaches adaptive clothing using magnetic closures fastening a front layer and a back layer. Although the prior art may teach adaptive clothing it uses multiple pieces of fabric and fasteners that are more cumbersome and difficult for the user to use. The present invention provides a simple way for a user to create a tubular garment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention minimizes or eliminates the negative aspects of use mentioned above by providing a mechanism that does not require the same degree of dexterity to attach, making the use “more user friendly.” The use of magnetically aligned components of the present invention provides a broad use for items or garments requiring an attachment which is not in the line-of-sight. It provides a quick-disconnect system for ease of use. Other embodiments of the present invention for the attachment of the two sides can be accomplished utilizing a zipper or series of buttons, that connect the 2 sides into a tubular structure.

The present invention provides a system of attachment for a tubular garment including a single piece of flat fabric, wherein the fabric has a first side and a second side, at least one pair of magnets on each of the first side and the second side of the fabric, wherein each pair of magnets has a polarity arrangement to removably attract the first side of fabric and the second side of fabric.

The present invention also provides a method of making a removably attached tubular garment including forming a flat piece of fabric to a desired shape, magnetically attaching a first side of the flat fabric and a second side of a flat fabric.

The present invention provides a system and method for connecting two elements of a garment together, such as a tubular neck surround, which includes two separate sides, each having magnetic internal components that enable the two sides to magnetically interlock and attach together.

The invention also provides a system and method applicable to garments that attach behind the line of sight, or appliances, such as orthotics, for the disabled or arthritic. This necessitates the user to be able to quickly align, connect, or disconnect a wrapping or covering where two separate elements require continuity to perform their function.

The present invention eliminates the necessity of pulling a garment over the head by magnetically fastening two adjacent sides together with an internal magnetic interlocking alignment system. It may be used for the elderly or people with disabilities whose fine-motor dexterity has been impaired.

In addition, the invention precludes the necessity of removing other garments, such as a shirt, to be able to benefit from the insulating aspects of the tubular knitted item.

The present invention provides and promotes the ability for blind attachment behind the head, or for the dexterity impaired to be able to easily use the product

The present invention provides a permanent magnetic connection system that can be used for attachment / quick-disconnecting two ends of an orthotic device, such as those that currently rely on straps and Velcro attachment that deteriorate over a short time, and are bulky to use by those with compromised dexterity

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures showing illustrative embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIGS. 1a-d show different views of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when fully assembled and in use;

FIGS. 3a and 3b show an exemplary embodiment of the garment and the magnetic connection device;

FIGS. 4a and 4b show exploded perspective views showing various elements of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention showing the magnetic attachment to the garment and the concealment of the magnetic connection device; and

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, where the magnetic connection element is not visible and enclosed within two sides of the garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and method for attaching garments and orthotics, for example, a system of attachment incorporated into the construction of a shirt neck that can be easily attached. This includes magnetically attaching two separate elements of a single piece of flat fabric, or other material used to create a garment, to create a complete tubular piece. The flat piece of fabric/material is cut into a desired form. The flat piece has two sides, such as a left side and a right side, and when the two sides are connected, form a tubular shape, such as a neck insulation device, a turtleneck or a dickey collar. The tubular shape may be used in a garment covering the entire upper body of a person or as a garment for only a portion of a person’s upper body, such as the neck. The single piece of flat fabric does not become a garment until the two sides of the fabric are attached. A series of flexible molded ends that contour to the variability of the desired form variations get permanently affixed to the left and right sides of the fabric. Each side of the fabric contains at least one pair of magnets that may be contained within the molded parts. The magnets are in a specific polarity arrangement to promote their attraction of the two sides to create a removable attachment method

FIG. 1a shows a front view of garment 10, FIG. 1b shows a side view of garment 10, FIG. 1c shows a top view of garment 10 and FIG. 1d shows a back view of garment 10. FIGS. 1a-1d show two ends of fabric 1,2 which create cowl 16 . Two ends 1, 2 can be removably attached together (forming cowl 16) using at least two magnets 14 (one pair). Magnets 14 may be polarized rare earth magnets. Magnets 14 may be contained in molded alignment parts 12, 13 on each end 1, 2 of cowl 16. Garment 10 includes a front bib 17 and shoulder piece 18.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention assembled. FIG. 2 shows ends 1,2 of cowl 16 in a closed position. Magnets 14 are contained within the molded magnet holders 12, 13, by snapping into magnet holders 12, 13, for example. Magnets 14 are disposed within magnet holders 12, 13 in a fashion where their poles are magnetically attracted to one another, thereby promoting a constant force closure of the two magnet-holding molded parts 12 and 13. Magnet holders 12, 13 have an optional integral nesting interlock that aligns the two ends 1, 2, of cowl 16 which are affixed to molded parts 12, 13 to create the closure. Magnet holders 12, 13 may be sewn in or heat sealed onto two ends 1, 2 of fabric / cowl 16 at tabs 20, for example. In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 6, magnet holders 21, do not have an interlock detail, and rely on the strength and polarity of the magnet 14 to create the alignment of the two ends of cowl 16.

FIG. 3a shows garment 10 in a flat position, with cowl portion 16 having a top portion 3 and a bottom portion 4. The top portion having ends 1a. 2a and bottom portion of cowl 16 having ends 1b, 2b. (Ends 1 and 2 shown in other figures include side ends 1a, 2a, 1b and 2b). Assembled magnet holders 12, 13 are attached using tabs 20 to ends 1b, 2b in bottom portion of cowl 16 in the flat body of garment 10. Top portion 3 of cowl 16 can be rolled over bottom portion 4, once garment 10 is assembled and magnets 14 in magnet holders 12, 13 are connected, concealing magnet holders 12, 13, and also creating a barrier of fabric behind the molded magnet part, now ready to wear. FIG. 3b shows an exploded version of the magnet holders 12, 13, with tabs 20 and magnets 14. Magnets 14 are placed in “pockets” 19 that retain the magnets and dispose them in the correct polarity for attachment.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show another view of the main components of the invention. FIG. 4a is an exploded view, showing main flat front bib 17, shoulder piece 18, magnets 14, tabs 20 and molded magnet holders 12, 13 mounted on bottom portion 1b, 2b of cowl 16. Cowl 16 has a top portion 3 having top ends 1a, 2a, and a bottom portion 4 having bottom ends 1b, 2b. (Top ends 1a, 2a and bottom ends 1b, 2b are shown as ends 1,2 in other figures when top portion 3 is folded over bottom portion 4). Top portion 3 and bottom portion 4 are the same size in length. Magnet holders are located in bottom portion 4, allowing top portion 3 of cowl 16 to fold over the bottom portion and conceal assembled magnetic holders 12, 13. Cowl 16 is shown in the open position in FIG. 4a, prior to being folded over (FIG. 4b showing ends 1,2 and FIG. 5) to conceal assembled magnet holders 12, 13.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged exploded assembly of garment 10 including cowl 16. Cowl 16 is shown being rolled/ folded over to conceal the lower portion of cowl 16 where flat attachment tabs 20 of the magnet holders 12, 13 are connected. Tabs 20 are an integral part of magnet holders 12, 13. Tabs 20 are the portion of magnet holders 12, 13 that attach to end pieces of flat fabric 1, 2. They can be attached by sewing or heat sealing, for example.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the attachment device in which magnetic attachment holders 12, 13 are fully concealed within the fabric of cowl 16. In the alternative embodiment, there are no exposed molded parts. This embodiment relies on the strength of the rare earth magnets to provide the alignment based on the pull strength of the magnets. When the two opposing ends of cowl 16 of garment 20 are within 2″ of one another, the magnetic rare earth elements incorporated into each of the separate ends automatically align, and removably attach the two opposing ends together, completing the tubular “sleeve” and locking them together.

Other embodiments of the present invention for the attachment of the two sides can be accomplished utilizing a zipper or series of buttons, that connect the 2 sides into a tubular structure, such as a cowl or for a limb, for example.

Though the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications in shape, size, composition, and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.

Claims

1. A system of attachment for a tubular garment comprising: a single piece of flat fabric, wherein the fabric has a first side and a second side and forming a tubular shape when the first side and the second side are connected, wherein the tubular shape includes a front bib, a shoulder piece and a cowl; andat least one pair of magnets contained in at least one molded alignment housing located on each of the first side and the second side of the fabric, wherein each pair of magnets has a polarity arrangement to removably connect the first side of fabric and the second side of fabric end to end without overlapping forming the tubular shape.

2. (canceled)

3. The system of attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein the molded alignment housing has an integral nesting interlock that aligns the first side of the fabric and the second side of the fabric to create a closure.

4. The system of attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein the cowl hides each pair of magnets when folded down toward the garment.

5. The system of attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein the magnet alignment housings are fully concealed within the first side of fabric and the second side of the fabric.

6. A method of making a removably attached tubular garment comprising: cutting a flat piece of fabric to a desired shape;magnetically connecting a first side of the flat fabric and a second side of a flat fabric to form a tubular shape that includes a cowl; andfolding a top portion of the cowl over a bottom portion of the cowl concealing the magnetic attachment.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the magnetic attachment is done behind the line of sight.

8. The system of attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein the cowl has a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion folds over the bottom portion of the cowl and conceals the at least one pair of magnets when the at least on pair of magnets are connected.

9. The system of attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one molded alignment housing includes at least one tab, wherein the at least one tab attaches the at least one molded alignment housing to the first side and the second side of the fabric.

10. The system of attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one molded alignment housing is located on a bottom portion of the cowl on and end of each of the first side and the second side of fabric to form the tubular shape.