Magnetic clasp unit and suspender system
A suspenders system having at least one magnetic clasp comprising a strong permanent magnet attached to a suspenders arrangement that allows most of the suspenders to be worn underneath a wearer's clothing. With the suspenders arrangement in place, the only exterior elements of the suspenders system are either ferrous metal belt attachments or matching permanent magnet buttons. The magnetic clasp underlays at lease one layer of clothing allowing the suspenders system to be worn in a concealed fashion.
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIXNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTrouser suspenders have been in use for many years and there have been numerous improvements to their layout and the means of attaching the suspenders to the wearer's trousers. Nonetheless, their general layout has remained relatively unchanged while there have been minor improvements to their mechanical fasteners. With the introduction of strong and compact magnets it is now possible to produce fasteners utilizing pairs of opposing polarity magnets. In fact there are numerous applications using magnets in fasteners, clips, hangers, accessory attachments and buttons. These magnetic fasteners are generally considered advantageous due to the relative ease of their attachment and detachment. Many of these fasteners utilize small magnets and housings so that they are unobtrusive and incorporate features to resist uncoupling due to movement transverse to the magnetic axes of the coupling magnets. As such, these fasteners have elaborately fabricated casings that require manual alignment of the matching pieces to fasten and still resist detachment due to forces along this transverse axis from attached straps, chains, cords and other such elements. These fasteners are meant to replace such items as buttons, jewelry clasps and undergarment strap connectors for bras.
It would seem advantageous to develop a simplified type of magnetic fastener that would allow a garment or, specifically, a trouser suspenders to be attached without careful alignment of the fasteners and utilized in such a manner as to be worn as undergarments rather than on top of the outer surfaces of the wearer's clothing. This would provide the wearer with the support of suspenders without the usual visible straps and clasps; thus making suspenders an option for those individuals who, for one reason or another, would prefer not to appear to be wearing suspenders.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide trouser support for those individuals with a need or desire for that support while avoiding the appearance of traditional suspenders or any stigma that might be associated with conventional over the clothing suspenders.
Another specific object of the invention is to provide for various strap or support mechanisms that are specifically intended to be worn in a concealed fashion.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA principal objective of the present invention is to provide a suspenders system for trousers that is easily and comfortably worn mostly underneath the wearer's outer layers of clothing to provide support for trousers
This invention incorporates a unique system for attaching suspenders to the wearer's trousers by means of a magnetic clasp between the end of a suspenders strap and the trousers belt.
The magnetic clasp comprises magnet having a casing and a matching ferrous metal attachment associated with a trousers belt. The magnet casing includes an attaching means for a strap. The magnet casing is positioned inside the trousers and opposite the ferrous metal attachment affixed to the trousers belt. The resultant magnetic attraction between the magnet and belt effectively connects the belt and trousers to the magnet casing which is, in turn, supported by a suspenders configuration attached to the magnet casing strap that is suited to carry the weight of the trousers on the wearer's shoulders and upper torso. This invention takes advantage of the fact that magnetic attraction of sufficient strength can connect this magnet and ferrous metal belt attachment through intervening layers of clothing and, therefore the magnet can be placed underneath a shirt and inside the trousers.
Another embodiment of this invention is where the magnet is comprised of a rare earth material such as neodymium with a rating of N42 or higher.
A further embodiment of this invention is where the magnet and casing are attached to a suspenders strap by a detachable means such as a hook and loop fastener.
A still further embodiment of this invention is where the magnet casing is comprised of a plastic material with the outer edge of the casing wall slightly beyond the outer face of the magnet and incorporating serrations to resist slippage along the inner face of the wearer's clothing.
Another embodiment of this invention is where the casing is comprised of a plastic material which completely encases the magnet and the outer face of the casing incorporates serrations or texture to resist slippage along the inner face of the wearer's clothing.
A further embodiment of this invention is where the casing is comprised of a metal material with the casing walls extending slightly beyond the outer face of the magnet to resist slippage along the inner face of the wearer's clothing. The casing may be of a magnetic material and of complimentary polarity to the magnet and my incorporate a decorative coating.
A still further embodiment of this invention is where the casing is comprised of a metal material to hold the magnet and provide structure for the casing and an outer covering of a soft plastic material such that there is a means of resisting slippage along the inner face of the wearer's clothing.
Another embodiment of this invention is where the ferrous metal belt attachment is formed into a “J” shape and incorporates a spring foil such that this attachment may be positioned on the underside of the belt and be held in place by friction.
A further embodiment of this invention is where the ferrous metal belt attachment is formed into a “C” shape such that is held in place on the inside of the belt with little probability of leaving an indention or mark on the belt material.
A still further embodiment of this invention is where the ferrous metal belt attachment is permanently fastened to the belt and held in place by a fastening means such as a metal rivet, an adhesive or stitching.
Another embodiment of this invention is where the ferrous metal belt attachment is permanently incorporated within the belt and is held in place in a pouch shape in the belt material or held in place by adhesive means.
A further embodiment of this invention is where the ferrous metal belt attachment is magnetized so as to enhance the attraction between the magnet casing and ferrous metal belt attachment.
A still further embodiment of this invention addresses the use of the magnetic clasp for a user not wearing a belt. In this case the ferrous metal belt attachment is replaced by a target magnet. This target magnet would have a casing of plastic metal or other suitable material and shaped so as to facilitate the detachment of this magnet in order to release the magnetic clasp.
Another embodiment of this invention is making available to users a suspenders that is durable, easy to use, inexpensive to manufacture and easy to adapt to a variety of clothing and accessory combinations. The magnetic clasp makes it extremely easy to attach suspender ends to the trousers because the magnet and ferrous metal belt attachment need only be brought into general proximity with one another in order for the clasping connection to be made.
Additional and various other objects and advantages will become more apparent as the specification is read and the accompanying figures are reviewed.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention, the magnetic suspenders system may be explained in further detail below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
- Trousers belt 31
- “C” shaped belt attachment 40
- “J” shaped belt attachment 41
- Ferrous metal target 42
- Ferrous metal target with countersunk hole 43
- Metal rivet 44
- Magnet target 45
- Magnet target casing 46
- Magnet and casing with strap for attachment to a suspenders strap end 50
- Suspenders strap end 54
- Loop pad strap facing 55
- Hook pad strap facing 56
- Magnet casing strap 57
- Magnet casing 58
- Magnet 59
- Anterior suspender strap 60
- Posterior suspender strap 61
- Supplemental anterior suspender strap 62
- Casing wall 64
- Serrations 65
- Flexible plastic outer coating 66
- Flange with slot for strap 67
- Hanger 71
- Hanger attachment end with hook pad 72
- Hanger attachment loop pad 73
- T-shirt 74
Referring to
In the preferred embodiment the magnetic clasp component 50 there is incorporated into magnet casing 58 a magnet 59 that utilizes a rare earth material such as neodymium and has a rating of N42 or higher and includes a protective coating such as nickel or other suitable decorative material to prevent corrosion. Magnet casing 58 is comprised of a plastic material such as nylon, PVC, styrene or other suitable plastic and the magnet 59 is held in place by adhesive or mechanical means. This magnet casing 58 incorporates a means of attaching a strap 57 which has a hook pad 56 attached to the inner surface of strap 57. A suspenders strap end 54 has a loop pad attached to its' outer surface making it possible to attach the casing strap 57 to the suspenders end strap 54. While a hook and loop fastening system is a preferred embodiment, other attachment means such as buttons or zippers may be utilized. The straps 54 and 57 of component 50 are intended to be of sufficient length so as to provide for vertical adjustment of the position of the magnet casing 58 so that it is opposite the ferrous metal target 42.
The resultant attraction between the magnet 59 and the ferrous metal target 42 effectively connects the wearer's belt 31 to the suspenders and, thus, the weight of the trousers is borne on the wearer's shoulders and upper torso.
The magnet casing 58 shown in
The magnet casing 58 shown in
The magnet casing 58 shown in
The casing 58 shown in
Additionally, any of the ferrous metal targets described above may be magnetized and of a polarity such that there is an enhanced attraction to the magnet 59.
Claims
1. A magnetic clasp unit and suspenders system for garments comprising at least one magnetic clasp for the attachment of a suspenders system to a wearer's trousers, each said magnetic clasp comprising a magnet casing encompassing a strong permanent magnet with said magnet casing connected by an attaching means to a suspenders strap, and a ferrous metal target, said ferrous metal target affixed by an attaching means to the inside face of a trousers belt, wherein said suspenders system is worn underneath the wearer's shirt with said magnet casing positioned inside said wearer's trousers and opposite said ferrous metal target with the resultant magnetic attraction between said magnet casing and said ferrous metal target effectively connecting said trousers belt to said suspenders system thus transferring the weight of said wearer's trousers to said wearer's shoulders.
2. The strong permanent magnet according to claim 1 wherein said strong permanent magnet is comprised of a material such as neodymium-iron-boron with a maximum energy product of 42 MGOe or higher.
3. The magnetic clasp unit according to claim 1 wherein said magnet casing is comprised of a non-magnetic material and incorporates casing walls which surround said strong permanent magnet and extend beyond the outer surface of said strong permanent magnet, said casing walls having serrations so as to reduce the possibility of movement of said magnet casing transverse to the magnetic axis of said strong permanent magnet, said magnet casing also incorporating an attaching means for a suspenders strap.
4. The magnet casing according to claim 3 wherein said magnet casing is comprised of a ferrous metal material that is magnetized and with a polarity and magnetic axis complimentary to said strong permanent magnet.
5. The magnet casing according to claim 4 wherein said magnet casing walls are flush with the outer surface of said strong permanent magnet and said magnet casing and said strong permanent magnet are coated in a soft plastic material so as to reduce the possibility of movement of said magnet casing transverse to the magnetic axis of said strong permanent magnet.
6. A magnetic clasp unit and suspenders system according to claim 1 wherein said attaching means for said ferrous metal target is shaped in a manner such that said ferrous metal target may be positioned on said trousers belt in a non-permanent fashion.
7. A magnetic clasp unit and suspenders system according to claim 6 wherein said attaching means for said ferrous metal target possesses a magnetic field having a polarity and magnetic axis complimentary to said strong permanent magnet.
8. A magnetic clasp unit and suspenders system according to claim 1 wherein said ferrous metal target is permanently incorporated into said trousers belt.
9. A magnetic clasp unit and suspenders system according to claim 8 wherein said ferrous metal target possesses a magnetic field having a polarity and magnetic axis complimentary to said strong permanent magnet.
10. A magnetic clasp unit and suspenders system for garments comprising at least one magnetic clasp for the attachment of the suspenders to a wearer's trousers, each said magnetic clasp unit comprising a first magnet casing encompassing a first strong permanent magnet with said first magnet casing connected by an attaching means to a suspenders strap, and a second magnet casing encompassing a second strong permanent magnet wherein said suspenders system is worn underneath the wearer's shirt with said first magnet casing positioned inside said wearer's trousers opposite said second strong permanent magnet positioned outside said wearer's trousers with the resultant magnetic attraction between said first magnet casing and said second magnet casing effectively connecting said trousers to said suspenders system thus transferring the weight of said wearer's trousers to said wearer's shoulders.
11. The magnetic clasp unit and suspenders system according to claim 10 wherein said first and second strong permanent magnets are comprised of a material such as neodymium-iron-boron with a maximum energy product of 42 MGOe or higher.
12. The magnetic clasp unit and suspenders system according to claim 10 wherein said first and second magnet casings are comprised of a non-magnetic material and incorporate magnet casing walls which surround said first and second strong permanent magnets and extend beyond the outer surfaces of said first and second strong permanent magnets, said magnet casing walls having serrations so as to reduce the possibility of movement of said first and second magnet casings transverse to the magnetic axis of said first and second strong permanent magnets, said first magnet casing also incorporating an attaching means for a suspenders strap.
13. The magnetic clasp unit and suspenders system according to claim 12 wherein said first and second magnet casings are comprised of a ferrous metal material that is magnetized and with polarities and magnetic axes complimentary to said first and second strong permanent magnets.
14. The magnet casing according to claim 12 wherein said first and second magnet casing walls are flush with the outer surface of said first and second strong permanent magnets and said first and second magnet casings and said first and second strong permanent magnets are coated in a soft plastic material so as to reduce the possibility of movement of said first and second magnet casings transverse to the magnetic axis of said first and second strong permanent magnets.
15. The magnetic clasp unit and suspenders system according to claim 10 wherein said second magnet casing of said second strong permanent magnet optionally incorporates the application of a decorative material.
16. A magnetic clasp unit and suspenders system comprising a plurality of magnetic clasp units attached to a suspenders system.
17. A magnetic clasp unit and suspenders system wherein said suspenders system comprises an anterior horizontal strap approximately eight inches in length, said anterior horizontal strap centered at the wearer's sternum, said anterior horizontal strap having one of said magnetic clasp units suspended at each end of and perpendicular to said anterior horizontal strap and extending vertically downward with said magnetic clasp units positioned such that they may be magnetically clasped to the top portion of the wearer's trousers, wherein said anterior horizontal strap is supported by a suspenders strap attached to each end of and perpendicular to of said anterior horizontal strap and each said suspenders strap extending vertically and over each of the wearer's shoulders, said suspenders straps then further extending downward from said wearer's shoulders then further extending in a curved fashion away from the centerline of the wearer's body such that said suspenders straps pass underneath the wearer's arms and connect horizontally to each end of said anterior horizontal strap, each said suspenders strap thus forming a closed loop, wherein said suspenders straps provide support for said anterior horizontal strap, wherein said anterior horizontal strap provides support for said pair of magnetic clasp units and, thus, carrying the weight of said wearer's trousers upon said wearer's shoulders, said suspenders system further incorporating a posterior horizontal strap positioned at the wearer's shoulder blades so as to prevent said suspenders straps from slipping off of said wearer's shoulders.
18. A magnetic clasp unit and suspenders system wherein said suspenders system supports a pair of said magnetic clasp units, first said magnetic clasp unit positioned such that it is magnetically clasped at the top front and center of the wearer's trousers with the strap portion of said first magnetic clasp extending vertically upwards, wherein a pair of suspenders straps are attached to the upper end of said strap portion of said first magnetic clasp, wherein said pair of suspenders straps extend vertically but diverge from the plane of bilateral symmetry of the wearer's body such that of said pair of suspenders straps passes over each of said wearer's body then extend vertically downward but converge at the plane of bilateral symmetry of said wearer's body and at the upper end of the strap portion of a second said magnetic clasp unit, wherein said pair of suspenders are attached to said upper end of said strap portion of said second magnetic clasp unit, wherein with said pair of suspenders straps thus attached to said first and second magnetic clasp units magnetically clasped to said wearer's trousers the weight of said wearer's trousers is supported by said wearer's shoulders.
19. A magnetic clasp unit and suspenders system wherein said suspenders system incorporates an undergarment suitable for the application of an attaching means for a single suspenders strap, said attaching means allowing for the placement of each end of said single suspenders strap to be vertically variable, wherein said each end of said suspenders strap is thus attached to the front of said undergarment near the top and center of each of the wearer's shoulders, said suspenders strap being of sufficient length so as to allow the upper end of the strap portion of said magnetic clasp unit to be attached at the center of said suspenders strap and hang approximately fifteen inches below the top of the wearer's shoulders, wherein the magnetic clasp is positioned below the top of the wearer's trousers and with said magnetic clasp unit magnetically clasped to said wearer's trousers the weight of said wearer's trousers is supported by said wearers shoulders by means of said undergarment.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 13, 2009
Publication Date: Apr 14, 2011
Inventors: Thomas Anthony Trutna (Boise, ID), William Richard Trutna, SR. (Austin, TX)
Application Number: 12/587,621
International Classification: A41F 19/00 (20060101); A44B 99/00 (20100101);