MAGNETIC APPAREL CINCHING CLIP

Abstract

An apparel cinch apparatus for securely gathering or taking up slack or adjusting a hem in an article of clothing is provided. A magnetic first member and a magnetic second member coupled via a longitudinal link strap are featured. A user may gather a portion of the article of clothing and secure said gathering by meeting the first member and the second member such that the portion of the article of clothing gathered by the user is secured in place by the longitudinal link strap. To store the cinch apparatus, a closing component is removably attached to the first member to prohibit the magnetic force from acting upon objects external to the apparatus.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 62/509,610 filed May 22, 2017, the specification(s) of which is/are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cinch apparatus, more specifically, to an apparel cinch apparatus for securely gathering or taking up slack in an article of clothing, e.g., adjusting the length of a hemline.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current designs of apparel clips are not adjustable and do not have a free flowing link strap. As such, these designs are ineffective for shortening the hero line on an array of garments such as pants, dresses, skirts, blouses, shirt sleeves, suit jackets sleeves, etc. These apparel clips, also referred to as T-shirt clips, are typically composed of hard plastic, which is not maneuverable and does not allow for adjustments of long hems on portions of garments (e.g. pant legs and sleeve lengths). They are also not material friendly and, after use, the garment often exhibits signs of wear at the attachment location leaving the clothing material stretched out, severely wrinkled, and quite often permanently damaged.

The present invention features an apparel cinch clip that is non-damaging, practical, and designed to provide any desired hem length for a variety of garments, thus giving garments an unseen versatility. The present apparel cinch clip does not affect the integrity of the garment's fabric as a result of the gentle force provided by the magnetic clasp coupled to a strap, which keep both the exterior and the interior gatherings of clothing in place. Further, a link strap is able to absorb the slack (e.g. the excess fabric that one wishes to hold up) of the hemline and the weight of the slack, thus providing ease of movement all day long. The apparel cinch clip of the present invention is the no damage, no fuss, no slide (or gravity pull) clip desired by every fashionista.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparel cinch clip for securely gathering or taking up slack, such as adjusting a hem, a hemline adjuster or an adjuster of hemline, in an article of clothing as presently disclosed. In some embodiments the cinch clip may comprise a first member and a second member joined by a longitudinal link strap. In further embodiments, the first member may comprise a magnet housing having a front surface, a back surface. a top end, and a bottom end. Additionally, a first magnet may be centrally disposed within the magnet housing. In another embodiment, a closing component having a closing component front surface, a closing component back surface, a closing component top end, and a closing component bottom end, also comprises the first member. In additional embodiments, a hinge may couple the closing component bottom end to the top end of the magnet housing to allow the closing component to rotate about the hinge from a first position to a second position. The first member takes the first position when the closing component front surface contacts the front surface of the magnet housing and the second position when the closing component back surface fully contacts the back surface of the magnet housing. In one embodiment, the back surface of the magnet housing and the closing component back surface may be flat to ensure full contact. A male fastening device disposed on the closing component may align with a female fastening device disposed on the magnetic housing, such that the male fastening device interlocks with the female fastening device when the first member is in the first or second position. This interlocking secures the magnet housing to the closing component. In some embodiments, a latch is used to secure the magnet housing to the closing component such that the male fastening device comprises the male portion of the latch and the female fastening device comprises the female portion of the latch.

In further embodiments, a first magnetic interference component may be disposed at the back surface of the magnetic housing and a second magnetic interference component may be disposed at the closing component back surface. When the first member is in the first position, the magnetic force of the first magnet is not experienced by objects external to the first member as a result of the first and second magnetic interference components.

In supplementary embodiments, the second member may comprise a decorative component having a second magnet centrally disposed therein. In one embodiment, a plurality of soldered brackets, disposed along the circumference of the second magnet, couple the second magnet to the center of the decorative component. The second magnet may be in a housing device. The decorative component may have a decorative component front surface, a decorative component back surface, a decorative component top end, and a decorative component bottom end. Further, the longitudinal link strap may have a strap first end and a strap second end. In a non-limiting example, the longitudinal link strap may be composed of thread, leather, fabric, a chain, or a series of connected beads. In one embodiment, the strap first end is coupled to the bottom of the magnet housing, for coupling the first member to the longitudinal link strap, while the strap second end is coupled to the decorative component top end for coupling the second member to the longitudinal link strap.

Consistent with previous embodiments, when the first member is in the second position, a user may gather a portion of an article of clothing and secure said gathering by meeting the decorative component front surface and the front surface of the magnet housing such that the first and second magnets contact to lock the first member to the second member. In this configuration, the portion of the article of clothing gathered by the user may be secured in place by the longitudinal link strap. Once removed, the cinch clip may be stored away when the first member is in the first position so that the magnetic force of the first magnet may be effectively inhibited and unable to act upon objects external to the first member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of the first member of the cinch clip disclosed by the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart detailing an exemplary method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows the present cinch clip in the first position (e.g. storing position).

FIG. 6 shows an alternate position of the magnet housing and the closing component of the present cinch clip.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment the first member of the cinch clip.

FIG. 8 shows a diagrammatic representation an alternative embodiment of the first member of the cinch clip disclosed by the present invention.

FIG. 9 a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention that permits interchangeability of portions of the cinch clip disclosed by the present invention.

FIGS. 10-14 depict alternative perspectives of an exemplary embodiment of the cinch clip disclosed by the present invention.

FIGS. 15 and 16 depict alternative perspectives of a decorative portion of the cinch clip disclosed by the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a first member of a cinch clip according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 provides front views of several embodiments of a member of the cinch clip according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 provides back views of several embodiments of a member of the cinch clip, and of various means of connecting one member to another of the cinch clip according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 shows a cross section view of an encapsulation clasp. This encapsulation clasp can be an injectable mold made out of plastic that can function as a protective cover for magnet or the highly permeable magnetic plate (“HPMP”).

FIG. 21 shows additional embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-8 the present invention features an apparel cinch clip (100) for securely gathering or taking up slack in an article of clothing. In some embodiments the cinch clip (100) may comprise a first member (101) and a second member (130) joined by a longitudinal link strap (140). In alternate embodiments, the longitudinal link strap (140) may comprise one or more straps. In further embodiments, the first member (101) may comprise a magnet housing (110) having a front surface (113), a back surface (112), a top end (114), and a bottom end (116). Additionally, a first magnet (115) may be centrally disposed within the magnet housing (110). In another embodiment, a closing component (120) having a closing component front surface (123), a closing component back surface (122), a closing component top end (124), and a closing component bottom end (126), also comprises the first member (101). In additional embodiments, a hinge (105) may couple the closing component bottom end (126) to the top end (114) of the magnet housing (110) to allow the closing component (120) to rotate about the hinge (105) from a first position (e.g., a position for storing the cinch clip) to a second position (e.g., an in-use position). The first member (101) takes the first position when the closing component top end (124) contacts the bottom end (116) of the magnet housing (110) and the second position when the closing component back surface (122) fully contacts the back surface (112) of the magnet housing (110). In one embodiment, the back surface (112) of the magnet housing (110) and the closing component hack surface (122) may be flat to ensure full contact. A male fastening device (121) disposed on the closing component (120) may align with a female fastening device (111) disposed on the magnetic housing (110), such that the male fastening device (121) interlocks with the female fastening device (111) when the first member (101) is in the first or second position. This interlocking secures the magnet housing (110) to the closing component (120). In some embodiments, a latch is used to secure the magnet housing (110) to the closing component (120) such that the male fastening device (121) comprises the male portion of the latch and the female fastening device (111) comprises the female portion of the latch.

In further embodiments, a first magnetic interference component may be disposed at the back surface of the magnetic housing (110) and a second magnetic interference component may be disposed at the closing component back surface (122). When the first member (101) is in the first position, (i.e. the closing component front surface (123) is attached to the front surface (113) of the magnet housing (110)), the magnetic force of the first magnet (115) is not experienced by objects external to the first member (101) as a result of the first and second magnetic interference components.

In supplementary embodiments, the second member (130) may comprise a decorative component (131) having a second magnet (133) centrally disposed therein. In one embodiment, a plurality of soldered brackets, disposed along the circumference of the second magnet (133), couple the second magnet (133) to the center of the decorative component (131). The decorative component (131) may have a decorative component front surface (132), a decorative component back surface (133) (see, e.g., FIGS. 13-14), a decorative component top end (135), and a decorative component bottom end (137). Further, the longitudinal link strap (140) may have a strap first end (143) and a strap second end (145). In a non-limiting example, the longitudinal link strap may be composed of thread, leather, fabric, a chain, or a series of connected beads. In one embodiment, the strap first end (143) is coupled to the bottom of the magnet housing (110), for coupling the first member (101) to the longitudinal link strap (140), while the strap second end (145) is coupled to the decorative component top end for coupling the second member (130) to the longitudinal link strap (140).

Consistent with previous embodiments, when the first member (101) is in the second position, a user may gather a portion of an article of clothing and secure said gathering by meeting the decorative component front surface (132) and the front surface (113) of the magnet housing (110) such that the first (115) and second (133) magnets contact to lock the first member (101) to the second member (130). In this configuration, the portion of the article of clothing gathered by the user may be secured in place by the longitudinal link strap (140). Once removed, the cinch clip (100) may be stored away when the first member (101) is in the first position so that the magnetic force of the first magnet (115) may be effectively inhibited and unable to act upon objects external to the first member (110).

Some embodiments of the cinch clip (100) feature a first annular component (150) soldered (or otherwise attached) to the bottom end of the magnet housing (110) for coupling the bottom end of the magnet housing (110) to the strap first end (143). In another embodiment, a second annular component (155) may be soldered (or otherwise attached) to the decorative component top end (135) for coupling the decorative component top end to the strap second end (145). In an alternate embodiment, the second annular component (155) may comprise a plurality of annular components, operatively connected, to extend the operative length of the longitudinal link strap (140).

An alternate configuration of the cinch clip (100), as depicted in FIG. 4, may feature a magnet housing (110) having a first set of grooves (117) disposed at the boundary of the magnet housing (110) and a closing component (120) having a second set of grooves (127) disposed at the boundary of the closing component. In embodiments where the closing component and the magnet housing have a circular geometry, each set of grooves (117,127) is disposed along the respective circumference. The first (117) and second (127) sets of grooves are complementary, such that the closing component (120) is secured to the magnet housing (110) when the first set of grooves (117) meets and interlocks with the second set of grooves (127). In other embodiments, the closing component (120) may be a screw top having the second set of grooves (127) interlock the first set of grooves (117) by moving the closing component (120) in a clockwise direction. As made obvious by the above description, the male and female fastening devices are not featured in the present configuration.

While cinch clip (100) is depicted as having a magnet (115) within first member (101) and a second magnet (133) within second member (130), it is also possible to configure either the first member (101) without magnet (115) or the second member (130) without magnet (133). In such cases at least one of first member (115) or second member (130) must have a magnet within it, and the other member must be made of a material (such as steel, other iron-containing alloy or other plate with high magnetic permeability), that is magnetically attracted to the magnet with sufficient force that the two members may serve the intended function of a cinch clip (100).

An alternative embodiment of the first member (101) is depicted in FIGS. 7-8. As shown in FIG. 7, the first member (101) may comprise a magnet housing (110) having a front surface (113), a back surface (112), a top end (114), and a bottom end (116). Additionally, a first magnet (115) may be centrally disposed within the magnet housing (110). In another embodiment, a closing component (120) having a closing component front surface (123), a closing component back surface (122), a closing component top end (124), and a closing component bottom end (126), also comprises the first member (101). In additional embodiments, a hinge (105) may couple the closing component bottom end (126) to the top end (114) of the magnet housing (110) to allow the closing component (120) to rotate about the hinge (105) from a first position (e.g., a position for storing the cinch clip) to a second position (e.g., an in-use position). The first member (101) takes the first position when the closing component top end (124) contacts the bottom end (116) of the magnet housing (110) and the second position when the closing component back surface (122) fully contacts the back surface (112) of the magnet housing (110). In some embodiments, the back surface (112) of the magnet housing (110) and the closing component back surface (122) may be contoured in any way desired, or may be flat to ensure full contact. As in FIGS. 1-6, a first magnetic interference component may be disposed at the back surface of the magnetic housing (110) and a second magnetic interference component may be disposed at the closing component back surface (122). When the first member (101) is in the first position, (i.e. the closing component front surface (123) is attached to the front surface (113) of the magnet housing (110)), the magnetic force of the first magnet (115) is not experienced by objects external to the first member (101) as a result of the first and second magnetic interference components. The hinge (105) may comprise a double knuckle joint comprising a first standing part (162) attached to the top end (114) of magnet housing (110), a second standing part (164) attached to the closing component bottom end (126), two joint pins (168), and two double knuckles (166). A first joint pin (168) passes through the first standing part (162) and the two double knuckles (166), and a second joint pin (168) passes through the second standing member (164) and the two double knuckles (168), thereby forming the hinge (105).

While the first annular component (150) and the second annular component (155) are depicted as simple rings soldered to the ends of first member (110) and second member (130), respectively, either the first member (110), or the second member (120), may be made interchangeable with members having the same or similar function and different aesthetic design features by employing a detachable feature as part of the longitudinal link strap (140), or one or both of the annular components (150, 155). For example, and alternative configuration for attaching annular component (150) to a first member (101) or a second member (130) is a magnetic clasp (170), as depicted in FIG. 9. Magnetic clasp (170) comprises a female part (172) and a male part (174), wherein the male part (174) is adapted to detachably fit within the female part (172). One of the male part (174) or the female part (176) may be composed of a magnetic material, while the other may be composed of either a magnetic material or a material capable of being magnetically attracted to the other part, such as steel, other iron alloy, or other ferromagnetic metal or alloy. Thus configured, when the male part (174) is inserted within the female part (176), they are held together by magnetic force between the two parts (174, 176) to form the magnetic clasp (170). In some embodiments, the annular component (150) may be located on the exterior edge (176) of the male part. In some embodiments, the longitudinal link strap (140) is joined to the annular component (150) by suitable means described herein.

While the annular components (150, 155) are depicted as substantially circular, they may also be substantially oval, rectangular, or any other shape conducive to connecting to the longitudinal link strap (140). Moreover, they may form a so-called ladder lock, whereby the longitudinal link strap (140) may be adjusted in length. Other suitable means of joining the longitudinal link strap (140) to the annular components (150, 155), include clasps and box latches. As mentioned above, more than one longitudinal link strap (140) may be employed. Multiple means may be employed to join the longitudinal link straps (140) to the annular components (150, 155). These may include ribbon attachments, box clasps, the aforementioned magnetic clasp, or combinations of the foregoing, e.g., box clasps and loops. In some embodiments, a single box clasp may be combined with two loops. In other embodiments, a three loop configuration may be employed. In other embodiments, a strap extending through a ladder lock may be employed.

In addition, for each longitudinal link strap (140) employed, a different means may be used to attach one end of the longitudinal link strap (140) to the first annular component (150) and the other end of the longitudinal link strap (140) to the second annular component (155).

FIGS. 10-14 depict different perspectives of an embodiment of the cinch clip (100) of the invention; and FIGS. 15 and 16 depict side perspectives of a second member (130). The cinch clip (100) may comprise a first member (101) and a second member (130) joined by a longitudinal link strap (140). The second member (130) may comprise a decorative component (131) having a magnet disposed therein. The decorative component (131) may have a decorative component front surface (132), a decorative component back surface (133), a decorative component top end (135), and a decorative component bottom end (137). The longitudinal link strap (140) may have a strap first end (143) and a strap second end (145). The longitudinal link strap (140) may comprise an ornamented segment (180), a plain segment (190), or any combination of ornamented and plain segments (180, 190). As depicted, plain segment (190) has a first end (194) coupled to the first member (101) and a second end (192) joined to a first end (184) of the ornamented segment (180). The ornamented segment (180) has a second end (182) coupled to the second member (130). Although the longitudinal link strap (140) is depicted as a dual segment strap, it may comprise any material of suitable length, strength and flexibility. Exemplary materials for the longitudinal link strap (140) include leather, tubing, cord, beads (e.g., on strings or chain), chain (e.g., gold, silver, or an alloy of two or more suitable metals). Additionally, the longitudinal link strap (140) may comprise multiple strands. For example, the longitudinal link strap (140) may comprise two or three members, which may be strings of beads, chains, ribbon, spacers, or combinations of a suitable number of the foregoing materials.

While first end (194) of plain segment (190) is depicted as connecting to first member (101) through a simple loop, and second end (182) of ornamented segment (180) is depicted as being connected to the second member (130) through in a similar manner, it is to be understood that a variety of couplings may be employed within the ambit of this invention. Exemplary couplings include box clasps, magnets, hook clasps, ladder locks, and the like. Similarly, second end (192) of plain segment (190) may be coupled to first end (184) of ornamented segment (180) with in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, different one second member (130) may be exchanged for another second member (130) by detaching plain segment (190) from ornamented segment (180) and joining a different ornamented segment (180) to the plain segment (190). In other embodiments, second member (130) may be detached from ornamented segment (180) and a different second member (130) may be coupled to second end (182) of ornamented segment (180).

An alternative embodiment of a first member (101) of the cinch clip (100) is depicted in FIG. 17 as adjustable first member (300). Adjustable first member (300) has a body (302) having a first strap aperture (304) and a second strap aperture (306) at opposite ends of the body (302). The body (302) also has a first inclined slot (308) and a second inclined slot (310) on either side of the body (302). A binding roll (312) passes through the first inclined slot (308) and second inclined slot (310). In some embodiments binding roll (312) has a first enlarge end (314) and a second enlarged end (316), which are of sufficient diameter to prevent the binding roll (312) from slipping through first inclined slot (308) and the second inclined slot (310). A longitudinal link strap (140) passes through the body (302) and protrudes through the first strap aperture (304), on one side of the binding roll (312), and through the second strap aperture (306). The longitudinal link strap (140) passes on one side of the binding roll (312). The binding roll (312) may be moved, e.g. by putting pressure on the first and second enlarged ends (314, 316) and pushing the binding roll (312) along the inclined slots (308, 310). When the binding roll (312) is in a first position (322) the binding roll (312) places pressure on the longitudinal link strap (140), thereby holding the longitudinal link strap (140) in place by frictional force. When the binding roll is (312) is placed in a second position (324) the binding roll (312) does not put substantial pressure on the longitudinal link strap (140), which allows the longitudinal link strap (140) to freely move through the body (302), thereby making the position of the adjustable first member (300) along the longitudinal link strap (140) adjustable. In some embodiments, the binding roll (312) may be textured or grooved, e.g. as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,344,955), in order to enhance friction between the binding roll (312) and the longitudinal link strap (140).

In some embodiments a first end (340) of the longitudinal link strap (140) joins to an annular ring (55) on a second member (130), as shown in FIG. 1. In some embodiments a second end (342) of the longitudinal link strap (140) may comprise a suitable tip to mitigate wear.

While the longitudinal link strap (140) is depicted as being roughly planar, other shapes may be used for the longitudinal link strap (140). In some embodiments the longitudinal link strap (140) may be roughly cylindrical, like a cord or string.

In embodiments of the cinch clip (100) comprising an adjustable first member (300), the adjustable first member (300) or the second member (130) may be magnetic. In some embodiments the adjustable first member (300) is made of a magnetic material and the second member (130) is contains a magnet or is made of a magnetic material. In some embodiments, the adjustable first member (300) is made of a ferromagnetic material (such as steel, other iron-containing alloy or other plate with high magnetic permeability) and the second member (130) is made of a magnetic material or comprises a magnet. In some embodiments, the adjustable first member (300) is magnetized (i.e., is itself a permanent magnet) and the second member (130) comprises a ferromagnetic material.

As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus 10% of the referenced number.

As used herein, “or” is intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” means “A, B, or both,” unless otherwise indicated (e.g., by stating “either A or B.”)

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. Reference numbers recited in the claims are exemplary and for ease of review by the patent office only; and are not limiting in any way. In some embodiments, the figures presented in this patent application are drawn to scale, including the angles, ratios of dimensions, etc. In some embodiments, the figures are representative only and the claims are not limited by the dimensions of the figures. In some embodiments, descriptions of the inventions described herein using the phrase “comprising” includes embodiments that could be described as “consisting of”, and as such the written description requirement for claiming one or more embodiments of the present invention using the phrase “consisting of” is met.

The reference numbers recited in the below claims are solely for ease of examination of this patent application, and are exemplary, and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims to the particular features having the corresponding reference numbers in the drawings.

Claims

1. An apparel cinch clip (100) for securely gathering or taking up slack in an article of clothing, the cinch clip (100) comprising:

(a) a first member (101) comprising: (i) a magnet housing (110) having a front surface (113), a back surface (112), a top end (114) having a first standing part (162) attached to the top end (114), and a bottom end (116), wherein a first magnet (115) is disposed within the magnet housing (110); (ii) a closing component (120) having a closing component front surface (123), a closing component back surface (122), a closing component top end (124), and a closing component bottom end (126) having a second standing part (164) attached to the closing component bottom end (126), wherein a hinge (105) couples the closing component bottom end to the top end of the magnet housing (110), wherein the hinge (105) comprises a plurality of hinge pins (168) pivotably extending through the standing parts (162, 164) and a plurality of knuckle joints (166), thereby forming the hinge (105); wherein the closing component (120) is pivotable about the hinge (105) from a first position, where the closing component top end (124) contacts the bottom end (116) of the magnet housing (110), to a second position, where the closing component back surface (122) fully contacts the back surface (112) of the magnet housing (110); wherein when the first member (101) is in the first position, a magnetic force of the first magnet (115) is not experienced by objects external to the first member (101) as a result of the first and second magnetic interference components;

(b) a second member (130) comprising a decorative component (131) having a second magnet (133) disposed therein (wherein optionally the second magnet is disposed in a housing device), wherein the decorative component (131) has a decorative component front surface (132), a decorative component back surface (135), a decorative component top end, and a decorative component bottom end (137); and

(c) a longitudinal link strap (140) having a strap first end (143) and a strap second end (145), wherein the strap first end (143) is coupled to the bottom of the magnet housing (110) and the strap second end (145) is coupled to the decorative component top end, and wherein, upon removal, the cinch clip (100) can be stored away when the first member (101) is placed in the first position thereby effectively inhibiting the magnetic force of the first magnet (115) such that the magnetic force is unable to act upon objects external to the first member (110).

2. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 1, wherein the cinch clip (100) is adapted to permit a user to gather a portion of an article of clothing and secure said gathered article of clothing by meeting the decorative component front surface (132) and the front surface (113) of the magnet housing (110) such that the first (115) and second (133) magnets contact to lock the first member (101) to the second member (130) and the portion of the article of clothing gathered by the user is secured in place by the longitudinal link strap (140).

3. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal link strap (140) comprises an ornamented segment (180) and a plain segment (190).

4. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 3, wherein the second member (130) is removable from the longitudinal link strap (140).

5. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 3, wherein the ornamented segment (180) of the longitudinal link strap (140) is removable from the plain segment of the longitudinal link strap (140).

6. An apparel cinch clip (100) for securely gathering or taking up slack in an article of clothing, the cinch clip (100) comprising:

(a) a first member (101) comprising: (i) a magnet housing (110) having a front surface (113), a back surface, a top end, and a bottom end, wherein a first magnet (115) is centrally disposed within the magnet housing (110), wherein a first set of grooves (117) are disposed along a boundary of the magnet housing (110); (ii) a closing component (120) having a second set of grooves (127), complementary to the first set of grooves (117), disposed along a boundary of the closing component such that the closing component (120) is secured to the magnet housing (110) when the first set of grooves (117) meets and interlocks with the second set of grooves (127); (iii) a first magnetic interference component disposed at the back surface of the magnet housing (110); and (iv) a second magnetic interference component disposed at the back surface of the closing component (120),

wherein when the closing component (120) is secured to the magnet housing (110), a magnetic force of the first magnet (115) is not experienced by objects external to the first member (101) as a result of the first and second magnetic interference components;

(b) a second member (130) comprising a decorative component (131) having a second magnet (133) centrally disposed therein, wherein the decorative component (131) has a decorative component front surface (132), a decorative component back surface (139), a decorative component top end (135), and a decorative component bottom end (137); and

(c) a longitudinal link strap (140) having a strap first end (143) and a strap second end (145), wherein the strap first end (143) is coupled to the bottom of the magnet housing (110) and the strap second end (145) is coupled to the decorative component top end (135), wherein at least one of said coupling of said strap first end (143) to the bottom of the magnet housing (110) or said coupling of said second end (145) to said decorative component top end (135) is through a magnetic clasp (170); wherein, when the closing component (120) is detached from the magnet housing (110), a user gathers a portion of the article of clothing and secures said gathering by meeting the decorative component front surface (132) and the front surface (113) of the magnet housing (110) such that the first (115) and second (133) magnets contact to lock the first member (101) to the second member (130) and the portion of the article of clothing gathered by the user is secured in place by the longitudinal link strap (140), wherein, upon removal, the cinch clip (100) may be stored away when the closing component (120) is secured to the magnet housing (110) to effectively inhibit the magnetic force of the first magnet (115) such that the magnetic force is unable to act upon objects external to the first member.

7. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 6, wherein said magnetic clasp (170) comprises a male part (174) that fits within and is magnetically attracted to a female part (172).

8. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 6, wherein the female part (172) is on magnet housing (110) or second member (130).

9. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 6, further comprising a first annular component (150) soldered to a male part (174) on the magnet housing (110) for coupling the first member (101) to the strap first end (143).

10. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 6, wherein the longitudinal link strap (140) comprises an ornamented segment (180) and a plain segment (190).

11. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 10, wherein the second member (130) is removable from the longitudinal link strap (140).

12. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 10, wherein the ornamented segment (180) of the longitudinal link strap (140) is removable from the plain segment of the longitudinal link strap (140).

13. An apparel cinch clip (100) for securely gathering or taking up slack in an article of clothing, the cinch clip (100) comprising:

(a) an adjustable first member (300) comprising a body (302) having a first strap aperture (304) and a second strap aperture (306) at opposite ends of the body (302), a first inclined slot (308) and a second inclined slot (310) on opposite sides of the body (302), and a binding roll (312) passing through the first inclined slot (308) and the second inclined slot (310), the binding roll (312) being movable between a first position (322) and a second position (324);

(b) a second member (130) comprising a decorative component (131) having a magnet (133) disposed therein, wherein the decorative component (131) has a decorative component front surface (132), a decorative component back surface (133), a decorative component top end (135), and a decorative component bottom end (137); and

(c) a longitudinal link strap (140) having a first strap end (340) and a second strap end (342), wherein the strap first end (340) is coupled to the second member (130) and the strap second end (342) is free, the longitudinal link strap (140) passing through body (302) via strap apertures (304, 306) and on one side of the binding roll (312) such that, when the binding roll (312) is in a first position (312) the first adjustable member (300) is held in place by frictional force between binding roll (312) and longitudinal link strap (140), and when the binding roll (312) is in the second position (324) the first adjustable member is free to move along the longitudinal link strap (140), whereby the apparel cinch clip (100) is adjustable in length.

14. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 13, wherein the second strap end (342) has a tip or covering to reduce or mitigate wear of the second strap end (342).

15. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 13, wherein the adjustable first member (300) comprises a ferromagnetic metal.

16. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 15, wherein the ferromagnetic metal is an iron alloy.

17. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 13, wherein the longitudinal link strap (140) comprises an ornamented segment (180) and a plain segment (190).

18. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 17, wherein the second member (130) is removable from the longitudinal link strap (140).

19. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 17, wherein the ornamented segment (180) of the longitudinal link strap (140) is removable from the plain segment of the longitudinal link strap (140).

20. The apparel cinch clip (100) of claim 17, wherein the adjustable first member (300) comprises a magnet or magnetized material.