Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention affix numbering indicators to clothing of competitors during competitive events. A strong magnetic attraction in conjunction with an interaction between a projection on the bottom surface of a top magnetically attractive member and a hole in the bottom magnetically attractive member resists movement of the numbering indicator, while allowing lateral repositioning. The two magnetically attractive members can be encased in a water-resistant material to prevent degradation or discoloration by exposure to sweat. A graphical layer affixed to the upper surface of the top magnetically attractive member can display a custom visual depiction, such as a brand logo or advertisement. Additionally, a transparent layer can be affixed to the graphical layer to protect it from degradation while also permitting a substantially clear view of the visual depiction.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/895,891, filed Oct. 25, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is related to the field of competitive athletics sportswear. More particularly, the present invention is related to the numbering of individual competitors for identification purposes within the field of competitive athletics sportswear. Even more particularly, the present invention is directed to devices that nondestructively attach wearable identifiers to clothing during competitive events to aid in the identification, tracking, and positioning of individual competitors. 
         [0004]    2. Technical Background 
         [0005]    The multitude of competitors that participate in competitive athletic events necessitates a system for easily identifying individual competitors. Typically, individuals are identified by their physical characteristics, such as their height, weight, facial features, and vocal patterns. However, this requires that an observer already be familiar with the individuals in order to associate their physical characteristics with their identities. In competitive athletic events where the physical characteristics of many individuals may be masked by their clothing or where some individuals may be unfamiliar to many of the observers, competitors often register for a unique competitor indicator (e.g., a bib number) that then becomes associated with their identity, thus allowing observers and event officials to identify competitors using the indicator instead of the competitors&#39; physical characteristics. 
         [0006]    Competitor indicators are often assigned immediately prior to or during competitive events and must be displayed on the competitors&#39; bodies, on a bib comprising a fabric or paper-like material, or on clothing in order to take advantage of the identification system. In many competitive events, constant motion of the competitors&#39; bodies and sweat produced during physical exertion place limits on the methods by which these indicators can be affixed to the competitors&#39; bodies or clothing while ensuring that the indicator remains in place and visible. For example, an indicator attached to a competitor&#39;s body or clothing with an adhesive can lose its adhesive quality when subjected to prolonged or continuous periods of movement or when saturated with sweat produced by the competitor&#39;s body. Even if applied to the competitor&#39;s clothing, sweat can accumulate in the fabric and reduce the adhesive&#39;s effectiveness. Additionally, if the indicator needs to be repositioned, some adhesive remains in the original position thereby reducing the amount of adhesive available to secure the indicator in the second and subsequent positions. 
         [0007]    Typically, competitor indicators are attached to a competitor&#39;s clothing using pins. However, pins are destructive in nature because they require holes to be punctured in the materials being affixed together. Furthermore, pins have a tendency to rust when exposed to rain or sweat and can subsequently stain the materials in contact with the pins. The use of pins to affix indicators to clothing makes repositioning the indicators troublesome because of the necessity to puncture additional holes in the materials being affixed for every pin relocation. Lastly, the pins&#39; sharp points present a risk of injury to hands and body during the installation and removal. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0008]    Magnets can be an alternative to pins in order to nondestructively affix one object to another. For example, a single magnet can be used to affix an object to a metal surface or to another magnet. A common practice of this type occurs when affixing a paper note to the front surface of a refrigerator door using a magnet. Despite the ubiquity of magnets, however, devices directed to the magnetic affixation of objects to clothing remains limited. 
         [0009]    One example of a device that uses magnets to affix an object to clothing is a product called “Athlights” (www.athlights.com). “Athlights” utilizes two magnets to affix a flashing light-emitting diode (LED) to a piece of clothing in order to serve as a warning to approaching motorists. The Athlights product can also be affixed to a variety of materials as a decoration. In operation, one magnet is incorporated into a front element of the product, along with a battery to supply power to the LED, while another magnet is placed underneath clothing. The magnet that is incorporated into the front element of the product has a shell that is nickel-plated and further covered in epoxy in order to resist water. But the front element of an Athlights product lacks a capability to display a visual depiction on its surface, in part because the material on which the visual depiction is printed or contained would block the light from the LED when applied to the surface of the product. Additionally, the small surface area of the magnets&#39; contacting surfaces and the small size of the magnets themselves limits the effectiveness of the Athlights product to resist lateral movement induced by the vibrations and shocks of physical activity. 
         [0010]    Another example of this type of device is a product called “Maggies” (www.mymaggies.com), which consists of a magnetic ball and a ring designed to affix one article of clothing to another or to hold one article of clothing in position by affixing the article to itself. Both the magnetic ball and the ring are made of nickel-coated steel to resist degradation and tarnishing, but neither component has the capacity to display a visual depiction and instead both are intended to remain hidden in the folds of the clothing. 
         [0011]    Another device that can affix an object to clothing is the Apparatus for Securing Ornamentation to Personal Items described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,001,661, which depicts a device that affixes an ornamental element to a variety of materials. The device in this patent includes an interchangeable ornamental element as a component of the outer and visible magnetic element and an inner magnetic element that requires either mechanical affixation in a material, much like a rivet is affixed to metal or fabric, or the application of an adhesive to bond the inner magnetic element to a hard surface like ceramic or metal. 
         [0012]    A Magnetic Shoe Attachment described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,721,470 and a Magnetic Attachment Device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,760 both describe additional devices for affixing ornamentation to clothing. Each of these two devices can display a visual depiction on the outer surface of the device by using an adhesive to bond an ornamental element to the outer magnetic element, by incorporating the ornamental design into the outer magnetic element, or by providing a mechanical retention mechanism to hold the pin of a separate ornamental element in close proximity to the outer magnetic element. However, both devices rely solely on the force of attraction between the magnets to hold the ornamental element in position. Additionally, although the Magnetic Attachment Device indicates the addition of nickel-plating to the magnetic elements for water resistance, the Magnetic Shoe Attachment does not. 
         [0013]    Despite the benefits provided by the prior art devices, they nevertheless fall short of providing a rust-resistant device that simultaneously allows the display of an ornamental element while resisting lateral movement induced by physical activity through a means other than relying solely on the frictional force between the magnets&#39; surfaces and the adjacent material induced by the attraction between the magnets. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0014]    This brief summary is provided to introduce certain concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description of the Embodiments. This brief summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit in any way the scope of the claimed invention. 
         [0015]    Embodiments of the invention are directed to magnetic fasteners for affixing competitive numbering indicators to clothing. Embodiments of the invention can nondestructively affix numbering indicators to clothing while allowing relatively easy repositioning for optimal viewing. Embodiments of the invention can also resist degradation from exposure to water, whether from environmental sources like rain, snow, mist, and fog, or from sweat produced by the body. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, a first magnetically attractive member comprising a magnetically attractive element, such as a rare earth magnet, retained in a casing and displaying a visual depiction on its outer surface, is placed on the outside of an indicator material (for example, an athlete&#39;s bib that is imprinted with a competitor number) to be affixed to clothing. A projection in the casing interacts with an opening or depression in a second magnetically attractive member, comprising a correspondingly polarized magnetically attractive element that is placed underneath the clothing. In such an embodiment, when the two magnetically attractive members are brought sufficiently close together with clothing and indicator material between them, friction created by the attraction between the two magnetic elements in conjunction with the interaction between the projection of the casing of the first magnetically attractive member and the opening or depression in the second magnetically attractive member together resist, but do not prevent, lateral movement of the indicator material with respect to the clothing, thereby affixing the indicator material in substantially one position while allowing some adjustment during use in an athletic competition. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    So that the manner in which the above recited summary features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of one embodiment of a magnetic fastener separated into its two magnetically attractive members. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is an expanded cross-section of an embodiment depicting an arrangement of the components of two magnetically attractive members. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective of one embodiment of a magnetic fastener showing its two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  in a magnetically separated configuration. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective of one embodiment of a magnetic fastener showing its two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  in a magnetically attached configuration. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is an angular perspective looking down on one embodiment of a magnetic fastener and showing its two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  in a magnetically separated configuration and also showing how a graphical element  203  can be viewed through the transparent cover layer  204 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is an angular perspective looking down on one embodiment of a magnetic fastener and showing its two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  in a magnetically attached configuration and also showing how a graphical element  203  can be viewed through the transparent cover layer  204 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is an angular perspective looking up on one embodiment of a magnetic fastener showing its two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  in a magnetically separated configuration and also showing how the outward projection  103  can be positioned to fit within opening  104 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is an angular perspective looking up on one embodiment of a magnetic fastener showing its two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  in a magnetically attached configuration and also showing how the outward projection  103  can fit within opening  104 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is an angular perspective of one embodiment of a magnetic fastener showing its two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  in a magnetically separated configuration with a competitor&#39;s clothing  909  and the competitor&#39;s indicator  910  shown between the magnetically attractive members. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is an angular perspective of one embodiment of a magnetic fastener showing its two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  in a magnetically attached configuration with a competitor&#39;s clothing  909  and the competitor&#39;s indicator  910  shown sandwiched between the attached magnetically attractive members. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout, and wherein the leftmost digit of each reference number refers to the drawing number of the figure in which the referenced part first appears. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of one embodiment of a magnetic fastener separated into its two magnetically attractive members. In  FIG. 1 , magnetic fastener  100  is separated into a top magnetically attractive member  101  and a bottom magnetically attractive member  102 . The magnetically attractive members can be oriented to have magnetic polarizations that cause the two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  to be magnetically attracted to each other when placed in close proximity. The top magnetically attractive member  101  can have an outward center projection  103  on its underside. The outward center projection  103  can fit into a corresponding depression or opening  104  in the bottom magnetically attractive member  102 . The fit between the outward center projection  103  and the opening  104  is preferably loose enough to permit a layer of thin athletic clothing and a layer of suitably thin indicator material to be placed between the top magnetically attractive member  101  and the bottom magnetically attractive member  102  so as to form a reasonably snug fit when the top magnetically attractive member  101  and the bottom magnetically attractive member  102  are brought into close proximity with each other and the outward center projection  103  is pulled at least partially into opening  104  along with an optional layer of clothing and an optional layer of indicator material. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is an expanded cross-section of an embodiment depicting an arrangement of the components of two magnetically attractive members. As with  FIG. 1 , magnetic fastener  100  comprises a top magnetically attractive member  101  and a bottom magnetically attractive member  102 . The top magnetically attractive member  101  may further comprise a top magnetically attractive element  201 , such as rare earth magnet like neodymium, set in a shape-matching casing  202  that is made of a water-resistant or rust-resistant material, such as nickel-plated copper. The top magnetically attractive member  101  and the top magnetically attractive element  201  are both preferably shaped like a flat disc, but other embodiments that employ other shapes are envisioned as well. Such alternative shapes may include, but are not limited to: flat oval, cube, truncated cube, rectangular prism, truncated triangular prism, truncated tetrahedron, truncated octahedron, and the like. 
         [0031]    The size of the top magnetically attractive element  201  may be equal to or less than the diameter of the interior space of a correspondingly shaped casing  202 , such that the top magnetically attractive element  201  can fit snugly within the casing  202 . The casing  202  is preferably approximately 13.5 mm in diameter with a height of approximately 5.8 mm. Thus, the top magnetically attractive element  201  may have a preferable diameter of approximately 12.5 mm with a height of approximately 3.0 mm. 
         [0032]    The wall of the casing  202  has a thickness of preferably less than 0.5 mm. The casing  202  has a bottom surface that is generally flat so as to apply pressure and friction to reduce lateral movement of clothing and/or indicator material placed between the top magnetically attractive member  101  and the bottom magnetically attractive member  102  of  FIG. 1 . However, casing  202  also has an outward center projection  207  on its underside (the side facing the bottom magnetically attractive member  102 ). In one embodiment, the outward center projection  207  may be generally dome-shaped or bubble-shaped, and may have a base diameter that is preferably between 3 mm and 5 mm. The outward center projection  207  may also have a height that is preferably between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm. The outward center projection  207  may be configured to have shapes other than a dome or bubble shape. For example, outward center projection  207  may comprise a cylindrical shape, a bullet shape, a conical shape, a prism shape, a tetrahedron shape, or other similar shape. 
         [0033]    A graphical element  203  can be optionally affixed to the upper surface of the top magnetically attractive element  201  and an optionally transparent cover layer  204  can be affixed over the graphical element  203 , or alternatively over the top magnetically attractive element  201 , in a manner that allows a visual depiction printed on the graphical element  203  to be viewed through the transparent cover layer  204 . The graphical element  203  can be customized with any sort of ornamental design known in the art, and may include the use of different types of material, including reflective materials. 
         [0034]    The height of the casing  202  is preferably sufficient to accommodate the top magnetically attractive element  201 , the optional graphical element  203 , and the optionally transparent cover layer  204 . The cover layer  204  may comprise an acrylic material or other similar transparent material known in the art. The cover layer  204  may have a dome or bubble shape, or may also have a flat disc shape or other similar shape suitable to provide a protective layer over the graphical element  203  or alternatively over the top magnetically attractive element  201 . The transparent cover layer  204  may have a preferable diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the top magnetically attractive element  201  and a height of approximately 1.5 mm. 
         [0035]    The bottom magnetically attractive member  102  (of  FIG. 1 ) comprises a bottom magnetically attractive element  205  enclosed within water-resistant material  206  such as nickel plating. The bottom magnetically attractive element  205  is configured to have an opening or depression  208  in its center, which corresponds in location, size and shape to the outward center projection  207  of the top magnetically attractive element  201 . Thus, the bottom magnetically attractive member  102  will preferably retain the same general shape as the bottom magnetically attractive element  205 . 
         [0036]    The bottom magnetically attractive member  102  and the bottom magnetically attractive element  205  are both preferably shaped like a cylindrical ring, where the opening  208  can be an actual hole that extends through the entire bottom magnetically attractive element  205  and similarly extends through the entire bottom magnetically attractive member  102 . The cylindrical ring shape enables the bottom magnetically attractive member  102  to be used equally well when positioned right side up or upside down. This feature enables the bottom magnetically attractive member  102  to be positioned easily without regard to the magnetic polarity of the bottom magnetically attractive element  205  relative to the top magnetically attractive element  201 . If the polarity of the bottom magnetically attractive element  205  happens to be opposite of the polarity of the top magnetically attractive element  201 , the user-athlete-competitor individual can simply flip the bottom magnetically attractive member  102  upside down. The symmetrical nature of the cylindrical ring shape of the bottom magnetically attractive member  102  and the bottom magnetically attractive element  205  enable the opening  208  to accommodate the athlete&#39;s clothing (item 909 of  FIG. 9 ), the competitor indicator (item 910 of  FIG. 9 ) and the center projection  207 , regardless of orientation. 
         [0037]    Other embodiments may employ other shapes for the bottom magnetically attractive member  102  and the bottom magnetically attractive element  205 . Such alternative shapes may include, but are not limited to, shapes that can accommodate all of the shapes that are possible for the outward center projection  207 . 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, the opening or depression  208  in the center of the bottom magnetically attractive member  102  has a diameter that is preferably greater than the diameter of the outward center projection  207  of the casing  202 . The outer diameter of the bottom magnetically attractive element  205  is preferably similar to the outer diameter of the top magnetically attractive element  201 . However, the outer diameter of the bottom magnetically attractive element  205  may be made larger or smaller than the outer diameter of the top magnetically attractive element  201 , to facilitate separation of the two magnetically attractive elements  201  and  205 . The height of the bottom magnetically attractive element  205  is preferably 3.175 mm. 
         [0039]    Now referring to both  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 9 , the diameter of the opening or depression  208  in the center of the bottom magnetically attractive element  205  is preferably 6.35 mm. The polarization of the bottom magnetically attractive element  205  is oriented so that the when the two magnetically attractive elements  201  and  205  are placed in close proximity and the outward center projection  207  of the casing  202  begins to approach the opening or depression  208  within the bottom magnetically attractive element  205 , the magnetic force between the two magnetically attractive elements  201  and  205  will attract them together to firmly hold the indicator material  910  onto the athlete&#39;s clothing material  909  in such a way as to resist, but not prevent, lateral movement of the indicator material  910  with respect to the athlete&#39;s clothing material  909 , thereby affixing the indicator material  910  in a substantially fixed position while allowing some adjustment to be performed when desired. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective of one embodiment of a magnetic fastener showing its two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  in a magnetically separated configuration. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective of one embodiment of a magnetic fastener showing its two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  in a magnetically attached configuration. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is an angular perspective looking down on one embodiment of a magnetic fastener and showing its two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  in a magnetically separated configuration and also showing how a graphical layer element (identified in  FIG. 2 ) can be viewed through the transparent cover layer  204  of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  is an angular perspective looking down on one embodiment of a magnetic fastener and showing its two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  in a magnetically attached configuration and also showing how a graphical element  203  (identified in  FIG. 2 ) can be viewed through the transparent cover layer  204  of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  is an angular perspective looking up on one embodiment of a magnetic fastener showing its two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  in a magnetically separated configuration and also showing how the outward projection  103  (also element  207  shown in  FIG. 2 ) can be positioned to fit within opening  104  (also element  208  of  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0045]      FIG. 8  is an angular perspective looking up on one embodiment of a magnetic fastener showing its two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  in a magnetically attached configuration and also showing how the outward projection  103  (also element  207  shown in  FIG. 2 ) can fit within opening  104  (also element  208  of  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  is an angular perspective of one embodiment of a magnetic fastener showing its two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  in a magnetically separated configuration with a competitor&#39;s clothing  909  and the competitor&#39;s indicator  910  shown between the magnetically attractive members. When the two magnetically attractive members are brought into close proximity, the top magnetically attractive member  101 , together with outward projection  103 , will press against competitor&#39;s indicator  910 . Similarly, the bottom magnetically attractive member  102  will press against the competitor&#39;s clothing  909 . As the two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  are drawn closer to each other, the outward projection  103  will force itself, together with a portion of the competitor&#39;s clothing  909  and a portion of the competitor&#39;s indicator  910  into the opening  104  in the bottom magnetically attractive member  102 , thereby securing the competitor&#39;s indicator  910  in substantially one position next to the competitor&#39;s clothing  909 , while allowing some adjustment. 
         [0047]      FIG. 10  is an angular perspective of one embodiment of a magnetic fastener showing its two magnetically attractive members  101  and  102  in a magnetically attached configuration with a competitor&#39;s clothing  909  and the competitor&#39;s indicator  910  shown sandwiched between the attached magnetically attractive members, thereby holding the competitor&#39;s indicator  910  in substantially one position next to the competitor&#39;s clothing  909 , while allowing some adjustment. 
         [0048]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , the magnetically attractive elements  201  and  205  of the embodiments each preferably have a magnetic strength of N35, which corresponds to 35 Mega Gauss units or 3500 Tesla units of magnetic flux density. The strength of the magnetic attraction of the magnetically attractive elements  201  and  205  can play a crucial role in certain athletic events. Consider, for example, cycling, where competitors often reach speeds in excess of 40 miles per hour. A weak magnet system could cause the competitor&#39;s indicator  910  to come loose under forces created by wind flow and turbulence. Nevertheless, embodiments having other magnetic strengths are also envisioned, depending on a variety of factors known in the art, including the type of athletic competition and the anticipated forces that may be exerted on the competitors, the competitors&#39; clothing, and the competitors&#39; indicators. 
         [0049]    The magnetically attractive elements  201  and  205  of the embodiments can be plated with a water-resistant material, such as nickel, nickel-plated copper, or other plating material known in the art. The casing  202  can also be composed of a water-resistant material, such as nickel, nickel-plated copper, or other plating material known in the art, to resist rust, corrosion and degradation. 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, the magnetically attractive elements  201  and  205  can be encased in plastic in addition to or opposed to being plated with a water-resistant or rust-resistant material, to reduce the risk of irritation or allergic reaction from exposure of the skin to nickel and related materials. 
         [0051]    The magnetically attractive elements  201  and  205  may be made of magnetically attractive materials such as neodymium, alloys of neodymium, strontium, samarium or other magnetically attractive materials known in the art. 
         [0052]    The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. It will be appreciated that modifications, variations and additional embodiments are covered by the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention. Because modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.