Button adapter fastening system

Various embodiments of a fastening system that either attaches to existing buttons or attaches directly to an article of clothing. In preferred embodiments, the fastening system has a first portion that attaches to a button hole or a first part of the article and a second portion that attaches to a button or second part of the article. The first portion and second portion detachably attach to each other by means of a twist-lock, magnetic mechanism, or some other attachment mechanism. Alternatively, the fastening system can be built directly into an article without augmenting an existing button and button-hole fastener.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to fastening systems. Specifically, this invention relates to various embodiments of a fastening system that either attaches to existing buttons or attaches directly to an article of clothing. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the fastening system has a first portion that attaches to a button hole or a first part of the article and a second portion that attaches to a button or second part of the article. The first portion and second portion detachably attach to each other by means of a twist-lock, magnetic mechanism, or some other attachment mechanism. Alternatively, the fastening system can be built directly into an article without augmenting an existing button and button-hole fastener.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fasteners are an important part of sporting. Particularly in extreme applications, such as skiing, snowboarding, sailing, climbing, skydiving, bungee jumping, mountaineering, etc., having reliable fasteners for clothing and equipment can mean the difference between life and death. However, standard fasteners of the industry all have some kind of weakness that makes them less than ideal. Snaps, although great for party shirts, tend to come undone under heavy loads and high winds. Buttons pop off or break after prolonged use or in extreme conditions. Zippers are notorious for jamming at the most inopportune moments. Hook-and-loop fasteners tend to wear out over time.

In addition, standard fasteners are often difficult for people who have difficulty with fine motor skills. Young children, stroke recoverees, people with cerebral palsy, ALS, Parkinson's disease, injured veterans, people with arthritis, and amputees can find it difficult to manipulate buttons, snaps, zippers and hook and loop.

Thus there is a need in the industry for a fastener that is durable, secure, and immune to jamming, while still being easy to use for all people of varying abilities. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be explained and will become obvious to one skilled in the art through the summary of the invention that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a twist-lock fastener which is durable, secure, aesthetically appealing, and immune to jamming, while still being easy to use for people of varying abilities.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a twist-lock fastener comprises a handle comprising a grip portion configured to be rotatable by a human hand; a negative; an attachment means on the negative for attaching the negative to an article of clothing or equipment; a locking portion; and a cylindrical interior cavity with an interior wall and an opening at one end; wherein the handle and the negative mate together by the locking portion being received into the interior cavity and the locking portion and the interior cavity rotate relative to each other into a locked position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the locking portion comprises a cylindrical extension.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the locking portion further comprises a raised ridge extending from the base of the cylindrical extension and moving around the cylindrical extension as the raised ridge approaches the end opposite the base of the cylindrical extension and wherein the interior cavity is configured to engage with the raised ridge and rotate into a locked position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the attachment means comprises a plurality of thread holes.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the attachment means further comprises a perimeter channel recessed into the negative, the perimeter channel formed by an interior sidewall and an exterior sidewall and a plurality of the thread holes passing through the bottom of the perimeter channel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the attachments means comprises a surface opposite the opening of the interior cavity for applying an adhesive.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the attachment means comprises a button adaptor for attaching to an existing button on an article of clothing.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the locking portion is integrally formed with the negative and the cylindrical interior cavity is formed into a portion of the handle.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the locking portion is attached to the handle and the cylindrical interior cavity is formed into the negative.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the locking portion attaches to the handle by a plurality of hooks which snap into matching grooves on a portion of the handle.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fastener further comprises a collar formed of a ring of material configured to allow the locking portion to pass through the collar and mate with the interior cavity.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the collar comprises an attachment means for attaching the collar to an article of clothing or equipment.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the attachment means comprises a plurality of thread holes.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the attachment means further comprises a perimeter channel recessed into the collar, the perimeter channel formed by an interior sidewall and an exterior sidewall and a plurality of thread holes passing through the bottom of the perimeter channel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the handle rotatably attaches to the collar.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the handle attaches to the collar by means of a plurality of hooks which pass through the collar and engage with the opposite side of the collar such that the collar and handle rotate freely relative to each other and the handle is retained upon the collar.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an adapter for attaching a secondary fastener to a button, such as on an article of clothing comprises: a locking plate with a pass-through hole and a pass-through channel extending between the pass-through hole and an outside edge of the locking plate, wherein the locking plate has a plurality of locking channels passing perpendicularly through the locking plate, the locking channels configured to receive locking hooks; and a fastener negative configured to receive a fastener, the fastener negative having a plurality of locking hooks aligned with the locking channels of the locking plate, the locking hooks configured to extend through the locking plate and hold the locking plate flush against the fastener negative when in the locked position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the locking hooks pass through the locking channels in the locking plate by entering through a first surface of the locking plate and snapping into the locked position by the hooks being retained on a second surface of the locking plate.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the locking channels are provided with an access passage running from an outside edge of the plate to the locking channel such that the locking hooks rotate into the locked position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a retaining nub is positioned between each the access passage and the adjoining the locking channel, wherein the retaining nub protrudes from the edge of the plate and allows the locking hooks to snap into the locked position and the retaining nub prevents the locking hooks from disengaging from the locked position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a fastening system for augmenting a button and buttonhole fastener comprises: a retaining piece; a first fastening part configured to attach to the retaining piece by a connecting shaft, said connecting shaft configured to pass through a hole in an article; a second fastening part configured to attach to a button sewn to an article; wherein said first fastening part and said second fastening part are configured to be removably attachable to each other.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said first fastening part is a magnet.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said second fastening part comprises a magnetic insert attached to the second fastening part by a magnetic insert attachment mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said first fastening part attaches to said retaining piece by means of a bolt which forms the connecting shaft.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said first fastening part is magnetic.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said second fastening part comprises a magnetic insert.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said second fastening part further comprises: a main body portion comprising: a cavity configured to fit onto a button, and an access slot passing through at least one side of the main body portion into the cavity; and a button adapter clip configured to fit into the access slot retaining a button within the cavity; wherein the magnetic insert is attached to the main body portion of the second fastening part.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said magnetic insert is a magnet.

The foregoing summary of the present invention with the preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention. It should be understood and obvious to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention thus described may be further modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED SPECIFICATION

The present invention generally relates to fastening systems. Specifically, this invention relates to a various embodiments of a fastening system that either attaches to existing buttons or attaches directly to an article of clothing. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the fastening system has a first portion that attaches to a button hole or a first part of the article and a second portion that attaches to a button or second part of the article. The first portion and second portion detachably attach to each other by means of a twist-lock, magnetic mechanism, or some other attachment mechanism. Alternatively, the fastening system can be built directly into an article without augmenting an existing button and button-hole fastener.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fastening system has four primary parts. The first part is positioned over or through an attachment hole in an article, such as a button hole for example. This first part may be decorative, with the appearance of a button or snap. The first part may also have functional characteristics, such as a handle, knob, or grasp that can be used to manipulate the first piece to fasten and unfasten the fastening system. The second part is a fastener piece and contains a fastening mechanism such as a twist-lock, a magnetic fastener, a snap, a clasp, a button holder, or some other fastening system. The second part attaches to the first piece through the attachment hole, securing the first and second pieces to the article of clothing.

Alternatively, the second part is an extension of the first part which passes through the attachment hole and another attachment mechanism is used to secure the first and second parts to the article. For example, the first part may snap into a ring that is attached to the attachment hole and the second part extends through the attachment hole. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second part are attached to an article and the second part is a fastener piece that passes through the attachment hold of the article.

The third part is a corresponding fastener piece that corresponds to the fastener of the second piece. If the fastener piece is a twist-lock, the corresponding fastener piece comprises a receiving portion for the twist-lock. If the fastener piece is a magnetic fastener, the corresponding fastener piece comprises a magnet or magnetic material. The second part and third part are configured to fasten to each other in a detachable manner. The third part attaches to the article directly by glue, sewing or any other means, or by attaching to a button on the article. The article may be an article of clothing, a bag, a piece of fabric, or any other item to be fastened to another item.

The fourth part is a button adaptor which may be a clip that slides under a button, between the button and the article it is attached to, and interfaces with the third part to attach the third part to the button. The button adaptor and the third part may take various embodiments to interface with each other and attach to a button. Some illustrative embodiments are described below.

Advantageously, embodiments of the present invention are convenient for young children, stroke recoverees, people with cerebral palsy, ALS, Parkinson's disease, injured veterans, people with arthritis, and amputees or others with disabilities that may make use of standard fasteners difficult. Given that embodiments of the present invention allow for ease of opening and closing the fastener, without jeopardizing the secure nature of the fastening created by the fastener, those persons enumerated above are provided a means for conveniently utilizing articles they may have been prevented from using previously.

FIGS. 1-2show views of a twist-lock button with the handle110engaged with both the collar120and the negative130in a locked position.FIG. 1shows a perspective view of a twist-lock button andFIG. 2shows a side view of a twist-lock button. According to an embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, a twist-lock button comprises three distinct elements: a handle110, a collar120, and a negative130. In one embodiment of the present invention, the handle110and collar120may be combined into a single component, such that the handle110is retained upon the collar120in a manner that allows for movement of the handle between a locked and unlocked position without being removed from the collar120itself. The handle rotates freely within the collar120, allowing it to be twisted as much as is required to obtain a secure friction fit. In this embodiment, the first part and the second part, or fastener piece, are combined together in the handle110and the collar120is used to attach the handle110to the attachment hole on the article. The corresponding fastener piece is included in the negative130.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, both the collar120and the negative130each have a horizontal ridge around the outer circumference with thread holes121perpendicular to the direction of the ridge passing through each ridge from top to bottom. These holes121are designed to allow threads to pass through so that the collar120and the negative130can be sewn or attached to an article, such as a piece of fabric, sporting equipment (e.g., skiing equipment, sailing equipment) or other material that is intended to be removably secured to another article. An example of an article to be secured is a fly of a pair of pants. The negative130may be retained on an interior fly wall of the pants. Securing or retention of the negative130upon an article can be through any appropriate securing or retention means, such as riveting, sewing, tacking, adhesives, or any combination thereof. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous methods for securing a negative130on an article, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any appropriate methods and/or means.

FIGS. 3-4show a twist-lock button in an unlocked position, with the negative130separated from the collar120and the handle110.FIGS. 3-4also clearly demonstrates the grip portion311and locking portion312of the handle110, as well as the interior cavity331of the negative130. Referring now toFIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the handle comprises two portions, a grip portion311and a locking portion312. The grip portion311serves the purpose of the first part, described above and the locking portion312serves the purpose of the second part, or fastening piece. The grip portion311is provided such that a user may manipulate the grip portion311with ease to twist the handle110. This allows the grip portion311to be utilized to move the locking portion312between a locked and an unlocked position. In a preferred embodiment, the grip portion311is a T-shape with wings extending from a central body, as shown inFIG. 3to allow for convenient gripping of the handle110by a user. In other embodiments, the grip portion311may be rounded or otherwise formed without wings, providing a low-profile format that would prevent the handle110from being caught on other materials. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous shapes and forms for the handle110, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with handles of any form or shape.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the collar120is a circular component with walls forming an opening configured to receive the handle110through it, such that the locking portion312protrudes from one side of the collar while the handle protrudes from the other side. In one embodiment of the present invention, the collar120is configured to retain the handle within the opening such that the handle cannot be removed from the opening of the collar120. In other embodiments, the handle may be removably attachable to the opening of the collar120. In yet further embodiments, the opening of the collar120may simply allow the securing element of the handle to pass through without having any retention or securing capabilities built thereupon. According to one embodiment, the handle110passes through an attachment hole such as a button hole and attaches to the locking portion312on the other side of the button hole in a way that prevents the handle110from falling out of the attachment hole. This can be achieved without requiring the collar120to hold the handle.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the negative130is a circular component with walls forming an interior cavity331configured to receive a locking portion312of the handle. The locking portion312extends from the handle through the collar120to fit into and engage with an interior cavity331of the negative130. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking portion312of the handle110is a cylindrical element extending from one end of the handle. The locking portion312is further formed with an exterior ridge313extending perpendicularly from the cylindrical element, beginning at the base of the cylindrical element and wrapping around the perimeter of the cylindrical element while gradually approaching the end of the cylindrical element. The exterior ridge313is similar to the thread of a screw or bolt and operates similarly, engaging in a friction fit with a channel formed on the interior cavity331of the negative130. In usage, the locking portion of the handle is inserted into the interior cavity331of the negative130and twisted in one direction (e.g., clockwise, counterclockwise) to engage the exterior ridge313with corresponding parts on the interior cavity331of the negative130, thus locking the pieces together in a friction fit.

It should be understood that moving a twist-lock button from the locked position to an unlocked position simply requires rotation of the handle110in the opposite direction that was utilized to enter into the locked position. In a preferred embodiment, the rotation required to switch from locked to unlocked and vice versa would be 180 degrees from the locked or unlocked position. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that locked and unlocked positions may be further or closer apart, requiring rotations of more than or less than 180 degrees to switch positions, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any rotation suitable for moving between locked and unlocked positions, including, but not limited to, rotations of between 5 degrees and 360 degrees.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the exterior ridge313interlocks with a corresponding ridge on the interior cavity331of the negative130. In other words, rather than having a groove or channel that fits snugly around the raised ridge313of the locking portion312, the negative130has a corresponding ridge which allows for significant slop between the locking portion312and the interior cavity331until the handle110is twisted, bringing the raised ridge313and corresponding ridge into contact with each other to form a secure friction fit. This has the advantage of providing ample room for lining up the locking portion312for proper engagement with the negative130without having to resort to the fine adjustments that would be required under tighter tolerances. In preferred embodiments, the handle is rotated 180 degrees to enter into a locked position. In other embodiments, any number of rotations may be utilized in order to enter into the locked position. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that any number of rotations could be utilized.

In alternate embodiments, the exterior ridge313may be formed on the interior cavity331of the negative130, while the corresponding channel is formed on the locking portion312of the handle110. In still further embodiments, the system may utilize other locking means to allow for a twist-lock connection between the handle110and the negative130. For instance, a pin and groove locking means may be utilized with one or more pins formed on the exterior surface of the locking portion of the handle and a “L”, “J” or “U” shaped grooves are formed on an interior wall of the negative130such that the one or more pins can be received in the grooves and moved to a locking position by twisting the handle once the pin has reached the bottom of the groove. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous types of twist-lock means that could be utilized with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any type of twist-lock means.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention utilize a negative that is circular in nature, other embodiments may feature a negative that is of any shape. Additionally, other embodiments may include the locking portion incorporated into the negative and the interior cavity for receiving the locking portion incorporated into the handle. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the same securing features could be utilized with the locking portion and interior cavity attached to either the handle or the negative.

FIG. 5shows an embodiment of the present invention as it would be utilized. InFIG. 5, the negative130is attached to the rear fly530of a pair of pants, while the collar120is attached to the front fly520of the pair of pants. The handle110is retained in collar120. When the locking portion of the handle110is engaged with the negative130, the fly of the pants will be securely fastened.

Alternate Embodiments

FIG. 6shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 7shows a side profile view of an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 8shows an exploded view of the same embodiment of the present invention. The features of this alternate embodiment will be explained with reference toFIG. 8. The same features are also labelled inFIGS. 6, 7, and 9, where visible. Moving from bottom to top,FIG. 8shows a handle810with a grip portion811, a locking portion812, a receiver830, and a button adaptor clip840. The collar120is notably absent from this embodiment of the invention. This is because this embodiment uses the existing button and button hole of the article of clothing or equipment. The locking portion attached to the handle passes through a button hole and engages with the negative by a twisting 180 degrees. The negative attaches, using a button adapter clip, to a button that corresponds to the button hole. This embodiment is explained in more detail below.

According to the embodiment shown inFIG. 8, the first part is the handle810, the second part is the locking portion812, the third part is the receiver830, and the fourth part is the button adapter clip840. The button adapter clip840, slides under a button between the button and the article it is attached to and interfaces with the receiver830to attach to the button.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the locking portion812is a separate piece from the handle, rather than being a single piece as inFIGS. 1-5. The locking portion812snaps onto the handle110assembly by two or more locking hooks816extending from the end of the locking portion812. The locking portion812and handle810are configured to mate securely together so that the locking portion812and handle810cannot rotate relative to each other and torque applied to the handle810is effectively transferred to the locking portion812to engage it with the negative130.

InFIG. 8, the negative130comprises two components: a receiver830, which receives the locking portion812in the same manner as the negative130, and a button adapter clip840. Together, the receiver830and the button adaptor clip840allow the receiver830to hold onto a button of a garment or other article, providing an alternate means of attaching the negative130or receiver830to a garment or other article.

The button adapter clip840is a plate with a center opening841and a side channel842that extends from the center opening841all the way to one outside edge. The side channel842provides a pathway for the attachment means between a button and an article of clothing to pass through the side channel842into the center opening841of the button adapter clip840. This allows the button adapter clip840to slip under existing buttons and hold the button roughly at its center with the button adapter clip840lying between the bottom side of the button and the top side of the article it is attached to. The receiver830then fits over the top of the button and a plurality of locking hooks832engage with hook channels843on the button adapter clip, securely encapsulating the button and attaching the receiver830to a garment through the existing button.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hook channels843are holes which pass through the plate without a passage to an outside edge of the plate. In this case, the locking hooks832pass straight through the plate and either rotate into the locked position or snap into the locked position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an access passage844runs from the outer edge of the plate into each of the hook channels843. The locking hooks832pass along the access passage844into the locking channels843by a twisting or rotating motion, such that the hooks slide into the hook channels843and are retained by the body of the plate. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the locking hooks may be oriented in any direction and the hook channels sized and positioned appropriately to provide for rotation or snapping into the locked position as desired.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a retaining nub845is positioned where the access passage844meets the locking channel843. The retaining nub slightly narrows the opening where the access passage844meets the locking channel843so that the locking hooks832are prevented from slipping out of the locked position by rotation of the button adapter clip840relative to the receiver830. The locking hooks832rotate and snap into the locked position as they slide over the retaining nub.

It is possible to take one or more features of the alternate embodiment ofFIGS. 6-8and incorporate it into the invention described inFIGS. 1-4. For example, a twist-lock button ofFIGS. 1-4could have a multi-piece negative130comprising a receiver830and a button adapter clip840. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that there are a variety of ways to mix and match the components ofFIGS. 1-4with those ofFIGS. 6-9without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Another alternate embodiment of the present invention is described with reference toFIGS. 10-13.FIG. 10is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a twist-lock button in the locked state.FIG. 11is a side view of the same embodiment of a twist-lock button in the locked state.FIG. 12shows an exploded perspective view of the same embodiment of the invention in the unlocked state, andFIG. 13show and exploded side view. The negative1130and collar1120shown inFIG. 12are similar to the negative130and collar120ofFIGS. 1-4, except they do not have a horizontal ridge with thread holes121. Instead, the thread holes1121pass through the main body of the negative1130and collar1120. The collar1120is formed of a substantially flat base circle with an outer sidewall1122rising from the outer perimeter and an inner sidewall1123rising from the inner perimeter. The outer sidewall1122and inner sidewall1123form a u-shaped circular perimeter channel or gap between them. At the bottom of this perimeter channel, the thread holes1121pass through the base circle, and the threads are protected from direct contact with moving parts or sources of abrasion. The inner sidewall1123forms a hole through which the handle1110and locking portion1112pass to engage and lock with the negative1130.

The negative1130is similar in shape to the collar1120, except the base is formed of a circular base disc1131without a hole passing through the center. Not shown inFIG. 12is the mechanism on the negative1130for engaging with the locking portion1112of the handle1110. This mechanism is explained in detail with reference toFIG. 3earlier in the specification. In an alternate embodiment, the negative1130could have a hole passing through in similar fashion to the collar1120. This hole would allow for the locking portion1112to pass through the negative1130so that the end of the locking portion1112is flush with the circular base disc (which would be a ring of material in this case) of the negative1130, allowing for a slightly more compact twist-lock button when in the locked position and reducing the amount of material required to manufacture the negative1130. In another alternate embodiment, the gap between the inner cavity (not shown inFIG. 12) and outer sidewall of the negative1130is filled with material, and the thread holes1121pass through the full thickness of the negative1130. This would provide additional strength and prevent flex that could cause the locking portion1112to disengage from the negative1130. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that many details of both the negative and the collar could be modified or combined without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention depicted inFIG. 12, the handle1110has a plurality of locking tabs1117which snap into the collar1120securing the handle1110and collar1120together while allowing the handle1110to rotate freely relative to the collar1120. According to an embodiments of the present invention, the handle1110may comprise a grip portion1111, and a lid1114. When put together, the grip portion1111and the lid1114form the handle1110assembly. In certain embodiments, the grip portion1111and lid1114may be one integrated piece, while in other embodiments, grip portion1111and lid1114may be separate but combinable components.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lid1114is an ideal location for the placement of branding materials, such as logos, product indicators, icons or other indicators of source or association. In certain embodiments, the branding materials may be incorporated into the lid1114. In other embodiments, the branding materials may be attached or otherwise secured to the lid1114, such as via an adhesive or other affixing means. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous types of adhesives or affixing means that could be utilized with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any appropriate adhesive or affixing means.

According to an embodiment of the present invention illustrated inFIGS. 14-21, a magnetic fastening system is used rather than a twist-lock. While these figures show these embodiments being utilized separately, certain embodiments are contemplated that utilize both magnetic and twist-lock fasteners together.FIGS. 14-15show the magnetic fastening system with all the parts assembled and connected together. Referring toFIGS. 14-15, in the magnetic system, the first part is a retaining piece1401such as a button or snap instead of a handle. The second part is a magnetic fastener piece1402which attaches to the retaining piece1401through a buttonhole, securing the magnetic fastener piece1402to an article. The magnetic fastener piece1402may be a magnet or a piece of magnetic material. The magnetic fastener piece1402and the retaining piece1401together compose the first magnetic portion. Although the retaining piece1401is decorative, it also serves a function of holding the magnetic fastener piece1402to the article.

According to an embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 15, the magnetic fastener piece1402and the retaining piece1401are connected to each other by a connecting rod1406that leaves a gap1405between the bottom surface of the retaining piece1401and the top surface of the magnetic fastener piece1402. This gap1405allows fabric or some other material to fit between the retaining piece1401and the magnetic fastener piece1402when they are attached to the article.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the third piece is a magnetic receiving piece1403. The magnetic receiving piece1403is either a magnet or a piece of magnetic material. At least one of the magnetic fastener piece1402and the magnetic receiving piece1403must be a magnet; the other piece may be either a magnet or a piece of magnetic material. According to one embodiment, the magnetic receiving piece1403attaches directly to an article through any appropriate securing or retention means, such as riveting, sewing, tacking, adhesives, or any combination thereof. According to another embodiment, the magnetic receiving piece attaches to a button already attached to an article, as shown inFIGS. 14-18.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a fourth piece is a button adapter clip1404. InFIGS. 14-15, this button adapter clip1404is a clip which slides into the magnetic receiving piece and under a button inside a button cavity1604(shown inFIG. 16) of the magnetic receiving portion. One embodiment of the button adapter is described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 16-18.

Referring now toFIGS. 16-17, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the retaining piece1401attaches to the magnetic fastener piece1402by an attachment bolt1602integrated into the magnetic fastener piece1402. Alternatively, the attachment bolt1602passes through the magnetic fastener piece1402and into the retaining piece1401(shown inFIG. 18). According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic fastener piece1402and retaining piece1401are integrally formed from a single piece of magnetic material, welded together, or otherwise permanently attached to each other by a connecting shaft1406to form the first magnetic portion. The first magnetic portion then attaches to the article by inserting the retaining piece1401through a button hole just as one would with a button. The material of the connecting shaft1406is not important and can be any material as long as the magnetic fastener piece1402is a magnetic material. One or ordinary skill in the art would recognize that any means of attaching the retaining piece1401to the magnetic fastener piece1402could be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic insert1603is an annular ring placed into the magnetic receiving piece1403. This allows the magnetic receiving piece1403to be made from plastic or some other non-magnetic material which is easier to work with and form into more complex shapes than magnets or metal. The hole in the center of the magnetic insert is sized to allow a button to be placed within the center of the magnetic insert1603when the magnetic receiving piece is attached to a button. The magnetic insert1603may be a magnet or a piece of magnetic material.

According to one illustrative embodiment, the retaining piece1401and magnetic fastener piece1402are integrally formed, machined together from a single piece of stainless steel. The magnetic insert is a high strength neodymium magnet which snaps into the magnetic receiving piece1403, which is made from injection molded plastic. The button adapter clip1404is a clip also formed of plastic. After a button attached to an article is inserted into the button cavity1604of the magnetic receiving piece1403, the button adapter clip1404slides into the magnetic receiving piece1403and under the button, snapping into the opposite end of the magnetic receiving piece1403and trapping the button inside the magnetic receiving piece1403. The retaining piece1401is inserted through a button hole that corresponds to the button inside the magnetic receiving piece1403. In embodiments where the magnetic receiving piece1403receives a magnetic insert1603, the magnetic receiving piece need not be magnetic itself. In embodiments where the magnetic insert1603is integrated into magnetic receiving piece1403, forming a single unit referred to as the magnetic receiving piece1403, it should be made of a magnetic material and may itself be a magnet.

FIG. 17shows an alternate embodiment where the magnetic receiving piece1403and the magnetic insert1603switch positions. The magnetic receiving piece1403is also flipped over (relative toFIG. 16) so that when the entire system is assembled, the button adapter clip1404sits between the magnetic fastener piece1402and the magnetic insert1603. In this embodiment, the button that the magnetic fastener system attaches to passes through the magnetic insert1603and is held in place within the magnetic receiving piece1403by the button adapter clip1404. Alternatively, the magnetic insert1603sits deeper within the magnetic receiving piece1403between the button adapter clip and the magnetic fastener piece1402. In this embodiment the button is held within the center hole of the annular magnetic insert1603by the button adapter clip1404.

The magnetic fastening piece1402shown inFIG. 17has a screw head integrated into the center to facilitate screwing the magnetic fastening piece1402into the retaining piece1401. When the attachment bolt1602with bolt threading is integrated into the magnetic fastening piece1402, this screw head is optional since the magnetic fastening piece1402itself can be used to screw the attachment bolt1602into the retaining piece1401. The attachment bolt inFIGS. 16-18and connecting rod inFIGS. 14-15may alternatively employ different connection mechanisms, including a retaining ledge, a lip, a ramp, a snap, clip, glue, welding, or any attachment mechanism that is suitable. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that any attachment mechanism could be used to connect the retaining piece1401to the magnetic fastener piece1402by a connecting rod without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIG. 18shows how the magnetic fastening system attaches to a button and a button hole. An attachment bolt1602passes through the magnetic fastener piece1402, through a button hole1801of an article and fastens to the retaining piece1401, securing the retaining piece1401and magnetic fastener piece1402to the article. A button1802attached to an article1803fits inside a button cavity of the magnetic receiving piece1403and the button adapter clip1404slides into the magnetic receiving piece1403, underneath the button1802, and snaps into the opposite end of the magnetic receiving piece1403, securing the button inside the magnetic receiving piece1403and securing the magnetic receiving piece1403to the article1803.

FIGS. 19-20show an embodiment of a magnetic insert attachment mechanism to be incorporated into the magnetic receiving piece1403according to an embodiment of the present invention. A circular cavity1901is configured to receive a circular magnetic insert1603. The sidewalls1902are configured to rise slightly above the surface of the magnetic insert1603. An outer ridge1903at the outer edge of the circular cavity1901forms a lip that overhangs the edge of the magnetic insert1603when inserted into the attachment mechanism. Pushing the magnetic insert1603into the circular cavity1901causes it to snap into the circular cavity1901, so that the outer ridge1903holds the magnetic insert1603in place. This magnetic insert attachment mechanism can be directly attached to an article by using the thread holes1905or any other appropriate means.

According to one embodiment, the circular cavity1901forms a ring with an inner ridge1904that operates in the same manner as the outer ridge, snapping onto a hole in the center of the magnetic insert1603. The inner ridge1904may be used in combination with the outer ridge1903, or either the inner ridge1904or the outer ridge1903may be used alone. The inner ridge1904may be used when the magnetic insert1603forms an annular ring. When the magnetic insert forms an annular ring, either the inner ridge embodiment, the outer ridge embodiment, or the embodiment with both inner and outer ridges may be used to secure the magnetic insert1603to the magnetic receiving piece1403.

The magnetic insert attachment mechanism may be integrally formed into the top of the magnetic receiving piece1403. According to another embodiment, the magnetic insert may be glued, welded, or otherwise fastened to the top of the magnetic receiving piece1403. In yet another embodiment, the magnetic receiving piece1403may be formed entirely of magnetic material, with a top end configured to interface with the magnetic fastener piece1402. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that a variety of configurations of the magnetic receiving piece could be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIG. 21shows the magnetic fastening system attached to an article of clothing according to an embodiment of the present invention. The retaining piece1401is attached to the magnetic fastener piece1402by a connecting shaft or bolt that passes through a button hole on the fly of a pair of pants. The magnetic receiving piece1403is attached to the button on the other side of the fly. The magnetic insert1603is held inside the magnetic receiving piece1403. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic insert1603and the magnetic fastener piece1403are magnets. According to another embodiment of the present invention, one of the magnetic insert1603and the magnetic fastener piece1403is a piece of magnetic material and the other is a magnet.

FIGS. 22-23show a twist-lock fastener that combines certain elements of the magnetic fastener to improve usability.FIG. 22shows an annular magnetic fastener piece2220that fits into the collar1120and a magnetic insert2230that fits into the negative1130. These magnetic pieces help to align the collar with the negative so that the user does not have to align the pieces manually. In on illustrative embodiment, the magnetic fastener piece2220and magnetic insert2230are both magnets. This helps to produce better alignment than having one or the other of the pieces magnetic, but not itself a magnet. According to an embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 22, the magnetic fastener pieces2320and magnetic insert2330may snap into the collar1120and negative1130respectively. A retaining lip on the inside of the outer wall of both the collar1120and the negative1130retains the magnetic fastener pieces2320and the magnetic inserts2330within the collar1120and negative1130respectively.

InFIG. 23, the magnetic fastener piece2320comprises two or more pieces and the magnetic insert2330comprises two or more pieces. These pieces are smaller, lighter weight, and use less magnetic material thanFIG. 22, and serve the same purpose as the magnetic fastener piece2220and magnetic insert2230inFIG. 21. According to an embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 23, the magnetic fastener pieces2320and magnetic insert2330may snap into the collar1120and negative1130respectively. A retaining lip on the outside of the inner wall of both the collar1120and the negative1130retains the magnetic fastener pieces2320and the magnetic inserts2330within the collar1120and negative1130respectively. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the magnetic fastener pieces2220,2320and magnetic inserts2230,2330may attach to the collar and negative by other attachment means, including glue, welding, clips, or any other attachment means without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Turning now toFIGS. 24-26, an exemplary embodiment of a retaining piece1401is shown. These exemplary embodiments show a retaining piece1401that has a slightly wider diameter than a standard retaining piece. The extra width makes the retaining piece1401ideal for inclusion of graphics or texts, such as graphics licensed from sports teams. Preferred embodiments of such retaining pieces could be used on articles of clothing, such as “coaches jacket” style outerwear. Other embodiments of this type of retaining piece may be used on other articles, as described in detail herein.

It should be noted that magnetic material may be stainless steel, iron, or any other magnetic metal, or a magnetic polymer or rare earth element. The material that makes up the magnetic components (magnetic fastener piece1402and magnetic insert1603) is not important, but at least one of the magnetic components1402,1603must be a magnet and the other can be either a magnet or made of any magnetic material or conductive metal.