Abstract:
Magnetic work clothes for holding work items comprise a body having a surface and one or more magnets coupled to the surface for holding work items. The one or more magnets providing a magnetic force for attracting magnetically attractable objects and securing them to the surface such that they are readily available for use. The body comprising a pair of suspenders, a vest, an apron or any other suitable clothing item.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. section 119(e) to the co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/998,839, filed Oct. 11, 2007, and entitled “MAGNETIC TOOL HOLDERS,” to the co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/003,751, filed Nov. 19, 2007, and entitled “MAGNETIC TOOL HOLDERS” and to the co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/004,440, filed Nov. 26, 2007, and entitled “MAGNETIC TOOL HOLDERS,” all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to magnetic work clothes. More particularly the present invention relates to a magnetic apron, magnetic vest and magnetic suspenders. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Professional users of small hand tools such as carpenters, seamstresses, auto mechanics, electricians, plumbers, construction workers, as well as non-professional do-it-yourselfers are often frustrated whenever they misplace, drop or fumble tools or supplies while doing their jobs. Workers often times wear aprons or similar devices to hold these supplies to keep them close at hand and also to be able to move more freely. However, wearing an apron or similar device has certain limitations. For instance, repetitive reaching in pockets for supplies is tedious. Moreover, wearing an apron or similar device does not help the task of reaching for supplies while holding a perfectly aligned work piece or holding a heavy work piece with one hand and some other tool with the other. Additionally, aprons and similar devices are prone to accidentally spill the tools and work items that are held within the pockets of the apron or similar device. Often this spillage is caused because the worker accidentally knocked the tools or work items over with their hand, or because of how the worker is positioned while doing their job. Other times the contents will spill whenever the worker removes the pouch from his waist and puts it down. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Magnetic clothing items for holding work items comprise a body having a surface and one or more magnets wherein the one or more magnets are coupled to the surface for holding the work items to the surface of the body. 
         [0005]    One aspect of the application is directed to a clothing item. The clothing item comprises a body having a surface and one or more magnets coupled to the surface for holding work items. In some embodiments, the body comprises a pair of suspenders. In other embodiments, the body comprises an apron. In yet other embodiments, the body comprises a vest. In some embodiments, the one or more magnets are removably attachable to the surface of the body. In other embodiments, the one or more magnets are completely enclosed within the surface. In yet other embodiments, the one or more magnets are accessible from within the surface. Typically, at least some portion of the one or more magnets is exposed. The shape of the one or more magnets is selected from a set comprising a strip, a ball bearing, and a disc. Also, the magnets are positioned to avoid mutual magnetic attraction between each other. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more magnets comprise a neodymium magnet. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more magnets comprise a ceramic magnet. The surface comprises any combination of leather, cotton, cotton/polyester blends, plastic, nylon, vinyl, neoprene, synthetic leather, rubber or other material. The surface further comprises a plurality of layers for housing the one or more magnets. In some embodiments of the present application, magnets are distributed across the surface so as to allow metallic items to be secured to substantially all points of the surface. 
         [0006]    Another aspect of the present application is directed to a clothing item. The clothing item comprises a body having a surface comprising a plurality of layers and one or more magnets coupled to the surface for holding work items, wherein the one or more magnets are housed by and accessible from the plurality of layers, and further wherein the one or more magnets are completely enclosed within the plurality of layers. In some embodiments, the body comprises a pair of suspenders. In other embodiments, the body comprises an apron. In yet other embodiments, the body comprises a vest. 
         [0007]    Yet another aspect of the present application is directed to a clothing item. The clothing item comprises a body having a surface comprising a plurality of layers and one or more magnets coupled to the surface for holding work items, wherein the one or more magnets are housed by and accessible from the plurality of layers, and further wherein the one or more magnets are completely enclosed within the plurality of layers, wherein the one or more magnets are distributed across the surface so as to allow metallic items to be secured to substantially all points of the surface. In some embodiments, the body comprises a pair of suspenders. In other embodiments, the body comprises an apron. In yet other embodiments, the body comprises a vest. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the present application is directed to a method of manufacturing a clothing item. The method comprises constructing a clothing body having a surface comprising a plurality of layers and coupling one or more magnets to the surface in a housing area formed by the plurality of layers. In some embodiments, the body comprises a pair of suspenders. In other embodiments, the body comprises an apron. In yet other embodiments, the body comprises a vest. Further, in some embodiments, the one or more magnets are removably attached to the surface. In some embodiments, the method further comprises completely enclosing the one or more magnets within the plurality of layers, wherein the one or more magnets are accessible from within the plurality of layers. Alternatively, at least some portion of the one or more magnets is exposed. The shape of the one or more magnets is selected from a set comprising a strip, a ball bearing, and a disc. In some embodiments, the method further comprises positioning the one or more magnets to avoid mutual magnetic attraction between each other. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more magnets comprise a ceramic magnet and or a neodymium magnet. The surface comprises any combination of leather, cotton, cotton/polyester blends, plastic, nylon, vinyl, neoprene, synthetic leather, rubber or other material. In some embodiments, the method further comprises distributing the one or more magnets across the surface so as to allow metallic items to be secured to substantially all points of the surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the present application comprising a suspenders body. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of another embodiment of the present application comprising a vest body. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of yet another embodiment of the present application comprising an apron body. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flow chart of one embodiment of a method of the present application. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    In the following description, numerous details are set forth for purpose of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the invention may be practiced without the use of these specific details. 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of the magnetic clothing item  100  is depicted therein. Specifically, the clothing item  100  shown comprises a suspenders body  110  having a surface  120 , one or more magnets  130  coupled to the surface  120  and tools and items  140  magnetically secured to the surface  120  by the magnets  130 . Alternatively, the body of the clothing item  100  comprises a vest  210  as shown in  FIG. 2 , an apron  310  as shown in  FIG. 3 , or any other appropriate body. It is noted that the precise structure of the suspenders body  110  can take many forms which are each compatible with the present device and well known in the art. 
         [0015]    The surface  120  is constructed from a flexible fabric such as woven cloth. Various other types and combinations of materials could alternatively be used including, but not limited to leather, cotton, cotton/polyester blends, plastic, nylon, vinyl, neoprene, synthetic leather, knit or rubber. In some embodiments, the surface further comprises a plurality of layers. 
         [0016]    The magnets  130  are neodymium magnets, however in some embodiments, the magnets  130  are ceramic or any other type or combination of magnets. Neodymium has been chosen because it is one of the strongest permanent magnets made and does not lose its strength over time. Typically, a portion of the magnets  130  is exposed outside of the surface  120 . Alternatively, layers of the surface (not shown) completely enclose and house the magnets  130 . In some embodiments, the magnets  130  are accessible from the surface  120 . Where the magnets  130  are accessible from the surface  120 , various means are utilized to selectively seal them into the surface  120  to prevent them from falling out of place. These means include, but are not limited to buttons, buckles, snaps, hooks, threads or zippers. Alternatively, the one or more magnets  130  are inaccessible from the surface  120 . In some embodiments, the magnets  130  are completely stitched into the surface  120 . Additionally, the magnets  130  are strips. Alternatively, as shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the magnets are either small balls or discs, respectively. In some embodiments, the shape of the magnets  130  comprises any combination of strips, discs or small balls. 
         [0017]    As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the magnets  130  are substantially permanently coupled onto the surface  120 . Alternatively, the magnets  130  are removably attached to the surface  120 . Where the magnets  130  are removably attached to the surface  120 , various means can be utilized to removably attach them to the surface  120 . These means include, but are not limited to buttons, buckles, snaps, hooks, threads or zippers. In some embodiments, the magnets  130  are positioned along the surface  120  such that mutual magnetic attraction between each other is avoided. In some embodiments, the magnets  130  are sufficiently numerous and distributed across the surface so as to allow metallic tools and items  140  to be secured to substantially all points of the surface  120 . 
         [0018]    This design of the clothing item  100  allows a worker wearing the clothing item  100  to securely hold metallic tools and other items  140  in readily accessible locations along the body  110  via the magnetic attraction of the magnets  130  and thereby increase work production. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows another embodiment of the present device that is substantially the same as the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  except for the differences described herein. In  FIG. 2 , the clothing item  100  shown comprises a vest body  210  having a surface  220 , one or more magnets  130  coupled to the surface  220  and tools and items  140  magnetically secured to the surface  220  by the magnets  130 . It is noted that the precise structure of the vest body  210  can take many forms which are each compatible with the present application and well known in the art. As shown in this embodiment, the magnets  130  are ball bearings, however they may be strips, discs or any other appropriate shape. As further shown, the magnets  130  are sufficiently numerous and distributed across the surface  220  such that metallic tools and items  140  can be secured to substantially all points of the surface  220 . Alternatively, the magnets  130  are positioned in specified areas along the surface  220  such that the tools and items  140  are only secured to those areas. 
         [0020]    Yet another embodiment is shown in  FIG. 3  which is substantially the same as the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  except for the differences described herein. In  FIG. 3 , the clothing item  100  shown comprises an apron body  310  having a surface  320 , one or more magnets  130  coupled to the surface  320  and tools and items  140  magnetically secured to the surface  320  by the magnets  130 . It is noted that the precise structure of the apron body  310  can take many forms which are each compatible with the present device and well known in the art. As shown in this embodiment, the magnets  130  are discs, however they may be strips, ball bearings or any other appropriate shape. As further shown, the surface  320  comprises layers  350 , wherein the magnets  130  are completely enclosed and housed within the layers  350 . Alternatively, a portion of the magnets  130  may be exposed from the layers to the outside. In some embodiments, the magnets  130  are accessible from the layers  350  wherein various means can be utilized to selectively fully enclose them within the surface  320  to prevent them from falling out of place. These means include, but are not limited to buttons, buckles, snaps, hooks, threads or zippers. Alternatively, the one or more magnets  130  are inaccessible from within the plurality of layers  350 . 
         [0021]    One embodiment of the method of manufacture of the clothing item will now be discussed in conjunction with the flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In particular, a clothing body having a surface comprising a plurality of layers is constructed at the step  400 . Then, one or more magnets are then coupled to the surface in a housing area formed by the plurality of layers at the step  402 . In some embodiments, the body comprises a vest. In other embodiments, the body comprises an apron. In yet other embodiments, the body comprises a pair of suspenders. Further, in some embodiments, the one or more magnets are removably attached to the surface. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the one or more magnets are completely enclosed within the plurality of layers at the step  404 , wherein the one or more magnets are accessible from within the plurality of layers. Alternatively, the one or more magnets are inaccessible from within the plurality of layers. In some embodiments, at least some portion of the one or more magnets is exposed. The shape of the one or more magnets is selected from a set comprising a strip, a ball bearing, and a disc. In some embodiments, the one or more magnets are positioned to avoid mutual magnetic attraction between each other at the step  406 . In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more magnets comprise a ceramic magnet and or a neodymium magnet. The surface comprises any combination of leather, cotton, cotton/polyester blends, plastic, nylon, vinyl, neoprene, synthetic leather, rubber or other material. In some embodiments, the one or more magnets are distributed across the surface so as to allow metallic items to be secured to substantially all points of the surface at the step  408 . 
         [0023]    The magnetic work clothes described herein comprise a body having a surface and one or more magnets coupled to the surface for holding work items. By incorporating these magnets with the body of the work clothes the present device allows a worker wearing the clothing item to securely hold metallic tools and other items in readily accessible locations along the body via the magnetic attraction of the magnets. Thus, the worker is able to work more efficiently as they are less likely to fumble or drop tools and other items thereby increasing work production. Further, the present device allows for more flexibility in the worker&#39;s body position while working because the magnets prevent tools from falling when tilted, even if tilted completely upside down. Accordingly, the magnetic work clothes described herein have numerous advantages. 
         [0024]    The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Specifically, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the body of the clothing item of the present invention can be any type of clothing including, but not limited to aprons, vests, suspenders, pants, shirts, shorts and any other type of clothing. Further, it is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the precise structure of the body of these clothing items can be substantially varied while still being compatible with the present invention. Accordingly, the device of the present invention can be implemented in several different ways and have several different appearances.