Abstract:
A suspenders system having at least one magnetic clasp comprising a strong permanent magnet attached to a suspenders arrangement that allows most of the suspenders to be worn underneath a wearer&#39;s clothing. With the suspenders arrangement in place, the only exterior elements of the suspenders system are either ferrous metal belt attachments or matching permanent magnet buttons. The magnetic clasp underlays at lease one layer of clothing allowing the suspenders system to be worn in a concealed fashion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Trouser suspenders have been in use for many years and there have been numerous improvements to their layout and the means of attaching the suspenders to the wearer&#39;s trousers. Nonetheless, their general layout has remained relatively unchanged while there have been minor improvements to their mechanical fasteners. With the introduction of strong and compact magnets it is now possible to produce fasteners utilizing pairs of opposing polarity magnets. In fact there are numerous applications using magnets in fasteners, clips, hangers, accessory attachments and buttons. These magnetic fasteners are generally considered advantageous due to the relative ease of their attachment and detachment. Many of these fasteners utilize small magnets and housings so that they are unobtrusive and incorporate features to resist uncoupling due to movement transverse to the magnetic axes of the coupling magnets. As such, these fasteners have elaborately fabricated casings that require manual alignment of the matching pieces to fasten and still resist detachment due to forces along this transverse axis from attached straps, chains, cords and other such elements. These fasteners are meant to replace such items as buttons, jewelry clasps and undergarment strap connectors for bras. 
         [0005]    It would seem advantageous to develop a simplified type of magnetic fastener that would allow a garment or, specifically, a trouser suspenders to be attached without careful alignment of the fasteners and utilized in such a manner as to be worn as undergarments rather than on top of the outer surfaces of the wearer&#39;s clothing. This would provide the wearer with the support of suspenders without the usual visible straps and clasps; thus making suspenders an option for those individuals who, for one reason or another, would prefer not to appear to be wearing suspenders. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide trouser support for those individuals with a need or desire for that support while avoiding the appearance of traditional suspenders or any stigma that might be associated with conventional over the clothing suspenders. 
         [0007]    Another specific object of the invention is to provide for various strap or support mechanisms that are specifically intended to be worn in a concealed fashion. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A principal objective of the present invention is to provide a suspenders system for trousers that is easily and comfortably worn mostly underneath the wearer&#39;s outer layers of clothing to provide support for trousers 
         [0009]    This invention incorporates a unique system for attaching suspenders to the wearer&#39;s trousers by means of a magnetic clasp between the end of a suspenders strap and the trousers belt. 
         [0010]    The magnetic clasp comprises magnet having a casing and a matching ferrous metal attachment associated with a trousers belt. The magnet casing includes an attaching means for a strap. The magnet casing is positioned inside the trousers and opposite the ferrous metal attachment affixed to the trousers belt. The resultant magnetic attraction between the magnet and belt effectively connects the belt and trousers to the magnet casing which is, in turn, supported by a suspenders configuration attached to the magnet casing strap that is suited to carry the weight of the trousers on the wearer&#39;s shoulders and upper torso. This invention takes advantage of the fact that magnetic attraction of sufficient strength can connect this magnet and ferrous metal belt attachment through intervening layers of clothing and, therefore the magnet can be placed underneath a shirt and inside the trousers. 
         [0011]    Another embodiment of this invention is where the magnet is comprised of a rare earth material such as neodymium with a rating of N42 or higher. 
         [0012]    A further embodiment of this invention is where the magnet and casing are attached to a suspenders strap by a detachable means such as a hook and loop fastener. 
         [0013]    A still further embodiment of this invention is where the magnet casing is comprised of a plastic material with the outer edge of the casing wall slightly beyond the outer face of the magnet and incorporating serrations to resist slippage along the inner face of the wearer&#39;s clothing. 
         [0014]    Another embodiment of this invention is where the casing is comprised of a plastic material which completely encases the magnet and the outer face of the casing incorporates serrations or texture to resist slippage along the inner face of the wearer&#39;s clothing. 
         [0015]    A further embodiment of this invention is where the casing is comprised of a metal material with the casing walls extending slightly beyond the outer face of the magnet to resist slippage along the inner face of the wearer&#39;s clothing. The casing may be of a magnetic material and of complimentary polarity to the magnet and my incorporate a decorative coating. 
         [0016]    A still further embodiment of this invention is where the casing is comprised of a metal material to hold the magnet and provide structure for the casing and an outer covering of a soft plastic material such that there is a means of resisting slippage along the inner face of the wearer&#39;s clothing. 
         [0017]    Another embodiment of this invention is where the ferrous metal belt attachment is formed into a “J” shape and incorporates a spring foil such that this attachment may be positioned on the underside of the belt and be held in place by friction. 
         [0018]    A further embodiment of this invention is where the ferrous metal belt attachment is formed into a “C” shape such that is held in place on the inside of the belt with little probability of leaving an indention or mark on the belt material. 
         [0019]    A still further embodiment of this invention is where the ferrous metal belt attachment is permanently fastened to the belt and held in place by a fastening means such as a metal rivet, an adhesive or stitching. 
         [0020]    Another embodiment of this invention is where the ferrous metal belt attachment is permanently incorporated within the belt and is held in place in a pouch shape in the belt material or held in place by adhesive means. 
         [0021]    A further embodiment of this invention is where the ferrous metal belt attachment is magnetized so as to enhance the attraction between the magnet casing and ferrous metal belt attachment. 
         [0022]    A still further embodiment of this invention addresses the use of the magnetic clasp for a user not wearing a belt. In this case the ferrous metal belt attachment is replaced by a target magnet. This target magnet would have a casing of plastic metal or other suitable material and shaped so as to facilitate the detachment of this magnet in order to release the magnetic clasp. 
         [0023]    Another embodiment of this invention is making available to users a suspenders that is durable, easy to use, inexpensive to manufacture and easy to adapt to a variety of clothing and accessory combinations. The magnetic clasp makes it extremely easy to attach suspender ends to the trousers because the magnet and ferrous metal belt attachment need only be brought into general proximity with one another in order for the clasping connection to be made. 
         [0024]    Additional and various other objects and advantages will become more apparent as the specification is read and the accompanying figures are reviewed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention, the magnetic suspenders system may be explained in further detail below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a magnetic clasp showing a magnet casing having a magnet with a hook and loop fastening system for attaching the casing to the end of a suspenders strap and showing a ferrous metal belt attachment in place on a belt; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is and exploded cross sectional view of the magnet magnet with the hook and loop fastening system for attaching the casing to the end of a suspenders strap; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the magnet casing and magnet with the hook and loop fastening system for attaching the casing to the end of a suspenders strap, 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the magnet casing and magnet with the hook and loop fastening system for attaching the casing to the end of a suspenders strap along line  4 - 4  shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the magnet casing and magnet wherein the casing is comprised of a plastic material; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the magnet casing and magnet wherein the casing is comprised of a plastic material that completely encases the magnet; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the magnet casing and magnet wherein the casing is comprised of a metal material; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of the magnet casing and magnet wherein the casing is comprised of a metal material completely encased in a plastic material; 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of the “J” shaped belt attachment which is shaped with a spring foil such that it may be attached to the inward bottom portion of a belt and held there frictionally; 
           [0035]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of the ferrous metal target affixed to the belt attachment “J”  40  which is shaped with a spring foil such that it may be attached to the inward bottom portion of a belt and held there frictionally; 
           [0036]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of the “C” shaped belt attachment which is shaped such that it may be attached to the inward face of a belt without imposing any friction on the belt surface; 
           [0037]      FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of the ferrous metal target affixed to the “C” shaped belt attachment which is shaped such that it may be attached to the inward face of a belt without imposing any friction on the belt surface; 
           [0038]      FIG. 13  is an exploded partial cross sectional view of the magnet and casing as shown in  FIG. 5  positioned inside a wearer&#39;s trousers and opposite a trousers belt with the “C” shaped belt attachment with its&#39; attached ferrous metal target as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 14  is the assembled version of the exploded partial cross sectional view shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 15  is an exploded partial cross sectional view of the magnet casing and magnet as shown in  FIG. 5  positioned inside a wearer&#39;s trousers and opposite a trousers belt with the “J” shaped belt attachment and its&#39; attached ferrous metal target as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 16  is the assembled version of the exploded partial cross sectional view shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 17 , is an exploded partial cross sectional view of the magnet casing and magnet shown in  FIG. 5  positioned inside a wearer&#39;s trousers and opposite a trousers belt with the ferrous metal target comprising a plate permanently attached to the belt by means of an adhesive or pocket in the belt material; 
           [0043]      FIG. 18  is the assembled version of the exploded partial cross sectional view shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 19  is an exploded partial cross sectional view of the magnet casing and magnet as shown in  FIG. 5  positioned inside a wearer&#39;s trousers and opposite a trousers belt with the ferrous metal target comprising a plate permanently attached to the belt by means of a rivet; 
           [0045]      FIG. 20  is the assembled version of the exploded partial cross sectional view shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 21  is an exploded partial cross sectional view of an alternative magnetic clasp with the magnet casing and magnet as shown in  FIG. 5  positioned inside a wearer&#39;s trousers and opposite a target magnet casing and magnet that is used without a belt; 
           [0047]      FIG. 22  is the assembled version of the exploded partial cross sectional view shown in  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of an preferred embodiment of the invention illustrating a suspenders system which provides for a pair of magnetic clasps at the leftward and rightward positions on the front portion of the wearer&#39;s belt and trousers; 
           [0049]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a alternative embodiment of the invention illustrating suspenders system which provides for a single magnetic clasp at a position anterior on the wearer&#39;s belt and trousers and a position posterior on the wearer&#39;s belt and trousers; 
           [0050]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention illustrating a suspenders system attached to a t-shirt and which provides for a single magnetic clasp at an anterior position on the wearer&#39;s belt and trousers. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference Numbers 
       [0000]    
       
         Trousers belt  31   
         “C” shaped belt attachment  40   
         “J” shaped belt attachment  41   
         Ferrous metal target  42   
         Ferrous metal target with countersunk hole  43   
         Metal rivet  44   
         Magnet target  45   
         Magnet target casing  46   
         Magnet and casing with strap for attachment to a suspenders strap end  50   
         Suspenders strap end  54   
         Loop pad strap facing  55   
         Hook pad strap facing  56   
         Magnet casing strap  57   
         Magnet casing  58   
         Magnet  59   
         Anterior suspender strap  60   
         Posterior suspender strap  61   
         Supplemental anterior suspender strap  62   
         Casing wall  64   
         Serrations  65   
         Flexible plastic outer coating  66   
         Flange with slot for strap  67   
         Hanger  71   
         Hanger attachment end with hook pad  72   
         Hanger attachment loop pad  73   
         T-shirt  74   
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0077]    Referring to  FIG. 1  there is shown an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the magnetic clasp that generally comprises two components: 1.) A belt attachment  40  with attached ferrous metal target  42 , 2.) a component  50  comprising a magnet  59  and magnet casing  58  with a means of attaching a strap  57  which, in turn incorporates a hook and loop means for attachment to a suspenders strap end  54 . Not shown in this figure are the suspenders to which component  50  is to be attached. Later  FIGS. 23 ,  24  and  25  will illustrate preferred and alternative embodiments of the suspenders straps. 
         [0078]    In the preferred embodiment the magnetic clasp component  50  there is incorporated into magnet casing  58  a magnet  59  that utilizes a rare earth material such as neodymium and has a rating of N42 or higher and includes a protective coating such as nickel or other suitable decorative material to prevent corrosion. Magnet casing  58  is comprised of a plastic material such as nylon, PVC, styrene or other suitable plastic and the magnet  59  is held in place by adhesive or mechanical means. This magnet casing  58  incorporates a means of attaching a strap  57  which has a hook pad  56  attached to the inner surface of strap  57 . A suspenders strap end  54  has a loop pad attached to its&#39; outer surface making it possible to attach the casing strap  57  to the suspenders end strap  54 . While a hook and loop fastening system is a preferred embodiment, other attachment means such as buttons or zippers may be utilized. The straps  54  and  57  of component  50  are intended to be of sufficient length so as to provide for vertical adjustment of the position of the magnet casing  58  so that it is opposite the ferrous metal target  42 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 1  further illustrates the positioning of the magnet  59  and magnet casing  58  such that they are held in a fixed position vertically at the end of a suspenders strap with the magnet  59  and magnet casing  58  inside the wearer&#39;s clothing and directly opposite the belt attachment  40  and its&#39; attached ferrous metal target  42 . In this preferred embodiment the belt attachment  40  is given a “J” shape with a spring foil so that it may easily be clipped to the underside of the wearer&#39;s belt  31  with the long face of the attachment  40  and the attached ferrous metal target  42  on the inside face of the belt  31 . The belt attachment  40  and its&#39; attached target  42  may be comprised of any suitable ferromagnetic material and may incorporate decorative and protective coatings such as gold, silver or nickel. 
         [0080]    The resultant attraction between the magnet  59  and the ferrous metal target  42  effectively connects the wearer&#39;s belt  31  to the suspenders and, thus, the weight of the trousers is borne on the wearer&#39;s shoulders and upper torso. 
         [0081]      FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8  illustrate the preferred and alternative embodiments of the magnet casing  58 . 
         [0082]    The magnet casing  58  shown in  FIG. 5  is comprised of a plastic material such as nylon, PVC or styrene and incorporates a casing wall  64  that extends above the surface of the magnet  59  and terminates in a serrated surface  65 . These serrations are intended to reduce the possibility of slippage along the inner surfaces of the wearer&#39;s clothing. Flange  67  incorporates an attachment means for a strap. 
         [0083]    The magnet casing  58  shown in  FIG. 6  is comprised of a plastic material such as nylon, PVC or styrene and completely encloses the magnet  59 . The thin outer surface  65  is serrated or textured such that it will reduce the possibility of slippage along the inner surface of the wearer&#39;s clothing. Flange  67  incorporates an attachment means for a strap. 
         [0084]    The magnet casing  58  shown in  FIG. 7  is comprised of a ferromagnetic material and incorporates a casing wall  64  that extends above the surface of the magnet  59  so as to reduce the possibility of slippage along the inner surface of the wearer&#39;s clothing. This magnet casing  58  may further be magnetized and of a polarity complimentary to the magnet  59  so as to enhance the attraction to the ferrous metal target  42 . Flange  67  incorporates an attachment means for a strap. 
         [0085]    The casing  58  shown in  FIG. 8  is comprised of a ferromagnetic material structural substrate with a casing wall  64  to hold the magnet  59  and a flexible plastic outer coating  66 . This outer coating  66  may be of a material that is inherently frictional so as to resist slippage along the inner surface of the wearer&#39;s clothing. Flange  67  incorporates an attachment means for a strap. 
         [0086]      FIGS. 9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15  and  16  illustrate details of a preferred embodiment of the belt attachment  40  and an alternative embodiment of a belt attachment  41  wherein these attachments are not a permanent part of the wearer&#39;s belt. Both embodiments have a ferrous metal target  42  attached to their respective inner faces. 
         [0087]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are plan and sectional views, respectively of a preferred embodiment of the belt attachment  40  with its&#39; attached ferrous metal target  42 . In this embodiment the belt attachment is in a “J” shaped clip that incorporates a spring foil  45  so that this embodiment of the belt attachment  40  and its attached ferrous metal target  42  may be positioned on the underside of the wearer&#39;s trousers belt with the ferrous metal target  42  facing the wearer&#39;s torso and remain there through the clamping effect of the spring foil  45 . 
         [0088]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are plan and sectional views, respectively of an alternative embodiment of a belt attachment  41 . In this embodiment the belt attachment is in a “C” shape with folds at the upper and lower sides  46  so that this embodiment of a belt attachment  41  may be positioned on the wearer&#39;s belt with its&#39; attached ferrous metal target  42  facing the wearer&#39;s torso and remain there without any clamping effect or any resultant undesirable deformation of the user&#39;s trousers belt. 
         [0089]      FIGS. 13 and 14  are exploded and assembled views, respectively, of the preferred embodiment of the magnet and casing  58  with the preferred embodiment of the belt attachment  40  with it&#39;s attached ferrous metal target  42  shown in place relative to the wearer&#39;s trousers and belt. 
         [0090]      FIGS. 15 and 16  are exploded and assembled views, respectively, of the preferred embodiment of the magnet and casing  58  with an alternative embodiment of a belt attachment  41  with its&#39; ferrous metal target  42  shown in place relative to the wearer&#39;s trousers and belt. 
         [0091]      FIGS. 17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21  and  22  illustrate further alternative embodiments of the ferrous metal target  42 . 
         [0092]      FIGS. 17 and 18  are exploded and assembled views, respectively, of the preferred embodiment of the magnet and casing  58  with an alternative embodiment of a ferrous metal target  42  wherein this target is a permanent part of the wearer&#39;s belt  31 . In this embodiment the ferrous metal target  42  is secured to the wearer&#39;s belt by an adhesive or inserted into a pocket in the inner face of the belt  31 . 
         [0093]      FIGS. 19 and 20  are exploded and assembled views, respectively, of the preferred embodiment of the magnet and casing  58  with an alternative embodiment of the ferrous metal target  43  wherein this target is a permanent part of the wearer&#39;s belt  31 . In this embodiment a ferrous metal target  43  incorporates a countersunk hole so that it may be secured to the wearer&#39;s belt by a rivet  44  or other similar mechanical means. 
         [0094]      FIGS. 21 and 22  are exploded and assembled views, respectively, of the preferred embodiment of the magnet and casing  58  with a further alternative embodiment of the magnetic clasp wherein a belt is not utilized. In this embodiment the belt and ferrous metal belt attachments are supplanted by a disk or button shaped ferrous metal target  45  with a target casing  46 . The target casing  46  is shaped in such a manner as to facilitate removal the ferrous metal target from the magnetic attraction of the magnet  59 . 
         [0095]    Additionally, any of the ferrous metal targets described above may be magnetized and of a polarity such that there is an enhanced attraction to the magnet  59 . 
         [0096]      FIGS. 23 ,  24  and  25  illustrate a preferred and two alternative embodiments of the suspenders utilized to support the magnetic clasps  50  in a fixed position vertically on the wearer&#39;s torso. 
         [0097]      FIG. 23  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the suspenders in which a pair of magnetic clasps are located at the front of the wearer&#39;s trousers and supported by a pair of anterior straps  60  which pass over the shoulders either side of the wearer&#39;s neck and return downward and underneath each arm wrapping around the wearer&#39;s torso  32  and converging at the top of the magnetic clasp components  50 . A supplemental anterior strap  62  runs horizontally between the two magnetic clasp components  50  to both connect and separate these clasp components and a supplemental posterior strap  61  connects the two straps  60  at the back of the wearer to prevent the straps  60  from slipping off the wearer&#39;s shoulders. The magnet casing components  58  of the magnetic clasps are positioned inside the wearers clothing opposite the ferrous metal targets  42  which are held in place by the belt attachments  40 . The resultant magnetic connection between magnet components  59  of the magnetic clasp and the ferrous metal targets  42  attaches the suspenders to the wearer&#39;s belt  31  so that the weight of the wearer&#39;s trousers  34  is carried on the wearer&#39;s shoulders. 
         [0098]      FIG. 24  Illustrates an alternative embodiment of the suspenders and incorporates a pair of magnetic clasps, one each at a front and rear location on wearer&#39;s trousers. In this embodiment the anterior magnetic clasp component  50  supported by a pair of anterior straps  60  which pass over the shoulders either side of the wearer&#39;s neck and return downward as a pair of posterior straps which converge at and support the posterior magnetic clasp component  50 . The anterior and posterior magnet casings  58  are positioned inside the wearers clothing and opposite the ferrous metal targets  42 . The resultant magnetic connection between the magnets  59  and the ferrous metal targets  42  attaches the suspenders to the wearer&#39;s belt  31  so that the weight of the wearer&#39;s trousers  34  is carried on the wearer&#39;s shoulders. 
         [0099]      FIG. 25  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the suspenders which incorporates a t-shirt as an integral part of the suspenders. This t-shirt  74  has a pair of loop pads  73  approximately one inch wide attached at the shoulder seam of the t-shirt and which extend downward approximately eight inches so as to provide for an additional means of adjustment for the vertical position of the magnetic clasp component  50 . A pair of hook pads  72  approximately one inch wide and three inches long with an appropriate backing such as leather or plastic are attachment points on the loop pads  73  for a support strap  71  comprised of a nylon or woven metal cord or may be a metal or plastic chain or other suitable material. The magnetic clasp component  50  is attached to the center of support strap  71  and the resultant “V” shape allows the magnet casing  58  to be positioned inside the wearers clothing and opposite the ferrous metal target  42 . The resultant magnetic connection between the magnet  59  and the ferrous metal target  42  attaches the suspenders to the wearer&#39;s belt  31  so that the weight of the wearer&#39;s trousers  34  is carried on the wearer&#39;s shoulders.