Abstract:
A clasp, including a first magnet, a second magnet, wherein the clasp is closed by coupling the first magnet and the second magnet and the clasp is opened by uncoupling the first magnet and the second magnet.

Description:
The present application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)(1) to U.S. provisional application 60/684,371, filed May 26, 2005, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to clothing. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A traditional tie pin prevents the tie of the wearer of the tie pin from slipping to awkward angles while allowing the tie a degree of mobility. In addition, the traditional tie pin embellishes the visual appeal of the tie. However, a traditional tie pin includes a pin that pierces through the tie leaving a hole each time that it is used, damaging the tie and adversely impacting its appearance. A traditional tie clip does not damage a tie; however, it suffers from the disadvantages of being bulky, rendering the tie completely immobile at the point of attachment of the tie clip, and being less attractive in the opinion of many tie wearers. It would therefore be desirable to provide a tie pin that did not damage a tie. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A clasp, including a first magnet, a second magnet, wherein the clasp is closed by coupling the first magnet and the second magnet and the clasp is opened by uncoupling the first magnet and the second magnet. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of a component usable in conjunction with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following definitions are provided to aid in construing the claims of the present application: 
     Decorative Form: A housing having an ornamental shape, such as a geometric shape, comprising an oval, a square, a triangle, a square, a circle, a rectangle, or a diamond, a flower, a butterfly, a flag, or other shape. 
     Decorative Surface: A surface containing any decoration, including, but not limited to, a geometric shape, such as an oval, a square, a triangle, a square, a circle, a rectangle, or a diamond, a geometric design, a crest or coat of arms (such as a family or school crest or coat of arms), a company or brand insignia, logo, or trademark, or a design including school, club, military unit, or national colors, emblems, flags, or symbols. 
     False Cuff Link: A device that (1) covers a shirt cuff button and button hole when worn, (2) that appears to be a cuff link when worn, and (3) that functions as a cuff link for a non-French cuff shirt when worn. 
     T-Shaped End: A metal, plastic, or other component in the shape of a straight or curved “T”, anchor, or double-ended hook. 
     Tie Clasp: A device for holding a wearer&#39;s tie in place. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in a first preferred embodiment, tie pin  100  includes outer magnet  102 , inner magnet  104 , piercing pin  106 , pin base  108 , chain  110 , and T-shaped end  112 . Outer magnet  102  and inner magnet  104  are preferably strong magnets in order to allow the outer magnet  102  and inner magnet  104  to be of sufficiently small size. Suitable magnets can be purchased from the Rochester Magnets and Stanford Magnets companies. Outer magnet  102  and inner magnet  104  are preferably surrounded by housings constructed of metal, plastic, or other materials, which can be decorative in nature. One or more of such housings can include one or more decorative surfaces. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more of such housings can be shaped into a decorative form. Piercing pin  106  is preferably a sharp pin that can be constructed of any type of metal, such as brass, aluminum, or stainless steel, or other materials. Piercing pin  106  is attached to pin base  108 , which is preferably constructed of the same material as piercing pin  106  and can form a “T” shape in combination with piercing pin  106 . Chain  110  can be a metal chain constructed of brass, aluminum, or stainless steel, or can be constructed of other materials and is attached to both pin base  108  and T-shaped end  112 . T-shaped end  112  can be constructed of brass, aluminum, or stainless steel, or can be constructed of other materials. Also illustrated in  FIG. 1  are tie  120  comprised of front end  122  and rear end  124  and shirt  130 . Tie  120  can be any available necktie, whether made of silk, wool, synthetic, or other materials, or a combination of materials. Shirt  130  can be any shirt, such as a men&#39;s dress shirt, whether made of silk, cotton, synthetic, or other materials, or a combination of materials. Shirt  130  can, but need not, be a button down shirt. 
     In a first preferred embodiment, T-shaped end  112  is placed with the cross-piece of the “T” inside a wearer&#39;s shirt button hole with the end of the “T” protruding, together with chain  110 , which is attached to T-shaped end  112 . Piercing pin  106 , attached to pin base  108 , attached in turn to chain  110 , is placed through tie rear end  124  and attached to inner magnet  104 , such as by screwing piercing pin  106  into inner magnet  104 , sliding piercing pin  106  into a groove in inner magnet  104 , or by other means. Tie front end  122  is then placed in front of inner magnet  104  and finally outer magnet  102  is placed in front of tie front end  122  so as to couple outer magnet  102  with inner magnet  104 . 
     Outer magnet  102  and inner magnet  104  when coupled together hold tie front end  122  in place without creating any unsightly holes in tie front end  122 . Outer magnet  104 , piercing pin  106 , and pin base  108  together hold tie rear end  124 ; although a hole is created in tie rear end  124  by piercing pin  106 , such hole is not visible when the tie is worn because tie rear end  124  is concealed behind tie front end  122 . Pin base  108 , chain  110 , and T-shaped end  112  together form a connection to the wearer&#39;s shirt. 
     In other embodiments, other components can be substituted for T-shaped end  112 . For example, a second pair of magnets can be used in lieu of T-shaped end  112 . The second pair of magnets can be attached to the two sides of the wearer&#39;s shirt. Alternatively, a second pin can be substituted for T-shaped end  112 . This second pin can be attached to the wearer&#39;s shirt. Alternatively, a clip can be substituted for T-shaped end  112 . This clip can be attached to the wearer&#39;s shirt. In other embodiments, yet other components can be substituted for T-shaped end  112 . 
     In other embodiments, pin base  108  can be omitted and chain  110  attached directly to piercing pin  106 . In other embodiments additional components can be utilized. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Ttie pin  200  includes outer magnet  202 , inner magnet  204 , chain  206 , and T-shaped end  208 . Outer magnet  202  and inner magnet  204  are preferably strong magnets in order to allow the outer magnet  202  and inner magnet  204  to be of sufficiently small size. Outer magnet  202  and inner magnet  204  are preferably surrounded by housings constructed of metal, plastic, or other materials, which can be decorative in nature. One or more of such housings can include one or more decorative surfaces. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more of such housings can be shaped into a decorative form. Chain  206  can be a metal chain constructed of brass, aluminum, or stainless steel, or can be constructed of other materials and is attached to both inner magnet  204  and T-shaped end  208 . T-shaped end  208  can be constructed of brass, aluminum, or stainless steel, or can be constructed of other materials. Also illustrated in  FIG. 2  are tie  120  comprised of front end  122  and rear end  124  and shirt  130 . Tie  120  can be any available necktie, whether made of silk, wool, synthetic, or other materials, or a combination of materials. Shirt  130  can be any shirt, such as a men&#39;s dress shirt, whether made of silk, cotton, synthetic, or other materials, or a combination of materials. Shirt  130  can, but need not, be a button down shirt. 
     In a first preferred embodiment, T-shaped end  208  is placed with the cross-piece of the “T” inside a wearer&#39;s shirt button hole with the end of the “T” protruding, together with chain  206 , which is attached to T-shaped end  208 . Chain  206  is also attached to inner magnet  204 . First tie rear end  124  and then tie front end  122  are placed in front of inner magnet  204  and finally outer magnet  202  is placed in front of tie front end  122  so as to couple outer magnet  202  with inner magnet  204 . 
     Outer magnet  202  and inner magnet  204  when coupled together hold both tie front end  122  and tie rear end  124  in place without creating any unsightly holes in tie  120 . Chain  206  and T-shaped end  208  together form a connection to the wearer&#39;s shirt. Although this second preferred embodiment requires a somewhat stronger pair of inner and outer magnets in order to hold a wearer&#39;s tie as securely as the first embodiment, it offers the advantages of (1) not creating any holes whatsoever in a wearer&#39;s tie, (2) being simpler for a wearer to use (having fewer pieces or steps—there is no risk that a neophyte wearer will mistakenly pierce the front of his tie), (3) requiring less time to use when dressing in the morning, and (4) having fewer and simpler parts to manufacture, thereby reducing its cost. 
     In other embodiments, other components can be substituted for T-shaped end  208 . For example, a second pair of magnets can be used in lieu of T-shaped end  208 . The second pair of magnets can be attached to the two sides of the wearer&#39;s shirt. Alternatively, a pin can be substituted for T-shaped end  208 . This pin can be attached to the wearer&#39;s shirt. Alternatively, a clip can be substituted for T-shaped end  208 . This clip can be attached to the wearer&#39;s shirt. In other embodiments, yet other components can be substituted for T-shaped end  208 . In other embodiments additional components can be utilized. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Pin  300  is comprised of inner magnet  302  and outer magnet  304 . Blouse  310  is also illustrated. Blouse  130  can be any shirt, dress, sweater, hat, or similar garment, such as a lady&#39;s blouse, whether made of silk, cotton, synthetic, or other materials, or a combination of materials. Outer magnet  302  and inner magnet  304  are preferably strong magnets in order to allow the outer magnet  302  and inner magnet  304  to be of sufficiently small size. Outer magnet  302  and inner magnet  304  are preferably surrounded by housings constructed of metal, plastic, or other materials, which can be decorative in nature. In particular, the outer surface of outer magnet  302  can resemble a decorative broach, hatpin, or other ornamental pin. 
     Inner magnet  302  and outer magnet  304  are coupled together on either side of blouse  310  so as to hold pin  300  in place. Thus, no unsightly holes are made in blouse  310 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. False cuff link  400  includes first magnet  402  and second magnet  404 . First magnet  402  and second magnet  404  are preferably strong magnets in order to allow the outer magnet  302  and inner magnet  304  to be of sufficiently small size. Outer magnet  302  and inner magnet  304  are preferably surrounded by housings constructed of metal, plastic, or other materials, which can be decorative in nature. In particular, the housings of first magnet  402  and second magnet  404  can be constructed so as to resemble cuff links. The housing of at least one of first magnet  402  and second magnet  404  preferably contains a hollow space of sufficient size to allow a shirt button to be inserted into it.  FIG. 5  illustrates such a housing with respect to first magnet  402 , although, such a housing could alternatively be utilized for both first magnet  402  and second magnet  404 . Shirt cuff  410  includes button  412 , button hole  414 , and cuff ends  416 A and  416 B. Shirt cuff  410  is one cuff of a standard non-French cuff long sleeve shirt. 
     False cuff link  400  is utilized by unbuttoning button  412  and aligning cuff end  416 A with cuff end  416 B as if shirt cuff  410  were a French cuff. First magnet  402  is placed over button  412  and second magnet  404  is placed under button hole  414  so that any housings surrounding first magnet  402  and second magnet  404  face outward and first magnet  402  and second magnet  404  are coupled and hold cuff end  416 A and cuff end  416 B securely between them. Ordinarily a false cuff link would be worn by a user on each of the user&#39;s right and left cuffs. Thus, two sets of first and second magnets would be necessary. This embodiment provides the advantage of allowing a wearer to utilize the same shirt both with and without cuff links. This can be desirable for those who are uncertain as to whether they desire to spend considerable sums of money to acquire French cuffs shirts that they may not wear regularly. It can also be desirable for individuals who desire to project the appearance of having a large wardrobe on limited finds by wearing the same shirts sometimes as French cuffs and sometimes not. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a sixth embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  is identical in all respects to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , except that chain  610  is attached to both inner magnet  104  and to outer magnet  102 . Chain  610  must be sufficiently long so as to loop around tie  120  without causing tie  120  to be bent or crumpled by chain  610 . Chain  610  must also be sufficiently strong so as to be able to hold outer magnet  102  (including any attached housing) without breaking, yet not be so heavy as to cause tie  120  to buckle. 
     Chain  610  provides the benefit that if outer magnet  102  becomes dislodged while tie pin  600  is being worn, outer magnet  102  remains attached to chain  610  and is not lost. Chain  610  also provides a different aesthetic appearance to the present invention that can be more appealing to some users. 
     In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the present invention can be utilized to provide magnetic shirt buttons. A pair of magnets can function as a button, with one magnet on the outside of the shirt and one on the inside; when coupled together, the two magnets can hold together two layers of fabric and hold closed a portion of a wearer&#39;s shirt. By using multiple pairs of magnets, such as three, four, five, or more, such magnets can function in place of buttons. In some embodiments, one set of magnetic buttons is attached to a shirt where ordinary buttons would ordinarily be attached and the corresponding set of magnetic buttons is attached to the same shirt where button holes would ordinarily be located on the shirt. Magnetic buttons can be easier to use than ordinary buttons for the young, elderly, and especially those suffering from disabilities affecting their hands or fine motor movements. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 7 , a series of magnets  502  can be attached to the upper side of the side of a shirt in which button holes are ordinarily inserted  510  and a series of magnets  504  can be attached to the underside of a the side of a shirt to which buttons are ordinarily attached  512 . Such magnetic buttons can easily be closed merely by lining up the two sets of buttons  502  and  504  adjacent to each other and allowing magnetic forces to close the magnetic buttons or opened by grasping the two sides of the shirt  510  and  512  and pulling the two sides apart. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment identical to that illustrated in  FIG. 7  except that magnets  504  are located on the upper surface of shirt side  512 . Such placement allows the use of decorative housings for magnets  504  that would not be visible in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.