Abstract:
An article of clothing includes flexible clothing sheet material having first and second sheet material ends which separate to pass a portion of a wearer body into and out of the article of clothing; and first and second magnetic fasteners which are magnetically attracted to each other and are secured to respective first and second sheet material ends for releasibly securing the sheet material ends together and thus securing the article of clothing around a portion of the wearer body.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of wearing apparel, such as shirts, pants and shoes. More specifically the present invention relates to clothing having magnetic fasteners to releasibly secure the clothing around the body of a wearer. One embodiment of the invention is a shirt having a forward section with a conventional longitudinal slit from the neck opening to the waist defining an outward section end having an outward magnetic strip overlapping an inward section end with a registering inward magnetic strip. The outward magnetic strip releasibly engages the inward magnetic strip with the force of magnetic attraction to hold the longitudinal slit closed and the shirt secure around the upper torso of the wearer. Other embodiments include belts and shoes having magnetic fasteners.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    There have long been various fasteners for securing edges of clothing material together to fit and secure the article of clothing around a wearer body. Such prior fasteners have included buttons, zippers, shoe laces, snaps, ropes and hook and loop fasteners. A problem with these prior fasteners has been that many cannot be pulled apart quickly to free a person as may be required in certain circumstances in hazardous occupations and in emergencies. Another problem has been that most of these prior fasteners require a certain dexterity to operate which may be beyond the ability of persons infirm, aged or handicapped. Another problem is that the appearance of these fasteners cannot be changed without cutting stitches or fabric and re-sewing new fasteners to the clothing.  
           [0005]    It is thus an object of the present invention to provide articles of clothing with magnetic fasteners which can be pulled apart and re-fastened with speed and ease.  
           [0006]    It is another object of the present invention to provide such articles of clothing with magnetic fasteners which can be fastened and unfastened without significant or complex manipulation.  
           [0007]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide such articles of clothing with magnetic fasteners which radiate magnetic fields into the wearer body and thereby provide the health benefits of exposure to magnetic fields.  
           [0008]    It is finally an object of the present invention to provide such articles of clothing with magnetic fasteners which are sturdy, aesthetically appealing and competitive in price to manufacture.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention accomplishes the above-stated objectives, as well as others, as may be determined by a fair reading and interpretation of the entire specification.  
           [0010]    An article of clothing is provided, including flexible clothing sheet material having first and second sheet material ends which separate to pass a portion of a wearer body into and out of the article of clothing; and first and second magnetic fasteners which are magnetically attracted to each other and are secured to respective first and second sheet material ends for releasibly securing the sheet material ends together and thus securing the article of clothing around a portion of the wearer body.  
           [0011]    For one embodiment the flexible clothing sheet material is configured to define a shirt, having a neck opening, arm openings and a shirt forward section with a longitudinal slit extending from the neck opening downward to define an outward section end for overlapping an inward section end; and the magnetic fasteners include an outward magnetic strip connected to the outward section end and an inward magnetic strip connected to the inward section end, so that when the outward section end overlaps the inward section end the outward magnetic strip is adjacent the inward magnetic strip and the outward magnetic strip releasibly engages the inward magnetic strip to hold the shirt forward section closed and the shirt secure around a wearer body.  
           [0012]    The outward and inward magnetic strips optionally are periodically broken into discrete segments to visually resemble buttons. These discrete segments are preferably substantially dish-shaped and have thread passing ports for securing the discrete segments to the forward shirt section.  
           [0013]    For another embodiment the flexible clothing sheet material is configured to define a belt, having an inward belt end and an outward belt end for overlapping the inward belt end; and the magnetic fasteners include an outward magnetic panel secured to the outward belt end and an inward magnetic panel secured to the inward belt end; so that the outward magnetic panel releasibly engages the inward magnetic panel with the force of magnetic attraction to hold the belt around a wearer waist. One of the magnetic panels preferably includes a stud bore in the outward surface and the other magnetic panel includes an inwardly directed stud which is sized, shaped and located to slide into the stud bore when the magnetic panels are positioned overlappingly and face to face, for absorbing tensile force in the belt. The outward magnetic panel preferably is configured to visually resemble a belt buckle.  
           [0014]    The flexible clothing sheet material preferably is configured to define a shoe, including a shoe outer surface and a shoe upper section having two inner flaps pivoting toward each other and an outer flap pivotally secured to the shoe outer surface and pivotable over the inner flaps; and the magnetic fasteners include an inner flap magnetic panel on each of the inner flaps and an outer flap magnetic panel on the outer flap positioned to be adjacent to the inner flap magnetic panels when the outer flap is pivoted over the inner flaps.  
           [0015]    The shoe alternatively includes two inner flaps pivoting toward each other, each having an inner magnetic flap magnetic panel, where the outer flap pivots over both of the two inner flaps so that the outer flap magnetic panel releasibly engages the inner flap magnetic panels. Still alternatively, the shoe has two opposing side regions and the inner flap is secured to and extends from one of the side regions and the outer flap is secured to and extends from the opposing side region over the shoe so that the outer flap magnetic panel overlaps and magnetically engages the inner flap magnetic panel. The shoe preferably has an upper, forward region, and the outer flap is secured to and extends from the upper, forward region.  
           [0016]    Where the flexible clothing sheet material is configured to define a shoe, the article of clothing alternatively includes a shoe top region divided by a longitudinal slit defined by two opposing slit edges, each slit edge having a series of adjacent shoelace passing ports; at least one shoelace threaded through opposing the shoelace passing ports, and a shoelace, and the magnetic fasteners include shoelace magnetic tip elements; and a shoelace tip engaging magnetic structure secured to the shoe top region for releasibly receiving and magnetically engaging the magnetic tip elements.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a front view of the shirt embodiment of the invention, having the continuous magnetic panel fasteners.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a front view of the shirt embodiment having the discrete segment magnetic panel fasteners shaped as conventional buttons. While not shown, it is also contemplated that such discrete segment fasteners be used at cuffs and collars in place of conventional buttons.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the button-shaped discrete segment magnetic fasteners, showing the thread passing ports for sewing the fastener onto an article of clothing, such as a shirt.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the button-shaped discrete segment magnetic fastener of FIG. 3 placed adjacent to a mating ornamental cap, the two being releasably interlockable along their annular flanges as one of these flanges snaps into the other, so that a discrete segment fastener having depth can be constructed.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the belt embodiment of the invention, with the overlapping inward and outward belt ends and corresponding inward and outward magnetic panels.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a perspective view as in FIG. 5, having the added feature of protruding studs in the outward belt end and correspondingly located recessed stud receiving bores in the inward belt end.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the belt of FIG. 6.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the outward face of the outward belt end magnetic panel, configured and marked to resemble a conventional belt buckle.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the outward belt end magnetic panel as in FIG. 8, with the markings spelling the word “Superman”.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the outward belt end magnetic panel as in FIG. 8, with the markings spelling the word “Magna”.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the shoe embodiment of the invention, with the opposing inner flaps having the inner flap magnetic panels covered by and engaging the side mounted outer flap having the outer flap magnetic panel.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 12 is a top view of the shoe of FIG. 11.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of an alternative version of the shoe embodiment, having the forward top mounted outer flap, with the outer flap pivoted to an open position.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the version of FIG. 13 with the outer flap pivoted to its closed position in contact with the inner flaps.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the shoe embodiment, showing a preferred logo molded into its bottom surface.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 16 is a side perspective view of the shoe having an outer flap secured to one side of the shoe, which wraps entirely over the top of the shoe and fastens to the opposing side of the shoe, where the magnetic panel on the inner flap in previously described versions is located.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 17 is a view as in FIG. 16 with the outer flap lifted away from the magnetic panel on the side of the shoe.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of yet another version of the shoe having conventional shoe laces, which are fitted with inventive lace magnetic tip elements releasibly engaged by a magnetic structure on top of the shoe.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.  
         [0037]    Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like characteristics and features of the present invention shown in the various FIGURES are designated by the same reference numerals.  
         [0038]    First Preferred Embodiment  
         [0039]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 18 , articles of clothing  10  are disclosed having magnetic fasteners  20  for releasibly securing the given article of clothing  10  around a wearer body. One embodiment of the invention is a shirt  10  having a magnetic fastener  20  in place of buttons. Magnetic fastener  20  includes arm openings  12 , a neck opening  34  and a forward section  30  with a conventional longitudinal slit  32  from neck opening  34  to the waist edge  36  defining an outward section end  42  secured to an outward magnetic strip  42   a  overlapping an inward section end  44  secured to a registering inward magnetic strip  44   a.  See FIG. 1. The outward magnetic strip  42   a  releasibly engages the inward magnetic strip  44   a  to hold the shirt forward section closed and the shirt  10  secure around the wearer upper torso. Alternatively the outward and inward magnetic strips  42  and  44 , respectively, may be replaced with a series of correspondingly placed outward and inward magnetic strip segments or buttons  52  and  54 , respectively, which are optionally circular, to have the general appearance of conventional buttons. FIGS.  2 - 4  show magnetic buttons  52  and  54  which are dish-shaped and have thread ports  56  for securing the magnetic buttons  52  and  54  to the outward and inward ends  42  and  44 . Outward buttons  54  preferably have an ornamental cap  58  which releasibly snaps onto the dish-shaped portion  54  to be replaced with an ornamental cap  58  having a different appearance. See FIG. 4.  
         [0040]    Second Preferred Embodiment  
         [0041]    Another embodiment is a belt  10  having a magnetic fastener  20  in place of a latching buckle. The magnetic fastener  20  includes an outward belt end  62  with an outward magnetic panel  62   a  overlapping an inward belt end  64  with an inward magnetic panel  64   a.  See FIG. 5. Once again, the outward magnetic panel  62   a  releasibly engages the inward magnetic panel  64   a  with the force of magnetic attraction to hold the belt  10  around a wearer waist. Outer magnetic panel  62   a  preferably includes at least one and optionally two inwardly directed studs  66  which slide into correspondingly sized and located stud bores  68  in the outward surface of the inward magnetic panel  64   a,  to counteract any tensile force in the belt which might exceed the magnitude of the fastening magnetic force and might otherwise cause magnetic panels  62   a  and  64   a  to separate. See FIGS. 6 and 7. Outward magnetic panel  62   a  is preferably shaped and marked to resemble a conventional belt buckle. FIGS.  8 - 10 , for example, show an oval perimeter outward magnetic panel  62   a  alternatively having a geometric pattern and the words “Superman” and “Magna” printed on its outward surface.  
         [0042]    Third Preferred Embodiment  
         [0043]    Yet another embodiment is that of a shoe  10  having a magnetic fastener  20  in place of shoelaces. See FIGS.  11 - 18 . Two shoe inner flaps  74  meet at the centerline of the top of the shoe  10 , and each inner flap  74  has an inner flap magnetic panel  74   a  on its upper surface. A shoe outer flap  72  having an outer flap magnetic panel  72   a  on its inner surface is pivotally secured to the outer surface of the side region  76  of the shoe  10  and pivots to wrap over the two inner flaps  74 . See FIGS. 11 and 12. To close the shoe  10  around a wearer foot, the inner flaps  74  are pivoted and pulled toward each other, and then the outer flap  72  is pivoted on top of inner flaps  74  so that the outer flap magnetic panel  72   a  meets and magnetically engages the inner flap magnetic panels  74   a.  Alternatively, the inner flaps  74  are replaced with a single inner flap  84  secured to the outward surface of a side of the shoe  10  and having an inner flap magnetic panel  84   a,  and the outer flap  82  extends from a pivot point on the opposing side of the shoe  10  over the top of the shoe  10  so that its outer flap magnetic panel  82   a  overlaps and magnetically engages the inner flap magnetic panel  84   a.  Still alternatively, an outer flap  92  having an outer flap magnetic panel  92   a  pivots from a point forward of the inner flaps  94  which have inner flap magnetic panels  94   a,  as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, but otherwise operates analogously. FIG. 18 shows shoe laces  102  with magnetic tips  104  fitted into a recess in a magnetic tip receptacle  106 .  
         [0044]    For all of these embodiments, it is understood that each of the meeting magnetic panels may actually be a magnet, or just one of them may be a magnet an the other may be a nonmagnet which is attracted by a magnetic field. Thus the term “magnetic” as used herein is understood to mean either a material which is magnetized or one which is simply attracted to magnetic fields, but at least one of the meeting panels or plates is a magnet. The magnetic strips and panels of the several embodiments may be formed of traditional ferromagnetic or ceramic magnet materials, but are preferably formed of the newer plastic magnet materials.  
         [0045]    While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms or certain embodiments or modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.