Patent Publication Number: US-2016242534-A1

Title: Magnetic article holder

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/925,702 for a MAGNETIC TOOL HOLDER, filed on 10 Jan. 2014, and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/592,956 for a MAGNETIC ARTICLE HOLDER, filed on 09 Jan. 2015, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The invention relates to a magnetic holding or retaining arrangement, such as for tools and other metallic articles. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,886,508 discloses a MAGNETIC TOOL HOLDER. In the &#39;508 patent, a garment carries a flexible sheet on which rod magnets are arranged in spacedly parallel relationship to define a supporting area longer and wider than 2 inches. Notches in the magnet surfaces assist in preventing movement of magnetically attracted ferrous tools. The sheet may be mounted on any part of a garment remote from the hands, and held to the body of the wearer by loops which extend about the trunk of the wearer, one or more limbs, and/or the neck of the wearer. 
     SUMMARY 
     A magnetic article holder includes a first flexible panel, a second flexible panel, a plurality of pockets, a plurality of magnets, and a plate. The first flexible panel has a first outer surface and a first inner surface opposite to the first outer surface. The second flexible panel has a second outer surface and a second inner surface opposite to the second outer surface. The pockets are defined between the first inner surface and the second outer surface. The pockets are at least partially isolated from one another. The magnets are each respectively positioned in one of the plurality of pockets. The plate is spaced from the first outer surface. The plate is magnetically engaged with each of the first plurality of magnets. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description set forth below references the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a first perspective and partially-exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a third perspective view of the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  in operation; 
         FIG. 4A  is an exploded view of an additional exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A  is an assembled condition; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section through the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of an additional exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT 
     A plurality of different embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in the Figures of the application. Similar features are shown in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. Similar features have been numbered with a common reference numeral, upper-case letter, or both. Similar features in the different embodiments have been differentiated by a lower-case alphabetic suffix. Also, to enhance consistency, the structures in any particular drawing share the same alphabetic suffix even if a particular feature is shown in less than all embodiments. Similar features in a particular embodiment have been numbered with a common two-digit, base reference numeral and have been differentiated by a different leading numeral. Similar features are structured similarly, operate similarly, and/or have the same function unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification. Furthermore, particular features of one embodiment can replace corresponding features in another embodiment or can supplement other embodiments unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification. 
     The present disclosure, as demonstrated by the exemplary embodiments described below, can provide an article holder that can be worn by a user. The article holder can magnetically hold tools, fasteners, and other metallic articles. The magnetic article holder can include a plurality of magnets and a plate magnetically engaged with the magnets. The plate can link the magnets together in that each magnet can be supported against movement. For example, when a user attempts to remove an article magnetically engaged with a first magnet such as by twisting or rotating the article, the first magnet will be supported against movement by the plate. In prior art devices, magnets are arranged only in cloth. Each magnet is moveable relative to other magnets because only cloth supports the magnets. 
       FIG. 1  is a first perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A magnetic article holder  10  can include a blank  11 . In  FIG. 1 , the blank  11  is shown above in an unaltered condition and is also shown partially mounted on a vest  12 . The blank  11  can be a sheet of flexible material, such as fabric or plastic. The blank  11  can include flexible panels  13  and  15 . A fold line  17  can be defined between the flexible panels  13  and  15 . 
     The vest  12  can be formed from a flexible panel of material. The material of the vest  12  can define a first flexible panel of the magnetic article holder  10  and the flexible panel  15  can define a second flexible panel of the magnetic article holder  10 . The flexible panel  13  can define a third flexible panel of the magnetic article holder  10 . 
     The exemplary flexible panels  13 ,  15  are integrally-formed with respect to one another and folded over one another along fold line  17 . “Integrally-formed” refers to the fact that in the exemplary embodiment the panels  13 ,  15  are formed together rather than being formed separately and then subsequently joined. The term defines a structural feature since structures that are integrally-formed are structurally different than structures that are comprised of subcomponents formed separately and then subsequently joined. “Integral” means consisting or composed of parts that together constitute a whole and thus encompasses structures of more than one part wherein the parts are either integrally-formed or formed separately and then subsequently joined. 
     In an exemplary first step for forming the magnetic article holder  10 , the panel  15  can be connected to the vest  12  along stitch lines S 1 , S 2 , S 3 , S 4 , and S 6 . The fold line  17  can extend substantially collinear with the stitching S 4  which interconnects the panel  15  and the vest  12 . A first row of magnets can then be formed by moving magnets  14 ,  16 ,  18  into the respective positions shown in  FIG. 1  and stitch line S 7  can then be formed. A second row of magnets can then be formed by similarly moving magnets into respective positions and forming stitch line S 8 . Similarly, additional rows of magnets can be formed by moving magnets into respective positions and forming stitch lines S 8 , S 9 , S 10 , S 11 , S 12 , and so on up to stitch line S 5 , until the flexible panel  15  covers an array of magnets. The stitch lines S 1 -S 12  and other stitch lines can define individual pockets that are least partially isolated from one another to hold magnets. 
     After the array of magnets is formed, a plate  20  can be placed on portion  15 . The plate  20  can be formed from a ferro-magnetic material or from another type of metal. Portion  13  can be folded over portion  15  along fold line  17  and the plate  20  can be fixed in place by forming supplemental stitches along stitch lines S 1 , S 5 , and S 6 . 
     The various panels can be connected along various forms of perimeters. For example, the flexible panel  15  and the vest  12  can be affixed together along a substantially continuous perimeter. Also, the exemplary panels  13  and  15  are connected along a substantially continuous perimeter. Generally, a substantially continuous perimeter can define a closed loop. A substantially continuous perimeter can be defined by stitching or other processes. In stitching, small gaps can exist between stitches and the perimeter can be substantially continuous. Other processes can be applied for forming the perimeter. For example, thermal welding can be applied in other embodiments of the present disclosure. Adhesive can also be applied to form the perimeter. A single substantially continuous perimeter can be formed using multiple techniques. For example, a first portion of a substantially continuous perimeter can be formed with stitches and a second portion of the substantially continuous perimeter can be formed with a fold line, such as done between panels  13  and  15 . 
     The flexible panels can be affixed together along a discontinuous perimeter. An example could be produced by forming panels  13  and  15  as separate structures and leaving open the edge currently defined by fold line  17 . A discontinuous perimeter can be a perimeter that is substantially continuous along a portion of its length and include one or more gaps defined between one or more portions that are substantially continuous. For example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, two flexible panels can be affixed together along three sides of a rectangle. The three sides define a portion of a discontinuous perimeter. The gap between two of the sides of the rectangle can also define a portion of the discontinuous perimeter and can define a discontinuity of the discontinuous perimeter. A discontinuous perimeter can be a desirable feature in that an object positioned between flexible panels and surrounded by a discontinuous perimeter can be selectively removed from between the flexible panels. For example, an embodiment of the present disclosure could be practiced similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , but having the panels  13  and  15  be initially separate and only connected along stitch lines S 1 , S 5  or S 6 . In another embodiment, the orientation of the blank  11  could be flipped so that the fold line  17  is aligned with stitch line S 1 . The sides of the panels  13 ,  15  opposite to the fold line  17  could remain unconnected so that the plate  20  could be selectively removable. A discontinuous perimeter can be defined by stitching or other processes. 
     A surface  19  of the vest  12  would be adjacent to the wearer&#39;s body.  FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A surface  21  of the vest  12  is opposite to the surface  19  and would be at least partially visible when the vest  12  is worn. The magnetic article holder  10  is integral with the vest  12  through the stitching S 1 -S 12 . The vest  12  also supports a second magnetic article holder  110 . The magnetic article holders  10 ,  110  can be constructed to be substantially similar or different in one or more aspects. 
     The exemplary vest  12  can include other features. A zipper and/or access to a fall protection harness is referenced at  23 . Side straps with hook and loop fasteners that allow the vest  12  to be worn by differently-sized users are referenced at  25 . Eyelets on the ends of side straps  25  are referenced at  27 . An adjustable belt clip to be looped around the belt of the wearer and allow the weight added by tools and the magnetic article holder to be balanced, front-to-back, on the user&#39;s body is referenced at  29 . In addition to feature  29 , belt loops or antithetical counterbalance components may be added to feature  25  or another portion of the vest  12  to accommodate tool pouches and tool attachments to counterbalance the weight added to the front of the magnetic tool holder  10 .  FIG. 3  is a third perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in operation, being worn by a user. 
     As set forth above, the exemplary magnetic article holder  10  includes a first flexible panel having a first outer surface and first inner surface opposite the first outer surface, wherein the first flexible panel is defined by the material of the vest  12 , the first outer surface is defined by surface  21 , and the first inner surface is defined by the surface  19 . The exemplary magnetic article holder also includes a second flexible panel  15  having a second outer surface  30  and a second inner surface  32  opposite the second outer surface  30 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the exemplary magnetic article holder  10  can also include a plurality of pockets  34 ,  134 ,  234  defined between the first inner surface  19  and the second outer surface  30 . Magnets are respectively positioned in one of the plurality of pockets  34 ,  134 ,  234 . For example, the magnet  18  can be positioned in the pocket  34 , a magnet  118  can be positioned in the pocket  134 , and a magnet  218  can be positioned in the pocket  234 . The plurality of pockets  34 ,  134 ,  234  are at least partially isolated from one another. For example, the magnet  18  can be restrained or captured in the pocket  34  and prevented from passing into the pocket  134 . The pockets  34 ,  134 ,  234  can be at least partially isolated from one another by stitching. The plate  20  can be spaced from the first outer surface  21 . The plate  20  is magnetically engaged with each of the magnets  18 ,  118 . The magnetic field of the magnets  18 ,  118  induces fixing of the magnets  18 ,  118  to the plate  20 . Flexible panel  13  defines a third flexible panel having a third outer surface  36  and third inner surface  38  opposite the third outer surface  36 . The plate  20  can be positioned between the second inner surface  32  and the third outer surface  36 . 
       FIG. 5  shows exemplary stitching S 14  and S 16  connecting the second flexible panel  15  and the third flexible panel  13 . Exemplary stitching S 14  and S 16  also interconnects the first flexible panel  12 , the second flexible panel  15 , and the third flexible panel  13 . Exemplary stitching S 15  affixes the first flexible panel  12  and the second flexible panel  15  together. This allows the magnets  18 ,  118  to be supported against movement to the plate  20  as well as allowing magnets  18 ,  118  to be shift slightly across the plate  20  to move/attract around metallic articles. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate another embodiment. Magnetic article holders  10   a,    110   a  have been constructed in a manner similar to the construction of magnetic article holder  10  in  FIGS. 1-3 . The magnetic article holder  10   a  has further been constructed to include zipper portions  22   a,    24   a.  The magnetic article holder  10   a  can be releasibly mounted on a vest  112   a  by engaging the zipper portion  24   a  of the magnetic article holder  10   a  with a corresponding zipper portion  26   a  of the vest  112   a.  In one or more other embodiments of the present disclosure, a magnetic article holder can be configured to be mounted on a jacket, coveralls, overalls, and other kinds of work clothing. 
     It is noted that embodiments of the present disclosure can be removably engaged with articles of clothing so that washing of the articles of clothing can be easier and/or more convenient. Further, the embodiment can be easier to wash as well. The embodiment could be constructed to be cleanable using different methods than the method used to wash the article of clothing. For example, the embodiment could be sprayed with cleaning chemicals and hung dry while the article of clothing is subjected to machine washing and drying like other articles of clothing. 
     The magnetic article holder  110   a  has been constructed in a manner similar to the construction of magnetic article holder  10   a.  The magnetic article holder  110   a  can have further been constructed to include zipper portions, including a zipper portion  28   a  and a zipper portion  31   a.  The zipper portion  31   a  of magnetic article holder  110   a  can engage a zipper portion  33   a  of the vest  112   a.  When worn by a user, the vest  112   a  can be closed by engaging the zipper portion  28   a  of magnetic article holder  110   a  to zipper portion  22   a  of magnetic article holder  10   a.  If desirable, additional magnetic article holders can be added between zipper portions  28   a  and  22   a  to accommodate larger individuals. 
     In the first embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the array of magnets are compartmentalized and sandwiched between the flexible panel  15  of the blank  11  and a portion of the vest  12  (the vest  12  defines a mating or opposing flexible panel). In other embodiments, a blank could be formed to include three portions. In such an embodiment, the array of magnets could be sandwiched between the first and second portions of the blank. Further, a plate could be sandwiched between the second and third portions of the blank. Such an embodiment could have one or more zipper portions to be used in mounting the magnetic article holder to an article of clothing, such as, by way of example and not limitation, a vest. 
     It is further noted that attaching arrangements other than zippers can be employed in other embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, hook and loop fasteners can be applied to releasibly interconnect a magnetic article holder to an article of clothing. In yet another embodiment, a magnetic article holder including one or magnets could be interconnected to an article of clothing by sandwiching a portion of the article of clothing between the magnetic article holder and a plate such as plate  20 . 
       FIGS. 6-7  show additional embodiments including various approaches for fastening a magnetic article holder to an article of clothing. Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a magnetic article holder  10   b  can include a front or first panel  12   b  (the panel  12   b  is not part of a vest). The magnetic article holder  10   b  can also include second and third panels which are not visible in  FIG. 6 . The magnetic article holder  10   b  can also include a plurality of magnets, such as magnet  18   b.  The magnetic article holder  10   b  can also include a plate which is not visible in  FIG. 6 . 
     The magnetic article holder  10   b  can also include at least one fastening member in the form of a first fastening member  40   b  positioned on a first side  42   b  of the first flexible panel  12   b  and the second flexible panel and a second fastening member  44   b  positioned on a second side  46   b  of the first flexible panel  12   b  and the second flexible panel opposite the first side  42   b.  The exemplary first fastening member  40   b  and the exemplary second fastening member  44   b  are one of a hook tape assembly and a loop tape assembly. Hook and loop fasteners utilize hook fasteners on one side and loops on the other. A hook tape assembly can be a strip of hook fasteners arranged together. A loop tape assembly can be a strip of loop fasteners arranged together. The fastening members  40   b,    44   b  can be engageable with mating fastening members mounted on an article of clothing. For example, the magnetic article holder  10   b  can be mounted on the inside of a jacket or vest having strips of hook or loop tape assemblies. Alternatively, the fastening members  40   b,    44   b  could be folded over and mounted on the outside of a jacket or vest or shirt. The magnetic article holder  10   b  could be sized to be mounted on an arm or a leg. In such an embodiment, the fastening members  40   b  and  46   b  could engage one another. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a magnetic article holder  10   c  can include a front or first panel  12   c  (the panel  12   c  is not part of a vest). The magnetic article holder  10   c  can also include a second panel  15   c  and a third panel  13   c.  The magnetic article holder  10   c  can also include a plurality of magnets, such as magnet  18   c.  The magnetic article holder  10   c  can also include a plate  20   c.    
     The magnetic article holder  10   c  can also include at least one fastening member in the form of a first fastening member  40   c  positioned on a first side  42   c  of the first flexible panel  12   c  and the second flexible panel and a second fastening member  44   c  positioned on a second side  46   c  of the first flexible panel  12   c  and the second flexible panel opposite the first side  42   c.  The exemplary first fastening member  40   c  and the exemplary second fastening member  44   c  are sleeves extending a full length of at least one edge of one of the first flexible panel  12   c  and the second flexible panel  15   c.  The fastening members  40   c,    44   c  can be engageable with structures associated with an article of clothing. For example, the magnetic article holder  10   c  can be mounted on suspenders or a belt. 
     The magnetic article holder  10   c  can include a second plurality of magnets  48   c,    148   c,    248   c,    348   c  mounted in the sleeves  40   c,    44   c.  The magnets  48   c  and  148   c  can become magnetically engaged to affix the sleeve  40   c  to an article of clothing such as a suspender. Similarly, the magnets  248   c  and  3148   c  can become magnetically engaged to affix the sleeve  40   c  to an article of clothing. The inside surfaces of the sleeves  40   c,    44   c  can be formed from a material to enhance friction between the sleeves  40   c,    44   c  and articles of clothing. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , magnetic article holder  10   a  can also include at least one fastening member in the form of a first fastening member  40   a  positioned on a first side  42   a  of a first flexible panel  12   a  and the second flexible panel and a second fastening member  44   a  positioned on a second side  46   a  of the first flexible panel  12   a  and the second flexible panel opposite the first side  42   a.  The exemplary first fastening member  40   a  and the exemplary second fastening member  44   a  are zipper tape assemblies. A zipper tape assembly is one-half of a zipper and includes a tape, teeth, a top stop, and either a pin or a box at the bottom. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. The right to claim elements and/or sub-combinations that are disclosed herein as other inventions in other patent documents is hereby unconditionally reserved.