Patent Publication Number: US-10327490-B2

Title: Accessory attachment system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to closure mechanisms and, more particularly, to an accessory attachment system that embodies devices and a method for converting clasp-style fasteners to push-pull detachable fasteners. 
     People who are physically challenged or otherwise have limited manual dexterity sometimes have difficulty attaching clasp-style accessories to their person, pets or to objects. For example, many necklaces are attached by a small clasp, which most people require practice with or prior exposure to before they can proficiently open and close them. Such individuals could be those with limited fine motor skills as a result of Parkinson&#39;s disease or seniors suffering from dementia or Alzheimer&#39;s, or anywhere in between. The frustration of such limitations can be heightened when desiring an article or accessory having clasp-style attachments. Typically, in these situations, such a person would need the assistance of a caregiver. 
     As can be seen, there is an accessory attachment system that embodies devices and a method for converting clasp-style fasteners to push-pull detachable fasteners, thereby enabling individuals that are manually challenged to attach accessories having clasp-style fasteners. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, an accessory attachment system including a device having a center assembly with two center magnetic portions, wherein the two center magnetic portions being magnetically attached to each other so as to be movable between an attached condition and a detached condition; and two center connectors, each center connector disposed on one of the two separable center magnetic portions so that in the attached condition the two center connectors are disposed on opposite ends of the center assembly; and two end assemblies, each end assembly having: a first and second end magnetic portions, wherein the first and second end magnetic portions are magnetically attached to each other; and a first and second end connector disposed on each of the first and second magnetic portions, respectively, wherein each first end connector of the two end assemblies is connected to an associated center connector of the two center connectors. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use; 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, demonstrating a movability from a detached condition to an attached condition; and 
         FIG. 6  is an elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, demonstrating how end magnetic portions may removably attach. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an accessory attachment system that embodies devices and a method for converting clasp-style fasteners to push-pull detachable fasteners, thereby facilitating attachment of accessories having clasp-style fasteners or any accessory having opposing ends so that they are “ready-to-wear.” 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the present invention may include an accessory attachment system  100  that embodies a center assembly  10 , a first end assembly  20  and a second end assembly  30 , and a method for converting clasp-style fasteners  50  to push-pull detachable fasteners, thereby enabling individuals with limited manual dexterity to more easily attach accessories having clasp-style fasteners  50 . 
     The center assembly  10  may provide a negative center magnetic portion  12  and a separable positive center magnetic portion  14 , wherein the center magnetic portions  12 , 14  have opposing and thus attracting magnetic polarities, whereby the center magnetic portions  12 , 14  are movable between an attachable condition when magnetically joined, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and a detached condition when diametrically coaxial forces applied to the two center connectors moves the two center magnetic portions, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Each center magnetic portions  12 ,  14  may provide a center connector  16  so that when the center magnetic portions  12 ,  14  are in the attached condition, the respective center connectors  16  are generally opposing or diametrically opposing, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     In the attached condition, the center assembly  10  may define a spheroid or semi-spheroid shape dimensioned for a user having limited manual dexterity to easily grasp, and for easily moving between the detached and attached condition. 
     The first and second end assemblies  20  and  30  may provide a negative end magnetic portion  22 ,  32  and a separable positive end magnetic portion  24 ,  34 , respectively, wherein each first and second end magnetic portions  22 ,  24  and  32 ,  34  have opposing and thus attractive magnetic polarities so that they are removably attachable when they are facing each other, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Each first and second end magnetic portions  22 ,  24  and  32 ,  34  may provide an end connector  26  and  36 , respectively, so that when the first and second end magnetic portions  22 ,  24  and  32  are attached, facing each other, the respective end connectors are generally opposing or diametrically opposing, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     The center and end connectors may be connected to a connector ring  18  so as to provide a greater opening than provided by the center and end connectors, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Such connector rings  18  may further enable the attachment to an accessory  60  or, in other embodiments, of separate charms  19  that enable a user to decorate the attachment system  100 . 
     In certain embodiments of the attachment system  100 , clasp connectors  50  may be pre-connected to the opposing ends of a clasp accessory  52 , so that an interconnector  40  may connect the associated end connector  26  and the clasp connector  50 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In other embodiments, the connector ring  18  may connect to the clasp connector  50 . Through the end assemblies  20  and  30 , the user may interconnect each center magnetic portions  12 ,  14  to opposing ends of the clasp accessory  52 , thereby converting said clasp accessory  52  from a clasp-style attachment mechanism to the push-pull detachable mechanism embodied in the movability of the center assembly  10  between the attached and detached conditions. 
     In another embodiment of the attachment system  100 , one of the pair of magnetic portions, for example the negative end magnetic portion  22  of the pair of end magnetic portions  22  and  24 , may be connected to the accessory  60  by way of the associated end connector  26 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Thereby, the attachment system  100  simply connects to a non-clasp-style accessory  60  for enabling its closure and opening through the push-pull detachable mechanism embodied in the movability of the center assembly  10  between the attached and detached conditions. 
     A method of using the present invention may include the following. The attachment system  100  disclosed above may be provided. A user may secure the attachment system  100 —via its end assemblies  20  and  30 —to opposing ends of an accessory. In certain embodiments, the end assemblies  20  and  30  may be interconnected to clasp connectors  50  of a clasp accessory  52  by way of a connector ring  18  or an interconnector  40 . In other embodiments, the end assemblies  20  and  30  may be secured directly to a non-clasp-style accessory  60 , via associated end connectors  26 . 
     In all the embodiments, a manually-limited user may easily grasp the center assembly  10  so as to, without the assistance of a caregiver, move the center assembly  10  between its detached and attached condition via a simple push-pull movement, thereby providing a universally-friendly/non-discriminatory solution for alleviating frustration and empowering individuals, and so maintaining dignity, sense of self, and normalcy for as long as possible in conjunction with a motor-skills handicap or disability of some sort. 
     In alternative embodiments using the same push-pull movement, the magnetic technology can be applied to an array of accessories, including even break-away safety cat collars. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.