U.S. patent application number 16/157939 was filed with the patent office on 2019-04-18 for seam closure using magnetic fasteners.
The applicant listed for this patent is PVH Corp.. Invention is credited to Khatija Ghasletwala.
Application Number | 20190110538 16/157939 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66097691 |
Filed Date | 2019-04-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190110538 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ghasletwala; Khatija |
April 18, 2019 |
SEAM CLOSURE USING MAGNETIC FASTENERS
Abstract
An improved adaptive garment has a shoulder seam closure of (1)
a first panel containing one or more magnetic fasteners or a
magnetic strip of a positive or negative polarity, and (2) a second
panel containing one or more magnetic fasteners or a magnetic strip
of opposite polarity. The magnetic elements of the first and second
panels are attracted and attach to each other, such that the second
panel overlaps the first panel and closes the shoulder seam. This
improved adaptive garment permits those with limited dexterity or
mobility, youngsters, or those with disabilities and/or other
health conditions get dressed more easily and quickly, with or
without the assistance of others. This shoulder seam closure
further permits the adaptive garment not to use a back seam closure
of magnetic fasteners, thereby eliminating their pressure against
the wearer's back and the discomfort, pain or irritation they might
cause, and permitting to contain a back vent or pleat.
Inventors: |
Ghasletwala; Khatija; (New
York, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PVH Corp. |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
66097691 |
Appl. No.: |
16/157939 |
Filed: |
October 11, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62571651 |
Oct 12, 2017 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 10/00 20130101;
A41D 27/08 20130101; A41F 1/002 20130101; A41D 2300/30 20130101;
A41D 13/129 20130101; A41D 27/24 20130101; A41B 2400/44 20130101;
A41D 27/10 20130101; A41D 27/285 20130101; A41D 13/1245 20130101;
A41B 1/10 20130101; A41B 13/08 20130101; A41D 1/04 20130101; A41D
2400/44 20130101; A41D 3/00 20130101; A41D 2300/50 20130101; A41B
2300/30 20130101; A41B 2300/35 20130101; A41D 2400/70 20130101;
A41B 2400/70 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/24 20060101
A41D027/24; A41D 27/28 20060101 A41D027/28; A41D 27/08 20060101
A41D027/08; A41B 1/10 20060101 A41B001/10; A41D 1/04 20060101
A41D001/04; A41D 3/00 20060101 A41D003/00; A41D 10/00 20060101
A41D010/00; A41D 13/12 20060101 A41D013/12; A41B 13/08 20060101
A41B013/08; A41D 27/10 20060101 A41D027/10 |
Claims
1. An adaptive garment comprising a shoulder seam closure
comprising: a first panel, wherein the first panel contains at
least one first magnetic element; and a second panel, wherein the
second panel contains at least one second magnetic element; wherein
the first magnetic element is attracted and attaches to the second
magnetic element such that the second panel overlaps the first
panel and closes the shoulder seam.
2. The adaptive garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one first
magnetic element is magnetic fastener having a connecting side of
positive or negative polarity, and the at least one second magnetic
element is a magnetic fastener having a connecting side of the
opposite polarity, thereby forming at least one pair of magnetic
fasteners.
3. The adaptive garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one first
magnetic element is magnetic strip having a connecting side of
positive or negative polarity, and the at least one second magnetic
element is a magnetic strip having a connecting side of the
opposite polarity.
4. The adaptive garment of claim 3, wherein the magnetic strip is
selected from a group consisting of magnetic fasteners, magnets, a
magnetic sheet, a magnetic roll, magnetic tape or other flexible
magnetic product, or combinations thereof.
5. The adaptive garment of claim 1, further comprising a back
vent.
6. The adaptive garment of claim 5, where the back vent is selected
from a group consisting of a pleat, a vertical slit, a rear side
pleat, a knife pleat, an inverted pleat and a center box pleat.
7. The adaptive garment of claim 1, wherein the shoulder seam
closure further comprises decorative elements.
8. The adaptive garment of claim 7, where the decorative elements
are selected from a group consisting of buttons, ribbons, charms,
ruffles, fringe, zipper tracks, pins, epaulettes, and combinations
thereof.
9. The adaptive garment of claim 1, without a back seam closure
containing one or more pairs of magnetic fasteners or a magnetic
strip.
10. The adaptive garment of claim 2, comprising two or more pairs
of magnetic fasteners.
11. The adaptive garment of claim 10, wherein the pair of magnetic
fasteners closest to an armhole or sleeve seam of the adaptive
garment is positioned approximately between 1/4 inch and 1 inch
therefrom, and wherein the pair of magnetic fasteners closest to a
neckline or neck seam of the adaptive garment is positioned
approximately between 1/16 inch and 1 inch therefrom.
11. The adaptive garment of claim 3, wherein one edge of the
magnetic strip is positioned approximately between 1/4 inch and 1
inch from an armhole or sleeve seam of the adaptive garment, and
the other edge of the magnetic strip is positioned approximately
between 1/16 inch and 1 inch from a neckline or neck seam of the
adaptive garment.
12. The adaptive garment of claim 1, wherein the adaptive garment
is selected from a group consisting of a shirt, dress shirt, polo
shirt, camp shirt, Henley shirt, Charvet shirt, t-shirt, half
shirt, singlet, blouse, sweater, cardigan, jumper, vest, tunic,
jersey, coat, nightshirt, nightgown, hospital gown and onesie.
13. The adaptive garment of claim 1, wherein each of the at least
one first and second magnetic elements are encapsulated in a
plastic, rubberized or waterproofed-cloth pouch.
14. The adaptive garment of claim 13, wherein the plastic,
rubberized or waterproofed-cloth pouch is sewn in, glued to or
otherwise attached to a placket, flap or pocket at the edge of each
first and second panel.
15. An adaptive garment having a seam closure comprising: a first
panel containing at least three first magnetic fasteners with
connecting sides of one polarity, wherein each first magnetic
fastener is separated by about 1/2 inch; and a second panel
containing at least three second magnetic fasteners with connecting
sides of the opposite polarity, wherein each second magnetic
fastener is separated by about 1/2 inch, and the first and second
magnetic fasteners form at least three pairs of magnetic fasteners
correspondingly positioned in the first and second panels; wherein
one pair of magnetic fasteners is positioned at least 1/2 inch from
one end of the seam closure; wherein another pair of magnetic
fasteners is positioned at least 1/16 inch from the other end of
the seam closure; wherein the connecting sides of the first
magnetic fasteners are attracted and attach to the respective
connecting sides of the second magnetic fasteners, such that the
second panel overlaps the first panel and closes the seam.
16. An adaptive garment according to claim 15, wherein the seam
closure is a shoulder seam closure.
17. The adaptive garment of claim 15, wherein the first and second
magnetic fasteners are encapsulated in a plastic, rubberized or
waterproofed-cloth pouches.
18. The adaptive garment of claim 17, wherein the plastic,
rubberized or waterproofed-cloth pouches are sewn in, glued to or
otherwise attached to a placket, flap or pocket at the edge of each
first and second panel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION FOR WHICH A PRIORITY BENEFIT
IS CLAIMED UNDER 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119
[0001] The present patent application claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No.
62/571,651, filed Oct. 12, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to shirts, blouses, and other
tops having at least one seam closure, especially at least one
shoulder seam closure, using one or more magnetic fasteners.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Shirts, blouses and other tops have openings located in
various places, for example, the front, the back, the sleeve, the
shoulder and the cuff, which are typically closed by conventional
buttons and zippers.
[0004] Recently, the apparel industry has recognized the need to
develop and design adaptive clothing for persons with disabilities,
limited dexterity or limited mobility, and youngsters, including
those who have great difficulty using a conventional zipper or
buttons. Accordingly, the apparel industry has now begun to use
alternative closures, such as snap fasteners, hook and loop
fasteners (for example, those sold under the Velcro.RTM. brand) and
magnetic fasteners, in place of conventional buttons and zippers.
For example, these alternative closures may be placed in the back
opening of a blouse. The alternative closures are intended to make
it easier for the disabled (or their caregivers) to put on and take
off clothing, provide confidence and self-esteem, and allow the
wearer to get dressed more quickly.
[0005] Nevertheless, when these alternative closures are used on
shirts, blouses and other tops, problems still exist. For example,
like conventional buttons and zippers, snap fasteners and hook and
loop fasteners may still be too difficult to fasten or unfasten,
especially if the wearer has limited hand dexterity caused by, for
example, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, pervasion
developmental disorders, Down's syndrome, ataxia, diabetes with
neuropathy, stroke (CVA), paraplegics, Lou Gehrig's disease,
Parkinson's disease or head injury. And although magnetic fasteners
tend to be easier to fasten and unfasten than snap fasteners and
hook and loop fasteners, they are bulkier, harder and heavier, and
in certain cases can press against the wearer causing pain,
discomfort or irritation.
[0006] For example, when magnetic fasteners are used to close a
back opening in a shirt, blouse, or hospital gown, and the wearer
of that garment sits in a chair or a wheelchair having a firm or
hard back, the magnetic fasteners tends to press against the
wearer's back. Over time (and a disabled person may be sitting in
the chair or wheelchair for a substantial time), the pressure of
the magnetic fasteners against the back is likely to cause the
wearer discomfort, pain or irritation. This problem may be
exacerbated if the wearer has neuralgia, neuropathy or otherwise is
sensitive to the pressure caused by the magnetic fasteners.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] One object of the invention is to provide an improved
adaptive garment, in particular, an adaptive shirt, blouse or other
top, which is not only easy to put on and take off, but also
maintains a high level of comfort, wearability and style.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide an improved
adaptive garment for those with limited dexterity or mobility,
youngsters, or those with disabilities and/or other health
conditions. Accordingly, the adaptive garment of the present
invention may allow an individual to get dressed more easily and
quickly, with or without the assistance of others.
[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, an adaptive
garment is provided with a seam closure using one or more magnetic
fasteners or magnetic strip. In another aspect of the invention,
this seam closure is a shoulder seam closure, which opens into two
clothing panels. The edge of each clothing panel contains one or
more magnetic fasteners or a magnetic strip as the closure.
[0010] According to yet another aspect of the invention, the
shoulder seam closure using one or more magnetic fasteners or
magnetic strip may be covered, for example, by buttons, a zipper or
an epaulette, to make it appear to be a conventional garment.
[0011] According to a further aspect of the invention, in addition
to a shoulder seam closure using magnetic fasteners, the adaptive
garment also has a back vent that provides further ease in dressing
and more comfort.
[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the
shoulder seam closure, illustrated only by way of the following
non-limiting examples and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1A depicts an opened shoulder seam containing a closure
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein
the closure comprises one or more pairs of individual magnetic
fasteners.
[0014] FIG. 1B depicts an opened shoulder seam containing a closure
in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,
wherein the closure comprises magnetic strips.
[0015] FIG. 2A depicts a fastened shoulder seam of the present
invention in accordance with the closures shown in FIGS. 1A and
1B.
[0016] In accordance with a further embodiment of the present
invention, FIG. 2B depicts a fastened shoulder seam closure covered
by conventional buttons.
[0017] FIG. 3 depicts a portion of a shirt or blouse sans sleeves
(or a vest), with two shoulder seam closures in accordance with the
present invention, the one on the reader's left being closed and
the one on the reader's right being opened.
[0018] In accordance with a yet another embodiment of the
invention, FIG. 4A depicts a shirt or blouse with a shoulder seam
closure and one style of back vent, while FIG. 4B depicts a shirt
or blouse with a shoulder seam closure and another style of back
vent.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] As generally used herein, the adaptive garment of the
present invention may refer to but is not limited to a shirt, a
dress, a gown, dress shirt, polo shirt, camp shirt, Henley shirt,
Charvet shirt, t-shirt, half shirt, singlet, blouse, sweater,
cardigan, jumper, vest, tunic, jersey, coat, nightshirt, nightgown,
hospital gown, or onesie, either with sleeves of varying lengths or
no sleeves, and with or without a collar. The adaptive garment in
accordance with the invention may be designed for men, women,
children and/or be a unisex design. The adaptive garment merely
needs to have at least one shoulder seam, which typically runs from
the neckline to the armhole.
[0020] FIGS. 1A and 3 depict an adaptive garment (100) in
accordance one embodiment of the present invention. The adaptive
garment (100) has at least one shoulder seam closure comprising one
or more pairs of magnetic fasteners (125, 130). The shoulder seam
closure of FIG. 1A is in the open position, and separated into a
first panel (115) and a second panel (120). The first and second
panels are generally parallel to each other so when they are closed
they will form a shoulder seam (as shown in FIG. 2A), and each is
generally perpendicular to an armhole (or if present, sleeve seam)
(110) and a neckline (or if present, neck seam) (105).
[0021] The edge of the first panel (115) contains one or more
magnetic fasteners (125) with connecting sides of either positive
or negative polarity, and the edge of the second panel (120)
contains one or more magnetic fasteners (130) with connecting sides
of the opposite polarity, in corresponding positions along the
panel edges so as to form pairs. Each pair contains one magnetic
fastener with a connecting side of positive polarity and another
magnetic fastener with a connecting side of negative polarity, so
the two connecting sides in the pair will attract and attach to
each other (though the cloth of the panels) when brought in close
proximity, thereby closing the opening and forming a shoulder
seam.
[0022] In this embodiment, each of the first and second panels
preferably have about 1 to about 10 pairs of magnetic fasteners,
more preferably about 2 to about 6 pairs of magnetic fasteners, and
even more preferably about 3 to 4 pairs of magnetic fasteners. The
shoulder seam closure shown in FIG. 1A contains three pairs of
magnetic fasteners correspondingly positioned along the edges of
the first and second panels. However, a different number of pairs
can be used.
[0023] The number of magnetic fastener pairs used to form the
shoulder seam closure depends upon a number of factors, for
example, (1) the length of the opening (e.g., a longer opening may
result in the use of more pairs than a shorter opening); (2) the
length or diameter of each magnetic fastener (e.g., longer magnetic
fasteners may result in the use of fewer pairs than shorter
magnetic fasteners); (3) the spacing between each magnetic fastener
pair along the length of each panel (e.g., the greater the spacing
between pairs may result in the use of fewer pairs); and (4) and
the offset between the magnetic fastener at the left edge of each
panel and at the right edge of each panel (e.g., the greater the
offset may result in the use of fewer pairs). The length of the
opening may also depend on the type, size and style of the
garment.
[0024] The magnet fastener pair (125S, 130S) closest to the armhole
or sleeve seam (110) is preferably positioned between approximately
1/4 and 1 inch from the armhole or sleeve seam, more preferably
approximately 1/4 inch therefrom, and even more preferably,
approximately 1/2 inch therefrom.
[0025] The magnet fastener pair (125N, 130N) closest to the
neckline or neck seam (105) is preferably positioned between
approximately 1/16 and 1 inch from the neckline or neck seam, more
preferably approximately 1/4 inch therefrom, and even more
preferably, approximately 1/16 inch therefrom.
[0026] Each magnetic fastener typically comprises a magnet (e.g.
round, square, annular, oval or other shape) and a back plate. The
magnet may be any material which creates a magnetic field,
including but not limited to composites, magnetic metallic
elements, rare-earth magnets and combinations thereof. A back plate
may be made of copper or zinc (or both), or other non-magnetic or
weakly-magnetic metals or materials, by themselves or combinations
with other metals (including ferromagnetic materials such as iron).
A back plate is attached to non-connecting side of the magnet
(e.g., the negative side when the connecting side is positive or
the positive side when the connecting side is negative) to reduce
the amount of magnetic flux emanating behind the back plate. This
flux reduction helps to reduce the adaptive apparel from being
magnetically attracted to other metals, especially the inside of a
washer or dryer during laundering. A non- or weakly-magnetic back
plate may be attached to the magnet by glue or other adhesive, and
a ferromagnetic black plate will magnetically attach to the
magnet.
[0027] Each magnetic fastener is preferably encapsulated in a
plastic, rubberized or waterproofed-cloth pouch, which is sewn in,
glued to or otherwise attached to a placket, flap or pocket at the
edge of each panel. The panel edge may comprise two layers of
fabric sewn, glued or otherwise attached to each other to form the
pouch or pocket. Alternatively, the fabric at the panel edge may be
folded and sewn, glued or otherwise attached to itself to create
the pouch or pocket. For each pair, the positive magnetic fastener
is attached to the first panel and the negative magnetic fastener
is attached to the second panel so their connecting sides, with
opposite polarities, can face each other. When the first and second
panels are brought together, the connecting sides face each other
and magnetically attract and attach to each other, thereby closing
the two panels. As explained above, multiple pairs of magnetic
fasteners may be used along the length of the first and second
panels to provide full closure.
[0028] By moving the alternative closure from the back seam to one
or both of the shoulder seams, its weight is preferably supported
by the user's shoulders, and moreover, the magnetic fasteners will
not press against the wearer's back when he or she is sitting in a
firm or hard chair (or wheelchair) and cause the wearer pain,
discomfort or irritation. Moreover, since the length of the
shoulder seam closure is likely to be less than the length of the
back seam closure, fewer magnetic fasteners are required, further
increasing the garment's comfort and decreasing its cost. The
shoulder seam closure is also more easily accessed than a back seam
closure, thus making it easier to open and close.
[0029] The use of the magnetic fasteners or strip allows the wearer
to put on or take off the garment more easily and quickly, as
compared to a garment (1) without any shoulder opening or (2) with
a shoulder opening employing conventional buttons or zippers to
close it. The adaptive garment of the present invention also
provides the wearer with greater comfort than one using a back
opening closed by magnetic fasteners, as there is no pressure
against wearer's back caused by the magnetic fasteners, for
example, when the wearer sits in a chair or wheelchair with a firm
or hard back.
[0030] FIG. 1B depicts adaptive garment (100) in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention. Similar to FIG. 1A,
the shoulder seam closure of FIG. 1B also comprises a first panel
(115) and a second panel (120). Instead of magnetic fastener pairs,
the edges of the first and second panels each contain a magnetic
strip (135, 140) having connecting sides of opposing polarity. A
magnetic strip with a positive connecting side may be attached to
the first panel and a magnetic strip with a negative connecting
side may be attached to the second panel (or vice versa) so their
connecting sides with opposite polarities can face each other. When
the panels are brought together, the connecting sides of the
magnetic fasteners face and magnetically attract and attach to each
other (through the panel cloth), thereby closing the two
panels.
[0031] The magnetic strip is preferably encapsulated in a plastic,
rubberized or waterproofed-cloth pouch, and is sewn in, glued to or
otherwise attached to a placket, flap or pocket along the length of
each panel, in similar fashion to the magnetic fasteners described
previously. The magnetic strip may comprise magnetic fasteners,
magnets, a magnetic sheet, a magnetic roll, magnetic tape or other
flexible magnetic products, or combinations thereof.
[0032] One edge of the magnetic strip (135, 140) is preferably
positioned approximately between 1/4 inch and 1 inch from the
armhole or sleeve seam (110), and more preferably, 1/4 inch
therefrom, and even more preferably, approximately 1/2 inch
therefrom. The other edge of the magnetic strip (135, 140) is
preferably positioned approximately between 1/16 inch and 1 inch
from the neckline or neck seam (105), more preferably approximately
1/4 inch therefrom, and even more preferably, approximately 1/16
inches therefrom.
[0033] FIG. 2A depicts the adaptive garment (100) in accordance
with the present invention with the shoulder seam closure (205)
fastened. The shoulder seam closure (205) is fastened when the
first panel is connected to the second panel, via the magnetic
fasteners or strip described above, such that the second panel
overlaps and covers the first panel.
[0034] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
invention, the shoulder seam closure using one or more magnetic
fasteners or magnetic strip may be covered with decorative
elements, for example, by buttons, a zipper track, or an epaulette,
to make it appear to be a conventional garment. This permits the
adaptive garment to be stylish and the use of magnetic fasteners or
magnetic strip in the shoulder seam closure to be more discrete.
This helps prevent the wearer to be embarrassed by the presence of
the alternative closures and also helps give the wearer confidence,
self-esteem and style.
[0035] For example, FIG. 2B depicts an adaptive garment (100) with
the shoulder seam closure (205) fastened. Preferably the shoulder
seam closure (205) is adorned with decorative buttons (210). Other
decorative elements may include ribbons, charms, ruffles, fringe,
zipper tracks, pins, epaulettes and combinations thereof. The
decorative elements may be affixed to the shoulder seam closure
(205) by any means, including but not limited to glue, stitching,
tape, or magnetism.
[0036] In one embodiment, the inventive shoulder seam closure as
described herein is positioned on each shoulder seam of a shirt as
shown in FIG. 3. In another embodiment, the inventive shoulder seam
closure as described herein is positioned on only one shoulder seam
of a shirt.
[0037] According to yet another aspect of the invention shown in
FIGS. 4A and 4B, in addition to the inventive shoulder seam
closure, the adaptive garment may also have a back vent (405) that
provides further ease in dressing and more comfort. A centrally
located back vent is made possible, for example, by not using a
back seam closure of magnetic fasteners. FIG. 4A shows one style of
back vent (inverted pleat), and FIG. 4B shows another style of back
vent (center box pleat). Generally speaking, the back vent may
comprise rear side or knife pleats, inverted pleat, center box
pleat, or other vertical slits or pleats which not only increase
the ease of movement, but also make putting on and taking off the
adaptive garment easier.
[0038] While preferred embodiments have been described, it is
evident that many additional modifications, variations or
alternatives are apparent to the skilled artisan. The present
application intends to embrace all of such modifications,
variations or alternatives which fall within the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *