TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The field relates to improvements in cuff links and related clothing ware.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Clothing fasteners such as cuff links are known in the art, but have been plagued by the difficulty of use.

[0003] For example, GB 606,591, discloses a snap action fastener in which two fastener elements are joined by forcing a wedge shaped stud through an opening until head portions are in a juxtaposed abutting position, and one of the fastener elements will snap into position behind a bulged portion of the stud. However, the fastener elements are separated by pulling them apart and a spring segment of one fastener element will have to be spread apart to permit withdrawal of the stud. These features may be difficult to use for some individuals. U.S. Patent No. 1,346,039, describes a similar snap-type fastener. [0004] Ausman, in U.S. Patent No. 2006/0236509, recognizes the difficulty of using snap-type fasteners for cuff-links and attempts to solve the problem of fastening cuff links by using magnetic clasp members. Ausman distinguishes the related art by noting that the previous magnetic closures did not have the male-female portion of the snap closure pass through the supporting fabric. In addition, the magnets of Ausman do not bind to one another through the supporting fabric. However, this fastener mainly employs the magnet as the primary means of allowing the magnetic clasp members of binding to each other. In addition, the use of elongated members may make the cuff links difficult to attach and to pass through layers of clothing. There needs to be a simpler and easier to use cuff link attachment mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A clothing fastener comprises: a socket comprising: a female member having at least one female flange member and a slot; a socket magnetic element disposed on the female flange member; an outer socket member having an outer socket base portion and coupled to the female member; and a stud comprising: a male member having a male flange member disposed on the male member; the male flange member having a stud magnetic element; and a outer stud member having an outer stud base portion and being coupled to the male member, wherein an initial magnetic attraction between the socket and stud magnetic elements draws the female and male members in close proximity such that an applied force on either the outer socket member or the outer stud member and a corresponding outer base portion allows for a snap-fit between the male and female members through the slot. In another example, an applied force on either the outer socket member or outer stud member allows for a snap-fit. Alternatively, an applied force on either of the base portions allows for a snap fit. In yet another example, applied forces on both the outer socket member and the outer stud member and a corresponding base portion allows for a snap fit.

[0006] In another embodiment, the socket female flange member has a magnetic element and the stud is of a metallic material, for example. An initial magnetic attraction between the magnetic element on the socket and the metallic stud draws the socket and the stud in close proximity such that an applied force, on either the outer socket member or the outer stud member and a corresponding base portion allows for a snap fit through the slot. Alternatively, the male flange member has a magnetic element and the socket is of a metallic material. Like the previous embodiment, other variations on the application of a force is allowable. [0007] In one embodiment, the outer socket member is directly coupled to the female member and the outer stud member is directly coupled to the male member. In other embodiments, a respective portion couples an outer member to the female or male member. [0008] In another embodiment, an outer base portion of either the socket or stud or both may include a decorative image or element, such as an ornament, for example.

[0009] In another embodiment, an outer base portion of either the socket or stud or both may include a rimmed decorative element on an interior or an exterior portion of the respective base portion. Other shapes or sizes of the decorative element may also be allowed. [00010] One unexpected advantage is that a user can handle two cuff-link components with one hand and be able to pass them through layers of fabrics in different button holes, unlike previous fasteners.

[00011] Another unexpected advantage is that an initial magnetic force aids in drawing the male and female members together such that it is easier to snap-fit the members together.

[00012] Yet another unique advantage is that the clothing fasteners, such as cuff-links, may be fastened together before wearing a shirt or other suitable dress ware.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[00013] Figure 1 depicts one embodiment of the clothing fastener.

[00014] Figure 2 shows an example of the connecting of the respective components of the clothing fastener.

[00015] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a base portion of the clothing fastener.

[00016] Figure 4 shows an example of an ornament displayed on the clothing fastener.

[00017] Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the clothing fastener.

[00018] Figure 6 depicts another example of the connecting of the respective components of the clothing fastener.

[00019] Figure 7 shows another example of a base portion of the clothing fastener.

[00020] Figure 8 depicts an example of an ornament displayed on the clothing fastener. [00021] Figure 9 shows another embodiment of the clothing fastener.

[00022] Figure 10 shows another example of the connecting of the respective components of the clothing fastener.

[00023] Figure 11 shows an example of a base portion of the clothing fastener. [00024] Figure 12 depicts an example of an ornament.

[00025] Figure 13 depicts another embodiment of the clothing fastener. [00026] Figure 14 shows another embodiment of the clothing fastener.

[00027] Figure 15 depicts another embodiment of the clothing fastener.

[00028] Figure 16 shows a cross-sectional view of a female flange member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00029] The examples and drawings provided in the detailed description are merely examples, which should not be used to limit the scope of the claims in any claim construction or interpretation. [00030] In Fig 1, cuff links include a socket 10 and a stud 20. The socket 10 includes a female member 3, an outer socket member 5, with the female member 3 coupled to the outer socket member 5 by a socket portion 17. The female member 3 includes two female flange members 13 and 15 and a slot 100. In this example, two female flange members 13 and 15 are separated by a slot 100, but other variations are allowable. The female member, in this example, includes an area that extends from the socket portion 17 to the two female flange members 13 and 15. Other variations in the size and shape of the female member are allowable. In an alternative embodiment, the female member 3 comprises a single flange member, which may be circular in shape, for example. Such an embodiment is also applicable to the examples depicted in Figure 5, Figure 9, and alternative embodiments. Other geometric shapes may also be realized. Examples of a female flange member comprising a single flange member are depicted in Figures 15 and 16.

[00031] Magnetic element 1 disposed on female flange member 13 is capable of attracting a corresponding magnetic element 2 of stud 20, with opposite polarity. In an alternative embodiment, a magnetic element may instead be disposed on female flange member 15. In yet another embodiment, both female flange members 13 and 15 may together have magnetic elements.

[00032] The stud 20 includes a male member 4, a male flange member 14 and the male member is coupled to outer stud member 6 by a stud portion 16. The male flange member 14 includes a magnetic element 2. The male member includes an area that extends up to the stud portion 16. Outer stud member 6 includes an outer stud base portion 7, depicted in Figure 3. Outer socket member 5 also includes an outer socket base portion (not depicted). Socket portion 17 and stud portion 16, although depicted larger than their respective outer members 5 and 6, may be smaller or the same size as the respective outer members. They may also differ in shape as well. Alternatively, the outer members may be larger in size or shape than the respective socket and stud portions. [00033] In yet another embodiment, the male flange member may have other magnetic elements in addition to magnetic element 2.

[00034] Once the socket 10 and stud 20 are brought into close proximity, magnetic elements 1 and 2 are attracted to each other. Then, in one example, a press by a person's fingers on outer stud member 6 and outer stud base portion 7 activates a snap mechanism, where the male member 4 is locked into female member 3 for secure closure through the slot, as depicted in Figure 2. In alternative example, a press on outer socket member 5 and outer socket member and its respective base portion (not depicted) activates the snap-on-mechanism. Mechanisms other than snap-on-mechanism are also contemplated. [00035] In Figure 4, each of the respective outer member base portions of the stud or socket such as outer stud base portion 7 may have a respective ornament 8. Ornament 8 may be finished directly on the outer stud base portion 7 or applied over the outer stud base portion. [00036] Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, cuff links include socket 30 and stud 40. Socket 30 includes a female member 33 directly coupled to outer socket member 35. However, no socket portion is present, unlike the example depicted in Figure 1. In addition, female member 33 includes two flange members 43 and 45 and a slot 200. In this example, the female flange members are separated by a slot but other variations are allowable. Flange member 43 includes a magnetic element 31. The male member 44 of stud 40 has a male flange member 54, with a magnetic element 42 disposed on flange member 54. The male member 44 is directly coupled to outer stud member 46, with no stud portion present. [00037] Similarly to Figure 2, the mechanism shown in Figure 6 utilizes an initial magnetic attraction, followed by a snap mechanism. [00038] In Figure 7, outer stud base portion 47 is shown. [00039] Figure 8 shows that an outer stud base portion 47 may have a corresponding ornament 48. Ornament 48 may be finished directly on the outer stud base portion 47 or applied over the outer stud base portion.

[00040] In Figure 9, another embodiment is depicted. Socket 60 includes a female member 63 coupled to an outer socket member 65, again with no socket portion present. However, outer socket member 65 includes a decorative rimmed member 67. The female member 63 includes two flange members 73 and 75 with a magnetic element 61 disposed on female flange member 73, and a slot 300. [00041] Stud 70 has a male member 74 capped by a male flange member 84. Male flange member 84 includes a magnetic element 72. Male member 74 is directly coupled to outer stud member 76, with no stud portion present. Outer stud member 76 also includes a decorated rimmed member 87, for example. Decorative rimmed members may be on an exterior portion or an interior portion of the outer stud base portion 77, or both, as shown in Figure 12. This similar positioning of decorative rimmed members may also occur in the outer socket member portion.

[00042] Similarly to Figures 2 and 6, an assembled mechanism is depicted in Figure 10.

[00043] In Figure 1 1, outer stud base portion 77 is shown.

[00044] In Figure 12, an ornament 78 is shown on a top portion of base member of a stud and a socket. Designs shown in Figures 4, 8 and 12 are merely examples, as the designs may vary in size, shape, color, or material, for example. [00045] In Figure 13, in another embodiment of the clothing fastener, a clothing fastener is depicted similar to the embodiment of Figure 1, but instead has only one magnetic element 81 on the socket and the stud 20 is of a metallic material for example. Two female flange members are depicted but a single female flange member is also allowable. Other materials other than metallic material may be used for the stud so long as a magnetic attraction to the magnetic element is allowable. Magnetic attraction between the magnetic element 81 and the metallic stud 20 draws the socket and stud in close proximity. Then an applied force on an outer socket member or an outer stud member and a corresponding base portion allows for a snap fit. Embodiments of Figure 5 and Figure 9 may also have this arrangement with the magnetic element being only on the socket.

[00046] In Figure 14, in another embodiment of the clothing fastener, a clothing fastener is depicted similar to the embodiment of Figure 1, but instead has only one magnetic element 82 on the stud and the socket 10 is of a metallic material for example. Two female flange members are depicted but a single female flange member is allowable. Other materials other than metallic material may be used for the socket so long as a magnetic attraction to the magnetic element is allowable. Magnetic attraction between the magnetic element 82 and the metallic socket 10 draws the socket and stud in close proximity. Then an applied force on an outer socket member or an outer stud member and a corresponding base portion allows for a snap fit Embodiments of Figure 5 and Figure 9 may also have this arrangement with the magnetic element being only on the stud. [00047] In Fig 15, the clothing fastener is similar to the embodiment in Figure 1 but the female member 3 includes a single flange member 91. The female flange member 3 includes a slot 400 for snapping onto the male member. [00048] In Figure 16, a cross-sectional view of a single flange member

91 is shown. Female flange member 91 containing a magnetic element has a slot 400 that is adapted to receive a corresponding male member 4, for example. Alternatively, only one of the male and female members includes a magnetic element. Other variations such as the example depicted in Figure 14 are allowable. In the example of Figure 1, by contrast, two female flange members are separated by a slot 100, for receiving the corresponding male member, in order to have a snap-fit. [00049] Cuff-links are one example of a clothing fastener but the mechanisms described may also be used in other types of clothing fasteners. Variations of the clothing fastener may be used in articles other than clothing, and the examples are not limited to clothing articles. Alternative combinations and variations of the examples provided will become apparent based on this disclosure. It is not possible to provide specific examples for all of the many possible combinations and variations of the embodiments described, but such combinations and variations may be claims that eventually issue.