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(11) | EP 1 219 200 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Magnetic button with both opposite magnets |
| (57) The present invention relates to an attachable/detachable magnetic button used on
clothes, miscellaneous goods, accessories and so on. Specifically, the present invention
also relates to a contact guiding structure of the button for a smooth attaching and
detaching and an improved stability thereof. The magnetic button of the present invention is arranged so that the magnets (30,30a) on the flap (13) and the body (11) have opposite polarities from each other. Each magnet housing (31,31a) is placed around each magnet in order to make one magnet to be placed in that of the corresponding opposite button. Furthermore, to prevent magnets from slipping and to enhance their durability, a barrier (32) is placed on the edge of the magnet housing and a projection (37,37a) is placed on the magnet housings, the barrier and the extension parts (39,39a), respectively, so that the projections (37,37a) are pressed and secured on the fixed frames (35,35a), thereby installing the magnetic button on the body (11) and the flap (13). |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an attachable/detachable magnetic button used on clothes, miscellaneous goods, accessories and so on. Specifically, the present invention also relates to a contact guiding structure of the button for a smooth attaching and detaching and an improved stability thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] Most products using magnetic buttons have magnets on their body, and semi-magnets (that is, metal materials having no or little magnetic attraction) are placed on a corresponding position on the flap, thereby attaching and detaching the flap to and from their body.
[0003] FIGS. 1A to 1C show a usage example of current magnetic snap button on a handbag. Generally, a magnet 12 is placed on the body 11 of the handbag, and a semi-magnet 14 corresponding to the magnet 12 is placed on the flap 13 to form a magnetic field contact between the magnet 12 and the semi-magnet 14, such that the flap 13 of the handbag can be attachable and detachable to and from the body 11 thereof.
[0004] As shown in FIG. 1C, the magnet 12 is fixed on the body 11 such that a fixed pad 16 is placed on the inner side of the outer skin 15 and that the magnet 12 is on the outer side. The fixed magnet 12 forms a secure groove 17 on the fixed pad 6. Facing the secure groove 17 inside the magnet 12, a securing pin 18 is placed through the outer skin 15 such that the magnet 12 is secured on the fixed pad 16. On the other hand, another groove 19 is placed on the magnet 12.
[0005] The semi-magnet 14 on the flap 13 is shown in FIG. 1B. A fixed pad 16a with a secure groove 17a thereon is attached to the inner side of an inner skin 20 on the flap 13 and the semi-magnet 14 is on the outer side thereof. Fixing the semi-magnet 14 on the flap 13 is achieved by fixing a secure pin 18a on the secure groove 17a. A protrusion 21 is placed on the semi-magnet 14.
[0006] The handbag is closed when the flap 13 moves towards the body 11 of the handbag. The semi-magnet 14 on the flap 13 is pulled toward the body 11 and the protrusion 21 on the semi-magnet 14 is placed in the groove 10 of the magnet 12, with a consequence that a magnetic interaction between the magnet 12 and the semi-magnet 14 is formed, thereby closing the handbag.
[0007] On the other hand, the handbag is opened when the flap 13 is lifted upwardly from the body 11. The semi-magnet 14 on the flap 13 is separated from the magnet 12 on the body 11 and the protrusion 21 on the semi-magnet 14 comes out of the groove 19 on the magnet 12.
[0008] The magnetic button, as shown in FIG. 2, can be also used as a snap button on clothes 22. Attachment and detachment between the protrusion 21 of the semi-magnet 14 and the groove 10 on the magnet 12 is achieved in the same manner as above, such that the flap 13 on the clothes 22 is attached or detached to and from the body 11.
[0009] On the other hand, the conjunction between the groove 19 on the magnet 12 and the protrusion 21 of the semi-magnet 14 in an ordinary button enhances the attachability between the magnet 12 and the semi-magnet 14. However, the protrusion 21 must be put in the groove 19 precisely for a smooth attachment.
[0010] In case of the ordinary magnetic button, therefore, the design of the groove 19 on the magnet 12 and the protrusion 21 on the semi-magnet 14 makes it hard to achieve a smooth attachment at a time and hence makes it less efficient. Furthermore, The attachment of the groove 19 to the protrusion 21 is broken easily by a little impact, which results in the reduction of the attachment stability. The old-fashioned button design also makes it less attractive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In an ordinary magnetic button, a magnet with a groove is placed on a body and a semi-magnet with a protrusion is put on the flap. Attachment and detachment between the body and the flap occurs due to the conjunction between the groove and the protrusion. For this purpose, one has to carefully manage to match the two. Thus, rapid attachment is difficult. Stability is also unreliable, and the old design makes it less attractive.
[0012] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic button that is capable of achieving rapid and easy attaching/detaching, while maintaining contact stability thereof and a structure of installing the magnetic button on a body and a flap, respectively, in easier and rapider manners.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide wider creativity of fashionable designs of a magnetic button.
[0014] In order to attain these objects of the present invention, in a magnetic button having a fixed pad with a secure groove on the inner surface of the outer skin, a magnet with a secure pin forming in conjunction with the secure groove through the outer surface of the outer skin, and a flap with a magnet, the button includes: magnets having opposite polarities from each other; magnet housing covering the outer space of the magnet, so that one magnet housing can safely cover the other magnet housing; a barrier, on the edge of the magnet housing, being placed in the magnetic button, to prevent the slipping of the magnet and to guide the connection of the magnets having the opposite polarities from each other and facing each other; a first extension part having a predetermined length on the bottom side of the lower end of the magnet housing on the body; a first protrusion on the lower surface of the first extension part, the first protrusion being secured on a first fixed flame; a second extension part on the bottom side of the lower end of the magnet housing on the flap; and a second protrusion on the lower surface of the second extension part, the second protrusion being secured on a second fixed frame, whereby the first and second protrusions on the first and second extension parts on the body and the flap are pressed and secured on said first and second fixed frames, thereby installing the magnetic button on the body and the flap.
[0015] Alternatively, the button has a first wing on the outer surface of the magnet housing on the body, a third protrusion on the lower surface of the magnet housing on the body, the third protrusion being secured on the first fixed flame, a second wing on the outer surface of the magnet housing on the flap and a fourth protrusion on the lower surface of the magnet housing on the flap and the fourth protrusion being secured on the second fixed frame, such that the third and fourth protrusions on the magnet housings on the body and the flap are pressed and secured on the first and second fixed frames, thereby installing the magnetic button on the body and flap.
[0016] Alternatively, the button has the first extension part on the bottom side of the lower end of the magnet housing on the body, the first protrusion on the lower surface of the first extension part, the first protrusion being secured on the first fixed frame, a third wing on the outer surface of the barrier or magnet housing on the flap and a fifth protrusion on the lower surface of the magnet housing on the flap, a fifth protrusion being secured on the second fixed frame, such that the first extension part on the magnet housing on the body and the fifth protrusion on the magnet housing on the flap are pressed and secured on the first and second fixed frames, thereby installing the magnetic button on the body and flap.
[0017] Alternatively, the magnetic button on the body can be selectively changed and installed to the magnetic button on the flap.
[0019] Alternatively, a stopper is placed on the outer surface of the magnet housing, a small space for the magnet to move in the housing is allowed inside the barrier and to prevent too rigorous movement, a limiting band is placed inside the barrier, such that the magnet moves within certain limits.
[0020] By doing this, fast and smooth attaching/detaching can occur, and stability is further enhanced Variable fashion designs of the buttons are also allowed regardless of external appearance and pattern.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021]
FIGS. 1A-1C show a usage example of current magnetic snap button on a handbag, wherein FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating the usage on the handbag, FIG. 1B is a detailed representation of "B" in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1C of "A" in FIG. 1A;
FIG. 2 shows another example of a magnetic snap button used on clothes;
FIGS. 3A-3E show a usage example of the magnetic button of the invention, wherein FIG. 3A is an applied usage in a handbag, FIG 3B is a detailed drawing of "D" in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3C of "C" in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3D is a sectional view of the separated state of the magnetic button, and FIG. 3E is a sectional view of the coupled state of the magnetic button;
FIGS. 4A-4E show another usage example of the magnetic button of the invention, wherein FIG. 4A is an applied usage in a handbag, FIG. 4B is a detailed drawing of "F" in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4C of "E" in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4D is a sectional view of the separated state of the magnetic button, and FIG. 4E is a sectional view of the coupled state of the magnetic button;
FIGS. 5A-5E show still another usage example of the magnetic button of the invention, wherein FIG. 5A is an applied usage in a handbag, FIG. 5B is a detailed drawing of"H" in FIG. 5A, FIG. 5C of "G" in FIG. 5A, FIG. 5D is a sectional view of the separated state of the magnetic button, and FIG. 5E is a sectional view of the coupled state of the magnetic button;
FIGS. 6A-6E show an example where another structure of installing the magnetic button according to the present invention; and
FIG. 7 shows an illustration of the two magnets engaging.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] In FIGS. 3B and 3C, a magnet 30a only with an "S" pole (on the upper portion thereof) is placed on the body 11 and a magnet 30 only with an "N" pole (on the upper portion thereof) is placed on the flap 13. The body 11 and the flap 13 face each other, such that the "S" pole of the magnet 30a on the body 11 faces to the "N" pole of the magnet 30 on the flap 13. The magnet housings 31 and 31a around the magnets 30 and 30a are made, so that one magnet housing 31 can move into the other magnet housing 31a. In order to guide the connection of the magnets 30 and 30a having opposite polarities and at the same time to prevent the magnets from slipping, a barrier 32 is placed on the edge of the magnet housing 31.
[0024] An extension part 39a having a predetermined length is placed on the bottom part of the lower end of the magnet housing 31a on the body 11, and a protrusion 37a is placed on the bottom surface of the extension part 39a, thereby coupling the protrusion 37a to a fixed frame 35a that is composed of a fixed frame wing 38a, a fixed frame wall 36a and a fixed frame protrusion 34a. And, an extension part 39 having a predetermined length is placed on the bottom part of the lower end of the magnet housing 31 on the flapl3, and a protrusion 37 is placed on the bottom surface of the extension part 39, thereby coupling the protrusion 37 to a fixed frame 35 that is composed of a fixed frame wing 38, a fixed frame wall 36 and a fixed frame protrusion 34. The protrusions 37a and 37 on the extension parts 39a and 39 on the body 11 and the flap 13 are pressed and secured on the fixed frame protrusion 34a and 34 on the fixed frames 35a and 35, such that the magnetic button of the present invention is mounted on the body 11 and the flap 13, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 3D and 3E.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, a wing 33a is placed on the outer surface of the magnet housing 31a on the body 11, and a protrusion 37a is placed on the bottom surface of the magnet housing 31a, thereby coupling the protrusion 37a to the fixed frame 35a that is composed of the fixed frame wing 38a, the fixed frame wall 36a and the fixed frame protrusion 34a. And, a wing 33 is placed on the outer surface of the barrier 32 on the flap13 and a protrusion 37 is placed on the bottom surface of the magnet housing 31, thereby coupling the protrusion 37 to the fixed frame 35 that is composed of the fixed frame wing 38, the fixed frame wall 36 and the fixed frame protrusion 34. The protrusions 37a and 37 on the magnet housings 31 and 31a on the body 11 and the flap 13 are pressed and secured on the fixed frame protrusion 34a and 34 on the fixed frames 35a and 35, such that the magnetic button of the present invention is mounted on the body 11 and the flap 13, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 4D and 4E.
[0027] Now, an explanation of the differences between the examples of FIGS. 3A-3E and FIGS. 4A-4E will be discussed.
[0028] In FIGS. 3A-3E, the extension parts 39 and 39a and the protrusions 37 and 37a on the bottom surfaces of the extension parts 39 and 39a are placed, with a consequence that the protrusions 37 and 37a are coupled to the fixed frames 35 and 35a, thereby mounting the magnetic button on the body 11 and the flap 13, respectively. In FIGS. 4A-4E, however, instead of the extension parts, the wings 33a and 33 on the outer surfaces of the magnet housing 31a and the barrier 32 and the protrusions 37a and 37 on the bottom surfaces of the magnet housings 31a and 31, with a consequence that the protrusions 37 and 37a are coupled to the fixed frames 35 and 35a, thereby mounting the magnetic button on the body 11 and the flap 13, respectively.
[0029] Due to the formation of the extension parts 39 and 39a, hence, the magnetic button, in FIGS. 3A-3E, having a longer height is made, whereas due to the formation of the wings 33 and 33a on the outer surfaces of the magnet housing 31a and the barrier 32, the magnetic button, in FIGS. 4A-4E, having a shorter height but a longer width is made.
[0030] Therefore, in the example of FIGS. 6A-6E, the magnetic button having the extension part 39a, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3E, is placed on the body 11 and the magnetic button having the wing 33, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4E, is placed on the flap 13.
[0031] That is, the magnetic button having a small width is placed on the body 11, in order to provide a decent and neat feeling to the product with the magnetic button, and the magnetic button having a low height is placed on the flap 13, such that in use, the magnetic button on the flap 13 is inserted into the magnetic button on the body 11 and thus, the flap 13 comes in contact with the body 11. At this time, the interval occurs between the body 11 and the flap 13, which provides an appropriate and stable distance between them, thereby improving a quality of the product with the magnetic button.
[0032] FIGS. 6A to 6E show an example where another structure of installing the magnetic button according to the present invention.
[0033] The extension part 39a is placed on the bottom portion of the lower end of the magnet housing 31a on the body 11, and the protrusion 37a is placed on the bottom surface of the extension part 39a, thereby coupling the protrusion 37a to the fixed frame 35a that is composed of the fixed frame wing 38a, the fixed frame wall 36a and the fixed frame protrusion 34a. And, the wing 33 is placed on the outer surface of the barrier 32 on the flapl3, and the protrusion 37 is placed on the bottom surface of the magnet housing 31, thereby coupling the protrusion 37 to the fixed frame 35 that is composed of the fixed frame wing 38, the fixed frame wall 36 and the fixed frame protrusion 34. The protrusions 37a and 37 on the extension part 39a on the body 11 and on the magnet housing 31 on the flap 13 are pressed and secured on the fixed frame protrusion 34a and 34 on the fixed frames 35a and 35, such that the magnetic button of the present invention is mounted on the body 11 and the flap 13, respectively.
[0034] FIGS. 5A to 5E show still another usage example of the magnetic button of the present invention.
[0035] A stopper 40 is placed on the outer surface of the magnet housing 31a and a small space 41 for the magnet 30a with the "N" pole (on the upper portion thereof) to move in the housing is allowed inside the barrier 32. Also, to prevent too rigorous movement of the magnet 30a, a protrusion 40a on which the stopper 40 is locked is placed on the upper surface of the barrier 32. And, the extension part 39a having a predetermined length is placed on the bottom portion of the lower end of the magnet housing 31a on the body 11, and the protrusion 37a is placed on the bottom surface of the extension part 39a, thereby coupling the protrusion 37a to the fixed frame 35a that is composed of the fixed flame wing 38a, the fixed frame wall 36a and the fixed frame protrusion 34a. And, the extension part 39 having a predetermined length is placed on the bottom portion of the lower end of the magnet housing 31 on the flapl3, and the protrusion 37 is placed on the bottom surface of the extension part 39, thereby coupling the protrusion 37 to the fixed frame 35 that is composed of the fixed frame wing 38, the fixed frame wall 36 and the fixed frame protrusion 34. The protrusions 37a and 37 on the extension parts 39a and 39 on the body 11 and the flap 13 are pressed and secured on the fixed frame protrusion 34a and 34 on the fixed frames 35a and 35, such that the magnetic button of the present invention is mounted on the body 11 and the flap 13, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 5D and 5E.
[0036] In case where the stopper 40 is placed on the outer surface of the magnet 30a with the "N" pole (on the upper portion thereof), the magnet 30a with the "N" pole is lifted to the upper side of the small moving space 41, with a consequence that the magnet 30a comes in contact with the magnet 30 with the "S" pole (on the upper portion thereof). At this time, in order to move the magnet 30a with the "N" pole only within the moving space 41, the stopper 40 is locked to the protrusion 40a. This prevents the rigorous movement of the magnet 30a.
[0037] The locking of the stopper 40 to the protrusion 40a also prevents the deviation of the magnet 30a and provides the moving space 41 of a predetermined size, such that the magnet 30a freely moves up and down within the moving space 41, which results in more stable connection of the two magnets.
[0038] The length of the stopper 40 on the magnet housing 31a is so made that the stopper 40 can be moved along the wall surface of the moving space 41 of the barrier 32, and the protrusion 40a is placed inside the barrier 32, in order to prevent the stopper 40 from being unlocked from the protrusion 40a.
[0039] In certain circumstances, the stopper 40 is not placed, the magnet 30a or the magnet housing 31a is placed to have the same size as the stopper 40 and thus, the magnet 30a is locked to the protrusion 40a, with a consequence that the magnet 30a is moved up and down only within the moving space 41, thereby preventing the rigorous movement of the magnet 30a.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, after two magnets 30 and 30a are placed at regular intervals d1, the two magnets 30 and 30a with opposite polarities will attract each other, so that users don't have to carefully place them correctly. That is, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3E, if the flap 13 is closed towards the body 11, the magnet 30 with the "N" pole (on the upper portion thereof) on the flap 13 will come into contact with the magnet 30a with the "S" pole (on the upper portion thereof) on the body 11. During this process, the magnet 30 on the flap 13 will be mounted on the magnet 30a on the body 11, thereby finding a right contact position between the magnets 30 and 30a. In this case, the magnet 30 on the flap 13 guided to the magnet 30a on the body 11 will not skid by the barrier 32 on the outside of the magnet housing 31 and also, the mismatch of the magnets 30 and 30a will be prevented by the barrier 32.
[0042] Accordingly, when the flap 13 is being closed, the barrier 32 on the magnet housing 31 prevents the mismatch of the magnets with opposite polarities, such that an incomplete contact of the magnets can be prevented and it is relieved from the operational error while re-contacting the magnets in order to correct the contact thereof.
[0043] Hence, in all of the drawings of the present invention, the magnets 30 and 30a are placed so that each of the magnets has the only polarity on the upper portion thereof. Thus, the magnet 30a on the body 11 and the magnet 30 on the flap 13 with opposite polarities
[0044] Now, the comparison of the magnetic button of the present invention and the ordinary magnetic button will be made below.
[0045] The ordinary magnetic button (as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C) should place the groove 19 on the center of the magnet 12.
[0046] Therefore, if the magnet 12 has the "N" pole
(on the upper portion thereof), the groove 19 on the center of the magnet 12 naturally has the "S" pole
as the opposite polarity to the magnet 12.
[0047] In case where the magnetic button according to the present invention has the magnets 30 and 30a with the groove 19 on the body 11 and the flap 13, the magnet 30 on the body 11 has the "S" pole and the magnet 30a on the flap 13 has the "N" pole, such that the two magnets will attract each other
ever, the magnet 30 on the body 11 and the groove 19 on the flap 13 have the same "S" pole as each other and the
the flap 13 and the groove 19 on the body 11 have the same "N" pole as each other
[0048] Hence, when the flap 13 of the handbag is being closed, the magnet 30 on the flap 13 passes through a part of the magnet 30a on the body 11 and when it gets close to the position facing to the groove 19, the same polarities (The "N" poles of the magnet 30 on the flap 13 and the groove 19 on the body 11 and the "S" poles of the magnet 30a on the body 11 and the groove 19 on the body 13) don't attract each other in view of the characteristics of the magnetic field, such that the magnet 30 on the flap 13 does not pass through the groove 19 on the body 11 and is thus attached on only a part of the magnet 30a on the body 11. In this case, it is not easy to accurately match the magnets 30a and 30 in the same manner as in the conventional magnetic button and hence, one has to carefully manage to match the two magnets 30a and 30. There is no difference between the magnetic button according to the present invention having the magnets 30 and 30a with the groove on the body 11 and the flap 13 and the conventional magnetic button having the groove 19 in the magnet 12 as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C.
[0049] In all of the drawings of the present invention, therefore, the magnet 30a on the body 11 and the magnet 30 on the flap 13 don't have any groove 19 and have
opposite polarities from each other on the upper portions thereof.
[0050] The flap 13 is closed when the magnet 30 on the flap 13 gets close to the magnet 30a on the body 11. The magnet 30a on the body 11 with the "S" pole (on the upper portion thereof) is attracted to the magnet 30 on the flap 13 with the "N" pole
(on the upper portion thereof), thereby closing the flap 13 in an easy manner.
[0051] The polarities and position of the magnetic buttons on the body 11 and on the flap 13 can be reversed, and a metal plate can be placed on the lower part of the magnets 30 and 30a to make the magnetic field even stronger on the upper part of the magnets 30 and 30a. This provides users with more comfort.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 5A-5E and FIGS. 6A-6E, the magnet housings 31 and 31a are opened at their upper ends to make the magnets 30 and 30a exposed to the outside, thereby allowing the magnets to come into contact with each other. And, a novel design to be used in the button for clothes can be made on the upper ends of the magnet housings 31 and 31a and on the lower ends of the fixed frames 35 and 35a.
[0053] The protrusions 37 and 37a are placed on the outer surface of the bottom part of the extension parts 39 and 39a in FIGS. 3A-3E, FIGS. 5A-5E and FIGS. 6A-6E, but they can be placed on the inner surface thereof, if necessary. Also, The fixed frame protrusions 34 and 34a of the fixed frames 35 and 35a are placed inside the fixed frame walls 36 and 36a in the above-mentioned drawings, but they can be placed outside the fixed frame walls 36 and 36a, if necessary. Thereby, the protrusions 37 and 37a placed on the inner surface of the bottom part of the extension parts 39 and 39a are coupled to the fixed frame protrusions 34 and 34a placed outside the fixed flame walls 36 and 36a. Furthermore, the barrier 32 placed on the edge of the magnet housing 31 or 31a can be formed as a unitary body with the magnet housing 31 or 31a and separated therefrom, if necessary.
[0054] Also, the polarities of the magnetic buttons 30 and 31a are disposed up and down in the above-mentioned drawings, but they can be disposed left and right, if necessary.
[0055] The protrusions 37 and 37a placed on the magnet housings 31 and 31a and on the extension parts 39 and 39a, respectively are pressed and secured on the fixed frame protrusions 34 and 34a on the fixed frames 35 and 35a, thereby installing the magnetic button on the body 11 and on the flap 13, in FIGS. 3A-3E, FIGS. 4A-4E, FIGS. 5A-5E and FIGS. 6A-6E, but a hole of a predetermined size is placed on the centers of the fixed frames 35 and 35a on which the fixed frame walls 36 and 36a are formed and then, the protrusions 37 and 37a placed on the magnet housings 31 and 31a and on the extension parts 39 and 39a, respectively are pressed and secured on the holes on the centers of the fixed frames 35 and 35a, thereby installing the magnetic button on the body 11 and on the flap 13, if necessary.
[0056] Moreover, the magnet housings 31 and 31a, the barrier 32, the wings 33 and 33a, the protrusions 37 and 37a and the extension parts 39 and 39a are primarily placed and then, the magnet housings 31 and 31a cover the outer surfaces of the magnets 30 and 30a. Otherwise, the magnets 30 and 30a have a substantially thick coating film on the outer surfaces thereof, on which the magnet housings 31 and 31a, the barrier 32, the wings 33 and 33a, the protrusions 37 and 37a and the extension parts 39 and 39a are then placed.
[0057] The magnet housings 31 and 31a, the barrier 32, the extension parts 39 and 39a, the protrusions 37 and 37a and the wings 33 and 33a can be the same shape as the magnets 30 and 30a or partially changed for different shapes in accordance with their function and design.
[0058] Also, in FIGS. 3A-3E, FIGS. 4A-4E, FIGS. 5A-5E and FIGS. 6A-6E, the magnetic button on the body 11 and the magnetic button on the flap 13 can be change to each other, that is, the magnetic button on the body 11 in, for example, FIG. 3B can be changed to one on the body 11 in, for example, FIG. 4B or the magnetic button on the body 11 in, for example, FIG. 3C can be changed to one on the body 11 in, for example, FIG. 4C. And, the magnetic button on the body 11 in FIGS. 3C, 4C, 5C and 6C can be changed to one on the flap 13 in FIGS. 3B, 4B, 5B and 6B. The thickness of the wings 33 and 33a on the magnet housings 31 and 31a can be thinner than that of the magnet housings 31 and 31a or substantially thick in the same height as the magnet housings 31 and 31a as integral bodies thereto, if necessary.
[0059] Irregular projections can be placed on the lower parts of the wings 33 and 33a and the magnet housings 31 and 31a and the upper ends of the fixed frame wings 38 and 38a, respectively, such that the irregular projections on the lower parts of the wings 33 and 33a and the magnet housings 31 and 31a are compressed against that the irregular projections on the upper ends of the fixed frame wings 38 and 38a, thereby making the fixed states of the magnets 30 and 30a more rigid.
[0060] The present invention can prevent the mismatch of the magnetic buttons, the careful matching of the magnetic buttons by the hands of users, and any slipping motion by the magnetic buttons, as suffered in the conventional button (a magnet 12 is placed on the one side and a self-magnet 14 is placed on the other side as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C). Additionally, the present invention can guide the magnets to the correct position to achieve the connection of the two magnets in a stable manner and make the operation, at the time when the magnetic buttons are installed on the body and the flap or the users use the product with the magnetic buttons, faster and easier. When the expendability of fashionable designs is concerned, this invention allows a wide range of application. Thus, creativity of various shapes (e.g., a triangle, a square, a circle, etc.) and pattern is enhanced. And, this invention can form the magnets as integral bodies with the magnet housings or with the outer surface of the barrier. Thus, a width of the designs can be enlarged.
[0061] As shown, this invention can be applied easily to any type of bags, accessories, clothes and the like and can enhance a smooth attaching and detaching action of the button, improving performance. Also, this invention can prevent the mismatch of the two buttons, increasing stability and operation and install the magnetic button on the body and flap in easier and faster manners. Moreover, having various shapes and patterns, the magnetic buttons can be used in many other ways.
1. In a magnetic button having a fixed pad with a secure groove on the inner surface
of the outer skin, a magnet with a secure pin forming in conjunction with the secure
groove through the outer surface of the outer skin, and a flap with a magnet, the
button comprising:
magnets having opposite polarities from each other;
magnet housing covering the outer space of the magnet, so that one magnet housing can safely cover the other magnet housing;
the barrier, on the magnet housing, being placed in the magnetic button, to prevent the slipping of the magnet and to guide the connection of the magnets having the opposite polarities from each other;
a first extension part having a predetermined length on the bottom side of the lower end of the magnet housing on the body;
a first protrusion on the lower surface of the first extension part, the protrusion being secured on a first fixed frame;
a second extension part on the bottom side of the lower end of the magnet housing on the flap; and
a second protrusion on the lower surface of the second extension part, the protrusion being secured on a second fixed frame, whereby the first and second protrusions on the first and second extension parts on the body and the flap are pressed and secured on said first and second fixed frames, thereby installing the magnetic button on the body and the flap.
2. A magnetic button as defined in claim 1, wherein the button has a first wing on the
outer surface of the magnet housing on the body, a third protrusion on the lower surface
of the magnet housing on the body, the third protrusion being secured on the first
fixed frame, a second wing on the outer surface of the magnet housing on the flap
and a fourth protrusion on the lower surface of the magnet housing on the flap and
the fourth protrusion being secured on the second fixed frame, such that the third
and fourth protrusions on the magnet housings on the body and the flap are pressed
and fixed on the first and second fixed frames, thereby installing the magnetic button
on the body and flap.
3. A magnetic button as defined in claim 1, wherein the button has the first extension
part on the bottom side of the lower end of the magnet housing on the body, the first
protrusion on the lower surface of the first extension part, the first protrusion
being secured on the first fixed frame, a third wing on the outer surface of the barrier
or magnet housing on the flap and a fifth protrusion on the lower surface of the magnet
housing on the flap, a fifth protrusion being secured on the second fixed frame, such
that the first extension part on the magnet housing on the body and the fifth protrusion
on the magnet housing on the flap are pressed and fixed on the first and second fixed
frames, thereby installing the magnetic button on the body and flap.
4. A magnetic button as defined in claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein the magnetic button on
the body is selectively changed and installed to the magnetic button on the flap.
5. A magnetic button as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the magnet housing is opened
at the upper end thereof.
6. A magnetic button as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the button has a stopper
on the outer surface of the magnet housing, a small space inside the barrier to give
some movement for the magnets and a protrusion inside the upper surface of the barrier
to prevent too rigorous movement and to allow movement within certain limits.