Magnetic closures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10334900-B2
Application number	US-201515532044-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 16, 2015
Priority date	Dec 19, 2014
Publication date	Jul 2, 2019
Grant date	Jul 2, 2019

Abstract

A releasable closure having a first structure that encapsulates a magnetic composition based on magnetic particles, such as a smart fluid of the group electrorheological fluid, magnetorheological fluid, ferrofluid, or that is formed of a printable composition with dispersed magnetic particles. The first structure is magnetically attracted and thereby joinable to an opposing, second structure, with the first and second structures forming the releasable closure.

First claim

We claim:

1. A releasable closure for connecting a first part to a second part along a predetermined length thereof, comprising:
a. a first element coupled to the first part and encapsulating a smart fluid and extending along the predetermined length;
b. a compatible element coupled to the second part and extending along the predetermined length;
c. a switch for selectively inducing an electromagnetic field in the smart fluid thereby changing the state of the fluid and causing the first element to couple to the compatible element uniformly along the predetermined length;

wherein the smart fluid is any fluid whose magnetism changes in the presence of an electric field or a magnetic field; and
wherein the first part and second parts comprise sections of an article of apparel, footwear, or equipment.

2. The releasable closure of claim 1 wherein the smart fluid is any fluid whose properties change in the presence of an electric field.

3. The releasable closure of claim 1 wherein the smart fluid is any fluid whose properties change in the presence of a magnetic field.

4. The releasable closure of claim 1 wherein the smart fluid is any fluid whose viscosity changes in the presence of an electric field.

5. The releasable closure of claim 1 wherein the smart fluid is any fluid whose viscosity changes in the presence of a magnetic field.

6. The releasable closure of claim 1 wherein the smart fluid is any fluid of the group of electrorheological fluid, magnetorheological fluid, and ferrofluid.

7. A releasable closure for connecting a first part to a second part along a predetermined length thereof, comprising:
a. a first element coupled to the first part and encapsulating a smart fluid and extending along the predetermined length;
b. a compatible element coupled to the second part and extending along the predetermined length;
c. a switch for selectively inducing an electromagnetic field in the smart fluid thereby changing the state of the fluid and causing the first element to couple to the compatible element uniformly along the predetermined length; and

wherein the smart fluid is any fluid whose magnetism changes in the presence of an electric field.

8. The releasable closure of claim 7 wherein the switch includes a permanent magnet.

9. The releasable closure of claim 7 wherein the switch includes an electromagnet.

10. A releasable closure for connecting a first part to a second part along a predetermined length thereof, comprising:
a. a first element coupled to the first part and encapsulating a smart fluid and extending along the predetermined length;
b. a compatible element coupled to the second part and extending along the predetermined length;
c. a switch for selectively inducing an electromagnetic field in the smart fluid thereby changing the state of the fluid and causing the first element to couple to the compatible element uniformly along the predetermined length; and

wherein the smart fluid is any fluid whose magnetism changes in the presence of a magnetic field.

11. A releasable closure for connecting a first part to a second part along a predetermined length thereof, comprising:
a. a first element coupled to the first part and encapsulating a smart fluid and extending along the predetermined length;
b. a compatible element coupled to the second part and extending along the predetermined length;
c. a switch for selectively inducing an electromagnetic field in the smart fluid thereby changing the state of the fluid and causing the first element to couple to the compatible element uniformly along the predetermined length; and

wherein the compatible element encapsulates a smart fluid and further including a second switch for inducing an electric or magnetic field in the smart fluid in the compatible element.

12. The releasable closure of claim 11 wherein the switches can be actuated to cause a magnetic field near the first element and compatible element thereby magnetizing the smart fluid in the first element and the compatible element and the first element, compatible element, first switch, and second switch are arranged so that poles of the magnetized smart fluid in the first element and compatible element are opposite.

13. A releasable closure for connecting a first part to a second part along a predetermined length thereof, comprising:
a. a first element coupled to the first part and encapsulating a smart fluid and extending along the predetermined length;
b. a compatible element coupled to the second part and extending along the predetermined length;
c. a switch for selectively inducing an electromagnetic field in the smart fluid thereby changing the state of the fluid and causing the first element to couple to the compatible element uniformly along the predetermined length; and

wherein the switch induces the first element to become magnetized and the compatible element is a material attracted to a magnet.

14. A releasable closure for connecting a first part to a second part along a predetermined length thereof, comprising:
a. a first element coupled to the first part and encapsulating a smart fluid and extending along the predetermined length;
b. a compatible element coupled to the second part and extending along the predetermined length;
c. a switch for selectively inducing an electromagnetic field in the smart fluid thereby changing the state of the fluid and causing the first element to couple to the compatible element uniformly along the predetermined length; and

wherein the first part is a fabric and the first element is tubular.

15. A releasable closure for connecting a first part to a second part along a predetermined length thereof, comprising:
a. a first element coupled to the first part and encapsulating a smart fluid and extending along the predetermined length;
b. a compatible element coupled to the second part and extending along the predetermined length;
c. a switch for selectively inducing an electromagnetic field in the smart fluid thereby changing the state of the fluid and causing the first element to couple to the compatible element uniformly along the predetermined length; and

wherein the compatible element is shaped to receive the first element when the elements are comparatively flexible and to fasten to the first element when the first element is comparatively stiff due to the change in state of the fluid induced by actuation of the switch.

16. A releasable closure for connecting a first part to a second part along a predetermined length thereof, comprising:
a. a first element coupled to the first part and encapsulating a smart fluid and extending along the predetermined length;
b. a compatible element coupled to the second part and extending along the predetermined length;
c. a switch for selectively inducing an electromagnetic field in the smart fluid thereby changing the state of the fluid and causing the first element to couple to the compatible element uniformly along the predetermined length; and

wherein the first element is shaped to receive the compatible element when the elements are comparatively flexible and to fasten to the compatible element when the first element is comparatively stiff due to the change in state induced by actuation of the switch.

17. A releasable closure having a predetermined length, comprising:
a. a first structure having a void therein, the first structure having a length at least as long as the predetermined length;
b. a second structure having a void therein, the second structure having a length at least as long

Assignees

• North Face Apparel Corp

Inventors

• Gladish Justin Lee
• Smith Mary-Ellen

Classifications

• H01F1/44

  of magnetic liquids, e.g. ferrofluids (particles in a bonding agent H01F1/28, H01F1/36, {H01F1/37}) · CPC title

• A41F1/002 Primary

  Magnetic fastening devices · CPC title

• A43C11/00

  Other fastenings specially adapted for shoes (dress fastenings in general A44B) · CPC title

• A44D2203/00

  Fastening by use of magnets · CPC title

• F16B1/00

  Devices for securing together, or preventing relative movement between, constructional elements or machine parts · CPC title