Magnetic closures
AssigneeThe North Face Apparel Corp.
InventorsJustin Lee Gladish, Mary-Ellen Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims19
-38. (canceled)
A releasable closure for inhibiting access to an opening, comprising:
- a. a substrate material defining an opening;
- b. an overlying material that can inhibit access to the opening;
- and
- c. a closure element coupled to the overlying material, the closure element having a smart fluid therein wherein the closure element is relatively rigid when the smart fluid is magnetized and access to the opening is more inhibited, and the closure element is relatively compliant when the smart fluid is not magnetized and access to the opening is less inhibited.
A releasable closure for inhibiting access to an opening, comprising:
- a. a pocket attached to a substrate material and defining an opening at a top of the pocket;
- and
- b. a closure element comprising a structure having a smart fluid therein positioned at a perimeter at the top of the pocket, wherein the closure element is relatively rigid when the smart fluid is magnetized and access to the opening is more inhibited, and the closure element is relatively compliant when the smart fluid is not magnetized and access to the opening is less inhibited.
A selectable stay, comprising:
- a. a flexible substrate material;
- and
- b. a closure element comprising a structure having a smart fluid therein affixed to a length of the substrate material, wherein the closure element is relatively rigid when the smart fluid is magnetized and the length of the substrate material is relatively rigid, and the closure element is relatively compliant when the smart fluid is not magnetized and the length of the substrate material is less rigid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.