WO2013192203A1

WO2013192203A1 - Wearable magnetic band

Info

Publication number: WO2013192203A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/046358
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Charles STACHOWSKI, Jr.
Original assignee: Stachowski Richard Charles Jr
Priority date: 2012-06-20
Filing date: 2013-06-18
Publication date: 2013-12-27
Also published as: US20130340477A1

Abstract

A wearable magnetic band comprises a cord and plurality of magnets and/or magnetically attractable items coupled to the cord. The plurality of magnets are rotatable and are able to spin in order to removably couple to each other in order to form a closed loop with the cord and secure the wearable magnetic band around a body part of a user or an object.

Description

WEARABLE MAGNETIC BAND

Related Applications:

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/662,155, filed June 20, 2012 and entitled "WEARABLE MAGNETIC BAND," which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of magnetic jewelry and collectables. More specifically, the present invention relates to magnetic bracelets, anklets, and necklaces.

Background of the Invention

Bracelets, anklets, and necklaces are available in many different styles and configurations. By wearing different bracelets, anklets, and necklaces a person is able to make a fashion statement or convey a message. Additionally, bracelets, anklets, and necklaces, are able to be combined, traded, and collected in order to acquire new jewelry and create different looks and styles.

Summary of the Invention

A wearable magnetic band comprises a cord and plurality of magnets and/or magnetically attractable items coupled to the cord. The plurality of magnets are rotatable and are able to spin in order to removably couple to each other in order to form a closed loop with the cord and secure the wearable magnetic band around a body part of a user or an object. A plurality of magnetic bands are able to be coupled together in varying configurations in order to increase the size of the band or stack the bands on top of each other.

In one aspect, a wearable magnetic band comprises a cord and one or more magnets suspended to the cord and configured to removably attach to either one or more additional magnets or a magnetically attractable surface in order to form a closed loop with the cord. In some embodiments, the magnetically attractable surface comprises ferrous metal. In some embodiments, the wearable magnetic band comprises a magnet at a first end of the cord and a second end of the cord. In further embodiments, the wearable magnetic band comprises an even number of magnets. In some embodiments, the magnets are evenly spaced along the cord. In further embodiments, the wearable magnetic band comprises an odd number of magnets. In still further embodiment, the magnets are variably spaced along the cord. In some embodiments, the one or more magnets are rotatable. The one or more magnets are able to comprise rare earth, neodymium, or magnetic therapy magnets. Additionally, the one or more magnets are able to comprise round, spherical or cylindrical magnets. In some embodiments, the one or more magnets are fixedly coupled to the cord. For example, in some embodiments, the magnets are heat sealed into place. In further embodiments, the magnets are held into place by a flexible adhesive, stitching and/or metal encapsulation. In some embodiments, the magnets are spaced apart and held in place by a flexible, cylindrically shaped material placed within the cord. In some embodiments, the magnetic band is configured to fit around a neck, a wrist, or an ankle of a user. The wearable magnetic band is configured to couple to one or more additional magnetic bands. For example, in some embodiments, the wearable magnetic band is removably coupled with one or more additional magnetic bands. Particularly, the wearable magnetic band is able to be removably coupled to one or more additional magnetic bands in order to make the wearable magnetic band longer or to stack the wearable magnetic bands.

In another aspect, a wearable magnetic band comprises a cord and a plurality of rotatable magnets coupled to the cord, wherein the plurality of magnets rotate with respect to the cord in order to removably couple with each other. In some embodiments, the wearable magnetic band comprises a magnet at a first end of the cord and a second end of the cord. In some embodiments, the wearable magnetic band comprises an even number of magnets. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the wearable magnetic band comprises an odd number of magnets. In some embodiments, the magnets are evenly spaced along the cord.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the magnets are variably spaced along the cord. The plurality of magnets are able to comprise rare earth, neodymium, or magnetic therapy magnets. Additionally, the plurality of magnets are able to comprise round, spherical or cylindrical magnets. In some embodiments, the plurality of magnets are fixedly coupled to the cord. For example, in some embodiments, the magnets are heat sealed into place.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the magnets are held into place by a flexible adhesive, stitching and/or metal encapsulation. In some embodiments, the magnets are spaced apart and held in place by a flexible, cylindrically shaped material placed within the cord. In some embodiments, the magnetic band is configured to fit around a neck, a wrist, or an ankle of a user. The wearable magnetic band is able to removably couple to one or more additional magnetic bands. For example, in some embodiments, the wearable magnetic band is removably coupled to one or more additional magnetic bands in order to make the wearable magnetic band longer or to stack the wearable magnetic bands. In a further aspect, a method of using a magnetic band comprises wrapping the magnetic band around a body part of a user or an object and securing the magnetic band by removably coupling a first magnet of the magnetic band with a second magnet of the magnetic band. In some embodiments, the magnetic band is wrapped around a neck, a wrist, or an ankle of the user. In still a further aspect, a wearable magnetic band comprises a cord and a plurality of magnets positioned within the body of the cord and configured to removably couple with each other. In some embodiments, the wearable magnetic band comprises a magnet at a first end of the cord and a second end of the cord. In some embodiments, the wearable magnetic band comprises an even number of magnets.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the wearable magnetic band comprises an odd number of magnets. In some embodiments, the magnets are evenly spaced along the cord. In further embodiments, the magnets are variably spaced along the cord. In some embodiments, the one or more magnets are rotatable. The one or more magnets are able to comprise rare earth, neodymium, or magnetic therapy magnets. Additionally, the one or more magnets are able to comprise round, spherical or cylindrical magnets. In some embodiments, the one or more magnets are fixedly contained within the cord. For example, in some embodiments, the magnets are heat sealed into place. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the magnets are held into place by a flexible adhesive, stitching and/or metal encapsulation. In some

embodiments, the magnets are spaced apart and held in place by a flexible, cylindrically shaped material placed within the cord. In some embodiments, the magnets are embedded within the cord. In further embodiments, the magnets are fully contained within the cord. In some embodiments, the magnetic band is configured to fit around a neck, a wrist, or an ankle of a user. The wearable magnetic band is able to removably couple to one or more additional magnetic bands. For example, in some embodiments, the wearable magnetic band is removably coupled to one or more additional magnetic bands in order to make the wearable magnetic band longer or to stack the wearable magnetic bands.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figures 1A-1C illustrate a wearable magnetic band in accordance with some embodiments.

Figure 2 illustrates a wearable magnetic band around a wrist of a user in accordance with some embodiments. Figures 3A-3C illustrate a wearable magnetic band in accordance with some embodiments.

Figure 4 illustrates a method of using a wearable magnetic band in accordance with some embodiments.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough

understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention is able to be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Various embodiments are described herein below, including compositions, methods, articles of manufacturing, and techniques. Further, the invention is able to also cover apparatuses for practicing embodiments of the present invention.

The features and advantages of the invention are able to be better understood with reference to the figures and discussions that follow.

Referring now to Figure 1A, a first embodiment of a wearable magnetic band is depicted therein. The wearable magnetic band 100 comprises a cord 101 and one or more magnets 103, 103', 103", 103'", 105, 105', 105", and 105'" coupled to the cord 101. In some embodiments, one or more magnetically attractable objects (not shown) are coupled to the cord 101 in the same manner as the magnets. For example, in some embodiments, the magnetically attractable surface comprises ferrous metal. However, as will be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the magnetically attractable surface is able to comprise any appropriate magnetically attractable surface. The one or more magnets 103, 103', 103", 103"', 105, 105', 105", and 105"' are configured to removably couple together or with one or more magnetically attractable objects in order to form a closed loop with the cord 101. By coupling different magnets of the magnetic band 100 together, the size of the loop of the cord 101 is able to be varied.

As shown within Figures IB and 1C, in some embodiments, the magnet 103 is enclosed within a tube 107 and the magnet 105 is enclosed within a tube 109. Additionally, the magnets 103", 103"', 105', 105", and 105"' as described above, are enclosed within similar tubes. Each magnet comprises a north polarity and a south polarity. The opposite poles attract each other and enable the magnets to couple with each other and the similar poles repel each other. The magnets are rotatable in the tubes. Consequently, the magnets are able to rotate within the tubes in order to properly couple with each other. More particularly, as shown within Figure IB, the polarities of the magnets 103 and 105 are properly aligned to enable the magnets 103 and 105 to couple with each other. However, even if the polarities of the magnets are not properly aligned, as shown by Figure 1C, either the magnet 103 or the magnet 105 is able to spin or rotate to the proper configuration so that the magnets are properly aligned and are able to removably couple with each other.

As shown in Figure 1A, the magnet 103 is at a first end 121 of the cord 101 and the magnet 105 is at a second end 123 of the cord 101. When the magnet 103 is coupled with the magnet 105 a closed loop is formed with the cord 101 and a user is able to secure the wearable band around a body part or object. In some embodiments, the wearable band 100 comprises an even number of magnets. For example, as shown within Figure 1A, the wearable band 100 comprises eight magnets. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the wearable band 100 comprises an odd number of magnets. As will be apparent to someone skilled in the art, the wearable band 100 is able to comprise any desired number of magnets. In some embodiments, the magnets are evenly spaced along the cord 101. In further embodiments, the magnets are variably spaced along the cord 101. As will be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the magnets are able to be spaced along the cord 101 in any desired configuration. In some embodiments, the magnets comprises rare earth, neodymium, or magnetic therapy magnets. In some embodiments, the magnets comprise round, spherical or cylindrical magnets. In further embodiments, the magnets are fixedly coupled to the cord. In some of these embodiments, the magnets are heat sealed into place. In further embodiments, the magnets are held into place by a flexible adhesive and/or stitching. For example, in some embodiments, the magnets are held in place by a flexible silicon adhesive and synthetic rubber with the ability to fix the magnets to a nylon fiber. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the magnets comprise an aperture in the center of the magnets and are strung together through the hole with a cord or string. In further

embodiments, the magnets are spaced apart and held in place by a flexible, cylindrically shaped material placed within the cord. Particularly, the magnets are able to be removably coupled or fixedly coupled to the cord 101 by any appropriate method as known in the art, including metal and/or metal encapsulation as typically seen in jewelry. As further shown in Figures 1A-1C, in some embodiments the plurality of magnets are positioned within the body of the cord 101. In some of these embodiments, the plurality of magnets are fully contained within and surrounded on all sides by the body of the cord 101. In further embodiments, the plurality of magnets are embedded within the body of the cord 101 and not surrounded by the cord 101 on all sides. However, as will be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the plurality of magnets are able to couple with the cord 101 in any appropriate manner.

The wearable magnetic band 100 is configured to fit around a body part of the user such as a wrist, an ankle or a neck. However, as will be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the wearable band 100 is able to be secured around any desired object. For example, in some embodiments the wearable band 100 is secured around a backpack, a bicycle, or another object. As described above, the wearable band 100 is secured by coupling the magnets together in order to form a closed loop with the cord 101. In some embodiments, one or more additional wearable bands are coupled together in order to create a longer or a multi-layered wearable band.

Figure 2 illustrates a wearable magnetic band secured around a wrist of a user in accordance with some embodiments. The wearable magnetic band 200 is similar to the wearable band 100 as described in relation to Figures 1A-1C and comprises a cord 201 with one or more rotatable magnets 203, 203', 205, and 205'. As shown in Figure 2, the magnet 203 is removably coupled with the magnet 205 in order to secure the wearable band 200 around the wrist 220 of the user. The size of the wearable band 200 is able to be made smaller or larger in order to fit objects of different sizes. In order to decrease the size of the wearable band 200, the ends of the wearable band 200 are able to be overlapped. In some embodiments, when the two ends of the wearable band 200 are overlapped the magnet 203 is removably coupled with the magnet 205' and the magnet 205 is removably coupled with the magnet 203'. However, as will be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the wearable band 200 is able to be adjusted to any desired size. For example, in some embodiments, the wearable band 200 is removably coupled with one or more additional wearable bands in order to increase or decrease the size of the band.

Figures 3A-3C show one or more magnetic wearable bands in accordance with further embodiments. As shown in Figures 3A-3C, the wearable band 300 is usable in a variety of different configurations. The wearable band 300 is similar to the bands as described above and comprises a cord 301 with one or more rotatable magnets. As will be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the wearable bands are able to be secured in a variety of configurations in addition to those not shown in the drawings. In Figure 3 A, the first end 321 of the wearable band 300 overlaps the second end 323 of the wearable band 300 in order to shorten the length. The second end 323 of the wearable band 300 has been folded over so that the magnet 305 removably couples with the magnet 303 and the magnet 303"' and the magnet 305' removably couples with the magnet 303' and 303". Particularly, as shown in Figure 3 A, in some embodiments the ends of the wearable band 300 are able to be secured when they overlap so that the ends are secure and do not hang loose.

Figure 3B shows a plurality of wearable bands in a stacked configuration. As shown in Figure 3B, the magnets of the wearable band 300 and the wearable band 330 are aligned so that the wearable bands are secured around a wrist 320 of a user and to each other.

Particularly, the magnets 303 and 303' of the wearable band 300 are removably coupled with the magnets 313 and 313' of the wearable band 330. Additionally, the magnets 305 and 305' of the wearable band 300 are removably coupled with the magnets 315 and 315' of the wearable band 330. Further, the magnet 303 of the wearable band 300 is removably coupled with the magnet 305 of the wearable band 300 and the magnet 313 of the wearable band 330 is removably coupled to the magnet 315 of the wearable band 330. In this manner the wearable bands are secured around the wrist 320 of the user and to each other. Although only two bands are shown in Figure 3B, as will be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, any number of bands are able to be coupled together.

Figure 3C shows a wearable band 300 secured around a neck 340 of a user in accordance with further embodiments. As shown within Figure 3C, the magnet 303' and the magnet 305' have been coupled together in order to form a closed loop and secure the wearable band 300 around a neck 340 of a user. Additionally, the magnet 303' is also coupled to the magnet 303 and the magnet 305' is also coupled to the magnet 305 in order to secure the ends of the wearable band 300 so that they do not hang loose.

Figure 4 illustrates a method of using a wearable magnetic band in accordance with some embodiments. The method begins in the step 400. In the step 402 the magnetic wearable band is wrapped around a body part or other object. In some embodiments, the body part is a wrist, an ankle, or a neck. Then, in the step 404, the wearable magnetic band is secured around the body part or other object. In some embodiments, the wearable magnetic band is secured around the body part or other object by removably coupling a plurality of magnets to each other in order to form a closed loop with the wearable band. In the step 406, the method ends.

In use, the wearable magnetic band is able to be secured around a body part or an object by removably coupling a plurality of magnets together or removably coupling the plurality of magnets with a magnetically attractable object in order to form a closed loop with the wearable band. Additionally, the wearable band is able to be fashioned in many different styles and configurations by removably coupling different magnets of the band together and removably coupling multiple bands together. Further, because the magnets are rotatable, the magnets will never push away from each other because the magnets move in order to find the correct polarity. Consequently, the wearable band is able to be easily and quickly secured. Particularly, when using the wearable magnetic bands, a person is able to fashion one or more bands to a body part or an object and create a new style or look. Moreover, by trading and/or changing the configuration of the bands a person is able to change the look of the wearable bands easily and often if desired. Accordingly, magnetic wearable band has many different uses and advantages. The presently claimed invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications area able to be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Specifically, it will be apparent that the wearable magnetic band is able to be manufactured in many different styles, lengths and configurations. Further, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the wearable magnetic band is able to be removably coupled in many different configurations. Accordingly, the device of the invention is able to be implemented in several different ways and have several different appearances.

Claims

CLAIMS I Claim:

1. A wearable magnetic band comprising:

a. a cord; and

b. one or more magnets suspended to the cord and configured to removably attach to either one or more additional magnets or a magnetically attractable surface in order to form a closed loop with the cord.

2. The wearable magnetic band of claim 1 wherein the magnetically attractable surface comprises ferrous metal.

3. The wearable magnetic band of claim 1 wherein the wearable magnetic band

comprises a magnet at a first end of the cord and a second end of the cord.

4. The wearable magnetic band of claim 1 wherein the wearable magnetic band

comprises an even number of magnets.

5. The wearable magnetic band of claim 1 wherein the magnets are evenly spaced along the cord.

6. The wearable magnetic band of claim 1 wherein the wearable magnetic band

comprises an odd number of magnets.

7. The wearable magnetic band of claim 1 wherein the magnets are variably spaced along the cord.

8. The wearable magnetic band of claim 1 wherein the one or more magnets are

rotatable.

9. The wearable magnetic band of claim 1 wherein the one or more magnets comprise rare earth, neodymium, or magnetic therapy magnets.

10. The wearable magnetic band of claim 1 wherein the one or more magnets comprise round, spherical or cylindrical magnets.

11. The wearable magnetic band of claim 1 wherein the one or more magnets are fixedly coupled to the cord.

12. The wearable magnetic band of claim 11 wherein the magnets are heat sealed into place.

13. The wearable magnetic band of claim 11 wherein the magnets are held into place by a flexible adhesive, stitching and/or metal encapsulation.

14. The wearable magnetic band of claim 11 wherein the magnets are spaced apart and held in place by a flexible, cylindrically shaped material placed within the cord

15. The wearable magnetic band of claim 1 wherein the magnetic band is configured to fit around a neck, a wrist, or an ankle of a user.

16. The wearable magnetic band of claim 1 wherein the wearable magnetic band is

configured to couple to one or more additional magnetic bands.

17. The wearable magnetic band of claim 1 wherein the wearable magnetic band is

removably coupled with one or more additional magnetic bands.

18. The wearable magnetic band of claim 17 wherein the wearable magnetic band is

removably coupled to one or more additional magnetic bands in order to make the wearable magnetic band longer or to stack the wearable magnetic bands.

19. A wearable magnetic band comprising:

a. a cord; and

b. a plurality of rotatable magnets coupled to the cord, wherein the plurality of magnets rotate with respect to the cord in order to removably couple with each other.

20. The wearable magnetic band of claim 19 wherein the wearable magnetic band

comprises a magnet at a first end of the cord and a second end of the cord.

21 The wearable magnetic band of claim 19 wherein the wearable magnetic band comprises an even number of magnets.

22. The wearable magnetic band of claim 19 wherein the wearable magnetic band

comprises an odd number of magnets.

23. The wearable magnetic band of claim 19 wherein the magnets are evenly spaced along the cord.

24. The wearable magnetic band of claim 19 wherein the magnets are variably spaced along the cord.

25. The wearable magnetic band of claim 19 wherein the plurality of magnets comprise rare earth, neodymium, or magnetic therapy magnets.

26. The wearable magnetic band of claim 19 wherein the plurality of magnets comprise round, spherical or cylindrical magnets.

27. The wearable magnetic band of claim 19 wherein the plurality of magnets are fixedly coupled to the cord.

28. The wearable magnetic band of claim 27 wherein the magnets are heat sealed into place.

29. The wearable magnetic band of claim 27 wherein the magnets are held into place by a flexible adhesive, stitching and/or metal encapsulation.

30. The wearable magnetic band of claim 27 wherein the magnets are spaced apart and held in place by a flexible, cylindrically shaped material placed within the cord

31. The wearable magnetic band of claim 19 wherein the magnetic band is configured to fit around a neck, a wrist, or an ankle of a user.

32. The wearable magnetic band of claim 19 wherein the wearable magnetic band is removably coupled to one or more additional magnetic bands.

33. The wearable magnetic band of claim 32 wherein the wearable magnetic band is removably coupled to one or more additional magnetic bands in order to make the wearable magnetic band longer or to stack the wearable magnetic bands.

34. A method of using a magnetic band comprising:

a. wrapping the magnetic band around a body part of a user or an object; and b. securing the magnetic band by removably coupling a first magnet of the

magnetic band with a second magnet of the magnetic band.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the magnetic band is wrapped around a neck, a wrist, or an ankle of the user.

36. A wearable magnetic band comprising:

a. a cord; and

b. a plurality of magnets positioned within the body of the cord and configured to removably couple with each other.

37. The wearable magnetic band of claim 36 wherein the wearable magnetic band

comprises a magnet at a first end of the cord and a second end of the cord.

38. The wearable magnetic band of claim 36 wherein the wearable magnetic band

comprises an even number of magnets.

39. The wearable magnetic band of claim 36 wherein the wearable magnetic band

comprises an odd number of magnets.

40. The wearable magnetic band of claim 36 wherein the magnets are evenly spaced along the cord.

41. The wearable magnetic band of claim 36 wherein the magnets are variably spaced along the cord.

42. The wearable magnetic band of claim 36 wherein the one or more magnets are

rotatable.

43. The wearable magnetic band of claim 36 wherein the one or more magnets comprise rare earth, neodymium, or magnetic therapy magnets.

44. The wearable magnetic band of claim 36 wherein the one or more magnets comprise round, spherical or cylindrical magnets.

45. The wearable magnetic band of claim 36 wherein the one or more magnets are fixedly contained within the cord.

46. The wearable magnetic band of claim 45 wherein the magnets are heat sealed into place.

47. The wearable magnetic band of claim 45 wherein the magnets are held into place by a flexible adhesive, stitching and/or metal encapsulation.

48. The wearable magnetic band of claim 45 wherein the magnets are spaced apart and held in place by a flexible, cylindrically shaped material placed within the cord

49. The wearable magnetic band of claim 36 wherein the magnets are embedded within the cord.

50. The wearable magnetic band of claim 36 wherein the magnets are fully contained within the cord.

51. The wearable magnetic band of claim 36 wherein the magnetic band is configured to fit around a neck, a wrist, or an ankle of a user.

52. The wearable magnetic band of claim 36 wherein the wearable magnetic band is removably coupled to one or more additional magnetic bands.

53. The wearable magnetic band of claim 52 wherein the wearable magnetic band is removably coupled to one or more additional magnetic bands in order to make the wearable magnetic band longer or to stack the wearable magnetic bands.