Garment Closure

Abstract

A fly opening includes two overlapping fabric panels, a two-part magnetic closure, and a mechanical catch. The two overlapping fabric panels define an elongate aperture in the garment between the panels. A two-part magnetic closure includes a first magnetic part attached to one of the panels within the overlap region, and a second magnetically-responsive part attached to the other the panel. The first and second magnetic parts are positioned such that when the parts are magnetically connected, the panels are held together in face-to-face abutment. The mechanical catch includes cooperating catch portions located on each of the panels, and arranged to resist or prevent relative movement of the fabric portions in a direction parallel to their plane of abutment and perpendicular to the elongate aperture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fly opening for a garment, the fly opening comprising:
 two overlapping fabric panels defining an elongate aperture in the garment between the panels;   a two-part magnetic closure, comprising a first magnetic part attached to one of the panels within the overlap region, and a second magnetically-responsive part attached to the other the panel, the first and second magnetic parts positioned such that when the parts are magnetically connected, the panels are held together in face-to-face abutment; and   a mechanical catch comprising cooperating catch portions located on each of the panels, and arranged to resist or prevent relative movement of the fabric portions in a direction parallel to their plane of abutment and perpendicular to the elongate aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The fly opening of  claim 1 , wherein each catch portion is integral with a part of the two-part magnetic closure. 
     
     
         3 . The fly opening of  claim 1 , wherein one of the parts of the two-part magnetic closure defines an indent and the other part comprises a detent. 
     
     
         4 . The fly opening of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic closure and the magnetic catch are arranged such that operation of the magnetic closure urges the catch portions of the mechanical catch into operative alignment. 
     
     
         5 . The fly opening of  claim 1 , wherein the parts of the magnetic closure and the catch portions are attached to textile strips, the textile strips being attached to corresponding panel portions. 
     
     
         6 . The fly opening of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate aperture is closed at both ends. 
     
     
         7 . The fly opening of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate aperture is closed at one end and open at the other end, the other end being provided with a fastener. 
     
     
         8 . The fly opening of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate aperture consists of a single straight aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The fly opening of  claim 1 , further comprising a single magnetic closure. 
     
     
         10 . A garment comprising:
 a leg portion; and   a fly opening comprising:
 two overlapping fabric panels defining an elongate aperture in the garment between the panels; 
 a two-part magnetic closure, comprising a first magnetic part attached to one of the panels within the overlap region, and a second magnetically-responsive part attached to the other the panel, the first and second parts being positioned such that when the parts are magnetically connected, the panels are held together in face-to-face abutment; and 
 a mechanical catch comprising cooperating catch portions located on each of the panels, and arranged to resist or prevent relative movement of the fabric portions in a direction parallel to their plane of abutment and perpendicular to the elongate aperture. 
   
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 10 , wherein each catch portion is integral with a part of the two-part magnetic closure. 
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 10 , wherein one of the parts of the two-part magnetic closure defines an indent and the other part comprises a detent. 
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 10 , wherein the magnetic closure and the magnetic catch are arranged such that operation of the magnetic closure urges the catch portions of the mechanical catch into operative alignment. 
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 10 , wherein the parts of the magnetic closure and the catch portions are attached to textile strips, the textile strips being attached to corresponding panel portions. 
     
     
         15 . The garment of  claim 10 , wherein the elongate aperture is closed at both ends. 
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 10 , wherein the elongate aperture is closed at one end and open at the other end, the other end being provided with a fastener. 
     
     
         17 . The garment of  claim 10 , wherein the elongate aperture consists of a single straight aperture. 
     
     
         18 . The garment of  claim 10 , further comprising a single magnetic closure.