Discrete fly for adaptive clothing

Abstract

The invention relates to a fly for fastening together a first panel and a second panel of an adaptive garment. The first panel includes one or more magnetic fasteners (or a magnetic strip) having a connecting side of a positive or negative polarity. The second panel includes a corresponding number of magnetic fasteners (or a magnetic strip) having a connecting side of an opposite polarity. When the first and second panels are closed, the connecting side of the magnetic fasteners (or magnetic strip) from the first panel is magnetically attached to the connecting side of the magnetic fasteners (or magnetic strip) from the second panel, so that the second panel covers the first panel. The fly further includes a visible third panel positioned over and concealing the second panel. An adaptive garment, such as a pair of trousers, pants or shorts, may have a similarly constructed leg opening in addition to the fly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fly for fastening together a first panel and a second panel of an adaptive garment comprising:
 the first panel comprising at least one magnetic fastener having a connecting side of one polarity;   the second panel comprising at least one magnetic fastener having a connecting side of an opposite polarity, whereupon closure of the first and second panels, the connecting side of the at least one magnetic fastener from the first panel is magnetically attached to the connecting side of the at least one magnetic fastener from the second panel and the second panel covers the first panel; and   a visible third panel, wherein the third panel is positioned over and conceals the second panel.   
     
     
         2 . The fly of  claim 1 , wherein the third panel lacks a closure. 
     
     
         3 . The fly of  claim 1 , further comprising a closure selected from the group consisting of a snap fastener and a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         4 . The fly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second panel has one of a one of a placket, pocket and pouch into which the magnetic fastener is inserted and attached. 
     
     
         5 . The fly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first panel and the second panel comprise about 2 to about 10 pairs of magnetic fasteners. 
     
     
         6 . The fly of  claim 1 , wherein the adaptive garment is one of a pair of pants, trouser and shorts and further comprises a leg opening comprising:
 a first panel comprising at least one magnetic fastener having a connecting side of one polarity;   the second panel comprising at least one magnetic fastener having a connecting side of an opposite polarity, whereupon closure of the first and second panels of the leg opening, the connecting side of the at least one magnetic fastener from the first panel of the leg opening is magnetically attached to the connecting side of the at least one magnetic fastener from the second panel of the leg opening, and the second panel of the leg opening covers the first panel of the leg opening.   
     
     
         7 . The fly of  claim 6 , wherein the leg opening further comprises a visible third panel positioned over and concealing the second panel of the leg opening. 
     
     
         8 . A fly for fastening together a first panel and a second panel of an adaptive garment comprising:
 the first panel comprising a first magnetic strip having a connecting side of one polarity;   the second panel comprising a second magnetic strip having a connecting side of the opposite polarity, whereupon closure of the first and second panels, the connecting side of the magnetic strip from the first panel is magnetically attached to the connecting side of the magnetic strip from the second panel and the second panel covers the first panel;   a visible third panel, wherein the third panel is positioned over and conceals the second panel.   
     
     
         9 . The fly of  claim 8 , wherein the third panel lacks a closure. 
     
     
         10 . The fly of  claim 8 , further comprising a closure selected from the group consisting of a snap fastener and a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         11 . The fly of  claim 8 , wherein each of the first and second panel has one of a one of a placket, pocket and pouch into which the magnetic strip is inserted and attached. 
     
     
         12 . The fly of  claim 8 , wherein each of the first magnetic strip and the second magnetic strip are selected from the group consisting of a strip of magnetic fasteners, a strip of magnets, a magnetic sheet, magnetic roll, magnetic tape, other flexible magnetic products, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The fly of  claim 8 , wherein the adaptive garment is one of a pair of pants, trouser and shorts and further comprises a leg opening comprising:
 a first panel comprising a magnetic strip having a connecting side of one polarity;   the second panel comprising a magnetic strip having a connecting side of an opposite polarity, whereupon closure of the first and second panels of the leg opening, the connecting side of the magnetic strip from the first panel of the leg opening is magnetically attached to the connecting side of the magnetic strip from the second panel of the leg opening, and the second panel of the leg opening covers the first panel of the leg opening.   
     
     
         14 . The fly of  claim 13 , wherein the leg opening further comprises a visible third panel positioned over and concealing the second panel of the leg opening.