Seam closure using magnetic fasteners

Abstract

An improved adaptive garment has a shoulder seam closure of (1) a first panel containing one or more magnetic fasteners or a magnetic strip of a positive or negative polarity, and (2) a second panel containing one or more magnetic fasteners or a magnetic strip of opposite polarity. The magnetic elements of the first and second panels are attracted and attach to each other, such that the second panel overlaps the first panel and closes the shoulder seam. This improved adaptive garment permits those with limited dexterity or mobility, youngsters, or those with disabilities and/or other health conditions get dressed more easily and quickly, with or without the assistance of others. This shoulder seam closure further permits the adaptive garment not to use a back seam closure of magnetic fasteners, thereby eliminating their pressure against the wearer's back and the discomfort, pain or irritation they might cause, and permitting to contain a back vent or pleat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adaptive garment comprising a shoulder seam closure comprising:
 a first panel, wherein the first panel contains at least one first magnetic element; and   a second panel, wherein the second panel contains at least one second magnetic element;   wherein the first magnetic element is attracted and attaches to the second magnetic element such that the second panel overlaps the first panel and closes the shoulder seam.   
     
     
         2 . The adaptive garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first magnetic element is magnetic fastener having a connecting side of positive or negative polarity, and the at least one second magnetic element is a magnetic fastener having a connecting side of the opposite polarity, thereby forming at least one pair of magnetic fasteners. 
     
     
         3 . The adaptive garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first magnetic element is magnetic strip having a connecting side of positive or negative polarity, and the at least one second magnetic element is a magnetic strip having a connecting side of the opposite polarity. 
     
     
         4 . The adaptive garment of  claim 3 , wherein the magnetic strip is selected from a group consisting of magnetic fasteners, magnets, a magnetic sheet, a magnetic roll, magnetic tape or other flexible magnetic product, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The adaptive garment of  claim 1 , further comprising a back vent. 
     
     
         6 . The adaptive garment of  claim 5 , where the back vent is selected from a group consisting of a pleat, a vertical slit, a rear side pleat, a knife pleat, an inverted pleat and a center box pleat. 
     
     
         7 . The adaptive garment of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder seam closure further comprises decorative elements. 
     
     
         8 . The adaptive garment of  claim 7 , where the decorative elements are selected from a group consisting of buttons, ribbons, charms, ruffles, fringe, zipper tracks, pins, epaulettes, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The adaptive garment of  claim 1 , without a back seam closure containing one or more pairs of magnetic fasteners or a magnetic strip. 
     
     
         10 . The adaptive garment of  claim 2 , comprising two or more pairs of magnetic fasteners. 
     
     
         11 . The adaptive garment of  claim 10 , wherein the pair of magnetic fasteners closest to an armhole or sleeve seam of the adaptive garment is positioned approximately between ¼ inch and 1 inch therefrom, and wherein the pair of magnetic fasteners closest to a neckline or neck seam of the adaptive garment is positioned approximately between 1/16 inch and 1 inch therefrom. 
     
     
         11 . The adaptive garment of  claim 3 , wherein one edge of the magnetic strip is positioned approximately between ¼ inch and 1 inch from an armhole or sleeve seam of the adaptive garment, and the other edge of the magnetic strip is positioned approximately between 1/16 inch and 1 inch from a neckline or neck seam of the adaptive garment. 
     
     
         12 . The adaptive garment of  claim 1 , wherein the adaptive garment is selected from a group consisting of a shirt, dress shirt, polo shirt, camp shirt, Henley shirt, Charvet shirt, t-shirt, half shirt, singlet, blouse, sweater, cardigan, jumper, vest, tunic, jersey, coat, nightshirt, nightgown, hospital gown and onesie. 
     
     
         13 . The adaptive garment of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one first and second magnetic elements are encapsulated in a plastic, rubberized or waterproofed-cloth pouch. 
     
     
         14 . The adaptive garment of  claim 13 , wherein the plastic, rubberized or waterproofed-cloth pouch is sewn in, glued to or otherwise attached to a placket, flap or pocket at the edge of each first and second panel. 
     
     
         15 . An adaptive garment having a seam closure comprising:
 a first panel containing at least three first magnetic fasteners with connecting sides of one polarity, wherein each first magnetic fastener is separated by about ½ inch; and   a second panel containing at least three second magnetic fasteners with connecting sides of the opposite polarity, wherein each second magnetic fastener is separated by about ½ inch, and the first and second magnetic fasteners form at least three pairs of magnetic fasteners correspondingly positioned in the first and second panels;   wherein one pair of magnetic fasteners is positioned at least ½ inch from one end of the seam closure;   wherein another pair of magnetic fasteners is positioned at least 1/16 inch from the other end of the seam closure;   wherein the connecting sides of the first magnetic fasteners are attracted and attach to the respective connecting sides of the second magnetic fasteners, such that the second panel overlaps the first panel and closes the seam.   
     
     
         16 . An adaptive garment according to  claim 15 , wherein the seam closure is a shoulder seam closure. 
     
     
         17 . The adaptive garment of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second magnetic fasteners are encapsulated in a plastic, rubberized or waterproofed-cloth pouches. 
     
     
         18 . The adaptive garment of  claim 17 , wherein the plastic, rubberized or waterproofed-cloth pouches are sewn in, glued to or otherwise attached to a placket, flap or pocket at the edge of each first and second panel.