Magnetic strap assembly and method

Abstract

A magnetic strap assembly includes a ribbon member having a first surface and a second surface. An adhesive member having a first surface and a second surface is coupled to the ribbon member along the first surfaces. A magnet is coupled to the second surface of the ribbon member and the second surface of the adhesive member includes an adhesive to couple it to an external object, such as clothing or a type of fabric. The strap assembly is premanufactured and used by an installer in desired cut lengths to install on clothing for example to facilitate closing openings and enabling those with hand operation deficiencies the ability to dress themselves without struggling with mainstream fasteners.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A strap assembly, comprising:
 a ribbon member having a first surface and a second surface;   an adhesive member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the adhesive member bonded to the first surface of the ribbon member, thereby forming a first band; and   a magnet coupled to the second surface of the ribbon member;   wherein the second surface of the adhesive member includes an adhesive.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet is coupled to the ribbon member and the adhesive member. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the adhesive member is bonded to the first surface of the ribbon member through the application of heat. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive member is activated through heat. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an external object for coupling to the second surface of the adhesive member.   
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the adhesive member is coupled to the external object via the application of heat. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the external object is a fabric. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second band having a second ribbon member and a second adhesive member with a second magnet, the magnet of the second band being attracted to the magnet of the first band.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet is located within a housing, the housing coupled to the ribbon member. 
     
     
         10 . A method of coupling two objects, comprising:
 obtaining a ribbon member and an adhesive member;   bonding a first surface of the adhesive member to a first surface of the ribbon member;   attaching a magnet to a second surface of the ribbon member; and   bonding a second surface of the adhesive member to an external object.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of bonding the adhesive member and the ribbon member occurs through the application of heat to the adhesive member. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of bonding the adhesive member and the external object occurs through the application of heat to the adhesive member. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the magnet is located within a flexible housing, the housing secured to the ribbon member. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of securing the flexible housing is done with stitching. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the external object is a fabric material. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 locating a second magnet opposite the magnet within a defined opening in the external object, closing the opening by abutting the magnet with the second magnet.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the fabric is clothing. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 coupling the magnet to a second magnet.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the second magnet is remote from the ribbon member. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 trimming at least one of the adhesive member and the ribbon member.