Magnetic coupling system

Abstract

A trousers coupling system including a pair of trousers having a trousers magnetic coupling component positioned at or adjacent to a lower end thereof and configured to be magnetically coupled to a footwear magnetic coupling component positioned in a footwear to thereby magnetically couple the pair of trousers to the footwear. The magnetic coupling component is positioned between two plies of a water-tight support strip such that the magnet coupling component is fluidly isolated from the surrounding environment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A trousers coupling system comprising:
 a pair of trousers having a trousers magnetic coupling component positioned at or adjacent to a lower end thereof and configured to be magnetically coupled to a footwear magnetic coupling component positioned in a footwear to thereby magnetically couple the pair of trousers to the footwear, wherein the magnetic coupling component is positioned between two plies of a water-tight support strip such that the magnet coupling component is fluidly isolated from the surrounding environment.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the trousers magnetic coupling component is at least one of a magnet or a magnetizable material. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the trousers have a pair of legs, and wherein each leg includes a trousers magnetic coupling component positioned at or adjacent to a lower end thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising the footwear in the form of a boot having the footwear magnetic coupling component. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the one of trousers magnetic coupling component and the footwear magnetic coupling components is a magnet, and wherein the other one of the trousers magnetic coupling component and footwear magnetic coupling components is a magnet or a magnetizable material. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the footwear magnetic coupling component is located at a height and circumferential position to be aligned with the trousers magnetic coupling component when the trousers and footwear are worn by a wearer. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the trousers magnetic coupling component includes a magnetizable backing member coupled to the trousers, and a magnet that is magnetically coupled to the backing member. 
     
     
         8 . The system  claim 1  wherein the trousers magnetic coupling component is positioned in a lower 33% of a height of the trousers. 
     
     
         9 . The system of any  claim 1  wherein the trousers magnetic component is located on an outer circumferential position of the trousers, opposite an inseam of the trousers, or within about 15 degrees thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the trousers magnetic component is positioned in an interior of the trousers and does not form an innermost or outermost surface thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the trousers are a firefighter garment including an outer shell, a thermal liner having a TPP of at least about thirty and configured to be positioned between the outer shell and a wearer of the trousers, and a moisture barrier configured to permit moisture vapor to pass therethrough but block liquids from passing therethrough, wherein the moisture barrier is configured to be positioned between the outer shell and a wearer of the trousers. 
     
     
         12 . A trousers coupling system comprising:
 a pair of trousers having a trousers magnetic coupling component positioned in a lower 33% of a height thereof and configured to be magnetically coupled to a footwear magnetic coupling component positioned in a footwear to thereby magnetically couple the pair of trousers and the footwear, wherein the trousers magnetic component is positioned in an interior of the trousers in a thickness direction thereof, and does not form an innermost or outermost surface thereof.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the magnetic coupling component is positioned between two plies of a water-tight support strip such that the magnet coupling component is fluidly isolated from the surrounding environment. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the trousers magnetic component is located on an outer circumferential position of the trousers, opposite an inseam of the trousers, or within about 15 degrees thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the trousers are a firefighter garment including an outer shell, a thermal liner having a TPP of at least about thirty and configured to be positioned between the outer shell and a wearer of the trousers, and a moisture barrier configured to permit moisture vapor to pass therethrough but block liquids from passing therethrough, wherein the moisture barrier is configured to be positioned between the outer shell and a wearer of the trousers. 
     
     
         16 . A footwear coupling system comprising:
 a footwear having a footwear magnetic coupling component configured to be magnetically coupled to a trousers magnetic coupling component at or adjacent to a lower end of a pair of trousers to thereby magnetically couple the footwear and the pair of trousers, wherein the magnetic coupling component is positioned between two plies of a water-tight support strip such that the magnet coupling component is fluidly isolated from the surrounding environment.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising the trousers having the trousers magnetic coupling component.