Magnetic clasp for purse

Abstract

A magnetic clasp for a purse is described that can advantageously aid those with limited dexterity by only requiring the connectors to be brought into proximity to engage the magnetic locking mechanism. The magnetic clasp includes a first magnetic connector and a second magnetic connector. The magnet of the first connector can move relative to the magnet of the second connector. The second magnetic connector can include a pin that aligns and accommodates the rotation of the first magnet between a first locked position and a second unlocked position.

1 . A magnetic clasp for use with a purse that comprises: 
 a first connector attached to a first portion of a purse, the first connector includes a first magnet that has at least two oppositely charged magnetic poles;    a second connector attached to a second portion of the purse, the second connector includes a second magnet that has at least two oppositely charged magnetic poles;    a locked position that includes the at least the two magnetic poles of the first connector in proximity to the at least two magnetic poles of the second connector such that the polarity of the at least two poles of the first connector is unlike the polarity of each of the respective proximate magnetic poles of the second connector; and    an unlocked position that includes the at least two magnetic poles of the first connector in proximity to the at least two magnetic poles of the second connector such that the polarity of the at least two poles of the first connector is like the polarity of the proximate magnetic poles of the second connector, the first magnet movable relative to the second magnet between the locked position and the unlocked position.    
   
   
       2 . The magnetic clasp of  claim 1 , wherein alignment means includes a pin on one connector and the opposed connector defines an aperture that receives the pin.  
   
   
       3 . The magnetic clasp of  claim 1 , wherein the locked position includes the first connector aligned by the alignment means and at least partially rotatable relative to the second magnet between the locked position and the unlocked position.  
   
   
       4 . The magnetic clasp of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment means includes a housing that aligns the first magnet and the first magnet rotates relative to the second magnet between the locked position and the unlocked position.  
   
   
       5 . The magnetic clasp of  claim 1  that further includes a handle connected to at least one of the magnets.  
   
   
       6 . The magnetic clasp of  claim 1 , wherein the second connector has a housing that includes a base that is connected to the purse and a pin that aligns the magnets of the connectors.  
   
   
       7 . The magnetic clasp of  claim 6 , wherein the first magnet defines an aperture and the housing includes a pin that aligns the first magnet during rotation between the first position and the second position.  
   
   
       8 . The magnetic clasp of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the connectors includes a reduced friction means.  
   
   
       9 . The magnetic clasp of  claim 8 , wherein the reduced friction means includes the use of bearings.  
   
   
       10 . A magnetic clasp that secures portions of a purse together that comprises: 
 a first connector attached to a first portion of a purse, the first connector includes a first magnet that has at least two opposed magnetic poles and friction reducing means;    a second connector attached to a second portion of the purse, the second connector includes a housing and a second magnet that has at least two opposed magnetic poles, the housing aligns the first connector;    a first position that includes the at least two magnetic poles of the first connector in proximity to the at least two magnetic poles of the second connector such that the polarity of the at least two poles of the first connector is unlike the polarity of the proximate magnetic poles of the second connector; and    a second position that includes the at least two magnetic poles of the first connector in proximity to the at least two magnetic poles of the second connector such that the polarity of the at least two poles of the first connector is like the polarity of the proximate magnetic poles of the second connector, the first magnet rotatable relative to the second magnet between the first position and the second position.    
   
   
       11 . The magnetic clasp of  claim 10 , wherein the first connector further includes a handle.  
   
   
       12 . The magnetic clasp of  claim 10 , wherein the friction reducing means includes bearings.  
   
   
       13 . The magnetic clasp of  claim 10 , wherein the friction reducing means includes fluropolymer coatings.  
   
   
       14 . The magnetic clasp of  claim 10 , wherein the housing includes a key that at least initially align the magnetically charged poles of the first connector in the first position relative to the magnetically charged poles of the second connector.  
   
   
       15 . The magnetic clasp of  claim 10 , wherein the housing of the second connector includes a pin that aligns the first connector between the first position and the second position.  
   
   
       16 . The magnetic clasp of  claim 10 , wherein the first connector includes a frame that rotates with the first magnet and a base that is fixed to the first portion of the purse.  
   
   
       17 . A method for engaging and disengaging a magnetic clasp comprising: 
 providing a first connector adapted to attach to a first portion of a purse, the first connector including a first magnet that has at least two opposed magnetic poles, a second connector adapted to attach to a second portion of the purse, the second connector includes a housing and a second magnet;    engaging the first magnet with second magnet such that the unlike poles of the magnets are in proximity and attract to fasten the connectors in a first engaged position; and    disengaging the first magnet from the second magnet by moving the first magnet from the first position and reducing the friction between the connectors to position the like poles of the magnets in proximity and repel the connectors apart in a second disengaged position.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of engaging further includes aligning the first connector with the housing of the second connector.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first magnet is rotatingly moved between the engaged position and the disengaged position.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of disengaging further comprises reducing the friction between the first magnet and the second magnet during the movement of the first connector between the engaged and disengaged positions.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of disengaging further comprises using a handle for moving the first magnet relative to the second magnet.