Apparel system and protective device

Abstract

A protective apparel system includes an article of apparel having a first part of a magnetic fastening system and at least one protective element having a second part of the magnetic fastening system. The first part of the magnetic fastening system being joinable to the second part to attach the at least one protective element to the article of apparel.

1 . A protective apparel system, comprising:
 an article of apparel, said article of apparel having a first part of a magnetic fastening system; and   a first protective element having a second part of the magnetic fastening system, the first part of the magnetic fastening system being joinable to the second part to attach the first protective element to the article of apparel.   
     
     
         2 . The protective apparel system of  claim 1 , wherein the first part and the second part of the magnetic fastening system comprises one of a magnetic material and a magnet attracting the magnetic material. 
     
     
         3 . The protective apparel system of  claim 1 , wherein the first part and the second part of the magnetic fastening system comprise a magnet. 
     
     
         4 . The protective apparel system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second said protective element, wherein the first and second protective elements are shaped and dimensioned for attachment of the first and second protective elements on the article of apparel with different degrees of overlap relative to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The protective apparel system of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer item of apparel, wherein at least a portion of the outer article of apparel is arranged between the article of apparel and the first protective element. 
     
     
         6 . The protective apparel system of  claim 1 , further comprising fastening means for detachably fastening the first part of the magnetic fastening system to the article of apparel. 
     
     
         7 . The protective apparel system of  claim 6 , wherein the fastening means comprises a hook and loop fastening system. 
     
     
         8 . The protective apparel system of  claim 1 , wherein the article of apparel is provided with a receptacle, said first part of the magnetic fastening system received in the receptacle. 
     
     
         9 . The protective apparel system of  claim 8 , wherein the receptacle has an opening for insertion and removal of the first part of the magnetic fastening system into and from the receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . The protective apparel system of  claim 6 , wherein the receptacle is formed integrally with the article of apparel. 
     
     
         11 . The protective apparel system of  claim 1 , wherein the item of apparel is configured as an adjustable strap or band. 
     
     
         12 . The protective apparel system of  claim 11 , wherein the first part of the magnetic fastening system is situated in an inside of the strap or band. 
     
     
         13 . The protective apparel system of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first and second part of the magnetic fastening system is provided with a recess, with at least a portion of the other one of the first and second part of the magnetic fastening system engaged in the recess so as to prevent movement of the protective element relative to the article of apparel. 
     
     
         14 . The protective apparel system of  claim 1 , wherein the first part and the second part of the magnetic fastening system are first and second permanent magnets with unlike polarities arranged opposite each other to induce magnetic attraction between each other and thereby engage and secure the first protective element on the apparel. 
     
     
         15 . The protective apparel system of  claim 14 , wherein the second permanent magnet is adjustable to align like polarities as between the first and second permanent magnets to induce magnetic repulsion and thereby disengage and detach the first protective element from the apparel. 
     
     
         16 . The protective apparel system of  claim 14 , wherein each of the permanent magnets includes four segments with alternating polarities. 
     
     
         17 . The protective apparel system of  claim 14 , wherein a shaft extends from the second magnet and extends through the first protective element to enable rotation of the second magnet with respect to the first magnet. 
     
     
         18 . The protective apparel system of  claim 17 , further comprising a resilient member which provides a spring force in opposition to rotation of the shaft and biases the second magnet to an angular position in which the unlike polarities of the first and second magnets are aligned. 
     
     
         19 . The protective apparel system of  claim 14 , wherein the first magnet includes first adjacent pairs of first magnets and the second magnet includes second adjacent pairs of magnets, the first and second adjacent pairs being arranged for alignment with each other, each second magnet of the second adjacent pairs of magnets including a shaft which are interconnected via an elongated arm, said elongated arm having an actuator which enables contemporaneous rotation of the second adjacent pairs of magnets with respect to the first adjacent pairs of magnets to control alignment of polarities as between the first and second adjacent pairs of magnets.