US20230200463A1

US20230200463A1 - Apron with magnetically attached accessories

Info

Publication number: US20230200463A1
Application number: US17/242,669
Authority: US
Inventors: Marti Morenings; Adelia June Pendleton
Original assignee: Prime Global Group LLC
Current assignee: Prime Global Group LLC
Priority date: 2017-03-24
Filing date: 2021-04-28
Publication date: 2023-06-29
Also published as: US20180271185A1

Abstract

An apron includes a skirt configured to hang down from the waist of a wearer, a resilient spring member secured to the skirt and configured to partly extend about a waist of the wearer to hold the skirt in place at the waist of the wearer, and at least one accessory removably secured to the skirt. The resilient spring member includes a ferromagnetic material and the at least one accessory has a magnet removably secured to the resilient spring member by magnetic attraction. The accessory can be a towel, a potholder and/or the like.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/9936,353 filed on Mar. 26, 2018, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/476,099 filed on Mar. 24, 2017, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention generally relates to protective covers for clothing such as aprons and the like and, more particularly, to aprons and the like that can be held in place without tying strings or straps at the neck and/or waist.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A traditional bib apron has a skirt that hangs down about the waist of the wearer and a bib or bodice that extends upward from the waist of the wearer at a front of the wearer. Typically there are strings or straps extending from the top of the bodice that extend about the neck of the wearer or over the shoulders of the wearer to support and hold the bodice in place covering the front of the upper torso of the wearer. Also, there are typically strings or some other type of fastener at the waist of the skirt to snugly secure and hold the skirt at the waist so that the skirt covers at least a portion of the front of the wearer below the waist. Tying and untying these strings before and after each use of the apron can be cumbersome, and for older wearers, can become difficult if not impossible to manipulate.
Accordingly, there is a need for a clothing cover, such as an apron and the like, that the wearer can easily slip on and off without the aggravation and/or difficulty of tying strings around the waist and/or neck.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed are clothing covers such as aprons and the like which address one or more issues of the related art. Disclosed is an apron comprising, in combination, a skirt configured to hang down from the waist of a wearer, a resilient spring member secured to the skirt and configured to partly extend about a waist of the wearer to hold the skirt in place at the waist of the wearer, and at least one accessory removably secured to the skirt. The at least one accessory has a magnet removably secured to the resilient spring member by magnetic attraction. The resilient spring member comprises a ferromagnetic material.
Also disclosed is an apron comprising, in combination, a waist band configured to extend partially about a waist of a wearer, a skirt configured to hang down from the waist band, a resilient spring member secured to the waist band and configured to partly extend about the waist of the wearer to hold the skirt in place at the waist of the wearer, waist band extensions extending from free ends of the waist band such that the waist band extensions overlap when extended about the waist of the wearer, and cooperating hook and loop fastener segments secured to the waist band extensions to removably secure the waist band extensions about the waist of the wearer. The resilient spring member does not extend along the waist band extensions.
Also disclosed is a towel comprising, in combination, a panel of textile and a pair of pot magnets spaced-apart and secured to the panel of textile. The pair pot magnets are configured so that the pair of pot magnets magnetically attract to each other.
From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detailed description of various preferred embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a significant advance in the technology and art of clothing covers such as aprons and the like. Particularly significant in this regard is the potential the invention affords for providing an easy on and off, versatile, and relatively inexpensive apron that fits a wide range of waist sizes. Additional features and advantages of various preferred embodiments will be better understood in view of the detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and further features of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an apron according to a first embodiment of the present invention on a wearer.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the apron of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the apron of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing a towel removably secured to the apron.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the apron of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing a pot holder in the form of an oven mitt configured to be removably secured to the apron.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an apron according to a second embodiment of the present invention on a wearer.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the apron of FIG. 5 , wherein waist band extensions are provided that are not secured together.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the apron of FIGS. 5 and 6 , wherein the waist band extensions are secured together for a relatively small waist.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the apron of FIGS. 5 to 7 , wherein the waist band extensions are secured together for a relatively large waist.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an apron according to a third embodiment of the present invention on a wearer.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the apron of FIG. 9 showing a front upper pocket for a portable electronic device

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the apron of FIGS. 9 and 10 showing left and right lower pockets.

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the apron of FIGS. 9 to 11 showing the waist band extensions;

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the waist band extensions of the apron of FIGS. 9 to 12 , wherein the waist band extensions are secured together by a pair of extenders that are secured together.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the waist band extensions of FIG. 13 , wherein the pair of extenders are not secured together.

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the waist band extensions of FIGS. 13 and 14 , wherein the pair of extenders is removed from the waist band extensions.

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the towel of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmented view of an upper left corner of the towel of FIG. 16 ;

FIG. 17A is an enlarged fragmented cross-sectional view taken from line 17A-17A of FIG. 17 ;

FIG. 18 is a rear view of a magnet assembly of the towel of FIGS. 16 and 17 .

FIG. 19 is a rear view of a pot magnet of the magnet assembly of FIG. 18 .

FIG. 20 is a front view of the pot magnet of FIG. 19 .

FIG. 21 is a side view of the pot magnet of FIGS. 19 and 20 .

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the aprons as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes of the various components, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity or illustration. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the protective devices illustrated in the drawings. In general, up or upward generally refers to an upward direction within the plane of the paper in FIG. 1 and down or downward generally refers to a downward direction within the plane of the paper in FIG. 1 . Also in general, front or frontward generally refers to a direction out of the plane of the paper in FIG. 1 and rear or rearward generally refers to a direction into the plane of the paper in FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many uses and design variations are possible for the clothing covers such as aprons and the like disclosed herein. The following detailed discussion of various alternative and preferred embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the invention with regard to a particular bib style apron. Other embodiments suitable for other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure such as, for example, an apron.
Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 4 show a wearer or user 8 wearing a tieless apron 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated tieless apron 10 includes a skirt 12 configured to hang down from the waist of the wearer 8, a resilient spring member 14 secured to the skirt 12 and configured to partly extend about a waist of the wearer 8 to hold the skirt 12 in place on the wearer 8 without any tying strings or straps so that the skirt 12 can be easily slipped onto and off of the wearer 8, and at least one accessory 16 removably secured to the skirt 12. The illustrated at least one accessory 16 includes at least one magnet 18 that is removably secured to the resilient spring member 14 by magnetic attraction.
The illustrated skirt 12 has a waist band portion 20 and a main portion 22. The waist band portion 20 of the skirt 12 is configured to extend partly about the waist of the wearer 8. The illustrated waist band portion 20 extends substantially about the waist of the wearer 8. That is, entirely about the waist of the wearer 8 except for a relatively small gap at the middle of the back (best shown in FIG. 2 ). It is noted, however, that the waist band portion 20 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration such as, for example, the waist band portion 20 could alternatively extend entirely about the waist of the wearer 8. The main portion 22 of the skirt 12 is configured to hang from the waist band portion 20 and cover at least a portion of the front of the wearer 8 below their waist. The illustrated main portion 22 hangs down to a location just below the knees of the wearer 8. It is noted, however, that the main portion 22 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration such as, for example, the main portion 22 could have a larger or smaller length. The illustrated skirt 12 is formed of a flexible material such as, for example, a woven or nonwoven textile like a cloth or fabric and the like. It is noted that the skirt 12 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.
The illustrated resilient spring member 14 is located within a pocket 24 of the waist band portion 20 of the skirt 12 so that the resilient spring member 14 is secured to the skirt 12 at the waist of the wearer 8. The illustrated resilient spring member 14 is configured to partly extend about the waist of the wearer 8 and extends a greater distance about the waist of the wearer 8 than the main portion 22 of the skirt 12 but preferably not completely around the waist of the wearer 8. The illustrated resilient spring member 14 is also configured to snugly hold the skirt 12 in place on the waist of the wearer 8 without any tying strings or straps so that the skirt 12 can be easily slipped onto and off of the wearer 8. Free ends of the resilient spring member 14 at the rear of the apron 12 can be grasped and pulled apart and separated so that the waist of the skirt 12 can be slipped onto the waist of the wearer 8. When the resilient spring member 14 is released, resilient spring member resiliently returns back toward its free or un-deformed shape so that that the resilient spring member 14 resiliently snugly grips the waist of the wearer 8 to hold the skirt 12 on the waist of the wearer 12. When it is desired to remove the skirt 12 from the wearer 8, the free ends of the resilient spring member 14 can again be grasped and pulled apart and separated so that the waist of the skirt 12 can be slipped off of the waist of the wearer 8. The resilient spring member 14 can comprise any suitable resiliently flexible material such as a ferromagnetic material including iron, nickel, cobalt, some alloys of rare earth metals, and the like.
The illustrated apron 10 also includes a bodice or bib 26 located above the skirt 12 and extending upward from the skirt 12 at a front of the wearer 8. The illustrated bodice 26 is formed of a suitable flexible material such as, for example, woven or nonwoven fabric and the like. The illustrated bodice 26 is formed of the same flexible material as the skirt 12. The illustrated bodice 26 has boning 28 to provide lightweight support for the bodice to give it structure and to maintain its upward shape without the need for tying strings or straps about the wearer's neck or shoulders. The illustrated boning 28 is a plurality of laterally spaced-apart boning rods upwardly extending along the bodice 26. The plurality of boning rods can be two 10.5″ long plastic boning rods but it is noted that any other suitable quantity, size or type of boning rod can alternatively be utilized. The boning rods can be secured to the bodice 26 using fabric casings sewn into the bodice fabric or in any other suitable manner. It is also noted that any other suitable type of boning 28 can be utilized such as, for example, rigilene boning which is woven nylon or polyester rods that can be directly sewn into the bodice fabric. The illustrated bodice 26 is also provided with darts 30 so that the bodice 26 more closely conforms to the shape of the upper torso of the wearer 8. It is noted that the bodice 26 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration. It is also noted that the bodice or bib 26 can alternatively be eliminated so that the wearer 8 is not covered by the bib 26 above the waist band portion 20.
The at least one accessory 16 can be of any suitable type such as, for example, the illustrated towel 32 and the illustrated pot holder 34 depending on the application or use of the apron 10. For a kitchen apron, the accessory 16 can a potholder 34, a kitchen or dish towel 32, and the like. The kitchen apron and any accessories 16 can be configured for commercial or residential use. For a salon apron, the accessory 16 can be a salon towel 32, and the like. The salon apron and any accessories can be configured for beauty salons, tanning salons, nail salons, hair salons, day spas, and the like. It is noted that any quantity and/or type of the accessories 16 can be utilized with the apron 10.
The illustrated towel 32 is formed of a textile such as a woven cloth or fabric or the like and has the at least one magnet 18 sewn therein so that it is embedded within the towel 32 as described in more detail hereinafter. The towel 32 can be removably secured to the skirt 12 by removably securing the magnet 18 to the resilient spring member 14 with magnetic attraction. When it is desired to use the towel 32, the towel 32 is pulled by the wearer 8 with enough force to break the magnetic attraction and remove the magnet 18 from the resilient spring member 14. When the wearer is finished using the towel 32, the magnet 18 can again be removably secured to the resilient spring member 14 with magnetic attraction to removably secure the towel 32 to the skirt 12. It is noted that the towel 32 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.
The illustrated pot holder 34 is in the form of an oven mitt and is formed of a textile such as woven cloth or fabric or the like and has the at least one magnet 18 sewn therein so that it is embedded within the pot holder 34. The pot holder 34 can alternatively have any other suitable shape such as, for example, square and or can comprise any other suitable material such as, for example, silicone. The pot holder 34 can be removably secured to the skirt 12 by removably securing the magnet 18 to the resilient spring member 14 with magnetic attraction. When it is desired to use the pot holder 34, the pot holder 34 is pulled by the wearer 8 with enough force to break the magnetic attraction to remove the magnet 18 from the resilient spring member 14. When the wearer 8 is finished using the pot holder 34, the magnet 18 can again be removably secured to the resilient spring member 14 with magnetic attraction to removably secure the pot holder 34 to the skirt 12. It is noted that the pot holder 34 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.
FIGS. 5 to 8 show a user wearing a tieless apron 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated tieless apron 10 according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment of the present invention described above except that a front upper pocket 36 for a portable electronic device 38 such as a smart phone and the like is provided, and waist band extensions 40, 42 are provided as described hereinafter.
The illustrated front pocket 36 is centrally located in the lateral direction at the front of the apron bodice 26 and located below the top of the bodice 26 a distance for easy use of the portable electronic device 38. The illustrated front pocket 36 is also sized for easy use of the portable electronic device 38. The illustrated front pocket 36 has top access opening and is sized with a height of about 4.5 inches, a width of about 6 inches, and is located about 5 to about 8 inches below the top of the bodice 26. It is noted that the front pocket 36 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration, size, and/or location. The illustrated front pocket 36 is formed of the same material as the bodice 26 but any other suitable material can alternatively be utilized. The term “portable electronic device” is used in the specification and claims to mean a handheld electronic device that utilizes rechargeable batteries as a power source including, but not limited to, telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mp3 players, video game players, messaging systems, tablet computers, and the like.
The illustrated waist band extensions 40, 42 extend from the free ends of the waist band portion 20 located at the rear of the apron 10 to increase the size of the waist band portion so that end portions of the waist band extensions 40, 42 overlap one another when extending round the waist of the wearer 8. The illustrated waist band extensions 40, 42 are formed of a textile such as cloth or fabric but any other suitable material can be utilized. The illustrated waist band extensions 40, 42 do not receive the resilient spring member 18 therein so that the waist band extensions 40, 42 are more flexible than the primary portion of the waist band portion 20 which is supported by the resilient spring member 18. The illustrated waist band extensions 40, 42 each have a length of about 4.5 inches so that the total length of the waist band portion 20 is increased about 9 inches by the waist band extensions 40, 42. It is noted that the waist band extensions 42 can alternatively have any other suitable length. The waist band extensions are secured to ends of the waist band portion 20 by stitching/sewing or the like. The outer side of the illustrated left waist band extension 40 is provided with a strip of hook fastener of a hook and loop fastener 44 such as Velcro. The inner side of the illustrated right waist band extension 42 is provided with a strip of loop fastener 44B of a hook and loop fastener 44 such as Velcro. The strip of hook fastener 44A and the strip of loop fastener 44B cooperate to releasably secure the waist band portion 20 in an overlapping manner about the waist of the wearer when desired such that the right waist band extension 42 is secured on top of or outside the left waist band extension 40. The illustrated strip of hook fastener 44A and the illustrated strip of loop fastener 44B each have a length of about 5 inches so that the total length of the strips about 10 inches but any other suitable lengths can alternatively be utilized. It is noted that the hook and loop fasteners 44 can be reversed if desired and/or the left waist band extension 40 can alternatively be secured on top of or outside the right waist band extension 42. Thus, each wearer 8 can extend or secure the waist band portion 20 as needed in a comfortable manner so that the apron 12 is secured to their waist. It is noted that the waist band extensions 40, 42 and/or the hook and loop fasteners 44 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.
The illustrated waist band extensions 40, 42 increase the range of waist sizes to which the tieless apron 12 can be comfortably worn. Wearers having an intermediate waist size can secure the apron simply by placing the resilient spring member about their waist. The waist band extensions 40, 42 can be secured or not depending on the preference of the wearer. Wearers having a relatively small waist size, wherein the resilient spring member 14 does not snugly fit their waist, can secure the apron 12 by placing the resilient spring member 14 about their waist and then securing the waist band extensions 40, 42 snugly about their waist. The waist band extensions 40, 42 force the resilient spring member 18 to fit snugly about the wearer's waist so that the apron 12 does not slide down. Wearers having a relatively large waist size, wherein the resilient spring member 14 does not extend about their waist a suitable amount to snugly secure the apron 12 about their waist, can secure the apron 12 by placing the resilient spring member 14 about their waist and then securing the waist band extensions 40, 42 snugly about their waist. The waist band extensions 40, 42 increase the length of the waist band portion 20 so that it extends about the wearer's waist and does not slide down. Thus, each wearer can extend and/or secure the waist band portion 20 as needed in a comfortable manner so that the apron 12 is secured to their waist.
FIGS. 9 to 15 show a user 8 wearing a tieless apron according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated tieless apron 12 according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as the first and second embodiments of the present invention described above except that left and right lower pockets 46 are provided and optional waist band extenders 48, 50 are provided for the waist band extensions 40, 42 to selectively further increase the length of the waist band portion 20.
The illustrated lower pockets 46 are located toward the left and right lateral sides of the skirt main portion 22 and located below the waist band portion 20 about midway between the waist band portion 20 and the bottom of the skirt 12 for easy storage of kitchen items, salon items, writing instruments and the like. Each of the illustrated lower pockets 46 has a top access opening and is divided into two lateral parts or sides. The illustrated inner side is sized and shaped to hold writing instruments such as, for example, pens, pencils and the like. It is noted that the lower pockets 46 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration, size, and/or location. The illustrated lower pockets 46 are formed of the same material as the skirt 12 but any other suitable material can alternatively be utilized.
The illustrated removable waist band extenders 48, 50 selectively extend from the free ends of the waist band extensions 40, 42 located at the rear of the apron 12 to further increase the size of the waist band portion 20 so that end portions of the waist band portion 20 overlap one another when extending round the waist of the wearer 8. When not needed, the illustrated waist band extenders remain disconnected from the waist band extensions 40, 42 and can be stored in any suitable location until needed. The illustrated waist band extenders 48, 50 are in the form of a strip of a textile material such as cloth or fabric but any other suitable material can be utilized. The illustrated waist band extenders 48, 50 do not receive the resilient spring member 14 so that the waist band extenders 48, 50 are more flexible than the primary portion of the waist band portion 20 which is supported by the resilient spring member 14. The illustrated waist band extenders 48, 50 each have a length of about 6.5 inches so that the total length of the waist band portion 20 can be selectively increased up to about 10 inches by the waist band extenders 48, 50. It is noted that the waist band extenders 48, 50 can alternatively have any other suitable length. The illustrated waist band extenders 48, 50 are removably secured to the waist band extensions 40, 42 with hook and loop fasteners 44 with are identical and each has one side provided with a strip of hook fastener 44A of a hook and loop fastener 44 such as Velcro and the other side provided with a strip of loop fastener 44B of a hook and loop fastener 44 such as Velcro. The strip of hook fastener 44A and the strip of loop fastener 44B cooperate to releasably secure the waist band extenders 48, 50 to the waist band extensions 40, 42 and also to releasably secure the waist band extenders 48, 50 in an overlapping manner about the waist of the wearer 8 when desired.
The illustrated waist band extenders 48, 50 increase the range of waist sizes to which the tieless apron 12 can be comfortably worn beyond sizes of the spring member 14 with just the waist band extensions 40, 42. Wearers having a relatively extra small waist size, wherein the resilient spring member 14 does not snugly fit their waist, can secure the apron 12 by placing the resilient spring member 14 about their waist and then securing the waist band extenders 48, 50 snugly about their waist. Wearers having a larger waist size, wherein the resilient spring member 14 and the waist extensions 40, 42 do not extend about their waist a suitable amount to snugly secure the apron 12 about their waist, can secure the apron by first securing the waist band extenders 48, 50 to the waist band extensions 40, 42, then placing the resilient spring member 14 about their waist, and securing the waist band extenders 48, 50 snugly about their waist. The waist band extenders 48, 50 further increase the length of the waist band portion 20 so that the waist band portion 20 extends about the wearer's waist and does not slide down. Preferably the spring member 14 with the waist extensions 40, 42 and selectively the waist extenders 48, 50 can accommodate a wide range of sizes from about size 0 to about size 24. Each wearer can extend or secure the waist band portion 20 as needed in a comfortable manner so that the apron 12 is secured to their waist. Thus, the single apron can accommodate essentially all sizes.
FIGS. 16 to 21 show the towel 32 according to the present invention which can be magnetically secured to the apron 12 of the present invention by removably securing the at least one magnet 18 of the towel 32 to the spring member 14 of the apron 12. The illustrated towel 32 comprises panel of textile material 52 such as cloth or fabric and has exterior edges stitched with thread to reduce fraying of the exterior edges but any other suitable configuration can alternatively be utilized. The illustrated panel of textile 52 is rectangular shaped but any other suitable shape can alternatively utilized such as, for example, square. The illustrated towel 32 can be configured as a kitchen or dish towel having a width of about 10 to about 20 inches and a length of about 18 to about 30 inches, or a salon towel having a width of about 12 to about 18 inches and a length of about 24 to about 30 inches. It is noted that the kitchen and spa towels 32 can alternatively have any other suitable size. It is also noted that the towel 32 can alternatively be of any other suitable type of towel such as, for example, a hand towel, a wash cloth, a bar towel, a gym towel, a golf or other sports towel, and the like.
The illustrated towel 32 is provided with two spaced-apart magnet assemblies 54 each having one of the permanent magnets 18. The illustrated magnet assemblies 54 are secured in opposite corners of the rectangular shaped panel of textile 52. More specifically, the illustrated magnet assemblies 54 are secured in the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the panel of textile 52 respectively but any other suitable locations can alternatively be utilized. Each permanent magnet 18 can be individually used to removably secure the towel 32 to the spring member 14 of the apron 12 and can be used to removably connect the two magnets assemblies 54 together so that the permanent magnets 14 do not attach to a drum of a washing machine or dryer which may prevent desired tumbling of the towel 32 during a washing and/or drying cycle. The illustrated magnet assemblies 54 are each secured to the rear side of the panel of textile 52 with a textile cover 56 in the form of a piece of textile sewn with thread to the panel of textile 52 about the exterior edges of the textile cover 56 with the magnet assembly 54 secured therebetween in an interior space or cavity 58 formed between the textile cover 56 and the panel of textile 52. The magnet assemblies 54 can alternatively be secured to the panel of textile 52 in any other suitable manner. The illustrated textile cover 56 is square shaped but any other suitable shape and/or material can alternatively be utilized. The illustrated components are sized such that the permanent magnet 14 is restricted from flipping over within the interior cavity 58 formed between the panel of textile 52 and textile cover 56.
The illustrated magnet assembly 54 includes the magnet 14, a pot or cup 60 which together with the magnet 14 forms a pot or cup magnet, and a seal member 62 which surrounds the magnet 14 and the cup 60 in a water-tight manner to prevent moisture from contacting the magnet 14 and the cup 60. The illustrated magnets 14 are neodymium magnets but any other suitable type can alternatively be utilized. The illustrated magnets 14 have a suitable magnetic strength to removably secure the towel 32 and the spring member 14 together as described herein. The illustrated magnets 14 are disc shaped having planar inner and outer surfaces. It is noted that the magnets 14 can alternatively have any other suitable shape. The illustrated disc-shaped magnets 14 preferably have a diameter in the range of about ⅛ inches to about ⅜ inches and more preferably a diameter of about ¼ inches, and a thickness preferably in the range of about 1/32 inches to ¼ inches and more preferably a thickness of about ⅛ inches. The magnets 14 are each embedded into the steel pot or cup 60 to increase the magnetic attraction/repulsion forces in one direction outward from an open end of the pot 60. Note that the magnetic attraction/repulsion forces in the opposite direction (into the pot) are negligible. The illustrated seal member 62 is formed by a pair of plastic sheets which are on opposite sides of the pot magnet 14 and heat sealed or staked together about their exterior edges to form a sealed interior cavity 64 for the pot magnet 14 to prevent the entry of moisture. The illustrated seal member 62 has a square shape and is sized to be closely received in the square-shaped cavity 58 between the panel of textile 52 and the textile cover 56 to substantially limit movement of the magnet assembly 54 within the cavity 58 and prevent flipping of the magnet assembly 54 within the cavity 58. It is noted that the seal member 62 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration such as a polymer coating or covering or the like.
The illustrated pot or cup magnets 14 are configured to have a unidirectional magnetic force. That is, a magnetic force in only one direction. In the illustrated embodiment, both of the pot or cup magnets 14 are directed in the same direction. Both illustrated pot or cup magnets 14 face the rearward direction so that only the rearward side of the magnet/towel 32 will magnetically attach to a ferromagnetic material. Additionally, the illustrated pot or cup magnets 14 are configured so that the rearward sides of the two pot magnets 14 are magnetically attracted to each other so that they can be selectively secured or attached to each other. For example, one magnet 14 can have a rearward facing north pole while the other magnet 14 has a rearward facing south pole. Configured in this manner, the pot magnets 14 can be temporarily attached together for laundering, for attachment to a rail or pole, etc. and when attached together the opposite sides of the pot magnets 14 will not be attracted to any other ferromagnetic material surfaces such, as for example, a laundry machine drum.
Any of the features or attributes of the above described embodiments and variations can be used in combination with any of the other features and attributes of the above described embodiments and variations as desired.
It is apparent from the above detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, that the above-disclosed apron can be easily slipped onto and off of the wearer without the difficulty and/or aggravation of tying strings around the waist and/or neck and can also be utilized to temporarily hold accessories such as, for example, towels, pot holders, and the like for quick access during use of the apron.
From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments, it is also apparent that various modifications, additions and other alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the benefit to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. An apron for a wearer having a front and a waist, the apron comprising, in combination:

a skirt configured to hang down from the waist of a the wearer;

a resilient spring member secured to the skirt and configured to partly extend about a the waist of the wearer to hold the skirt in place at the waist of the wearer;

wherein the resilient spring member comprises a ferromagnetic material;

at least one accessory removably secured to the skirt; and

wherein the at least one accessory has two spaced-apart magnets that selectively secure the at least one accessory to the resilient spring member by magnetic attraction to selectively secure the at least one accessory to the skirt and are each configured to magnetically attract to each other to selectively secure the two spaced-apart magnets together.

22. The apron according to claim 21, further comprising a self-supporting bodice extending upward from the skirt at a the front of the wearer.

23. The apron according to claim 22, further comprising a front pocket located on a front of the bodice that is sized and located for holding a portable electronic device.

24. The apron according to claim 21, wherein there is a plurality of the accessories removably secured to the skirt.

25. The apron according to claim 21, wherein the at least one accessory is a towel.

26. The apron according to claim 21, wherein each of the two magnets are pot magnets.

27. The apron according to claim 26, wherein each of the two pot magnets face in the same direction.

28. The apron according to claim 27, wherein the two pot magnets are located near opposite ends of the accessory.

29. The apron according to claim 27, wherein the accessory is rectangular shaped and the two pot magnets are located near opposite corners of the accessory.

30. The apron according to claim 26, wherein each of the two pot magnets is sealed to prevent moisture from contacting the pot magnet.

31. The apron according to claim 30 wherein each of the two pot magnets is located within a sealed interior cavity of a plastic seal member to prevent moisture from contacting the pot magnet.

32. The apron according to claim 26, wherein each of the two pot magnets is secured to the accessory by a textile cover secured to the accessory with the pot magnet located between the accessory and the textile cover.

33. The apron according to claim 21, wherein each of the two magnets face in the same direction on the accessory.

34. The apron according to claim 33, wherein the two magnets are located near opposite ends of the accessory.

35. The apron according to claim 34, wherein the accessory is rectangular shaped and the two magnets are located near opposite corners of the accessory.

36. The apron according to claim 21, wherein each of the two magnets is sealed to prevent moisture from contacting the magnet.

37. The apron according to claim 36, wherein each of the two magnets is located within a sealed interior cavity of a plastic seal member to prevent moisture from contacting the magnet.

38. The apron according to claim 37, wherein each of the two magnets is secured to the accessory by a textile cover secured to the accessory with the magnet and the plastic seal member both located between the accessory and the textile cover.

39. The apron according to claim 21, wherein each of the two magnets is secured to the accessory by a textile cover secured to the accessory with the magnet located between the accessory and the textile cover.