Clap-off bra

• US 8,738,156 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2013
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biometric Lingerie, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Biometric Lingerie, Inc.
• Inventors: Ahmadshahi, Michael Mansour
• Primary Examiner(s): Shechtman, Sean
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rapp, Chad
• Application Number:
  US13/744,985
• Publication Number:
  US 20130125349A1
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 700/1, 700/12, 340/5.52, 340/5.54, 340/5.8, 340/5.81, 340/5.82, 340/5.83, 340/5.84, 340/5.85, 382/115
• US Class Current: 700/1
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: A41F 1/00 Fastening devices specially adapted for garments for pairing socks A41B11/002; for fur garments A41D5/006
• CPC Class Codes: A41F 1/002 Magnetic fastening devices
• CPC Class Codes: A41F 1/006 Brassiére fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/10 Miscellaneous
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/32 having magnetic fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49815 Disassembling

Abstract

A bra comprises a signal-activated fastener which may be utilized to unfasten the bra when the signal-activated fastener receives a clapping sound generated by a person clapping his/her hands. Specifically, a strapless bra includes a sensor, a controller, and a fastener assembly cooperating to cause the bra to unfasten upon reception of the clapping sound.

Claims

1. A bra comprising a signal-activated fastener capable of receiving sound pressure generated by a clapping sound and operative to unfasten the bra when said signal-activated fastener receives the clapping sound generated by a person clapping his/her hands, wherein the signal-activated fastener comprises:

(a) a sensor capable of sensing pressure waves generated by the clapping sound and operative to generate an electric signal;

(b) a controller responsive to the electric signal and operative to generate a control signal; and

(c) a fastener assembly comprising an actuator, said actuator comprising;

(i) a ferrous component attached to a first front side of the bra; and

(ii) an electromagnet attached to a second front side of the bra and magnetically coupled with the ferrous component thereby fastening the bra;

wherein the electromagnet is responsive to the control signal and operative to demagnetize thereby decoupling from the ferrous component and causing the bra to unfasten.

2. The bra of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a microphone.

3. The bra of claim 1, wherein the controller is a microprocessor.

4. The bra of claim 1, wherein the controller generates the control signal upon verifying that the electrical signal comprises two consecutive claps within a predetermined time interval.

5. The bra of claim 1, wherein the controller generates the control signal upon verifying that the electrical signal comprises a single clap having a predetermined amplitude.

6. A method for unfastening a bra, said bra comprising a signal-activated fastener, said method comprising:

(a) receiving sound pressure generated by a clapping sound via the signal-activated fastener; and

(b) unfastening the bra via the signal-activated fastener when said signal-activated fastener receives the clapping sound generated by a person clapping his/her hands

wherein the step of receiving a clapping sound via the signal-activated fastener comprises;

(i) sensing pressure waves generated by the clapping sound via a sensor included in the signal-activated fastener;

wherein the step of unfastening the bra via the signal-activated fastener comprises;

(i) generating an electric signal via the sensor;

(ii) responding to the electric signal via a controller included in the signal-activated fastener;

(iii) generating a control signal via the controller;

(iv) responding to the control signal via a fastener assembly included in the signal-activated fastener, said fastener assembly comprising an actuator, said actuator comprising a ferrous component attached to a first front side of the bra, and an electromagnet attached to a second front side of the bra and magnetically coupled with the ferrous component thereby fastening the bra; and

(v) demagnetizing the electromagnet thereby decoupling from the ferrous component and causing the bra to unfasten.

7. A panties comprising a signal-activated fastener capable of receiving sound pressure generated by a clapping sound and operative to unfasten the panties when said signal-activated fastener receives the clapping sound generated by a person clapping his/her hands, wherein the signal-activated fastener comprises:

(a) a sensor capable of sensing pressure waves generated by the clapping sound and operative to generate an electric signal;

(b) a controller responsive to the electric signal and operative to generate a control signal; and

(c) a fastener assembly comprising an actuator, said actuator comprising;

(i) a ferrous component attached to a first side of the panties; and

(ii) an electromagnet attached to a second side of the panties and magnetically coupled with the ferrous component thereby fastening the panties;

wherein the electromagnet is responsive to the control signal and operative to demagnetize thereby decoupling from the ferrous component and causing the panties to unfasten.

8. The panties of claim 7, wherein the sensor is a microphone.

9. The panties of claim 7, wherein the controller is a microprocessor.

10. The panties of claim 7, wherein the controller generates the control signal upon verifying that the electrical signal comprises two consecutive claps within a predetermined time interval.

11. The panties of claim 7, wherein the controller generates the control signal upon verifying that the electrical signal comprises a single clap having a predetermined amplitude.