CN203469237U

CN203469237U - Wearable magnetic equipment and part group

Info

Publication number: CN203469237U
Application number: CN201320394651.4U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 蔡罗友
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-07-04
Filing date: 2013-07-04
Publication date: 2014-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2023-07-04

Abstract

The utility model discloses wearable magnetic equipment and a part group. The wearable magnetic equipment comprises: a magnetic structure which is configured to generate a magnetic field in the field area of the equipment; an auxiliary magnet which is connected with the magnetic structure and is configured to increase the intensity of the magnetic field in the field area of the equipment; and a fastening piece. The auxiliary magnet and the fastening piece are configured to be that the fastening piece is magnetically fixed at a side, opposite to the field area of the equipment, of the auxiliary magnet. Meanwhile, a fabric piece or a clothes piece is configured to be located between the auxiliary magnet and the fastening piece. The equipment provided by the utility model solves problems that a pendant or a bracelet is not matched with the style of a personal ornament, and/or that the pendant or the bracelet is too conspicuous for other persons, and the like.

Description

Wearable magnetic device and component group

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a wearable magnetic device, to a method of subjecting a body region to a magnetic field, and to a set of parts (parts).

Background

There is a continuing need to provide devices and methods to enhance mental focus and alertness, alleviate ailments such as chronic pain or injury or post-operative recovery or illness in a manner that is non-invasive, comfortable and non-limiting to human activity.

Although magnetic pendants and bracelets have been provided, for example, in an attempt to address the above-mentioned needs, there are a number of problems associated with such devices. These problems may include that the pendant or bracelet may not match the style of personal wear of the article, and/or that they are too obvious to others, may cause embarrassment and/or cause the wearer of such a device to feel a "compelling" need.

Various embodiments of the present invention provide a wearable device, a method of subjecting a body region to a magnetic field, and a set of components, in an attempt to address at least one of the above problems.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

According to a first aspect, there is provided a wearable magnetic device comprising: a magnetic structure configured to generate a magnetic field in a field region of the device; an auxiliary magnet coupled to the magnetic structure and configured to increase a strength of a magnetic field within a field region of the device; and a fastener; wherein the auxiliary magnet and fastener are configured to magnetically secure the fastener on a side of the auxiliary magnet facing away from the field area of the device while having the piece of fabric or garment placed between the auxiliary magnet and fastener.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of subjecting a body region to a magnetic field, the method comprising: providing a magnetic structure configured to generate a magnetic field in a field region; providing an auxiliary magnet connected with the magnetic structure and configured to increase the strength of the magnetic field in the field region; and magnetically securing the fastener on a side of the auxiliary magnet facing away from the field area while placing a piece of fabric or clothing to be worn on the body area between the auxiliary magnet and the fastener.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a set of components comprising: a magnetic structure configured to generate a magnetic field within a field region of a device; an auxiliary magnet coupled to the magnetic structure and configured to increase a strength of a magnetic field within a field region of the device; and one or more fasteners; wherein the auxiliary magnet and one or more fasteners are configured to magnetically secure the fasteners on a side of the auxiliary magnet facing away from the field area of the device while having a piece of fabric or clothing disposed between the auxiliary magnet and each fastener.

Drawings

Various embodiments of the present invention will be better understood and readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description, taken by way of example only, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 (a) is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view of a wearable magnetic device according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 1 (b) is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of the wearable magnetic device of fig. 1 (a).

FIG. 2 (a) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the magnetic structure of the apparatus of FIG. 1 (a).

Fig. 2 (b) is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of fig. 1 (a).

Fig. 3 (a) -3 (c) are schematic diagrams illustrating fabrication of a magnetic structure for a wearable magnetic device according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side perspective view of a magnetic structure for a wearable magnetic device, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rear view of a shirt with one or more wearable magnetic devices attached thereto according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rear view of a piece of pants having one or more wearable magnetic devices attached thereto in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the shirt of FIG. 5 with one of the wearable magnetic devices attached thereto.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing a view of a belt or bandage with a wearable magnetic device attached.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a view of a helmet or headwear with a wearable magnetic device attached.

Fig. 10 shows thermal images (thermal images) compared before and after exposing the neck and back regions to a magnetic interference field for 3 minutes according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 11 shows thermal images comparing an arm region and a lower leg region before and after exposure to a magnetic interference field for 3 minutes according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 12 shows thermal images comparing wrist and abdominal regions before and after exposure to a magnetic interference field for 3 minutes according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 13 shows a thermal image comparing a head region before and after exposure to a magnetic interference field for 3 minutes according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 14 shows a flow diagram of a method of subjecting a body region to a magnetic field according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a wearable magnetic device, to a method of subjecting a body region to a magnetic field, and to a set of components. In one embodiment, there is provided a method of subjecting a body region to a magnetic field, comprising: providing a magnetic structure configured to generate a magnetic interference field in the field area, providing an auxiliary magnet connected with the magnetic structure and configured to increase the strength of the magnetic interference field in the field area, magnetically securing the fastener on a side of the auxiliary magnet facing away from the field area while interposing a piece of clothing to be worn on the body area between the auxiliary magnet and the fastener.

A schematic side view and a schematic side cross-sectional view of a magnetic device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment are shown in fig. 1 (a) and 1 (b), respectively. The magnetic device 100 comprises a magnetic structure 102 configured to generate a magnetic interference field protruding into a field region 106 of the device 100. The device 100 further comprises a support structure 108, the support structure 108 being configured to support the magnetic structure 102, an auxiliary magnet 110, and a fastener 112, the auxiliary magnet 110 being configured to increase the strength of the magnetic interference field in the field region 106 of the device 100. The auxiliary magnet 110 and the fastener 112 are configured to magnetically secure the fastener 112 on a side of the auxiliary magnet 110 facing away from the field area of the device while placing a piece of fabric or clothing (not shown) between the auxiliary magnet 110 and the fastener 112. In an exemplary embodiment, the multifunctional auxiliary magnet 110 advantageously enhances the magnetic interference field, and is also configured to secure the device 100 to a fabric or garment worn by the user. This can better make the device 100 convenient to use with little, if any, risk of damaging fabric or clothing. For structural integrity, the magnetic structure 102, the support structure 108, and the auxiliary magnet 110 may be at least partially encapsulated with one or more layers of adhesive sheet (not shown), such as, for example, cellophane tape or polyethylene tape.

In an exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary magnet 110 is embedded in the support structure 108 on a side thereof facing away from the field region 106 of the device 100. The fastener 112 is sized such that an edge 114 of the fastener 112 extends beyond the periphery of the secondary magnet 110 in the magnetically fastened state, but is smaller than the interior recessed region 113 of the device 100. This can advantageously cause the fastener 112 to securely interlock (interlock) with the auxiliary magnet 110 in the recessed region 113 under the effect of magnetic attraction while the piece of fabric or garment is placed therebetween.

The fastener 112 includes a first rigid plastic disk 115 having a stepped recessed region 117 formed therein. The fastener 112 further includes a flat plastic disc 116 disposed over a first larger magnet 118, the first larger magnet 118 being seated on top of a second smaller magnet 119. A rigid plastic disk 116 is fitted into the top of stepped recessed region 117 to hold both magnets 118 and 119 firmly in place in plastic disk 115.

The fasteners 112 are preferably provided in a neutral color on at least the surface facing away from the field area, i.e., the surface that is visible to the user when wearing the magnetic device. In various embodiments, one or more fasteners of different colors can be provided, for example as a set, so that the color can be coordinated with the desired garment. This can advantageously promote fusion with clothing worn by the user of the device 100, which can reduce the likelihood of the magnetic device being noticed by others.

In this embodiment, the device 100 further comprises a rigid structure 121 made of plastic. In this exemplary embodiment, the hard structures 121 substantially follow the dome-shaped contour of the surface of the magnetic structure 102 facing the field region 106 of the device 100. Since the device 100 comprises the plastic structure 121, direct or close contact between the skin of the user and the magnetic structure is preferably avoided. By selecting the properties of the covering material, the device can be optimized for the comfort of the user, for example in terms of contact pressure, scratching and/or skin irritation.

The rigid structure (or covering) 121 may have a diameter in the range of about 30-35mm and a height in the range of about 8-12 mm. The disk 115 may have a diameter in the range of about 18-22mm and a height in the range of about 5-8 mm. In one embodiment, the rigid structure (or covering) 121 has a diameter of about 33mm and a height of about 10mm, while the disk 115 has a diameter of about 20mm and a height of about 6.5 mm. It should be recognized, however, that the various embodiments are not limited to these ranges and values, and that other sizes and/or shapes may be used in different embodiments.

A schematic of a portion of the magnetic structure 102 of the apparatus 100 is shown in fig. 2 (a). The relative sizes of the various portions (features) of the magnetic structure 102 have been exaggerated for illustrative purposes. The magnetic structure 102 generally includes a plurality of magnet fragments 202 formed from a single piece of magnetic material (not shown), and movement of the magnet fragments 202 relative to each other is inhibited (inhibit). The plurality of magnet fragments 202 are adjacent to each other and separated by a gap 204, the gap 204 defining a boundary 206 between adjacent magnet fragments 202 to generate a magnetic field formed by magnetic interference of the respective magnet fragments 202. The size of the gaps 204 between the magnet pieces 202 may be, for example, in the range of about 0.05mm to 3.00 mm.

The magnetic interference of the magnet fragments 202 was found to increase the strength of the magnetic field protruding from the plurality of magnet fragments 202. Therefore, the greater the intensity of the magnetic interference, the more the magnetic field intensity increases.

A schematic of a cross-section of a portion 250 of the apparatus 100 along the plane of the paper in fig. 1 (a) is shown in fig. 2 (b). The auxiliary magnets 110 are disposed on one side of the magnet fragments 202 of the magnetic structure 102. The auxiliary magnets 110 are connected to the magnet fragments by the support structure 108. The auxiliary magnets 110 help to further increase the overall flux density of the magnetic field protruding from the apparatus 100 (fig. 1 (a)) and also help to further increase the strength of the magnetic interference formed at the gaps 204 between the magnet fragments 202. In an exemplary embodiment, since the auxiliary magnet 110 is a single-piece magnetic structure, there is no magnetic interference emitted from the auxiliary magnet 110 by itself. Therefore, the auxiliary magnet 110 also preferably serves as a shielding element to at least partially prevent magnetic interference fields protruding from the magnet fragments 202 towards the side of the auxiliary magnet 110 from being emitted beyond the auxiliary magnet 110. The auxiliary magnet 110 may be in the form of a single piece of permanent magnet, for example.

The magnetic material used to form the magnetic structure 102 and the auxiliary magnet 110 may be made of a material comprising, for example, ferrite, ceramic, samarium cobalt, or neodymium. The magnetic material may be polarized to a desired polarity prior to formation of the magnetic structure 102 or may be polarized to a desired polarity after formation of the magnetic structure 102.

The strength of the magnetic interference formed between the magnet fragments 202 depends on several factors and can be generally represented by the following equation:

intensity of magnetic interference = f (B)₁ ²,B₂ ²,L,g^-2,D^-2) （1）

Wherein,

B_lis the average magnetic flux density of the magnet pieces 202 Gauss];

B₂Is the magnetic flux density of the auxiliary magnet 110 Gauss];

L is the total length [ m ] of the boundary 204 between magnet fragments;

g is the average spacing distance [ m ] between magnet fragments, where g ≠ O; and

d is the perpendicular distance [ m ] from the surface plane of the magnet fragment 202, D ≠ O.

From the above equation (1), it can be observed that at a given perpendicular distance (D) from the surface plane of the magnet fragments 202, the magnetic interference intensity is proportional to the length (L) of the boundary between the magnet fragments 202, the average magnetic flux density (B) of the magnet fragments 202₁) Square of (d) and magnetic flux density (B) of the auxiliary magnet 110₂) Square of (d). However, the magnetic interference intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the average spacing distance (g) between the magnet fragments 202.

Fig. 3 (a) to 3 (b) show schematic diagrams of a method of manufacturing a magnetic structure for use in an apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. A fixing element in the form of two adhesive sheets 301 is attached to the single piece of magnetic material 300. As shown in fig. 3 (a), the sheet of magnetic material 300 is placed between two adhesive sheets 301. The adhesive sheet 301 is attached along the opposite surface of the magnetic material 300.

The adhesive sheet 301 may include a transparent elastic adhesive sheet that is stretched and may be wound around opposite surfaces of the magnetic material 300, thereby binding the magnetic material 300. Thus, a compressive force is exerted on the magnetic material 300. However, it should be appreciated that other types of fixation elements and other methods of applying fixation elements may be used as long as movement of the magnet fragments 304 (fig. 3 (b)) relative to each other is inhibited.

As shown in fig. 3 (b), a punch 302 is used in this embodiment to physically break the pieces of magnetic material 300 into a plurality of adjacent magnet fragments 304. The punch 302 includes a plurality of protrusions on the leading surface. The punch 302 is advanced toward the magnetic material 300 and exerts a force on the magnetic material 300 to break the magnetic material 300 into a plurality of adjacent magnet fragments 304. The punch 302 retracts after the pieces of magnetic material 300 break. Thus, a magnetic structure 306 is obtained comprising a plurality of adjacent magnet fragments 304. When the magnetic material 300 is broken, the movement of the magnet pieces 304 relative to each other is inhibited by the adhesive sheet 301 wound around the piece of the magnetic material 300. The magnetic structure 306 of fig. 3 (b) is generally similar to the magnetic structure 200 shown in fig. 2 (a). The magnetic structure 306 is disk-shaped. It should be appreciated that the magnetic structure 308 may also be other shapes, such as square, circular, etc., depending on design requirements. Further, it should be appreciated that the punch 302 may have other geometries and configurations than having a protrusion on the leading surface, so long as the punch is capable of breaking the magnetic material 300 into the plurality of magnet fragments 304. Likewise, other techniques for applying horizontal, lateral, and/or bending pressure to break up the magnetic material may be applied in different embodiments.

The adhesive sheet 301 serves to inhibit movement of the magnet fragments 304 relative to each other, resisting any repulsive forces between the magnet fragments 304, by applying a compressive force on the magnetic structure 306 to hold the magnet fragments 304 in position relative to each other. The magnet fragments 304 are adjacent to each other and separated by a separation gap that defines a boundary 307 between adjacent magnet fragments 304 to generate a magnetic field formed by magnetic interference. Further, the adhesive sheet 301 is preferably sufficiently deformable so that the adhesive sheet 301 is not damaged or not substantially damaged when a force is applied to break the pieces of the magnetic material 300. The adhesive sheet 301 may be, for example, a cellophane tape or a polyethylene tape. In the above description, two adhesive sheets 301 are used, however, it should be appreciated that a single adhesive sheet may be attached on at least one surface of the sheet of magnetic material 300 as long as the plurality of magnet fragments 304 can be firmly fixed such that the relative movement of the magnet fragments 304 is inhibited, thereby maintaining a small gap between the adjacent magnet fragments 304.

By holding the plurality of magnet fragments 304 adjacent to each other with a small gap between adjacent magnet fragments 304, the magnetic interference formed by adjacent magnet fragments 304 is enhanced. Refer to equation (1) (and assume all other factors, B_l、B₂L, and D are all kept constant), it is observed that as the spacing distance between adjacent magnet fragments 304 decreases, the magnetic interference intensity increases because the magnetic interference intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the spacing distance (g). Therefore, the separation distance between adjacent magnet fragments 304 is preferably kept as small as possible to achieve a greater strength of magnetic interference.

The separation gap between the magnet fragments 304 may be, for example, in the range of about 0.01mm to about 3.00 mm. This advantageously results in substantially enhanced magnetic interference. The magnetic material forming magnetic structure 306 may be polarized to a desired polarity prior to formation of magnetic structure 306 or may be polarized to a desired polarity after formation of magnetic structure 306.

Since increasing the strength of the magnetic interference increases the strength of the magnetic field, the size and/or number of magnets required to achieve the desired magnetic field strength is reduced. This in turn can preferably reduce the overall weight and cost of the apparatus.

After breaking the pieces of magnetic material 300, the generally planar magnetic structure 306 in fig. 3 (b) is formed into a dome-shaped magnetic structure 314 as shown in fig. 3 (c) while substantially maintaining the position of the magnet fragments 304 relative to each other. The generally planar magnetic structure 306 is placed against a support 316 having a dome-shaped profile 318 such that the generally planar magnetic structure conforms to the dome-shaped profile 308. An adhesive sheet (not shown) may be wrapped around the magnetic structure 314 to abut against the support 316 to maintain the shape of the dome-shaped magnetic structure 314. It should be appreciated that the generally planar magnetic structure 306 may be formed into other desired shapes, such as an arc, rather than a dome, by using a support having a corresponding profile/shape. In an exemplary embodiment, the support 316 may be made of any non-metallic material, such as plastic.

The magnetic structure 312 thus formed comprises a dome-shaped magnetic structure 314 and a magnetic shielding device in the form of, for example, an auxiliary magnet 310, the auxiliary magnet 310 being placed on one side of the magnetic structure 314. In one embodiment, the south pole side of the magnetic structure 312 thus formed is made the convex side of the magnetic structure 314. The magnetic interference field protrudes from the convex south pole side of the magnetic structure 314. The auxiliary magnet 310 is disposed at the other side (i.e., the north pole side) of the magnetic structure 314 to shield a magnetic interference field protruding from the north pole side of the magnetic structure 314. In this exemplary embodiment, the south pole side of the auxiliary magnet 310 faces the north pole side of the magnetic structure 314. The auxiliary magnet 310 may be any type of permanent magnet or may be made of a magnetic material.

It should be appreciated that if the magnetic interference field from the north pole is to be projected into the field region, the north pole side of the magnetic structure may be the projected side and the south pole side of the magnetic structure may be the other side. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are two polarities and directions in the magnetic field. One direction is from the north magnetic pole and the other direction is from the south magnetic pole. According to scientific convention, a compass "north" pointer points in the direction of the magnetic flux, i.e., outward from the north pole end of the magnet, and inward at the south pole end of the magnet.

In other embodiments, two or more dome-shaped magnetic structures 314 may be stacked one on top of the other. In other embodiments two or more auxiliary magnets 310 may be stacked one on top of the other.

A schematic diagram of a magnetic device 400 according to another embodiment is shown in fig. 4. The device 400 comprises a dome-shaped support 402, a plurality of substantially planar magnetic structures 404 arranged on a convex side 401 of the dome-shaped support 402. In this embodiment, each magnetic structure 404 is similar to the magnetic structure 308 in fig. 3 (b), for example. Each magnetic structure 404 includes a set of magnet fragments 310 formed from a single piece of magnetic material. An auxiliary magnet 414 is disposed at the other side of the dome-shaped support 402 to shield a magnetic interference field protruding from the side of the support 402.

The magnetic structures 404 are arranged in a substantially staggered arrangement on the convex side 401 of the dome-shaped support 402 to create further magnetic interference between the magnetic structures 404. This is in addition to the magnetic interference generated by the magnetic structures 404, respectively. It should be appreciated that in further embodiments, each planar magnetic structure 404 may be replaced by a stack of two or more planar magnetic structures.

With regard to a description of a manufacturing method suitable for producing a magnetic structure configured to generate a magnetic interference field, reference may also be made to PCT application publication No. WO2008/030191, the contents of which are incorporated herein by cross-reference.

Fig. 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams illustrating rear views of a shirt 500 and a pant 600, respectively, each having attached thereto one or more magnetic devices according to an exemplary embodiment for subjecting different body regions of a wearer (not shown) to a magnetic interference field. By way of example, one or more of the neck region, shoulder region, and upper back region may be affected by the magnetic interference field via one or more attached

magnetic devices

501 and 504, while one or more of the lower back region and thigh may be affected by the magnetic interference field via one or more attached

magnetic devices

601 and 603.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a shirt 500 with one wearable magnetic device 504 attached. As can be seen in fig. 7, fastener 700 of device 504 is magnetically secured on the side of auxiliary magnet 702 facing away from the field area of device 504, while the piece of fabric of shirt 500 is disposed between auxiliary magnet 702 and fastener 700. The dome-shaped cover 704 of the device 504 is in contact with the user's skin or other clothing worn beneath the shirt 500. The magnetic structure 708 and the support structure 710 of the device 504 are disposed below the cover 704. Fig. 7 also shows the interlock between fastener 700 received in recess 712 defined by cover 704 and the fabric piece of shirt 500 that is placed between auxiliary magnet 702 and fastener 700 in a state secured by magnetic force. This may be preferred to help avoid undesirable displacement of the device 504 while worn.

Fig. 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams showing a perspective view of a belt or bandage 800 and a side view of a helmet or headwear 900, respectively, each having attached thereto one or more

magnetic devices

801 and 803 and 901 and 903, respectively, according to an exemplary embodiment, for subjecting different body regions of a wearer to magnetic interference fields.

It should be appreciated that the magnetic device according to various embodiments of the present invention is not limited to the position shown in fig. 5-9, but may be attached to different locations on a shirt 500, a pair of shorts 600, a belt or bandage 800, a helmet or headwear 900, and/or any other item of clothing worn by or to be worn by a person, such that different body areas are affected by the magnetic interference field. The phrase "fabric sheet or garment sheet" as used in the present specification and claims is intended to include, but is not limited to, the examples shown in fig. 5-9.

Fig. 10 shows a comparative thermal image of the neck region and back region before (top row 1000) and after (bottom row 1002) exposure to the magnetic interference field for 3 minutes. Respective arrows, e.g., 1004, 1006, indicate the respective surface temperatures near the center of the respective images.

Fig. 11 shows a comparison of thermal images of the arm and lower leg regions before (top row 1100) and after (bottom row 1102) exposure to the magnetic interference field for 3 minutes. Respective arrows, e.g., 1104, 1106 indicate respective surface temperatures near the center of the respective images.

Fig. 12 shows a comparative thermal image of the wrist and abdomen regions before (top row 1200) and after (bottom row 1202) exposure to the magnetic interference field for 3 minutes. Respective arrows, e.g., 1204, 1206, indicate respective surface temperatures proximate respective image center locations.

Fig. 13 shows a comparative thermal image of a head region before (1300) and after (1302) exposure to a magnetic interference field for 3 minutes. In these thermal images, lighter shading indicates higher temperature.

A possible explanation for the observed phenomenon is that the flux lines of the static magnetic interference field may be in disordered (chaotic), spiral (helical) form. This may have a magnetically induced effect on living tissue and the fluid contained in blood vessels and water. The magnetic induction effect thus leads to an increase in the water and fluid binding forces and thus to an increase in the tension (stretching) of the tissue and the vessel wall.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be advantageously used to subject various body regions to magnetic interference fields, which can provide enhanced mental focus and alertness in a non-invasive, comfortable and non-limiting manner to human activity, alleviating ailments such as chronic pain or injury or post-operative recovery or illness.

In one embodiment, a wearable magnetic device comprises: a magnetic structure configured to generate a magnetic field in a field region of the device; an auxiliary magnet coupled to the magnetic structure and configured to increase a strength of a magnetic field within a field region of the device; and a fastener; wherein the auxiliary magnet and fastener are configured to magnetically secure the fastener on a side of the auxiliary magnet facing away from the field area of the device while having the piece of fabric or garment placed between the auxiliary magnet and fastener.

The apparatus may further comprise a support structure carrying and disposed within the magnetic structure. The auxiliary magnets may be embedded in the support structure.

In one embodiment, the device further comprises a cover cooperating with the magnetic structure and facing the field area of the device. The fastener is configured to be received in a recess defined by the cover with the piece of fabric or garment positioned between the auxiliary magnet and the fastener in a state of being secured by magnetic force.

In one embodiment, the fastener comprises a rigid body. The hard body may include a recess formed therein to receive the at least one fastening magnet. The recess may comprise a stepped recess and be adapted to receive two different sizes of fastening magnets. The device may include two magnets disposed in the stepped recess. The apparatus may further comprise a rigid plate or disk fitted into the top of the stepped recess to hold the two magnets.

In one embodiment, the magnetic structure is configured to generate a magnetic interference field in the field region. The magnetic structure may comprise a plurality of fragments of a single piece of magnetic material, wherein movement of the respective fragments relative to each other is inhibited.

In another embodiment, the magnetic structure comprises two or more individual pieces of magnetic material, stacked one on top of the other, each individual piece being broken up to form a respective plurality of fragments. The diameter and/or size and/or thickness of each piece of magnetic material and/or each of the plurality of pieces may be the same or different.

In one embodiment, the auxiliary magnet is connected to the magnetic structure by a support for the magnetic structure.

Fig. 14 shows a flow diagram 1400 illustrating a method of subjecting a body region to a magnetic field according to an embodiment. At 1402, a magnetic structure configured to generate a magnetic field in a field region is provided. At 1404, an auxiliary magnet is provided that is connected to the magnetic structure and configured to increase the strength of the magnetic field in the field region. At 1406, the fastener is magnetically secured on a side of the auxiliary magnet facing away from the field area, while a piece of fabric or clothing to be worn on the body area is placed between the auxiliary magnet and the fastener.

The magnetic field may comprise a magnetic interference field.

In one embodiment, the method may further comprise fixing (arrest) the position of the magnetic structure relative to the piece of fabric or garment by receiving the fastener in a recess defined by a cover that mates with the magnetic structure, while the piece of fabric or garment is disposed between the auxiliary magnet and the fastener in a state of being fixed by the magnetic structure.

In one embodiment, a set of components includes: a magnetic structure configured to generate a magnetic field within a field region of a device; an auxiliary magnet coupled to the magnetic structure and configured to increase a strength of a magnetic field within a field region of the device; and one or more fasteners; wherein the auxiliary magnet and one or more fasteners are configured to magnetically secure the fasteners on a side of the auxiliary magnet facing away from the field area of the device, while having a piece of fabric or clothing disposed between the auxiliary magnet and each fastener.

The set of components may include two or more fasteners. The two or more fasteners may be of different colors.

In one embodiment, the magnetic structure is configured to generate a magnetic interference field in the field region.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Likewise, the present invention includes any combination of features, in particular of features in the patent claims, even if this feature or this combination of features is not explicitly specified in the patent claims or in the individual embodiments herein.

Claims

1. A wearable magnetic device, comprising:

a magnetic structure configured to generate a magnetic field within a field region of the device;

an auxiliary magnet connected with the magnetic structure and configured to increase a strength of a magnetic field within a field region of the device; and

a fastener;

wherein the auxiliary magnet and the fastener are configured to magnetically secure the fastener on a side of the auxiliary magnet facing away from a field area of the device while having a piece of fabric or clothing interposed between the auxiliary magnet and the fastener.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a support structure carrying and disposed in the magnetic structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the auxiliary magnet is embedded in the support structure.

4. The device of any preceding claim, further comprising a cover cooperating with the magnetic structure and facing a field area of the device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the fastener is configured to be received in a recess defined by the lid with a piece of fabric or clothing interposed between the auxiliary magnet and the fastener in a state secured by magnetic force.

6. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein the fastener comprises a hard body.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the hard body comprises a recess formed therein to receive at least one fastening magnet.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the recess may comprise a stepped recess and be adapted to receive two different sizes of fastening magnets.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, comprising two magnets disposed in the stepped recess.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a rigid plate or disk fitted into the top of the stepped recess for securing the two magnets.

11. The device according to any of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein the magnetic structure is configured to generate a magnetic interference field in the field region.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the magnetic structure comprises a plurality of fragments of a single piece of magnetic material, wherein movement of the respective fragments relative to each other is inhibited.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the magnetic structure comprises two or more individual pieces of magnetic material stacked one on top of the other, each individual piece being broken up to form a respective plurality of fragments.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the diameter and/or size and/or thickness of each piece of magnetic material and/or the fragments of the respective plurality of fragments is different.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the diameter and/or size and/or thickness of each piece of magnetic material and/or the fragments of the respective plurality of fragments is the same.

16. The device according to any of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein the auxiliary magnet is connected with the magnetic structure by a support for the magnetic structure.

17. A component set, comprising:

a magnetic structure configured to generate a magnetic field within a field region of a device;

an auxiliary magnet connected to the magnetic structure and configured to increase a strength of a magnetic field within a field region of the device;

one or more fasteners; and is

Wherein the auxiliary magnet and the one or more fasteners are configured to magnetically secure the fasteners on a side of the auxiliary magnet facing away from a field area of the device while having a piece of fabric or clothing interposed between the auxiliary magnet and each of the fasteners.

18. The set of parts of claim 17, comprising two or more fasteners.

19. The set of components of any one of claims 17 to 18, wherein the magnetic structure is configured to generate a magnetic interference field in the field region.