This invention is pretty simple. Instead of the usual zipper on your pants pockets, what if the zipper were magnetic? It could connect to a magnet on the top of the pants, and would keep the fly from falling down. It would be an easy way to get away from (XYZ) embarrassment!-- sumidog123, Aug 17 2002 What's wrong with http://www.velcro.com/? [DrCurry, Aug 20 2002, last modified Oct 21 2004] This doesn't solve the most common problem of forgetting to zip. Just don't wear any pants if you are tired of everyone laughing at you.-- spartanica, Aug 17 2002 I was thinking maybe pants could just have elastic lacing through them so that men could Free Willy and then put him back easily, and you could just pull your pants up and down. They could even have a fake zipper to keep up appearances.
Anyway this is a damn good idea, and practical too. And it's not the least bit feline-related. Croissy.-- polartomato, Aug 17 2002 Is that a magnet in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?Where do you keep the magnet? If it's in the trouser pocket, then the zipper will drop.-- thumbwax, Aug 17 2002 It's a cool idea, but I'm picturing playground bullies with magnets...-- tharsaile, Aug 18 2002 How about a popper near the top of the trousers (US: 'pants')- just below the button. This would be hidden under the flap when trousers are fully attached. The zip puller would have the other half of the popper.-- timo, Aug 18 2002 Don't stand to close to anything that will attract the magnet in your fly! People might start to wonder why you're having so much fun with that street sign.
I feel sorry for the Price Albert types too.-- dag, Aug 18 2002 What's wrong with buttons?-- -alx, Aug 18 2002 Cinderella kicked him in the zipper.-- calum, Aug 18 2002 dag: perhaps, the Prince Albert types could have their own magnetic locking device to hold the meat 'n' potatoes in place before zipping.
I can imagine that you might have to look in the mirror in dismay and wipe off all the paper clips and iron filings from your fly.-- polartomato, Aug 19 2002 Be wary of demagnetizing pads at checkout counters.. "Oh shit, my trousers have just come undone... but why?"
Do not place bank cards, credit cards, ATM cards, or your crotch on this pad!-- Mr Burns, Aug 19 2002 // Prince Albert types //
And all the Americans are left scratching their heads at that reference...-- RayfordSteele, Aug 19 2002 ...going commando...-- phoenix, Aug 20 2002 Prince Albert types also refers to the insane people with genital piercings.-- dag, Aug 20 2002 <no innuendo> I consider that this idea is incompatible with laptops, in that one would run the risk of degaussing one's hard drive, or any floppy disks place in or near the Magnetic Fly mechanism. Hence, fishbone. </no innuendo>-- 8th of 7, Aug 20 2002 Why a fancy magnet? Why not just an ordinary clip at the top of the fly which can hold onto the zipper-unzipper, or a safety pin.
Another good way to prevent zipper unzipping is to zip a piece of felt into the teeth.-- ImBack, Aug 20 2002 I'm also slightly (read really really) worried about flipping winky the one eyed water wizard out to urinate and have blinky the magnetic zipper decide that its time to zip, so what i propose is this. rather than use a permanent magnet, use an electromagnet. mount a small pbno switch inside of the snap. when the pants are snapped the pbno comes closed and energizes the magnet located at the top of the fly. zipping up the zipper.
on another note, the whole fly would become magnetized making it hard to move the .... part that moves up and down... whatever that may be called. so i would suggest making the zipper itself out of something non magnetic and making the .... part that moves up and down..... magnetic-- slyphter, May 15 2003 what happens if I stand too close in line to a woman who has the magnetic fly on the back of her slacks ?
"Your honor, I now call the defendant, Mahatma, to the stand"...-- mahatma, May 15 2003 random, halfbakery