AU2010101261B4

AU2010101261B4 - Magnetic Connection System

Info

Publication number: AU2010101261B4
Application number: AU2010101261A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Colin Dahl
Original assignee: AUSTRALIAN SCIENCES
Current assignee: AUSTRALIAN SCIENCES
Priority date: 2010-07-23
Filing date: 2010-11-16
Publication date: 2011-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2018-11-16
Also published as: AU2010101261A4

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT MAGNETIC CONNECTION SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 of 8 MAGNETIC CONNECTION SYSTEM The present invention relates to a novel magnetic connection system for use in furniture and furnishings. 5 There have been proposed numerous methods for constructing furniture and furnishings that involves the step of fixing or embedding permanent magnets to the sides of furniture or furnishing items to allow the items to magnetically couple to other such items. 10 One principle disadvantage of these proposed constructions is the difficulty in correctly assembling such furniture and furnishings. These proposed constructions only allow sides containing magnets of opposite polarity to couple. Sides containing magnets of like polarity will not couple. 15 Such problems are overcome by the present invention, which provides a novel magnetic connection system comprising assemblies that house a flip-able magnet. When one or more such assemblies are added to one or more sides of furniture and furnishings, any such sides are able to couple under the force of magnetic attraction when such sides are placed contiguously, as is described further below. 20 The magnetic connection system of the present invention comprises of one or more magnetic coupling assemblies added to one or more side of furniture or furnishings. Each magnetic coupling assembly comprises of a hollow compartment that houses a magnet that is able to flip within the compartment. As the sides of magnetic coupling 25 assemblies are placed contiguously, the magnets within the magnetic coupling assemblies can flip within their compartment due to magnetic forces, and magnetically couple under magnetic attractive forces. The magnets within the magnetic coupling assemblies therefore magnetically couple the magnetic coupling assemblies together. When such magnetic coupling assemblies are added to the sides of furniture or 30 furnishings, any such sides are able to couple when such sides are placed contiguously.

2 of 8 In one embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic coupling assembly compartment may be constructed of suitable strength materials, preferably non magnetic metal, plastic or wood. The hollow compartment of the present invention being large enough to allow the housed magnet to flip within the compartment (Fig. 1 5 4), so that regardless of the initial magnetic polarity arrangement of the magnet within the compartment, the magnet is able to flip and couple with a magnet of another such magnetic coupling assembly under the force of magnetic attraction. The magnetic coupling assemblies may be added to furniture or furnishings by fixing the assembly to the sides or within the sides of furniture or furnishings using methods and materials 10 currently known to those in the field of furniture and furnishings, such as the use of adhesives, nails and screws. The compartment may also include one or more covers, which allow the magnet to be inserted and enclosed within the compartment. The cover may be permanently fixed to the compartment or the cover may be removable. Preferably, the cover material is of similar type to the compartment body. 15 In another embodiment the magnetic coupling assembly may be added to the furniture or furnishing by creating a hollow spaced compartment within the side of furniture or furnishing material, inserting a magnet into the compartment and enclosing the magnet within the compartment, said space within the hollowed compartment being large 20 enough to allow the magnet to flip. The magnetic coupling assembly compartment may be created in the material used to construct the furniture or furnishing, or may be created within the side of furniture or furnishing. In the case of plastic or molded furniture and furnishings, the compartments hollow space housing the magnet may be incorporated into the furniture or furnishing mold. In another example, the 25 compartments hollow space housing the magnet may be drilled or hollowed from the furniture or furnishing material. The magnet is then placed within the hollowed space compartment and the open end, or ends, securely closed by a removable cover or fixed cover. In the case of wooden furniture or furnishings, a compartment may be created by drilling a hole through a side, the magnet placed within the hole and the open end or 30 ends covered with a decorative sheet material such as but not limited to laminate or veneer sheet, which is glued to the wooden sides (Fig. 5-6).

3 of 8 In a preferred embodiment, the compartment has narrowing inner sides so that a magnet is positioned in a specific location within the compartment when coupled to another such assembly (Fig. 3-4). This enables the magnetic coupling assemblies to couple in a known fashion so that a determined alignment of furniture or furnishing 5 sides is achieved (Fig. 7-8). The compartment may have one or more such narrowing inner sides. The magnetic coupling assembly magnets may be any permanent magnets. Preferably, the permanent magnets are rare earth magnets such as Neodymium magnets, NdFeB 10 (Neodymium-Iron-Boron). The size, shape and strength of the magnet chosen so the sides of furniture or furnishings suitably couple. The magnets may comprise any shape. The size and shape of the magnetic coupling assembly compartment and magnet may be chosen according to the characteristics and requirements of the furniture or 15 furnishings requiring coupling. The number of magnetic coupling assemblies used in the magnetic connection system may be chosen according to the characteristics and requirements of the furniture or furnishings requiring coupling. 20 The magnetic coupling system of the present invention may be used to couple furniture and furnishings. The term 'Furniture' is used herein to include one or more parts of furniture or a whole furniture item. The term 'Furnishing' is used herein to include one or more parts of a furnishing or a whole furnishing item. Furniture includes beds, 25 benches, bookcases, cabinets, chairs, chests, coffee tables, couches, credenzas, cupboards, desks, dressers, foot stools, furniture blocks, lounges, modular furniture, ottomans, room dividers, stands, screens, shelves, stools, storage furniture, tables, wardrobes and the like. Furnishings includes black boards, blinds, boxes, clocks, covers, curtains, cushions, doors, drawers, frames, handles, inflatable's, legs, lamps, lights, 30 mattresses, mirrors, padding, picture frames, pots, rugs, seat cushions and covers, speakers, storage boxes, table tops, wheels, white boards and the like.

4 of 8 In an embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic coupling assemblies may be added to the sides of parts of furniture so that the sides of the parts magnetically couple together to create a furniture item when the sides of such parts are placed contiguously. In another embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic coupling assemblies may 5 be added to the sides of furniture items so that the sides of the furniture items magnetically couple together to create a furniture system when the sides of furniture are placed contiguously. In another embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic coupling assemblies may 10 be added to the sides of parts of furnishings so that the sides of the parts magnetically couple together to create a furnishing item when the sides of such parts are placed contiguously. In another embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic coupling assemblies may be added to the sides of furnishings so that the sides of the furnishings magnetically couple together to create a furnishing system when the sides of furnishings 15 are placed contiguously. The present invention also describes the use of the magnetic connection system to couple furniture to furnishings using magnetic coupling assemblies. In addition to a magnetic coupling assembly coupling with another such magnetic assembly, a magnetic 20 coupling assembly of the present invention may couple with any magnetic material contained in furniture or furnishing. The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following illustrations taken in conjunction with the description in which: 25 FIG. 1 is an example of a magnetic coupling assembly compartment. FIGS. 2-4 represent examples of the sectional views of various magnetic coupling assemblies. FIG. 5 is an example of a magnetic coupling assembly created in a block of wood. FIG. 6 represents an example of the sectional view of a magnetic coupling assembly created in a block of wood. FIG. 7 is an example of the elements of a magnetic connection system 30 prior to coupling. FIG. 8 is an example of the elements of a magnetic connection system that have coupled. FIG. 9 is an example of two furniture elements which contain magnetic coupling assemblies on each side. FIG. 10 is an example of a furniture system comprising magnetically coupled furniture items using the magnetic connection system.

5 of 8 FIG. 11 is an example of two furniture elements which contain magnetic coupling assemblies. FIG. 12 is an example of a furniture item comprising magnetically coupled furniture elements using the magnetic connection system. 5 Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which illustrates an example of a magnetic coupling assembly compartment 1A. The magnetic coupling assembly compartment 1A is shown as a cylinder shaped object. However, the present invention is not limited to this and the compartment may be any shape. The magnetic coupling assembly compartment is shown to have a single cover 2A to allow the magnet to be inserted and enclosed within 10 the compartment. However, the present invention is not limited to this and the compartment may have one or more such covers. The cover is shown to be fixed to the body of the compartment 3A, however the present invention is not limited to this and the cover may be removable. The compartment or cover may also have additional means to allow embedding or fixing of the assembly to furniture or furnishings. 15 Additional means may include holes to allow screws and the like to fix the assembly to the furniture or furnishing. Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which illustrates an example of a sectional view of a magnetic coupling assembly 1B. The compartment 3B and cover 2B enclose magnet 4B. 20 The magnet 4B is free to move within the space created by the compartment 3B and cover 2B, and the space is large enough for the magnet to flip. The magnet 4B is shown as a cylinder shaped magnet and the magnetic polarity runs vertically creating opposite poles on the top and bottom faces of the magnet. However, the present invention is not limited to this and the magnet may be any shape. The space within the compartment is 25 only shown to contain the magnet. However the present invention is not limited to this and the compartment may contain grease or lubricant to assist the magnet to flip within the compartment. The space within the compartment may also be covered with rubber, plastic or wood to reduce the noise of the magnet hitting the sides of the inner compartment. 30 Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates an example of a sectional view of a magnetic coupling assembly 1C. The compartment 3C and cover 2C enclose magnet 4C. The magnet 4C is free to move within the space created by the compartment 3C and 6 of 8 cover 2C, and the space is large enough for the magnet to flip. The walls of the inner space within the compartment are angled so that the magnet 4C is focused to a position on one inner side of the compartment, when that side is coupled to another such assembly. 5 Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which illustrates an example of a sectional view of a magnetic coupling assembly 1D. The compartment 3D and cover 2D enclose magnet 4D. The magnet 4D is free to move within the space created by the compartment 3D and cover 2D, and the space is large enough for the magnet to flip. There are two inner side 10 walls of the compartment that are angled so that the magnet 4D may be directed to a position on the top or bottom of the compartment. This inner shape is suitable for a magnetic coupling assembly that may couple a magnet to the top or bottom side of the compartment. 15 Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which illustrates an example of magnetic coupling assembly 1E created in a block of wood 3E. The block of wood has two laminate sheets 2E adhesively fixed to the top and bottom of the wooden block. Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which illustrates an example of a sectional view of a 20 magnetic coupling assembly 1F created using wooden block 3F, magnet 4F and two laminate sheets 2F. The wooden block 3F has a compartment hole drilled through the block in the shape of the inner compartment of FIG. 3. The assembly also comprises a magnet 4F that is housed within the compartment hole and secured within the wooden block by two laminate sheets 2F that are adhesively fixed to wooden block 3F. The 25 magnet 4F is free to move within the compartment space created by the compartment hole in the wooden block 3F and covers 2F, and the compartment space is large enough for the magnet to flip. The assembly is shown to contain two laminate covers. However the present invention is not limited to this and the assembly may comprise one or more covers. The material and shape of material comprising the assembly is shown as a 30 wooden block, however the present invention is not limited to this and the shape may be any shaped material or piece of furniture or furnishing.

7 of 8 Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which illustrates an example of two magnetic coupling assemblies 6A and 6B. Assembly 6A comprises cover 2CA, compartment 3CA and magnet 4CA. Assembly 6B comprises cover 2CB, compartment 3CB and magnet 4CB.The magnets 4CA and 4CB within the magnetic coupling assemblies 6A and 6B are 5 positioned on the bottom of the compartments, due to the force of gravity. The magnets 4CA and 4CB of the uncoupled magnetic coupling assemblies 6A and 6B are free to move and flip within the compartment and the position and polarity arrangement of the magnets 4CA and 4CB within the compartments are variable. The magnets 4CA and 4CB within the magnetic coupling assemblies 6A and 6B are also able to flip within the 10 compartment due to magnetic forces and magnetically couple together under magnetic attractive force when the sides of magnetic coupling assemblies 6A and 6B are placed contiguously. Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which illustrates an example of two coupled 15 assemblies 7, comprising of magnetic coupling assemblies 6A and 6B. The magnets 4CA and 4CB within the magnetic coupling assemblies have coupled due to the magnetic force of attraction, which is larger than the force of gravity on the magnet 4CB. The magnetic strength of the magnets 4CA and 4CB are such that when the sides of magnetic coupling assemblies are placed contiguously, the force of magnetic attraction 20 is sufficient to bring the faces of the magnets together in north to south or south to north polarity orientation, as well as sufficiently couple the magnetic coupling assemblies together. Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which illustrates an example of two wooden furniture 25 blocks 8A and 8B, which each have four magnetic coupling assemblies 9 added to their four sides. The magnetic coupling assemblies 9 are added to the sides of the wooden furniture blocks 10 as constructed in the example of FIG. 6, comprising a compartment created by drilling of the wooden sides, inserting a suitable strength and sized cylindrical magnet within each hollow compartment that allows the magnet to flip within the 30 compartment, and enclosing each compartment by adhesively fixing a decorative laminated sheet to each inner and outer side of the wooden blocks. Each side of the furniture block is shown as having a centrally positioned single magnetic coupling assembly, however the present invention is not limited to this number and orientation 8 of 8 and the sides may have one or more such assemblies added to any position of the side of furniture and furnishings. Reference is now made to FIG. 10, which illustrates an example of the coupling of two 5 wooden furniture blocks 8A and 8B from FIG. 9, forming a bookcase 11, two sides of which have been placed contiguously together leading to the magnetic coupling of the sides. The wooden furniture blocks may be uncoupled by pulling the blocks apart and any of the four sides of each block may be re-coupled to another such block by placing the sides contiguously. Two blocks are shown to couple together, however the present 10 invention does not limit the number of furniture items or parts of furniture that couple using the present magnetic connection system. Reference is now made to FIG. 11, which illustrates an example of a chair system 12, comprising wooden chair frame 15 and chair cushion 13, which have a magnetic 15 coupling assembly 16 and 14 added to one of their sides as shown. The magnetic coupling assembly is added to the sides of the chair frame 15 and chair cushion 13 by adhesively fixing a plastic magnetic coupling assembly comprising compartment, cover and housing a cylindrical permanent magnet, as shown in FIG. 3, within the side of the chair frame 15 and chair cushion 13. 20 Reference is now made to FIG. 12, which illustrates an example of a chair 17 constructed using the magnetic connection system of the present invention and comprising of the coupling of wooden chair frame 15 and chair cushion 13, from FIG. 11. 25 It is appreciated that these are just a limited number of examples of magnetic connection systems, magnetic coupling assemblies, furniture and furnishing systems, which may be constructed and operative in accordance with the present invention and the invention is not limited to these examples. It is also understood that separate 30 embodiments of the present invention may be combined in accordance with the present invention. AUSTRALIAN SCIENCES 16 NOVEMBER 2010

Claims

1. A magnetic connection system, comprising of one or more magnetic coupling assemblies added to one or more sides of furniture or furnishings, each magnetic coupling assembly comprising of a compartment housing a magnet that is able to 5 flip within the compartment, said sides of such furniture or furnishings magnetically coupling when placed contiguously.

2. The magnetic connection system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling assembly is added to the furniture by fixing or embedding the magnetic 10 coupling assembly to the side of furniture or furnishing, the magnetic coupling assembly compartment made from materials including, non-magnetic metal, plastic, wood and the like.

3. The magnetic connection system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic 15 coupling assembly is added to furniture or furnishings by creating one or more hollow spaced compartments within one or more sides of furniture or furnishings, inserting a magnet within each hollowed compartment, and enclosing the compartment. 20

4. The magnetic connection system according to claims 1-3, wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet, including rare earth magnets such as Neodymium, NdFeB (Neodymium-Iron-Boron).

5. The magnetic connection system according to claims 1-4, wherein furniture 25 include beds, benches, bookcases, cabinets, chairs, chests, coffee tables, couches, credenzas, cupboards, desks, dressers, foot stools, furniture blocks, lounges, modular furniture, ottomans, room dividers, stands, screens, shelves, stools, storage furniture, tables, wardrobes and the like, and furnishings include black boards, blinds, boxes, clocks, covers, curtains, cushions, doors, drawers, 30 frames, handles, inflatable's, legs, lamps, lights, mattresses, mirrors, padding, picture frames, pots, rugs, seat cushions and covers, speakers, storage boxes, table tops, wheels, white boards and the like. AUSTRALIAN SCIENCES 16 NOVEMBER 2010