AU2013101636A4 - Magnetic Mobile Device Holder - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A mobile device case 10 having a rear wall component 12 and four side walls 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d adapted to enclose the edges of a mobile device 16 5 so as to at least partially encase the mobile device. The case 10 further comprises a permanent magnet 18 of planar configuration provided in connection with the rear wall component 12 of the case 10. The permanent magnet 18 is embedded within the rear wall component 12 of the case 10. In use, when the case 10 is brought into close proximity to a magnetic holder 10 (or other compatible accessory) having a permanent magnet of opposite polarity, the respective permanent magnets align and the case 10 with the mobile device 16 can be held in the holder by the force of magnetic attraction between the respective magnets. -- _-- --- . . ..... ... , wZ f // II ~i Iii Iiii ii ii i// ii - -- III -~ ii \\ J7

Description

ORIGINAL AUSTRALIA IP Australia No. 4 11 DEC 2013 Patents Act 1990 NPveP COMPLETE SPECIFICATION For an Innovation Patent Invention title: "MAGNETIC MOBILE DEVICE HOLDER" Applicant: FORCE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL PTY LTD The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 "MAGNETIC MOBILE DEVICE HOLDER" Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic mobile device holder and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a magnetic mobile phone holder. 5 Background to the Invention Mobile electronic devices, such as smart phones and tablet computers, have become essential items for many people today, especially as the popularity of online social networking sites has expanded. In motor vehicles the use of 10 GPS navigation devices has also become widespread. Furthermore, with the growing practice of multi-tasking it has become desirable to be able to operate, or at least interact with, these devices hands-free. This is especially true for people who use their mobile phones whilst driving a motor vehicle. Therefore numerous kinds of mobile device holders, cradles and stands have 15 been developed and marketed to meet this growing demand. One type of prior art mobile device holder, sold under the trademark TETRAX, employs the invisible force of magnetic attraction to hold a mobile phone or other mobile device on the holder. The TETRAX device presumably derives its name from the arrangement of four permanent magnets in a 20 square configuration, which is employed to hold the mobile device on the holder. A metal clip is provided in connection with the case for the mobile device, and the force of magnetic attraction between the magnets and the metal clip is what holds the device on the holder. The present invention was developed with a view to providing an improved 25 magnetic mobile device holder which is more versatile and can be readily expanded to include a range of compatible accessories. References to prior art in this specification are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be taken as an admission that such prior art is part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

3 Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a case for a mobile device, the case comprising: a rear wall and at least two side walls adapted to enclose the edges of the 5 mobile device so as to at least partially encase the mobile device; and, a permanent magnet of planar configuration provided in connection with the rear wall of the case whereby, in use, when the case is brought into close proximity to a magnetic holder having a permanent magnet of opposite polarity, the respective permanent magnets align and the case with the 10 mobile device can be held in the holder by the force of magnetic attraction between the respective magnets. Preferably the permanent magnet is one of a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in a symmetrical pattern. Preferably the plurality of permanent magnets is arranged in a rectangular pattern. Typically each permanent 15 magnet is of circular configuration. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a flip case for a mobile device, the flip case comprising: a rear wall, a front wall and at least one side wall, the rear and front walls being adapted to substantially cover the front and rear of the mobile device 20 so as to protect the mobile device; and, a permanent magnet of planar configuration provided in connection with the rear wall of the flip case whereby, in use, when the flip case is brought into close proximity to a case for a mobile device, the case having a permanent magnet of opposite polarity, the respective permanent magnets align and the 25 case with the mobile device can be held in the flip case by the force of magnetic attraction between the respective magnets. Preferably the permanent magnet is one of a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in a symmetrical pattern. Preferably four permanent magnets are arranged in a rectangular pattern, and two of the permanent magnets are 4 smaller than the other two. Typically each permanent magnet is of circular configuration. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a magnetic holder for a mobile device, the magnetic holder comprising: 5 a support structure; and, a cradle mounted on the support structure and having a permanent magnet provided in connection therewith whereby, in use, when a case for a mobile device having a permanent magnet of opposite polarity is brought into close proximity to the cradle, the respective permanent magnets align and the case 10 with the mobile device can be held on the holder by the force of magnetic attraction between the respective magnets. Preferably the permanent magnet is one of a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in a symmetrical pattern. Preferably the cradle comprises a substantially planar support surface 15 adapted to support a case for a mobile device received in connection therewith. In one form of the invention the magnetic holder is a belt clip and the support structure is a clip that is adapted to engage with a trouser belt worn by the user. Typically the cradle for the belt clip is in the form of a holster with a 20 plurality of claws adapted to engage with the edges of the mobile device case for holding the mobile device more securely in the belt clip. Preferably only two permanent magnets are provided in connection with the holster to enable the mobile device case to be more easily removed from the holster. In another form of the invention the magnetic holder is a dashboard holder 25 and the support structure is in the form of a support arm that is adapted to engage with a dashboard of a vehicle to facilitate hands-free operation of the mobile device. In the dashboard holder the cradle is in the form of a support pad, which is . mechanically coupled to the support arm.

5 Preferably the plurality of permanent magnets is arranged in a rectangular pattern. Advantageously the support surface comprises four quadrants, each quadrant of the support surface being separated from its adjacent quadrants by an air gap. Preferably behind each quadrant of the support surface there 5 is a respective permanent magnet embedded in the support pad. Throughout the specification the term "mobile device" includes, but is not limited to, mobile electronic devices such as mobile phones, smart phones, GPS units, navigation aids, MP3 players, tablet computers, etc. 10 Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Likewise the word "preferably" or variations such as "preferred", will be understood to imply that 15 a stated integer or group of integers is desirable but not essential to the working of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings The nature of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the magnetic mobile device 20 holder, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front isometric view of a first embodiment of a mobile phone case according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear isometric view of the case of Figure 1; 25 Figure 3 is a front isometric exploded view of the case of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a front isometric view of a first embodiment of a mobile phone flip case according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a rear isometric view of the flip case of Figure 4; 6 Figure 6 is a front isometric exploded view of the flip case of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a rear elevation of the flip case of Figure 4 with a mobile phone encased in the case of Figure 1 held therein; Figure 8 is a section view through the line A-A of the flip case and 5 case combination of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a front isometric view of the flip case and case combination of Figure 7 arranged in a landscape orientation; Figure 10 is a right side elevation of the flip case and case combination arranged as shown in Figure 9; 10 Figure 11 is a front isometric view of a first embodiment of a mobile device belt clip according to the present invention; Figure 12 is a rear isometric view of the belt clip of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a left side elevation view of the belt clip of Figure 11; Figure 14 is a right side elevation view of the belt clip of Figure 11; 15 Figure 15 is a top plan view of the belt clip of Figure 11; Figure 16 is a bottom plan view of the belt clip of Figure 11; Figure 17 is a front isometric exploded view of the belt clip of Figure 11; Figure 18 is a rear elevation view of the belt clip of Figure 11 with a mobile phone encased in the case of Figure 1 held therein; 20 Figure 19 is a section view through the line B-B of the belt clip and case combination as shown in Figure 18; Figures 20A, 20B and 20C are three bottom plan views of the belt clip and case combination of Figure 18 showing the process of: (A) inserting the case into the belt clip claws; (B) magnetic alignment to lock the case 25 against the belt clip; and, (C) final position of the case in the belt clip; 7 Figure 21 is a front isometric view of a first embodiment of a mobile device holder according to the present invention; Figure 22 is a right side elevation of the holder of Figure 21; Figure 23 is a rear isometric view of the holder of Figure 21; 5 Figure 24 is a front isometric exploded view of the holder of Figure 21; Figure 25 is a front isometric view of the holder of Figure 21 holding a mobile phone encased in the case of Figure 1 therein; Figure 26 is a top plan view of the holder, mobile phone and case combination of Figure 25; and, 10 Figure 27 is a section view through the line C-C of the holder, mobile phone and case combination as shown in Figure 26. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments 15 A first embodiment of the mobile device case 10 in accordance with the invention, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, comprises a rear wall component 12 and four side walls 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d adapted to enclose the edges of the mobile device 16 so as to at least partially encase the mobile device. The mobile device in this embodiment is a mobile phone or smart phone 16; 20 however it will be apparent that the shape and configuration of the case 10 may be modified to accommodate mobile devices of other types, shapes or sizes. Furthermore, the case 10 may be manufactured from a soft rubberised material, which allows the mobile device to be inserted by bending and stretching the side walls. Alternatively, the case may be manufactured from a 25 more rigid material, for example, in the form of a hard shell, and may be formed with only two side walls 14, which slide over the edges of the mobile device, so as to at least partially encase the mobile device 16.

8 The mobile device case 10 further comprises a permanent magnet 18 of planar configuration provided in connection with the rear wall component 12 of the case 10. Preferably the permanent magnet 18 is embedded within the rear wall component 12 of the case 10. In use, when the case 10 is brought 5 into close proximity to a magnetic holder (or other compatible accessory) having a permanent magnet of opposite polarity, the respective permanent magnets align and the case 10 with the mobile device 16 can be held in the holder by the force of magnetic attraction between the respective magnets, as shown in Figures 25 to 27. 10 Preferably the permanent magnet 18 is one of a plurality of permanent magnets 18 arranged in a symmetrical pattern. In the illustrated embodiment four permanent magnets 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d are arranged in a rectangular pattern, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 3. Typically each permanent magnet 18 is of circular configuration. In this embodiment of the 15 case 10, four circular recesses 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d are provided in an inner surface of the rear wall component 12 for receiving each of the magnets 18 respectively therein. Preferably the mobile device case 10 further comprises an intermediate wall component 20 which is adapted to be received in abutting relationship with 20 the inner surface of the rear wall component 12, and helps to retain the permanent magnets 18 in their respective recesses 19. The intermediate wall component 20 has an intermediate perimeter side wall 22 which extends around the perimeter of the intermediate wall component 20, and which is received in a close frictional fit within the four side walls 14 of the rear wall 25 component 12. The mobile phone 16 fits snugly within the intermediate perimeter side wall 22. Preferably a front edge retaining component 24 is also provided which assists in retaining the mobile phone 16 within the case 10. The front edge retaining component has first and second side edges 26a and 26b which 30 engage with the side walls 14a and 14b respectively, when the case 10 is assembled. In this embodiment, the rear wall component 12 and the front 9 edge retaining component 24 are manufactured from a semi-rigid plastics material, whereas the intermediate wall component 20 is manufactured from a soft rubberised material, which also provides some cushioning for the mobile phone 16. In its assembled condition, the side walls 14a and 14b of 5 the rear wall component 12 clip onto the first and second side edges 26a and 26b respectively of the front edge retaining component 24 with a snap-action, to retain all three components of the case 10 in their assembled condition. A significant advantage of the design of the magnetic mobile device case 10 is that a whole range of compatible accessories can be designed which are 10 compatible with the case, and which operate on the same principle. For example, a compatible flip case may also be provided for a mobile device. Figures 4 to 10 illustrate a first embodiment of a flip case 30 for the mobile phone 16, which is compatible with the magnetic mobile device case 10. The flip case 30 comprises a rear wall 32, a front wall 34 and at least one 15 side wall 36. The rear wall 32 and front wall 34 are adapted to substantially cover the front and rear of the mobile device 16 so as to protect the mobile device, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The flip case 30 further comprises a permanent magnet 38 of planar configuration provided in connection with the rear wall 32 of the flip case, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 6. When 20 the rear wall 32 of the flip case 30 is brought into close proximity to the rear wall 12 of the mobile device case 10 of Figures 1 to 3, the respective permanent magnets align and the mobile device case 10 can be held in the flip case 30 by the force of magnetic attraction between the respective magnets. 25 Preferably the permanent magnet 38 is one of a plurality of permanent magnets 38 arranged in a symmetrical pattern. In the illustrated embodiment four permanent magnets 38a, 38b, 38c and 38d are arranged in a rectangular pattern, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 6. Typically each permanent magnet 38 is of circular configuration. In this embodiment of the 30 flip case 30, four circular recesses 39a, 39b, 39c and 39d are provided in an 10 inner surface of the rear wall 32 for receiving each of the magnets 38 respectively therein. When the rear wall 12 of the mobile device case 10 is brought into close proximity to the rear wall 32 of the flip case 30 each of the four permanent 5 magnets 18 in the mobile device case 10 aligns with each of the four permanent magnets 38 of the flip case 30 respectively, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 8. The permanent magnets 38 of the flip case are oriented with their polarities opposite to that of the corresponding aligned permanent magnets 18 of the mobile device case 10, so that the two sets of magnets 10 exert a strong attractive force to hold the case 10 with the mobile device 16 against the rear wall of the flip case 30. Preferably the rear wall 32 of the flip case 30 has a fold line 40 extending longitudinally so as to divide the rear wall 32 approximately midway into two halves, as can be seen most clearly in Figures 9 and 10. The fold line 40 15 allows the rear wall 32 to bend outwards so as to form, together with the front wall 34, a stand for the mobile device 16. Preferably two of the four permanent magnets, 38a and 38c, located in one half of the rear wall 32, are smaller than the other two permanent magnets 38b and 38d, located in the other half. This means that the force of magnetic attraction of the two smaller 20 magnets 38a and 38c is less than that of the two other permanent magnets 38b and 38d. The other permanent magnets 38b and 38d are the same size as the permanent magnets 18 provided in the mobile device case 10 above. As the force of attraction between the two smaller magnets 38a and 38b and their corresponding aligned magnets 18a and 18b in the mobile device case 25 10 is reduced, this half of the rear wall 32 of the flip case can be bent outwards along fold line 40, and retained in the folded position as shown in Figures 9 and 10, without the force of magnetic attraction automatically pulling this half of the rear wall 32 back against the rear wall 12 of the mobile device case 10.

11 Typically an inner wall 42 is also provided, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 6, to help retain the permanent magnets 38 within the rear wall 32 of the flip case 30. Advantageously other types of compatible accessories can also be created 5 that operate on the same principle of magnetic attraction between permanent magnets of opposite polarity. For example, various kinds of magnetic holder can be designed that are compatible with the mobile device case 10. Figures 11 to 20 illustrate a first embodiment of a magnetic holder, in the form of a belt clip 50 for the mobile phone 16, which is compatible with the magnetic 10 mobile device case 10. The belt clip 50 comprises a support structure in the form of a clip 52 that is adapted to engage with a trouser belt worn by the user. The clip 52 is of conventional design and comprises a base plate 54 and a spring-biased pivoting jaw component 56 that is hinged to the base plate 54. 15 A cradle in the form of a holster 58 is mounted on the base plate 54 of the clip 52, and has a permanent magnet 60 provided in connection therewith, as can be seen most clearly in Figure17. In use, when the mobile device case 10, having a permanent magnet of opposite polarity, is brought into close proximity to the holster 58, the respective permanent magnets align and the 20 case 10 with the mobile device 16 can be held in the belt clip 50 by the force of magnetic attraction between the respective magnets. Preferably the permanent magnet 60 is one of a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in a symmetrical pattern. In this embodiment only two permanent magnets 60a and 60b are provided in connection with the holster 25 58 to enable the mobile device case 10 to be more easily removed from the holster (as will be described further below). Preferably the holster 58 comprises a substantially planar support surface 62 adapted to support the mobile device case 10 received in connection therewith. The planar support surface 62 is provided on an inner wall 64 of 30 the holster 58, which in its assembled condition, helps to retain the 12 permanent magnets 60 within a body of the holster 58, as shown in Figure 17.The body of the holster 58 has two circular recesses 61a and 61b provided therein for receiving the permanent magnets 60a and 60b respectively therein. The two permanent magnets 60a and 60b are 5 positioned so as to align with the two permanent magnets 18b and 18d respectively of opposite polarity in the mobile device case 10, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 19. Preferably the two permanent magnets 60 are smaller than the two permanent magnets 18a and 18b, as the force of attraction between the magnets in this accessory is not required to be 10 sufficiently strong by itself to hold the mobile device case 10 within the holster 58. Preferably the holster 58 further comprises a plurality of claws 64 adapted to engage with the edges of the mobile device case 10 for holding the mobile device more securely in the belt clip 50. Preferably three claws 64a, 64b and 15 64c are provided, the first and second claws 64a and 64b adapted to engage with first and second corners respectively of the mobile device case 10, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 18, and the third claw 64c adapted to engage with an opposite side wall 14b of the mobile device case 10. Figures 20A to 20C illustrate the steps of securing the mobile device case 10 20 within the holster 58. In the first step, the mobile device case 10 is inserted into the holster 58 with the first side wall 14a of the case 10 received between the first and second claws 64a and 64b, as shown in Figure 20A. The mobile device case 10 must be oriented with the rear wall 12 of the case 10 facing the planar support surface 62. With the first and second corners of 25 the mobile device case 10 resting in the first and second claws 64a and 64b respectively of the holster 58, the mobile device case 10 is pivoted towards the planar support surface 62. As the rear wall 12 of the mobile device case 10 comes into close proximity to the planar support surface 62 the force of magnetic attraction between the respective permanent magnets 60 and 18 30 acts to pull the mobile device case 10 into the holster 58, as shown in Figure 20B. The user then bends the third claw 64c slightly outwards so that the rear 13 wall 12 of mobile device case 10 can come to rest against the planar support surface 62 of the holster 58. An outwardly protruding lip 66 provided on the third claw 64c enables this bending action to be performed with one finger or thumb. The third claw 64c is then released and grips the side wall 14b of the 5 mobile device case 10 to hold the mobile device 16 securely within the belt clip 50, as shown in Figure 20C. In another accessory form of the invention the magnetic holder is in the form of a dashboard holder 70 that is adapted to be mounted on a dashboard of a vehicle to facilitate hands-free operation of the mobile device 16. Figures 21 10 to 27 illustrate a second embodiment of a magnetic holder, in the form of a dashboard holder 70 for the mobile phone 16, which is compatible with the magnetic mobile device case 10 of Figures 1 to 3. The magnetic dashboard holder 70 comprises a support structure in the form of a support arm 72 that is adapted to engage with a dashboard of a vehicle. 15 In this embodiment the support arm 72 is provided with a suction base 74 that engages with the vehicle dashboard or windscreen (not shown) by forming a vacuum beneath a suction pad 76 of the suction base 74. The magnetic dashboard holder 70 further comprises a cradle mounted on the support arm 72 and having a permanent magnet 78 provided in 20 connection therewith. In this embodiment the cradle is in the form of a support pad 80, which is mechanically coupled to the support arm 72. Preferably the support arm 72 is of resilient material which allows the support pad to be oriented at various angles relative to the suction base 74. In use, when a mobile device case 10, having a permanent magnet of opposite 25 polarity, is brought into close proximity to the support pad 80, the respective permanent magnets align, and the case 10 with the mobile device can be held on the holder by the force of magnetic attraction between the respective magnets. As with the previous accessories, the permanent magnet is preferably one of 30 a plurality of permanent magnets 80 arranged in a symmetrical pattern, in this case four permanent magnets 80a, 80b, 80c and 80d in a rectangular 14 pattern, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 24. The support pad 80 comprises a substantially planar support surface 84 adapted to support the mobile device case 10 received in connection therewith. In this embodiment the support surface 84 comprises four quadrants 84a, 84b, 84c and 84d, 5 each quadrant of the support surface being separated from its adjacent quadrants by an air gap. Preferably behind each quadrant of the support surface 84 there is a respective permanent magnet 78 embedded in the support pad 80. As can be seen most clearly in Figure 24, the support pad 80 comprises a 10 base unit 86 with four fingers 88 corresponding to the four quadrants 84a, 84b, 84c and 84d of the support surface. Four recesses 79a, 79b, 79c and 79d are provided in each finger 88 respectively of the base unit 86 for receiving the four permanent magnets 78a, 78b, 78c and 78d respectively therein. Four face plates 90a, 90b, 90c and 90d are fixed to the front of the 15 base unit 86 to retain the permanent magnets 78 in their respective recesses 79, and to provide the four quadrants of the support surface 84 thereon. Preferably a sheet of soft rubberised material 92 is provided on each of the face plates 90 respectively, to provide some cushioning for the mobile device case 10 on each of the four quadrants 84a, 84b, 84c and 84d of the support 20 surface. When the mobile device case 10 of Figures 1 to 3 is brought into close proximity to the magnetic dashboard holder 70, with the rear wall 12 of the mobile device case 10 facing the support surface 84 of the support pad 80, the four permanent magnets 78 in the support pad 80 align with the four 25 permanent magnets 18 in the rear wall of the mobile device case 10, as shown in Figure 27, and the case 10 with the mobile device 16 will be held on the holder 70 by the force of magnetic attraction between the respective magnets. The permanent magnets 78 in the support pad 80 are of opposite polarity to the corresponding aligned permanent magnets 18 in the mobile 30 device case 10.

15 Although the respective corresponding aligned permanent magnets in the mobile device case 10 and the magnetic holder 70 will always be of opposite polarity, it is not necessary for all of the magnets 18 in the mobile device case 10 to be of the same polarity. It may, for example, be advantageous for 5 the top two magnets 18a and 18b to be of one polarity, and the bottom two magnets 18c and 18d to be of the opposite polarity. With this arrangement, the top two magnets 78a and 78b in the support pad would also be of one polarity (still opposite to that of permanent magnets 18a and 18b), and the bottom two magnets 78c and 78d would likewise be of the opposite polarity. 10 With this arrangement, it will only be possible to attach the mobile device case 10 to the support pad 80 in one orientation (right side up), whereas if all the permanent magnets 18 in the mobile device case 10 were of the same polarity, it would be possible to attach the case 10 to the support pad 80 upside down (since all the permanent magnets 78 in the support pad 80 15 would then also have the same polarity). Now that preferred embodiments of the mobile device case and various compatible accessories have been described in detail, it will be apparent that the described embodiments provide a number of advantages over the prior 20 art, including the following: (i) The arrangement of the permanent magnets of opposite polarity in the mobile device case and the accessories respectively allows a whole suite of compatible accessories to be developed. (ii) The mobile device case and accessories allow the mobile device to 25 be carried by the user and/or held in a suitable magnetic holder in a variety of situations and environments, such as a desktop, a motor vehicle and a belt. (iii) The arrangement of the permanent magnets of opposite polarity in a suitable pattern within the mobile device case, and within the 16 compatible accessories, means that the mobile device can be securely held and carried, and is easy to operate. (iv) The range of compatible accessories can be readily expanded, each accessory incorporating a suitable arrangement of the permanent 5 magnets. It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention. For example, in each 10 of the illustrated embodiments the permanent magnets are arranged in a rectangular pattern. However the permanent magnets may be arranged in any suitable pattern, for example, in a circular, cross-shape or diamond pattern. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described and is to be determined from 15 the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. A case for a mobile device, the case comprising: 5 a rear wall and at least two side walls adapted to enclose the edges of the mobile device so as to at least partially encase the mobile device; and, a permanent magnet of planar configuration provided in connection with the rear wall of the case whereby, in use, when the case is brought into close proximity to a magnetic holder having a permanent magnet of opposite 10 polarity, the respective permanent magnets align and the case with the mobile device can be held in the holder by the force of magnetic attraction between the respective magnets.

2. A case as defined in claim 1, wherein the permanent magnet is one of a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in a symmetrical pattern. 15

3. A case as defined in claim 2, wherein the plurality of permanent magnets is arranged in a rectangular pattern.

4. A case as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each permanent magnet is of circular configuration.

5. A flip case for a mobile device, the flip case comprising: 20 a rear wall, a front wall and at least one side wall, the rear and front walls being adapted to substantially cover the front and rear of the mobile device so as to protect the mobile device; and, a permanent magnet of planar configuration provided in connection with the rear wall of the flip case whereby, in use, when the flip case is brought into 25 close proximity to a case for a mobile device, the case having a permanent magnet of opposite polarity, the respective permanent magnets align and the case with the mobile device can be held in the flip case by the force of magnetic attraction between the respective magnets. 18

6. A flip case as defined in claim 5, wherein the permanent magnet is one of a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in a symmetrical pattern.

7. A flip case as defined in claim 6, wherein four permanent magnets are arranged in a rectangular pattern, and two of the permanent magnets are 5 smaller than the other two.

8. A flip case as defined in claim 7, wherein each permanent magnet is of circular configuration.

9. A magnetic holder for a mobile device, the magnetic holder comprising: a support structure; and, 10 a cradle mounted on the support structure and having a permanent magnet provided in connection therewith whereby, in use, when a case for a mobile device having a permanent magnet of opposite polarity is brought into close proximity to the cradle, the respective permanent magnets align and the case with the mobile device can be held on the holder by the force of magnetic 15 attraction between the respective magnets.

10. A magnetic holder as defined in claim 9, wherein the permanent magnet is one of a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in a symmetrical pattern.

11. A magnetic holder as defined in claim 10, wherein the cradle comprises a substantially planar support surface adapted to support a case for a mobile 20 device received in connection therewith.

12. A magnetic holder as defined in claim 11, wherein the magnetic holder is a belt clip and the support structure is a clip that is adapted to engage with a trouser belt worn by the user.

13. A magnetic holder as defined in claim 12, wherein the cradle for the belt 25 clip is in the form of a holster with a plurality of claws adapted to engage with the edges of the mobile device case for holding the mobile device more securely in the belt clip. 19

14. A magnetic holder as defined in claim 13, wherein only two permanent magnets are provided in connection with the holster to enable the mobile device case to be more easily removed from the holster.

15. A magnetic holder as defined in claim 11, wherein the magnetic holder is 5 a dashboard holder and the support structure is in the form of a support arm that is adapted to engage with a dashboard of a vehicle to facilitate hands free operation of the mobile device.

16. A magnetic holder as defined in claim 15, wherein the cradle is in the form of a support pad, which is mechanically coupled to the support arm. 10

17. A magnetic holder as defined in claim 16, wherein the plurality of permanent magnets is arranged in a rectangular pattern.

18. A magnetic holder as defined in claim 17, wherein the support surface comprises four quadrants, each quadrant of the support surface being separated from its adjacent quadrants by an air gap. 15

19. A magnetic holder as defined in claim 18, wherein behind each quadrant of the support surface there is a respective permanent magnet embedded in the support pad.

20. A magnetic holder as defined in claim 19, wherein the support pad comprises a base unit with four fingers corresponding to the four quadrants 20 of the support surface. Dated this 11th day of December 2013 Force Technology International Pty Ltd 25 by its Patent Attorneys Janet Stead & Associates