EP2332154B1

EP2332154B1 - Kit for quick attaching and disconnecting an item

Info

Publication number: EP2332154B1
Application number: EP09819722.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Wein; Stephen Douglas Alexander
Original assignee: Dual Magnetic Interlocking Pin System LLC
Current assignee: Dual Magnetic Interlocking Pin System LLC
Priority date: 2008-10-08
Filing date: 2009-10-05
Publication date: 2016-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2029-10-05
Also published as: MX2011003828A; CA2740026A1; BRPI0920380A2; JP2012505035A; BRPI0920380B1; WO2010042451A1; CA2740026C; ES2571054T3; EP2332154A1; JP5442739B2; AU2009302552A1; EP2332154A4

Description

The present invention generally relates to a kit for enabling one or more items to be quickly attached or detached using an assembly with a magnet for providing a magnetic attraction strong enough to movably hold the magnet adjacent a first outer plate for a quick connect and disconnect.
Items that are small and compact in size are usually lost or misplaced. Once lost or misplaced, these items are not easily found and are usually replaced to avoid the consumer's time spent on trying to relocate these items.
A need exists for a kit and assembly which enables multiple items to connect and then quickly disconnect to provide an easy and efficient way for attaching and detaching items while carrying them.
A further need exists for a kit and assembly to avoid having to spend time looking for lost or misplaced items and is cost efficient in not having to replace these items.
EP 1691012 discloses a locking mechanism which includes a male and female section releasably coupled together. The male section includes a body, a projection extending from the body with a transverse bore, a locking element movable within the bore between an unlocked position and a locked position, and a first magnet embedded in the locking element. The female section includes a body having a guide cavity dimensioned to receive the projection, a transverse locking recess dimensioned to receive a part of the locking element as extracted, and a second magnet embedded in the female body adjacent the locking recess. The first and second magnets cooperate to magnetically urge the locking element from the unlocked to locked position when the locking element is aligned with the locking recess after the projection is inserted into the guide cavity.
US 3,041,697 discloses a separable magnetic connector having two magnets and respective holders therefor, which are designed such that when the two parts are brought into close proximity to each other, the parts are self-aligning and will move into their fully coupled condition.
According to the present invention there is provided a kit for attaching and
disconnecting an item as claimed in claim 1.
Preferred features of the invention are recited in the dependent claims.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures IA is an isometric view of the assembly that is completely disassembled.
Figure IB is an isometric view of the assembly in which the assembly is partially assembled.
Figure 1C is an isometric view of the assembly that is fully assembled.
Figure 2 is a cut view of the assembly.
Figures 3A - 3D are cut views of the assembly engaging an engagement pin.
Figures 4 A - 4F show items being used with the assembly.
Figures 5A - 5H show the engagement pin usable with the interchangeable accessory item.
Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the thin removable plate.
Figures 7A - 7G show embodiments of the fastening means.

The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed figures.
Before explaining the present embodiments in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments and that it can be practiced or carried out in various ways.
The present embodiments relate to a kit which comprises an assembly and accessory for attaching and detaching an item with a magnet for providing a magnetic attraction strong enough to movably hold the magnet adjacent a first outer plate.
The kit further relates to an easy way of carrying items that naturally would need to be kept together, such as a cigarette pack and a lighter, to be held together magnetically, in a secure fashion.
The embodiments can also contemplate using security tags, such as "RFID 's" or radio frequency identification tags and chips, in association with the magnetic fastening means, in combination with keys or other devices.
Referring now to the Figures, Figure IA shows an isometric view of the quick disconnect assembly that is completely disassembled.
A quick disconnect assembly (6) for carrying a lightweight consumer item has a chamber (8), which can best be seen in Figure IB, having an opening (9) in a top wall (10).
The quick disconnect assembly (6) also has at least a bottom wall (11), opposite the top wall (10), and four side walls (14a - 14d). In an embodiment it can be contemplated that there can be more than four side walls. In another embodiment it can be contemplated that there can be less than four side walls. In another embodiment, the side wall can be continuous and cylindrical in shape. It is also contemplated, that the side walls and the bottom wall can also be formed by a manufactured depression in an item.
The quick disconnect assembly (6) has a magnetically attractable inner plate (12) fixed within the chamber (8) adjacent the bottom wall (11). The quick disconnect assembly (6) also has a magnetically attractable outer plate (22).
The magnetically attractable outer plate (22) is secured to an end of the side wall (14d) opposite the magnetically attractable inner plate (12). The magnetically attractable outer plate (22) has a thickness and magnetic attraction strong enough to hold a magnet (17) adjacent the magnetically attractable outer plate (22). It can be contemplated that more than one magnetically attractable outer plate can be used in the quick disconnect assembly (6). It is also contemplated that the magnetically attractable outer plate (22) can be secured to any of the side walls.
In an embodiment, a side wall can have at least a right side wall with a right side wall top and a left side wall with a left side wall top.
The magnet (17) has a first magnet flat side (18) and a second magnet flat side (19) opposite the first magnet flat side, wherein the magnet is slidably disposed in the chamber (8) for moving between top wall (10) and the magnetically attractable inner plate (12).
In an embodiment, the magnet can be a cylindrical-shaped magnet, a cube-shaped magnet, or another geometrical shaped magnet. The geometrical shape can depend on the manufacturing of an item.
In another embodiment, the magnet can be a solid magnet and all sides of the magnet can be magnetic. The magnet can further be a rare earth metal magnet.
In this embodiment, rare earth metals can be such as neodymium iron boron magnet graded in strength from N24 to N54 which is a permanent magnet and further can include the following four classes: Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB or NIB), Samarium Cobalt (SmCo), Alnico, Ceramic or Ferrite.
Additional magnets can be used, as there are 3 main types of magnets: Permanent Magnets, Temporary Magnets, and Electromagnets.
Figure IB shows an isometric view of the quick disconnect assembly in which the quick disconnect assembly is shown partially assembled. The side walls (14a - 14d) and the bottom wall (11) are shown connected with one another to form the chamber (8). The magnetically attractable outer plate (22) is secured to an end of the side wall (14d) opposite the magnetically attractable inner plate (12).
In an embodiment the chamber can be round or polygon in shape.
Figure 1C shows an isometric view of the quick disconnect assembly that is fully assembled. The magnetically attractable inner plate (12) is attached to the bottom wall (11) inside the chamber (8). The magnet (17) is slidably disposed in the chamber (8) for moving between top wall (10) and the magnetically attractable inner plate (12). The top wall (10), having an opening (9), is attached to the side walls (14a - 14d) opposite the bottom wall (11).
Figure 2 shows a cut view of the quick disconnect assembly. The cut view shows the quick disconnect assembly cut through two of the side walls (14b and 14d). The cut view also shows the top wall (10) and bottom wall (11) opposite each other.
The magnetically attractable outer plate (22) can be secured to a side wall using a securing means (25).
In an embodiment, the securing means can extend through the magnetically attractable outer plate and into the side wall. The securing means can be an adhesive, a fastener, an epoxy, other bonding materials, or combinations thereof.
An item can be a lighter, a flashlight, a keychain, a MP3 player, an Ipod, a cell phone, a camera, a video recorder, a wallet, a cigarette case, eyeglass cases, eyeglasses, sunglasses, horse bridals, wake boards, ski boots, or items of the like.
The magnetically attractable inner plate (12) can be attached to the bottom wall (11) inside the chamber (8).
The magnet (17) is shown slidably disposed in the chamber (8) for moving between top wall (10) and the magnetically attractable inner plate (12).
A portion of the opening (9) is also shown in the top wall (10).
Figure 3 A shows a cut view of the quick disconnect assembly. The cut view shows the quick disconnect assembly cut through two of the side walls (14b and 14d). The cut view also shows the top wall (10) and bottom wall (11) opposite each other.
The magnetically attractable inner plate (12) is shown attached to the bottom wall (11) inside the chamber (8).
The magnet (17) is shown slidably disposed in the chamber (8) in a first position (50) adjacent to the top wall (10). The magnet (17) can be held in the first position (50) by the magnet's magnetic attraction to the magnetically attractable outer plate (22).
Figure 3A also shows a magnetic field (21), with a first magnetic field size (70), in a position that is attracted to the magnetically attractable outer plate (22).
An engagement pin (30) with a pin head (32) and a pin stem (34) is shown in a position outside the magnetic field produced by the magnet (17). The engagement pin's (30) pin stem (34) has a diameter small enough to slidably move inside the chamber through the opening (9) in the top wall (10). The pin stem comprises a magnetically attractable material capable of moving the magnet (17).
In an embodiment, the pin stem can be cylindrical, conical, or polygonal with at least one pin stem flat face for engaging the first magnet flat side.
In an embodiment the pin stem and the pin head can be a two piece unit that can be made of a ferromagnetic material, such as steel, which can further be removably attachable to each other by threading, epoxy, bonding, welding, clamping, snapping, bolting, or other fastening means. In an additional embodiment the pin stem and the pin head can be a one piece unit that can be made of a ferromagnetic material. Additional magnetic materials can be used, such as iron and steel.
Figure 3B shows a cut view of the quick disconnect assembly. The cut view shows the quick disconnect assembly cut through two of the side walls (14b and 14d). The cut view also shows the top wall (10) and bottom wall (11) opposite each other.
The magnetically attractable inner plate (12) is shown attached to the bottom wall (11) inside the chamber (8).
The engagement pin (30) with a pin head (32) and a pin stem (34) is shown in a magnetically attached position with the magnet (17). Once the engagement pin (30) is in a magnetically attached position with the magnet (17), the magnetic field (21) can change shape to a second magnetic field size (72).
The new shape of the magnetic field (21) changes the strength of the magnet's magnetic attraction to the magnetically attractable inner plate (12), and the magnet (17) moves to a second position (52) adjacent to the magnetically attractable inner plate (12) which can best be seen in Figure 3C.
Figure 3C shows a cut view of the quick disconnect assembly. The cut view shows the quick disconnect assembly cut through two of the side walls (14b and 14d). The cut view also shows the top wall (10) and bottom wall (11) opposite each other.
The magnetically attractable inner plate (12) is shown attached to the bottom wall (11) inside the chamber (8).
The engagement pin's pin stem (34) is shown slidably disposed in the chamber (8), through opening (9) in the top wall (10), in a magnetically attracted position attached to the magnet (17).
The pin head can have a diameter larger than the pin stem and can be made from the same material as the pin stem. In another embodiment, the pin stem and pin head can be made of different materials. Such materials can include but are not limited to plastics, metals, metal alloys, polymers, and wood for example.
The magnet (17) is shown slidably disposed in the chamber (8) in a second position (52) adjacent to the magnetically attractable inner plate (12). The magnet (17) is held in the second position (52) by the magnet's magnetic attraction to the magnetically attractable inner plate (12).
Figure 3D shows a cut view of the assembly. The cut view shows the quick disconnect assembly cut through two of the side walls (14b and 14d). The cut view also shows the top wall (10) and bottom wall (11) opposite each other.
The magnetically attractable inner plate (12) is shown attached to the bottom wall (11) inside the chamber (8).
When a force (60) pulls the engagement pin (30) with enough force to break the magnetic attraction between the magnet (17) and the magnetically attractable inner plate (12), the magnet (17) can then slide through the chamber until it makes contact with the top wall (10).
If the force (60) is still strong enough to break the magnetic attraction between the magnet (17) and the engagement pin (30), then the engagement pin's (30) pin stem (34) can exit the chamber (8) through the opening (9) in the top wall (10).
Once the engagement pin (30) has been removed from the magnetically attracted position attached to the magnet (17) the magnetic field (21) changes shape back to its first magnetic field size (70), and the magnet (17) can once again be held in the first position (50) by the magnets (17) magnetic attraction to the magnetically attractable outer plate (22).
Figure 4A - 4F shows items (40) usable with the assembly. The uses of the assembly are not limited to only these representations.

KIT WITH PIN AND ACCESSORY ITEM

In an embodiment, the kit for attaching and disconnecting an item comprises an assembly with an engagement pin comprising a pin head and a pin stem. The kit further comprises an interchangeable accessory item.
In an embodiment, the pin head and pin stem can be hollow. In other embodiments the pin stem can be solid and the pin head can be hollow. In a further embodiment, the pin head can have an adapter and in a further embodiment, the pin head can have an attachment.
The interchangeable accessory item can magnetically attach to the assembly using the magnet for a quick connect and disconnect. An interchangeable accessory item can be a key ring, a carabineer, a float key ring, a piece of jewelry, a bottle opener, a lanyard, a suction cup, a cigar punch and combinations thereof.
In this embodiment, fasteners can be used such as a multipurpose clasp, a jeans snap, a jeans clasp, a belt clip, a purse clip, a golf bag clip, and combinations thereof. The fasteners useable in this embodiment can further comprise an engagement pin to magnetically attach to the assembly using the magnet for a quick connect and disconnect.
One or more interchangeable accessory items can be attached to the assembly at one time, in this embodiment.
Figures 5A - 5H show the engagement pin (30) being used with the interchangeable accessory item (55) connected to the item (40). These Figures further show the engagement pin's pin head (32) and pin stem (34) in various positions of use with the item (40).

CIGARETTE PLAQUE

In an embodiment, the kit for attaching and disconnecting an item comprises an assembly with a thin removable plate. The thin removable plate can be inserted into an item and can magnetically attach to the assembly using the magnet for a quick connect and disconnect to the assembly.
The thin removable plate (65) which can have a length between about 5.08cm (2.0 inches) to about 15.24cm (6.0 inches) and a thickness between about 0.635cm (0.25 inches) to about 1.905cm (0.75 inches). The plate can be made from stainless steel or another magnetic material that can be attractable to the magnet. In an additional embodiment the plate can be perforated with holes having different diameters enabling engagement with different size clasps.
In additional embodiments, the thin removable plate can be bigger or smaller than the dimensions as described above.
In another embodiment, the thin removable plate (65) which can have a length no greater than about 5.08cm (2.0 inches), a width no greater than about 5.08cm (2.0 inches) and a thickness between about 0.318cm (0.125 inches) to about 0.159cm (0.0625 inches) for magnetically attracting to the magnet through at least one layer of material having a thickness no greater than 0.635cm (0.25 inches) for attaching to a second item (45). The at least one layer of material can include, but is not limited to fabric, cellophane, plastic, paper, cardboard, vinyl, latex, combinations thereof.
Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the thin removable plate (65) being used with a first item (40) and a second item (45). The thin removable plate can be inserted into the at least one layer of material (67) as shown in this Figure.
The thin removable plate can further include a means of affixing on one side of an item. A means of fixing can be an adhesive, Velcro, a suction cup, a snap, a buckle, a clasp, a clip and combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, the thin removable plate can have a hollowed portion, wherein the surface is curved or rounded outward. The hollowed portion can further have perforations, or holes.
In an additional embodiment, the kit can comprise two thin removable plates. One plate can be solid, while the other plate can have a hollowed portion for a quick connect and disconnect of an item.
In additional embodiments, the thin removable plate can be bigger or smaller then the dimensions as described above.
In an embodiment, the thin removable plate can have a message, such as an advertising message, a slogan, or a logo, so as to provide the dual function of holding and advertising in one step, for the device.

KIT WITH FASTENING MEANS

In another embodiment, the kit for attaching and disconnecting an item comprises an assembly and a fastening means. The fastening means further comprises a stem having a diameter small enough to slidably move inside the chamber and the stem comprises a magnetically attractable material capable of moving the magnet from a position adjacent the magnetically attractable inner plate to a position adjacent the magnetically attractable outer plate.
The stem inside the chamber of the assembly enlarges the magnetic field to a second magnetic field size moving the magnet to engage the magnetically attractable inner plate and the fastening means can magnetically attach to the assembly using the magnet for a quick connect and disconnect to the assembly.
Fastening means as described in this embodiment can be, but is not limited to a multipurpose clasp, a jeans snap, a jeans clasp, a belt clip, a purse clip, a golf bag clip, and combinations thereof.
Figures 7A - 7G show embodiments of the fastening means (75) being used with a first item (40) and a second item (45). The embodiments of the fastening means is not limited to what is being represented in the Figures.
In another embodiment, the kit can include an assembly and a flexible magnetic piece for encircling an item. The flexible magnetic piece can be coated in fabric, foam, or any flexible material. In this embodiment, the assembly can attach using the magnet to the flexible magnetic piece for a quick connect and disconnect.
While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

A kit for attaching and disconnecting an item comprising:
a. an assembly (6) comprising:
a chamber (8) having a top wall (10) with an opening (9), a bottom wall (11), and at least one side wall (14a - 14d), wherein the side wall is connected to the top wall and the bottom wall;

a magnetically attractable inner plate (12) fixed within the chamber adjacent the bottom wall (11);

a magnet (17) with a first magnet flat side (18) and a second magnet flat side (19) opposite the first magnet flat side, wherein the magnet is slidably disposed in the chamber (8) for moving between the magnetically attractable inner plate (12) and the top wall (10), the magnet providing a magnetic field; and

a magnetically attractable outer plate (22) secured to the side wall opposite the bottom wall having a thickness and magnetic attraction strong enough to hold the magnet (17) adjacent the first magnetically attractable outer plate; and

b. an accessory (30; 75) for attaching and disconnecting the item, the accessory comprising:
a stem (34) having a diameter small enough to slidably move inside the chamber (8) through the opening (9) in the top wall (10),

the stem comprising a magnetically attractable material capable of moving the magnet (17) from a position adjacent the magnetically attractable inner plate (12) to a position adjacent the magnetically attractable outer plate (22).
A kit according to claim 1, wherein the magnet provides a magnetic field with a first magnet field size, and wherein the stem inside the chamber comprises a magnetic material which enlarges the magnetic field to a second magnetic field size thereby moving the magnet to engage the magnetically attractable inner plate.
A kit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the accessory is an engagement pin (30) comprising:
a. a pin head (32); and

b. the stem is a pin stem (34) connected to the pin head.
A kit according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising a thin removable plate (65), wherein the thin removable plate can be inserted into an item and can magnetically attach to the assembly using the magnet for a quick connect and disconnect to the assembly.
The kit of claim 4, wherein the thin removable plate (65) has a length no greater than 2.0 inches (5.08 cm) and a width no greater than 5.08 cm (2.0 inches) and a thickness between 0.318 cm (0.125 inches) and 0.159 cm (0.0625 inches) for magnetically attracting to the magnet.
The kit of claim 4 or 5, wherein the thin removable plate (65) comprises a magnetic alloy.
The kit of claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the thin removable plate (65) further comprising a coating disposed on the removable thin plate to perform an advertising function.
The kit of any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the thin removable plate (65) can have a means of affixing on one side of the item.
A kit according to any of the preceding claims wherein the accessory is a fastening means (75) comprising the stem (34), wherein the fastening means can be magnetically attached to the assembly using the magnet for a quick connect and disconnect.
The kit of claim 9, wherein the fastening means (75) is a multipurpose clasp, a jeans clasp, a belt clip, a purse clip, a golf bag clip, and combinations thereof.
The kit of any of the preceding claims wherein an item is a lighter, a flashlight, a keychain, a writing utensil, a lip care product, a cosmetic product, a medicine bottle, a memory card, a MP3 player, an I-pod™, a camera, a video recorder, a cell phone, a wallet, a cigarette case, eyeglass cases, eyeglasses, sunglasses, a horse bridal, a wake board, ski boots, or combinations thereof.
The kit of any of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly further comprises a second outer plate disposed a side wall top opposite the outer plate.
The kit of any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer plate is secured to the side wall using securing means selected from the group: an adhesive, a fastener, an epoxy, other bonding materials, or combinations thereof.
The kit of any of the preceding claims 3-13, comprising one or more of the following features:
the chamber (8) is round or polygon;

the stem (34) is cylindrical, conical, or polygonal with at least one pin stem flat face for engaging the first magnet flat side;

the side wall (14a - 14d) is at least a right side wall with a right side wall top and a left side wall with a left side wall top;

the magnet (17) is a cylindrical-shaped magnet, a cube-shaped magnet, or

another geometrical shape;

the magnet (17) is a solid magnet and all sides of the magnet are magnetic;

the magnet (17) is a rare earth metal magnet;

the pin stem (34) and the pin head (32) are a two piece unit;

the fastener (75) and stem (34) are a two piece unit;

the pin head (32) is removably attachable to the pin stem (34);

the pin head (32) and the pin stem (34) are made of ferromagnetic material; and

the pin head (32) has a diameter larger than the pin stem.
The kit of any of the preceding claims, the kit further comprising an interchangeable accessory item (55), wherein the interchangeable accessory item can magnetically attach to the assembly using the magnet for a quick connect and disconnect.