GB2238173A - Magnetic holding devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The device 10 is suitable for mounting on a pole or stick like article, e.g. a walking cane or an umbrella to hold the article on a vertical metallic surface. The device comprises a permanent magnet 24 enclosed in a pocket 22 of a flexible protective material, e.g. plastics or textiles. The pocket 22 is attached to a retaining band 12 formed of strip of an elastic flexible material which is provided at each of its ends with fastening means 18, 20. The fastening means is preferably two portions of a hooked/looped pile fastener so that the band 12 may be secured releasably around the article. <IMAGE>

Description

MAGNETIC RETAINER This invention relates to a magnetic retainer especially a retainer for attachment to a generally pole or stick-like article so as to hold same against a metallic surface.

A problem commonly encountered by persons carrying pole or stick-like articles, for example umbrellas, walking sticks, canes etc. is placement of such items when both hands of the owner are required for completion of a task. Such problems arise, for example in banks, offices etc. One known way of overcoming this problem is to provide the umbrella or cane with an attachment so that it can be hooked on rails etc. provided for such a purpose.

Whilst this arrangement does overcome the basic problem it is not always convenient to provide hook-like ends to walking sticks or umbrellas and additionally places on which the article can be temporarily hooked are not always available or conveniently positioned. It would be an advantage if such articles could be attached temporarily and releasably to any convenient surface thereby leaving the owner 5 hands free for the completion of other tasks.

It is an object of the present invention therefore to provide a retainer for a stick-like article such as an umbrella or walking cane which overcomes the aforementioned problems.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a retainer which can be easily and conveniently fitted to any existing stick-like item without requiring modification of the item's construction.

With this object in view the present invention provides a magnetic retainer comprising a permanent magnet having a protective coating on at least one planar surface thereon, the magnet being carried by a retaining band adapted to secure the magnet to a pole or stick-like item.

Preferably the retaining band is of a fabric material, preferably having a slight degree of elasticity, the band having a strip-like configuration and being provided with retaining means disposed at respective ends thereof.

Advantageously the retaining means are a hook/looped pile fastener such as is sold under the trade mark "Velcro".

In an alternative embodiment the retaining means may be a contact adhesive, a press-stud fastening or any other convenient fastening arrangement.

In a further aspect of the invention the retaining band is of a looped configuration and formed of an elastic material such that the band may be stretched to permit attachment of the retainer to a pole or stick-like article.

Advantageously, the protective coating covers all faces of the permanent magnet such that the retainer will be prevented from scratching any metal surface item to which it is affixed. The protective coating is preferably a flexible material such as a plastic film or a fabric or other similar material arranged, for example as a pocket, so as to enclose the permanent magnet therein.

Preferably the magnet is attached to the retaining band by way of its protective coating, the coating being attached to the band by use of adhesive, stitching or thermal welding or ultrasonic bonding means.

It will be appreciated that a magnetic retainer according to an aspect of the invention will be effective to hold a pole or stick-like article such as an umbrella or walking stick upright or at any desired angle against a metallic surface. Furthermore it is also possible to use the magnet to secure the article to which it is attached to a metal item located in a person's pocket.

The invention will be described further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the single figure is a sectional perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the single figure, a preferred embodiment of a magnetic retainer is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10 and includes a retaining band 12 formed of a strip of flexible material which is preferably also slightly elastic. For example the strip may be of a textile or a plastics material. At respective ends 14, 16 of the strip 12 are arranged fastening means 18, 20 such that the strip may be fastened in a band-like configuration around the shaft of a stick or pole-like item, for example an umbrella or walking cane.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated the fastening means 18, 20 are two portions of a hooked/looped pile fastener, for example as sold under the trade mark "Velcro".

The retainer 10 also includes a pocket or an enclosure 22 configured to retain therein a permanent magnet 24.

The enclosure 22 is effective to hold the magnet 24 to the band 12 and to protect any surfaces with which the magnet may come into contact from scratching or other marking. The enclosure 22 is formed from a material, which may be the same material as is used to form the band or strip 12. The enclosure 22 is sealed around the magnet 24 by way of, for example stitching, thermal welding, ultrasonic bonding or application of adhesive. A combination of any of these methods can also be used as can any other similar method for bonding materials together.

It will be appreciated that in this way the magnet 24 is protected from damaging other items whilst also permitting its magnetic adherence to an adjacent metallic surface thereby to hold the retainer and an item attached thereto. Alternatively the magnet could be coated in a plastic or similar material and then attached to the band 12, by for example heat or thermal welding etc.

Attachment of the retainer 10 to a stick or pole-like item is accomplished by passing the strap 12 around the item and securing it by way of the hook/looped pile fastener 18, 20 attached thereto. The inner face of the strap 12 is preferably provided with a non-slip surface in order to grip the object to which it is to be attached. Preferably the securing means are adjustable to some extent such that the retainer may be attached to items of different diameters.

It will be appreciated that a magnetic retainer according to the invention will be of assistance in situations where the item's user requires to use both hands for a task and therefore needs to place his or her stick where it can be easily located and accessed. This is particularly important where the user might have trouble bending down to pick up a stick which had fallen on the floor.

It will be understood that the foregoing is illustrative and not restrictive of the scope of the invention and variations may be made thereto. For example, the magnet depicted is of a generally rectangular configuration, however, this is not necessary to the invention and any other convenient shape may be used although this may cause problems in enclosing the magnet in its protective covering. Any form of adjustable band may be used for securing the retainer to the stick item, for example a watch band type arrangement could be substituted for the strip as depicted. A Velcro-type fastener need not be used and other similar fasteners could be substituted therefor, for example a contact adhesive, press-stud etc. The band itself could be in a continuous loop configuration and be made of an elastic material such that it will be stretched and therefore hold a magnet to a stick. Other variations may also be possible.

Claims (9)

1. A magnetic retainer comprising a permanent magnet having a protective coating on at least one planar surface thereon, the magnet being carried by a retaining band adapted to secure the magnet to a pole or stick-like article.

2. A magnetic retainer as claimed in claim 1 in which the retaining band is of a fabric material having a strip-like configuration and being provided with retaining means disposed at respective ends thereof.

3. A magnetic retainer as claimed in claim 2 in which the retaining means are a hook/looped pile fastener.

4. A magnetic retainer as claimed in claim 2 in which the retaining means is a contact adhesive provided at the respective ends of the retaining band.

5. A magnetic retainer as claimed in claim 1 in which the retaining band is of a looped configuration and formed of a material which is elastic such that the band may be stretched to permit attachment thereof to a pole or stick-like article.

6. A magnetic retainer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the protective coating covers all faces of the permanent magnet.

7. A magnetic retainer as claimed in claim 6 in which the protective coating in a flexible material formed as a pocket and arranged so as to enclose the permanent magnet therein.

8. A magnetic retainer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the magnet is attached to the retaining band by way of its protective coating.

9. A magnetic retainer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.