Patent ID: 8540292
Filing Date: 2013-09-24
Classification: E05B,E05C,E05F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A magnetic latch for releasably securing a pair of relatively movable components one to the other, and operable between a secured condition and a released condition, comprising: a first magnet housed in a rotatable mounting, the first magnet having a longitudinal axis extending between a first end having a first polarity and a second end located opposite the first end and having a second polarity, a second magnet housed in a second mounting, the second magnet having a second longitudinal axis extending between a first end having a first polarity and a second end located opposite the first end and having a second polarity, the longitudinal axis of the second magnet being co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the first magnet, such that the first end of the first magnet having a first polarity is in a facing relationship with the end of the second magnet having a polarity attractive to the first polarity of the first end of the first magnet to secure the pair of relatively movable components in the secured position, wherein to release the pair of relatively movable components one from the other, the first end of the first magnet housed in the rotatable mounting is rotated about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first magnet to bring the first end of the first magnet out of attractive condition with the end of the second magnet; and wherein, in operation, the second magnet does not move within the second mounting in which it is housed.