Patent ID: 6831541
Filing Date: 2004-12-14
Classification: A45D,H01F,Y10S

Abstract:
A multi-stable magnetic article defining a plurality of spaced apart parallel magnetic axes, comprising:(A) a first plate of non-magnetic material; (B) a plurality of spaced apart first magnets disposed in said first plate for movement therewith; (C) a second plate of non-magnetic material; and (D) a plurality of spaced apart second magnets disposed in said second plate for movement therewith; said first and second plates being generally juxtaposed and independently transformable in respective parallel planes transverse to the axes, between: (i) a stable closed orientation wherein said first; and second plates are essentially superposed, and wherein at least a plurality of first magnets and at least a plurality of said second magnets form essentially superposed pairs, each said superposed pair containing one of said first magnets and one of said second magnets and defining one of said axes; and (ii) a plurality of stable open orientations wherein said first and second plates are overlapping but essentially not superposed, and wherein said first and second magnets of at least one of said superposed pairs of magnets in said closed orientation are essentially not superposed in said open orientation; in each of said superposed pairs, said first and second magnets being in the same magnetic orientation.