Magnetic locking apparatus

An improved magnetic locking apparatus includes two elements which are magnetically attached, whereby the first magnetic supply element both magnetically attracts the second element and engages it for being coupled therewith. The construction of the two elements permits the elements to be securely attached against accidental external forces perpendicular to and parallel to the coupled surfaces of the elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates generally to a fastening device, and more 
particularly to a magnetic locking apparatus of the type which includes 
two elements to be magnetically attached, wherein a first magnetic supply 
element both magnetically attracts the second element and engages it for 
being coupled therewith. When coupled together, the elements can resist 
all accidental external forces perpendicular to and parallel to the 
coupled surfaces. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
There are known various types of devices using the magnetic attraction of a 
magnet for attaching two-part articles such as bags, clothes, shoes and 
the like. However, practically all such known devices depend solely upon 
the magnetic attraction which attaches their two component parts together, 
and therefore present disadvantages in that although the attraction 
between the device is relatively strong enough to resist external forces 
which are exerted parallel to the magnetic lines of force or perpendicular 
to the coupled surfaces of the two parts, such attraction tends to become 
less strong or resistant against forces across the magnetic lines of force 
or parallel to the surfaces, so that the two parts are easily displaced 
relative to each other and then disconnected. Those devices, which can 
resist the forces parallel to the magnetic lines of force, cannot overcome 
forces that are greater than the inherent magnetic attracting ability of 
the magnet. If the devices are to be made more resistant against such 
forces, they must employ costly, high-quality permanent magnets. This is 
not desirable from the aspect of economy. There are also known 
non-magnetic locking devices which accomplish the automatic locking 
function by means of a spring or an equivalent such as rubber, but those 
devices disadvantageously involve complex construction and improper 
working. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
With the disadvantages and problems of the prior art cited above in view, 
it is accordingly one object of the present invention to provide an 
improved magnetic locking apparatus which permits two elements to be both 
magnetically attached and to engage each other so that the magnetic 
attachment of the two parts can be strengthened by the locking function. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved 
magnetic locking apparatus in which, when coupled together the two 
elements can resist any accidental external forces in all directions. 
As noted from the above, the invention can be characterized in that two 
elements can be securely held together against all unexpected forces.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The present invention will now be illustrated in more detail by showing 
several preferred embodiments and further modified forms thereof by 
reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, 
a permanent magnet 1 has sides S and N of opposite polarities as shown, 
one side S having an iron or other ferromagnetic stationary plate 2 
rigidly secured thereto and the other side N having an iron or other 
ferromagnetic movable plate 3 removably attached thereto, movable plate 3 
having an integral hooked portion 4 at the lower end which extends in 
parallel contact with the magnet 1 to the stationary plate 2 for contact 
therewith. The magnet 1 is enclosed with an enclosure or cover 5 of brass 
or synthetic resin material. As shown, the stationary plate 2 includes a 
pair legs 6 rigidly secured thereto for attaching the magnet part 1 and 2 
to an article such as a bag, clothes, etc., and the movable plate 3 also 
has a pair of legs 7 rigidly secured thereto for the same purpose. The 
enclosure 5 has an aperture or opening 8 through which the hooked portion 
4 of the movable plate 3 is inserted and which prevents the movable plate 
3 from sliding displacement parallel to the contacted surfaces of the two 
plates 2 and 3. 
FIG. 3 indicates a variation of the apparatus of FIG. 2, and in FIG. 3, a 
plurality of permanent magnets 1, 1a and 1b are spaced at regular 
intervals and are fixed to the corresponding stationary plates 2, 2a and 
2b in an elongated enclosure 9 which in turn are also spaced at regular 
intervals and mounted to the inner wall of the enclosure 9. The enclosure 
9 has regularly spaced apertures or openings 8, 8a and 8b through which 
the hooked portion 4 of the movable plate 3 is to be inserted and which 
are located in positions where the hooked portion 4 through any of the 
apertures has its upper face engaging the lower end of the respective 
magnet. The movable plate 3 can engage the stationary plates 2, 2a and 2b 
in a manner similar to that of the earlier described embodiment. The 
embodiments described above and shown in FIG. 2 and 3 depend solely upon 
the magnetic attraction of the magnet for their resistance to external 
forces which are exerted perpendicular to the coupled surfaces of the two 
plates or in parallel to the magnetic lines of force, or pulling forces to 
detach the two plates apart, while the embodiment of FIG. 4 shows an 
additional hooked portion which engages the stationary plate thereby 
further increasing the resistance to the pulling forces. In FIG. 4, the 
permanent magnet 1 includes a stationary plate 2 rigidly secured to the 
side S thereof as shown, and having a cutout or recess 10 at the lower 
edge thereof, and a movable plate 3 has a hooked portion 4 which has a 
further hooked portion 11 of non-ferromagnetic material engageable with 
the above-mentioned cutout 10 for forming a locking relationship with each 
other, thereby maintaining the two plates securely held together against 
any pulling forces as long as they are engaged. In the embodiments of 
FIGS. 1 to 3, the path of the magnetic lines of force supplied by the 
magnet 1 travel starting with the north pole N through the movable plate 
3, hooked portion 4 and stationary plate 2 to the south pole S, so that 
the surfaces of contact of the two plates 2 and 3 have an increased 
magnetic attraction which urges the plate 3 toward the plate 2 while the 
hooked portion 4 of the plate 3 engages the lower end of the magnet 1. In 
this manner, the plates 2 and 3 are firmly held together by means of the 
increased magnetic attraction against any unexpected pulling forces, and 
are also locked by means of the hooked portion 4 engaging with the magnet 
1 against the forces exerted as shown by arrow 12, while they are locked 
by means of the hooked portion 4 engaging the opening 8 of the enclosure 5 
or 9 against the forces exerted as shown by arrow 13. In the embodiment of 
FIG. 4, the two plates 2 and 3 have a locked relationship such that they 
are firmly held together against the forces exerted as shown by arrow 14 
perpendicular to their coupled surfaces by means of the hooked portion 11 
which engages the cutout 10 of the stationary plate 2. Then, if the two 
plates are to be detached, it is necessary to displace the movable plate 3 
for sliding movement in the direction of an arrow 15 relative to the 
stationary plate 2 and then to pull the plate 3 in the direction of arrow 
14. As readily understood from the foregoing description by referring to 
FIGS. 1 to 4, the two plates 2 and 3 can firmly be held together when they 
are subjected to any unexpected external forces in all directions. 
Referring next to FIGS. 5 to 9, a further preferred embodiment is described 
below. A permanent magnet 1 of a rectangular shape has a stationary plate 
16 of brass material rigidly secured to one side thereof over which a 
movable plate 17 of iron is slidably placed. The movable plate 17 has a 
left-side edge portion which has the length of the corresponding edge of 
the stationary plate 16 and a central protruded edge portion 17a on the 
right side having symmetrical stepped portions 17b, 17c on opposite sides 
thereof. The stepped portions 17b and 17c are contacted by corresponding 
legs 18a and 18b of a lock release member 18. As particularly shown in 
FIG. 5, the magnet 1, stationary plate 16 and movable plate 17 are 
enclosed in an enclosure 23 of brass material such that there is a vacancy 
left on one side of the enclosure 23. The enclosure 23 has apertures or 
openings 19 on opposite sides thereof. A separate locking plate 20 of iron 
material has an integral rising portion 20a extending therefrom which is 
to be inserted into the aperture 19 of the enclosure 23. The rising 
portion 20a is backed by a plate 21 of brass material having a hooked 
portion 21a bent at the top of the rising portion 20a and slightly 
projecting therefrom. An additional plate 22 is interposed between the 
inner wall of the enclosure 23 and the plate 17, and is rigidly secured to 
the inner wall. The plate 22 aids in making the sliding movement of the 
plate 17 easier, but there would be no problem in this respect without the 
interposition of the plate 22. In the embodiment described of FIGS. 5 to 
9, the magnet 1 and the movable plate 17 are placed relative to each other 
as shown in FIG. 5 when they are free from the locking plate 20. In other 
words, the movable plate 17 is retracted to the left in FIG. 5, and this 
retracted position of the plate 17 is caused by the fact that the plate 17 
has a wider area in contact with the magnet 1 on the left side 1c than on 
the right side 1d so that the magnetic attraction on the left side 1c is 
greater than that on the right side 1d, thus allowing the former to 
overcome the latter. The above situation, or the retracted position of the 
plate 17 remains unchanged until the hooked portion 21a of the locking 
plate 20 which is inserted into the aperture 19 reaches the upper face of 
the magnet 1 on the right side 1d as shown in FIG. 7. As the locking plate 
20 is further pushed inward to move its hooked portion 21a therewith 
beyond the thickness of the plate 17 over the magnet 1, the magnetic lines 
of force supplied by the magnet travel from the north pole of the magnet 
through the locking plate 20 and the rising portion 20a to the central 
protruded edge 17a of the plate 17 so that the plate 17 can be attracted 
to the rising portion 20a for sliding movement toward the right as shown 
in FIG. 8. Thus, the protruded edge 17a of the plate 17 can engage the 
hooked portion 21a of the plate 21, and the locking plate 20 and the plate 
17 are locked and firmly held together. The two elements thus locked will 
not be detached even though the elements as a whole are subjected to 
forces such as shock, swing or the like or even if external forces are 
accidentally exerted to pull the locking plate 20 apart from the plate 17. 
Then, in order to unlock or disengage the locking plate 20 from the plate 
17, it is only necessary to depress the lock release member 18 in the 
direction of the arrow, as shown by the broken lines in FIG. 6. Thus, the 
movable plate 17 slides in the direction of the arrow under the pushing 
force of the member 18, thereby disengaging the protruded edge 17a from 
the hooked portion 21a. With the edge 17a and the portion 21a apart, the 
locking plate 20 is then pulled to move the hooked portion 21a completely 
clear of the plate 17 so that the plate 17 is moved to the left side in 
FIG. 7 under the magnetic attraction of the magnet 1 which is relatively 
greater than on the right side. At this moment, the lock is again placed 
in a ready position, and the locking can be performed by the procedures 
described above. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 has advantages since 
the elements can firmly be held together against any accidental external 
forces. 
A variation shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 includes a permanent magnet 1 having a 
ferromagnetic plate 24 rigidly secured to one side thereof. The magnet 1 
has a cutout 25 as shown in FIG. 10, with the plate 24 not shown therein 
for convenience of illustration. A movable plate 26 of non-ferromagnetic 
material has a ferromagnetic rod 27 securely affixed thereto which engages 
the cutout 25 of the magnet 1. Thus, when the two parts 1 and 24 engage 
each other, the surfaces of contact magnetically attract each other thus 
restricting the plate 26 from movement perpendicular to the surfaces by 
means of the magnetic attraction, while the lateral movement of the plate 
26 in parallel with the surfaces is restricted by means of the rod 27 
which both engages the cutout 25 and is attracted by the centered magnetic 
lines of force which pass through the rod 27. In this manner, the two 
parts are locked. FIG. 12 indicates a further modified form in which a 
permanent magnet 1 is backed on one side with a ferromagnetic plate 24 
which is rigidly secured thereto, and a separate locking member is 
provided which consists of a ferromagnetic rod 30 having at one end a 
flanged portion 30a which is fastened to one part of an article 55 and 
having a shank 30b the diameter of which increases toward the other end, 
and a nonferromagnetic plate 28 having a recessed portion 29 by which the 
shank 30b of the rod 30 is firmly held by choking or squeezing means and 
which removably fits in the cutout portion 25 of the magnet 1. Thus, as 
coupled together, the two elements are magnetically attracted to each 
other by the centered magnetic lines through the portions 25 and 29, and 
are also locked by the portions 25 and 29. 
FIGS. 13 and 14 show two modified forms. In FIG. 13, a permanent magnet 1 
has a ferromagnetic plate 31 rigidly secured to one side thereof and a 
ferromagnetic plate 33 covering the magnet 1 and having a protruded 
portion 34 centrally thereof. A separate plate 32 of ferromagnetic 
material has a central recessed portion 37 which engages the protruded 
portion 34 of the plate 33. In FIG. 14, the construction is generally 
similar to that in FIG. 13 except that the separate plate 32 has a central 
protruded portion 35, while the plate 33 has a central recessed portion 36 
engageable with the portion 35. The functions of the devices in FIGS. 13 
and 14 are substantially the same as the earlier embodiments described 
hereinbefore. 
FIG. 15 indicates a modified embodiment of the apparatus in FIG. 2, and its 
construction and function are similar to those in FIG. 2. In FIG. 15, a 
permanent magnet 1 has a ferromagnetic plate 38 rigidly secured to one 
side thereof and having an extended portion 38a which carries a pivotted 
retaining lever 39 which tightly holds one end of a waist band 41, for 
example. The magnet 1 has a nonferromagnetic plate 42 rigidly secured to 
the other side thereof, the plate 42 having an opening 43 through which a 
hooked portion 44a of a separate plate 44 of ferromagnetic material is to 
be inserted. The plate 44 has an extended portion 44b carrying a pivotted 
retaining lever 40 which tightly holds the other end of the band 41. The 
apparatus in FIG. 15 functions similarly to that of FIG. 2 and as noted, 
is employed as a trouser belt or suspender buckle. 
A further variation is shown in FIG. 16 and includes a permanent magnet 1 
having a plate 45 secured to one side thereof, plate 45 having a crooked 
portion 45b at the upper end and a hook portion 45a at the other end. The 
other side of the magnet 1 is exposed for being removably attached to a 
wall portion 46 of ferromagnetic material. As thus constructed, the device 
in FIG. 16 can be securely or immovably attached to the wall portion 46 
for supporting an article at the hook portion, while it is easy to remove 
the device from the wall 46 when the side of the hook portion 45a is 
pulled away from the wall as the side of the crooked portion 45b acts as a 
fulcrum. On the other hand, it is very hard to remove the device away from 
the wall by pulling the side of the crooked portion 45b on the fulcrum of 
the other side. This is because the side 45b is magnetically attached to 
the wall more strongly than the side 45a. The device in FIG. 16 can 
provide the two functions which, on the one hand, securely attach the 
device to the wall, and on the other hand facilitates removal of the 
device when it is pulled away about the fulcrum at 45b. FIG. 20 indicates 
a device modified from that in FIG. 16 without the hook portion 45a and 
instead with a doll 58 thereon as a typical use thereof. The device in 
FIG. 20 has the same construction and functions as that in FIG. 16, 
elements 56, 56a and 57 corresponding to elements 45, 45b and 46 of FIG. 
16, and for avoidance of redundance, reference should be made to the 
description of FIG. 16 for details of the operation thereof. 
FIGS. 17 to 19 illustrate a modified form of the apparatus of FIGS. 5 to 9. 
A permanent magnet 1 is enclosed with a nonferromagnetic cover 48, and has 
a stationary plate 49 of nonferromagnetic material rigidly secured to the 
surface on one side thereof. A movable ferromagnetic plate 47 is provided 
for sliding movement over the plate 49 and has a central cutout edge 50 on 
one side thereof. The cover 48 has upper and lower apertures 51 through 
which a locking rod 53 of a separate plate 52 of ferromagnetic material is 
to be inserted. The locking rod 53 is rivetted to the plate 52 as shown, 
and has a rounded head 53a of nonferromagnetic material. Reference numeral 
54 designates a lock release member shown by broken lines. The locking and 
lock releasing operations are functionally performed in the same manner as 
described above regarding FIGS. 5 to 9. 
All the preferred embodiments and modified forms thereof illustrated 
hereinbefore are structurally and functionally based on the same principle 
of operation, and have various applications and uses as fastening devices 
such as detachably attaching two-part articles which include handbags, 
clothes, hangers, etc. Particular uses may be found in electrical 
connecting apparatus such as a plug-receptacle assembly, earthing 
connectors and the like. In this case, it is apparent that the 
consitituent elements which constitute electrical contacts are made of 
electrically conducting materials. 
In accordance with the present invention described herein, the locking 
condition of the two-part apparatus can be maintained by both the magnetic 
attraction of the magnet and the locking function of the two elements. 
Unlocking of the two elements, on the other hand, can readily be performed 
by the intended manual operation, though an unexpected unlocking is 
avoided when any accidental external forces are applied. 
Although the invention has been described by reference to the various 
preferred embodiments and modifications thereof, it should be understood 
that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from 
the spirit and scope of the invention.