Audio magnetic connection and indexing device

The disclosure relates to the use of magnets, which may be permanent magnets or electromagnets, to align and physically connect two adjacent audio components, or similar electronic components. Alternatively, a groove or similar mechanical aligning configuration may be used in combination with the magnetic configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for connecting two pieces of related audio gear, or similar electronic devices, using magnetism. This allows indexing of the relative position of the devices while allowing easy repositioning of the devices in relation to one another.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the field of audio or similar electronic components, typically the components are attached together mechanically using external fasteners, such as screws or hooks. Alternatively, complex tooling may be used as a fastening system which does not require external fasteners. However, using tooling a mechanical fasteners may result in difficulties in indexing the products to one another in order to achieve the best ergonomics or appearance. Moreover, such mechanical implementations may wear after repeated insertions and extractions and may result in inaccurate positioning and indexing.

Apple computers use a magnetic device to attach a power cable to certain laptop computers. Similarly, magnets are used to secure electrical connections in U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,815 to Schmidt and Published Application No. 2004/0209489 A1 to Clapper.

Finally, some toy trains use magnetic couplers to attach the train cars together.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for attaching audio or similar electronic components, while eliminating or reducing the use of external fasteners.

This and other objects are attained by using magnetic connections between audio or similar electronic components. This allows control surfaces, audio interfaces and other device to attach to one another easily while eliminating or reducing the use of external fasteners. Magnets of opposed polarity are used in each component or device whereby the attraction of the magnets is sufficient to override any other magnetic attraction between the components or devices, such as from a magnet to a steel interior structure. Another embodiment provides at least one magnet in one component or device which is attracted to a ferrous plate in another component or device, relying upon a mechanical indexing structure (such as, but not limited to, a nipple to dimple structure) whereby the magnets apply the attracting force while the mechanical indexing structure aligns the components or devices. In this embodiment, the indexing may be overridden by simply not aligning the mechanical indexing structure, thereby providing the benefits of magnetic attraction and the creation of a connected structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one sees thatFIG. 1is a schematic of the first embodiment of the present invention. More specifically,FIG. 1shows the respective abutting ends101,201of the exterior cases of electronic components100and200which are to be positioned against each other. Electronic components100,200may be audio components, such as, but not limited to, power amplifiers, pre-amplifiers, integrated amplifiers, radio tuners, CD or DVD players or other audio sources or sound processors. Furthermore, electronic components100,200may be audio/visual recording devices or scientific instruments, but are not limited thereto.

Component100includes magnet10outwardly presenting a positive pole on an upper portion of end101of component100and further includes magnet12outwardly presenting a negative pole on a lower portion of end101of component100. Likewise, component200includes magnet14outwardly presenting a negative pole on an upper portion of end201of component200and further includes magnet16outwardly presenting a positive pole on a lower portion of end201of component200. Therefore, the respective ends101,201of components100,200can abut so that magnet10is aligned with and adjacent to magnet14thereby resulting in magnetic attraction between the two. Likewise, magnet12is aligned with and adjacent to magnet16thereby resulting in magnetic attraction between the two. The resulting magnetic attraction further results in the desired alignment of components100,200with each other. It should be noted that the magnets12,14,16,18are shown for ease of simplicity of illustration on the illustrated planar faces, but actually present the poles on the ends101,201.

Moreover, magnets12,14,16,18can be implemented as neodymium or similar permanent magnets. Magnets12,14,16,18can likewise be implemented as electromagnets

FIG. 2illustrates how components100,200can mount magnets on both ends of the components100,200. Component100includes magnets10,12as illustrated inFIG. 1. Further, component100includes magnet18outwardly presenting a negative pole on an upper edge of end102of component100and further includes magnet20outwardly presenting a positive pole on a lower edge of end102of component100thereby allowing similar components to be aligned to the left of component100. Likewise, component200includes magnets14,16as illustrated inFIG. 1. Further, component200includes magnet22outwardly presenting a positive pole on an upper edge of end202of component200and further includes magnet24outwardly presenting a negative pole on a lower edge of end202of component200. Component300is configured similarly or substantially identically with component200so that magnets26,28,30,32correspond to magnets14,16,22,24, respectively. Therefore, the respective ends202,301of components200,300can abut so that magnet22is aligned with and adjacent to magnet26thereby resulting in magnetic attraction between the two. Likewise, magnets30,32on side302of component300can be aligned with and adjacent to magnets on an end of a further successive component (not shown).

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 3, component100includes a ferrous or metal plate38imbedded inwardly adjacent from end101. End101further includes spacer plates40,42spaced apart thereby forming a gap or aligning groove44therebetween. Component200is configured as shown inFIG. 1, and further includes a protruding boss plate46configured and arranged to fit or mate into aligning groove44. Therefore, when components100,200are aligned with each other, magnets14,16are magnetically attracted to ferrous or metal plate38while boss plate46assures mechanical alignment by fitting into groove44.

This provides for alignment of the various components. Moreover, the use of electromagnets in this embodiment is particularly attractive as the connection between two successive components100,200depends upon the magnetism in a single component100, and the magnetism can be turned off by use of a single switch (not shown).

Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.