Patent Publication Number: US-2022240403-A1

Title: Magnetic attachment mechanism with safety latch for a desktop display

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/557,486, filed 30 Aug. 2019, and entitled “MAGNETIC ATTACHMENT MECHANISM WITH SAFETY LATCH FOR A DESKTOP DISPLAY,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/728,592, filed 7 Sep. 2018, and entitled “MAGNETIC ATTACHMENT MECHANISM WITH SAFETY LATCH FOR A DESKTOP DISPLAY,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to attachment mechanisms. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to a magnetic attachment mechanism with a safety latch for attaching a desktop display to a stand. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Desktop display devices may have display areas measuring 20 or more inches along a diagonal. For example, many desktop monitors include a display area measuring 27 inches along a diagonal, but these monitors are conventionally designed to be left on a desktop and physically connected to a power outlet and/or desktop computer or docking station. Optionally, the desktop monitor can be connected to a video source such as a set top box or a laptop computer with an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) output. 
     However, in some instances, it is preferable that these monitors to be more mobile such that the monitor can be detached from the stand and taken on the go. For example, those in industries including in film, advertising, or fashion may prefer to take a large format display to locations to provide enriched presentations that can be viewed by a large number of people. Conventionally, however, these people have relied on small format devices such as a tablet computer. 
     SUMMARY 
     This paper describes various embodiments that relate to a magnetic attachment mechanism attached to a stand for a display unit. The display unit includes a housing enclosing a display panel. The housing has a recess formed on a rear surface of the housing to accept the magnetic attachment mechanism. The magnetic attachment mechanism includes a magnetic element that is magnetically coupled to a corresponding magnetic element in the housing of the desktop display device when the magnetic attachment mechanism is inserted into the recess. The magnetic attachment mechanism also includes a latch mechanism that locks the display unit to the stand when the latch mechanism is engaged with a surface feature of the recess. The latch mechanism can be disengaged to allow for mobility of the display unit as separated from the stand. 
     In some embodiments, a magnetic attachment mechanism is described that secures a display unit to a stand. The magnetic attachment mechanism includes a housing having a size and a shape corresponding to a recess formed in the display unit. A magnetic element is attached to the housing. When the magnetic attachment mechanism is inserted in the recess, the magnetic element is magnetically coupled with, via an attractive force, a corresponding magnetic element in the display unit positioned proximate the recess. A latch mechanism is included in the magnetic attachment mechanism and configured to automatically engage with a surface feature formed in the recess when the magnetic attachment mechanism is inserted into the recess. An actuating mechanism is included in the magnetic attachment mechanism and configured to lock the latch mechanism in an extended state that prevents the magnetic attachment mechanism from being extracted from the recess. 
     In some embodiments, the magnetic element and the corresponding magnetic element are permanent magnets. The permanent magnets may include a neodymium alloy. 
     In some embodiments, a shape of the housing is substantially cylindrical. In other embodiments, the shape of the housing can be rectangular, triangular, or any other regular or irregular shape that conforms with the shape of the recess. 
     In some embodiments, the latch mechanism includes a movable component that can be positioned between a first position in the extended state and a second position in a retracted state. The movable component can be biased towards the first position in the extended state by a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism can include a spring compressed between a surface of the movable component and a protrusion of a component of the housing. The surface feature can include a protrusion at an entrance of the recess that forms a slot in a radial surface of the recess. The movable component, when in the first position while the magnetic attachment mechanism is inserted in the recess, extends into the slot. 
     In some embodiments, the actuating mechanism is manually operated. In other embodiments, the actuating mechanism is operated via an electrical actuator such as a motor. The actuating mechanism can be coupled to a motor configured to rotate the actuating mechanism between the first position and the second position. The actuating mechanism can include slots for accepting a protrusion of movable components of the latch mechanism. The protrusion assist in moving the movable components between the extended state and the retracted state. 
     In some embodiments, a stand is described for a display unit that includes a housing with a recess formed therein. The stand includes a frame configured to be supported by a surface and a magnetic attachment mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to be inserted into the recess formed in the housing of the display unit. The magnetic attachment mechanism may include a first structural component that is secured to a structural member of the frame. The magnetic attachment mechanism may also a second structural component secured to the first structural component. The magnetic attachment mechanism may also include a permanent magnet disposed between the first structural component and the second structural component. The magnetic attachment mechanism may also include a latch mechanism disposed between the first structural component and the second structural component. The magnetic attachment mechanism may also include a cam mechanism movable between the first position and the second position. The latch mechanism may include a movable component biased by a spring to extend the movable component beyond an edge of the first structural component. 
     In some embodiments, the movable component of the latch mechanism is locked in an extended position when the cam mechanism is in the first position. The movable component of the latch mechanism is free to move between the extended position (or extended state) and the retracted position (or retracted state) when the cam mechanism is in the second position. 
     In some embodiments, the display unit includes a display area measuring at least twenty inches along a diagonal. The display unit can be designed to sit on a flat surface of a desktop when coupled to the frame of the stand. In some embodiments, the magnetic attachment mechanism further includes a set of contacts that electrically couple a signal or a power supply from the stand to the display unit. 
     In some embodiments, a modular display system is described to enable mobility of large format display devices. The modular display system includes a display unit having a housing and a panel disposed in the housing. The housing includes a recess configured to mate with a stand for the display unit. The modular display system includes a magnetic attachment mechanism associated with the recess and attached to the stand. The magnetic attachment mechanism includes a magnet and a latch mechanism that engages with a surface feature in the recess when the magnetic attachment mechanism is inserted into the recess. 
     In some embodiments, the magnet is a neodymium magnet. In some embodiments, the display unit includes a second magnet disposed in the housing proximate the recess. The second magnet can be characterized by a magnetic dipole oriented relative a magnetic dipole of the magnet. When the magnetic attachment mechanism is inserted in the recess, an attractive force is generated between the second magnet and the magnet. 
     In some embodiments, the latch mechanism includes a movable component having a protrusion. The protrusion is configured to fit in a slot of an actuating mechanism movable between a first position and a second position. The actuating mechanism, when in the first position, operates to lock the movable component in an extended position. 
     In some embodiments, the magnetic attachment mechanism is cylindrical and the latch mechanism includes at least two movable components spaced around a perimeter of the magnetic attachment mechanism. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a desktop display device, in accordance with the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a modular display system that enables the display unit to be detached from a stand, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the magnetic attachment mechanism, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of the magnetic attachment mechanism, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates an extended state of the latch mechanism, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a retracted state of the latch mechanism, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate a cross section of the magnetic attachment mechanism as inserted into the recess, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a biasing mechanism of the latch mechanism, in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Representative applications of methods and apparatus according to the present application are described in this section. These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of the described embodiments. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the described embodiments. Other applications are possible, such that the following examples should not be taken as limiting. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting; such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
     A modular desktop display is disclosed herein that enables a display unit of the desktop display to be easily detached from a stand, thereby allowing the display unit more mobility than conventional display units that are securely (and in some cases, permanently) fastened to the stand via mechanical fasteners such as screws. The display unit may include a housing and a recess formed in the housing. The shape of the recess enables a magnetic attachment mechanism, secured to a stand, to be inserted into the recess. The magnetic attachment mechanism can include a magnetic element that interacts with a corresponding magnetic element included in the display unit. The corresponding magnetic element may be positioned along a surface defined by the recess and/or in close proximity to the recess. An attractive force between the magnetic elements can hold the display unit to the magnetic attachment mechanism as well as aid a person in locating the display unit relative to the stand when attaching the display unit to the magnetic attachment mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, the magnetic attachment mechanism includes a latch mechanism that locks the magnetic attachment mechanism in the recess when the magnetic attachment mechanism is inserted into the recess. The latch mechanism engages with a surface feature of the recess. The latch mechanism can be disengaged via operation of an actuating mechanism, such as a component with slots formed therein that force movable components of the latch mechanism to retract into a housing of the magnetic attachment mechanism. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-7 ; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a desktop display device  100 , in accordance with the prior art. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the desktop display device  100  includes a display unit  110  attached to a stand  120 . The stand  120  is designed to support the weight of the display unit  110  on a flat surface such as a desktop. The display unit  110  can include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel disposed in a frame. The display unit  110  can be placed over a backlight and can display text and images on a front surface (of the display unit  110 ). In some embodiments, the display unit  110  is overlaid by a glass substrate that can include a mask surrounding the visible area of the display unit  110 . In other embodiments, the display unit  110  can be an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel or the like instead of the LCD panel and backlight. 
     The desktop display device  100  also includes components for receiving video signals from a computing device (e.g., desktop computer, laptop computer, etc.) attached thereto. The video signals are processed by the components in order to control the display unit  110  to present video on the surface of the desktop display device  100 . The video signals can be received from the computing device via a wired (e.g., High Definition Multimedia Interface—HDMI; DisplayPort—DP; etc.) or wireless communication channel. The desktop display device  100  can also include a power cable to connect the electronic components in the desktop display device  100  with an external power supply. 
     The desktop display device  100  is typically designed to be stationary and immobile. In other words, the desktop display device  100  remains on a desktop, typically plugged into a wall outlet that provides 120 VAC power (or equivalent), and includes a cable to attach to a port of a connected computing device. The desktop display device  100  is typically large and relatively heavy. For example, a diagonal measurement of a display area of the desktop display device  100  typically measures between 20 and 27 inches. In some cases, the display area can measure up to 40 inches or greater, typically when the desktop display device  100  is also utilized as a television display. Consequently, the display unit  110  is typically securely attached to the stand  120  with screws or other mechanical fasteners, which makes it difficult to detach the display unit  110  from the stand  120 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a modular display system  200  that enables a display unit  210  to be detached from a stand  220 , in accordance with some embodiments. A rear surface of a housing  212  of the display unit  210  is shown in  FIG. 2 . A recess  214  is formed in the rear surface of the housing  212 . The recess  214  has a size and shape that conforms to a magnetic attachment mechanism  230  coupled to the stand  220 . In some embodiments, the shape of the recess  214  is circular to conform to a cylindrical shape of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230 . In other embodiments, the shape of the recess  214  is rectangular, triangular, an irregular closed curve, or any other shape to conform to a cross-sectional shape of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230 . 
     A magnetic element  216  is disposed within an internal volume defined by the housing  212  of the display unit  210 , and a magnetic element  234  is included in the magnetic attachment mechanism  230 . The magnetic element  234  may be referred to as a corresponding magnetic element that is designed to magnetically couple with the magnetic element  216 . In some embodiments, the magnetic element  216  and the magnetic element  234  are permanent magnets formed of a neodymium alloy (e.g., NdFeB), sometimes referred to as neodymium magnets. When the display unit  210  is brought in proximity of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230 , an attractive force between the magnetic element  216  and the magnetic element  234  can be felt by a person holding the display unit  210  such that the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic elements provide a “homing function” that aids a person in aligning the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  with the recess  214 . 
     The magnetic attachment mechanism  230  is inserted into the recess  214  as the attractive force aids in guiding the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  towards the offset surface of the recess  214 . The attractive force can be sufficient to hold the display unit  210  against the magnetic attachment mechanism  230 . In other words, a strength of the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic elements can be sufficient to provide an attractive force that holds the display unit  210  against the magnetic attachment mechanism  230 . 
     In some embodiments, the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  includes a latch mechanism  232  that automatically locks the display unit  210  to the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  when the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  is fully inserted into the recess  214 . The latch mechanism  232 , which can also be referred to as a safety latching mechanism, prevents accidental disengagement of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  with the display unit  210 . The latch mechanism  232  can include movable components that interface with a surface feature of the recess  214  to lock the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  in the recess  214 , thereby preventing the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  from being extracted from the recess  214  without disengaging the latch mechanism  232 . The latch mechanism  232  can be manually operated by a person intending to disengage the magnetic attachment mechanism  230 . 
     Alternatively, the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  can include an actuator configured to operate the latch mechanism  232 . The actuator can be controlled by a user interface element (e.g., a button or switch) on the stand  220  or controlled via a signal from the display unit  210 . The signal can be transmitted via a wireless or wired communication channel established with the display unit  210 . In some embodiments, the display unit  210  communicates with the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  via a wireless communication channel, such as a communication channel established according to a Bluetooth® protocol or other Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol, as non-limiting examples. In other embodiments, a wired communication channel can be established via one or more contacts  218  disposed on a surface of the recess  214 . The one or more contacts  218  can interface with corresponding contacts  236  disposed on a surface of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230 . In some embodiments, the corresponding contacts  236  disposed on the surface of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  corresponding couple a signal or a power supply from the stand  220  to the display unit  210 . For example, the corresponding contacts  236  can provide a power supply, connected from the stand  220  to a wall outlet, to the display unit  210  to avoid the need to run a separate cable from the display unit  210  to the wall outlet. 
     The stand  220  can include a number of structural components that provide a base for supporting the display unit  210 . For example, the stand  220  may include a structural component  221   a  that is carried by a structural component  221   b  and a structural component  221   c . The structural components can be fixed, as shown in  FIG. 2 , or adjustable to change a position of the display unit  210  relative a desktop surface. It will be appreciated that the stand  220  could also be designed to be mounted to a wall instead of being configured to be supported on a desktop surface. In some embodiments, the structural components of the stand  220  can be omitted entirely where the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  includes features for mounting the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  directly to a corresponding surface, such as a wall. 
     The magnetic attachment mechanism  230  enables the display unit  210  to be easily detached from the stand  220  so that a person can transport the display unit  210  to various locations. In other words, the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  changes a traditionally immobile desktop display device into a mobile display unit that can be taken with a person wherever they would like to use the display unit  210 . 
     It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  can be attached directly to a rear surface of the housing  212  of the display unit  210  and the stand  220  can be designed to include a recess that corresponds to the recess  214 . However, the configuration shown in  FIG. 2  may be advantageous in situations in which a rear surface of the housing  212  of the display unit  210  is likely to be set on a flat surface to avoid anything protruding from the rear surface of the housing  212 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230 , in accordance with some embodiments. As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  includes a housing  310 , or attachment mechanism housing, that is generally cylindrical. Also, the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  includes a central axis that is normal to the sheet. The magnetic element  234  is attached to the housing  310 . In some embodiments, the magnetic element  234  is a cylindrical permanent magnet having a magnetic dipole oriented substantially parallel to or collinear with the central axis of the housing  310 . 
     The latch mechanism  232  can include multiple components movable relative to the housing  310 . The components can extend from or retract into the housing  310  in a radial direction normal to the central axis of the housing  310 . As shown, the latch mechanism  232  includes three movable components. In other embodiments, the latch mechanism  232  can include any number of movable components, including as few as one movable component. 
     In some embodiments, the latch mechanism  232  is biased in the extended or the retracted position. For example, the movable components can be retained within a slot in the housing  310  and biased in one direction by one or more springs. For example, the movable components can be biased in the extended position (as shown) such that the movable components automatically engage a surface feature in the recess  214 . 
     In some embodiments, the latch mechanism  232  is operable via an actuating mechanism  320 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the actuating mechanism  320  includes slots that engage with a respective protrusion attached to each of the movable components. The actuating mechanism  320  rotates, thereby forcing the protrusions to move in the slots. For example, a slot  322  is engaged with a protrusion  324 . The remaining slots and protrusion may include a similar relationship as shown with the slot and the protrusion  324 . The slots are angled or otherwise configured to force the protrusions to move in a radial direction relative to the housing  310 , which forces the movable components to retract into or extend from the housing  310 . The actuating mechanism  320  can be manually operated such as via a piece of the actuating mechanism  320  that extends through a slot on an exterior of the housing  310  or can be electrically operated via an actuator, such as a DC motor and worm gear. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230 , in accordance with some embodiments. The housing  310  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  can include a rear housing component  410  attached to a front housing component  420 . In some embodiments, the front housing component  420  is attached to the rear housing component  410  via mechanical fasteners, such as screws. The latch mechanism  232 , the actuating mechanism  320 , and the magnetic element  234  are disposed between the front housing component  420  and the rear housing component  410 . It will be appreciated that the actuating mechanism  320  in  FIG. 4  is shown with a piece that extends through a slot between the rear housing component  410  and the front housing component  420  to allow for manual operation. 
     In some embodiments, the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  can include a magnetic shunt  430  disposed between the magnetic element  234  and the rear housing component  410 . The magnetic shunt  430  is formed from a ferromagnetic material that helps shield a magnetic field generated by the magnetic element  234  from external components proximate the opposite side (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the rear housing component  410 . 
     In some embodiments, the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  also includes a pad  440  that helps to cushion contact between the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  and the inner surface of the recess  214  of the housing  212  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The pad  440  can be made of a material such as Delrin® or some other polymer material that has a low coefficient of friction to reduce wear between the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  and the rear surface of the recess  214 . 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates an extended state of the latch mechanism  232 , in accordance with some embodiments. The movable components of the latch mechanism  232  are shown extended and protruding beyond an external surface of the housing  310  of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230 . In the extended state, at least a portion of the movable components extends past an external surface of the housing  310  of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  such that the movable components interface with a surface feature in the recess  214  of the housing  212  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates a retracted state of the latch mechanism  232 , in accordance with some embodiments. The movable components of the latch mechanism  232  are shown retracted into the housing  310  of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  such that the movable components do not extend beyond the external surface of the housing  310 . In the retracted state, the movable components do not extend beyond the external surface of the housing  310  such that the movable components are free of any interference with the surface feature in the recess  214  of the housing  212  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
       FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate a cross section of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  as inserted into the recess  214 , in accordance with some embodiments. The recess  214  includes a recess formed in the housing  212  of the display unit  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). As depicted in  FIG. 6A , the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  is in an extended state where the movable component of the latch mechanism  232  interfaces with a surface feature  610  formed in the recess  214  of the housing  212 . In some embodiments, the surface feature  610  includes an overhanging protrusion. The overhanging protrusion is characterized by a diameter of the recess  214  at the opening in the housing  212  that is less than a diameter of the recess  214  at a rear surface of the housing  212  at the bottom of the recess  214 . The overhanging protrusion can also be referred to as a ledge or an undercut region. It will be appreciated that the surface feature  610  can be formed in the housing  212  by a machining operation, such as a milling operation with a slot cutter tool. Alternatively, the surface feature  610  can be formed by attaching a second component to a face of the housing  212 . For example, a second component with an opening formed therein can be attached to the face of the housing  212  to form the overhanging protrusion via the combination of the first component having an opening of a first diameter disposed over the recess  214  having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. 
     The pad  440  contacts or is otherwise substantially adjacent to a rear surface of the recess  214 . The pad  440  is attached to a front housing component  420  attached to a rear housing component  410  via mechanical fasteners (not explicitly shown in the cross-section of  FIGS. 6A-6B ). It will be appreciated that a cross section of the front housing component  420  and the rear housing component  410  can be different at other locations of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230 , such that the a surface of the front housing component  420  contacts a mating surface of the rear housing component  410 , and that a threaded hole can be formed in the mating surface for attaching said components to form the housing  310  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230 . 
     The magnetic element  234  and the magnetic shunt  430  are disposed between the front housing component  420  and the rear housing component  410 . The movable components of the latch mechanism  232  are similarly disposed between the front housing component  420  and the rear housing component  410 , with a protrusion of the movable component disposed in a slot of the actuating mechanism  320 . The position of movable component of the latch mechanism  232  can be controlled by a position of the slot in the actuating mechanism  320 . Thus, a position of the slot in the actuating mechanism  320  can determine whether the movable component of the latch mechanism  232  is extended under the overhanging protrusion of the surface feature  610  formed in the recess  214 . The interference between the movable components of the latch mechanism  232  and the surface feature  610  can prevent the extraction of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  from the recess  214 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 6B , the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  is in a retracted state where the movable component of the latch mechanism  232  does not interfere with the surface feature  610  formed in the recess  214  of the housing  212 , thereby enabling the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  to be extracted from the recess  214 . Again, the position of movable component of the latch mechanism  232  is controlled by a position of the slot in the actuating mechanism  320 . Thus, a position of the slot in the actuating mechanism  320  can determine whether the movable component of the latch mechanism  232  is retracted into housing  310  of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230 , free of the overhanging protrusion of the surface feature  610  formed in the recess  214 . 
     In some embodiments, the actuating mechanism  320  can be characterized by two states, with the states based upon rotation of the actuating mechanism  320  relative to the protrusion of the movable component of the latch mechanism  232 . A first state can be referred to as an unlocked state, where the slots in the actuating mechanism  320  allows free motion of the movable components of the latch mechanism  232  between the extended state and the retracted state. A second state can be referred to as a locked state, where the slots in the actuating mechanism  320  force the movable components of the latch mechanism  232  in the extended state. In other words, the slot in the actuating mechanism  320  can be wider in the unlocked state than in the locked state. 
     In such embodiments, the movable components of the latch mechanism  232  can be biased towards the extended state. For example, springs can be included as a part of the latch mechanism  232  to force the movable components away from a central axis of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230 . In such cases, with the actuating mechanism  320  in the unlocked state, the insertion of the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  into the recess  214  while the movable components are in the extended state allows the movable components to move from the extended state to the retracted state, compressing the springs, until the movable components are beyond the surface feature  610 . Once the movable components are beyond the surface feature  610 , the springs force the movable components to move back into the extended state, thus locking the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  in the recess  214 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a biasing mechanism of the latch mechanism  232  (shown in  FIG. 3 ), in accordance with some embodiments. As depicted in  FIG. 7 , a movable component  700  of the latch mechanism  232  includes a protrusion  702  that is designed to interface with a slot of the actuating mechanism  320  (such as the slot  322 , shown in  FIG. 3 ). The movable component  700  of the latch mechanism  232  also includes slots, with each slot accepting a biasing mechanism. For example, the movable component  700  includes a slot  704  that accepts a biasing mechanism  710 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the biasing mechanism  710  is a spring. However, other mechanism with a force dependent upon a spring constant and a distance/length (of the biasing mechanism) are possible. The biasing mechanism  710  can be disposed between a surface of the slot  704  and a surface of a protrusion  720 . The protrusion  720  may attach to one of the front housing component  420  or the rear housing component  410  of the housing  310  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     Although, the biasing mechanism  710  is shown to bias the movable component  700  in the extended state, it will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the biasing mechanism  710  can be configured to bias the movable component  700  in the retracted state. In such embodiments, the latch mechanism  232  will not automatically engage with the surface feature  610  (shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B ) in the recess  214  when the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  (shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B ) is inserted into the recess  214 . Instead, the actuating mechanism  320  is utilized to force the movable component  700  into the extended state after the magnetic attachment mechanism  230  is inserted into the recess  214 . It should be noted that additional movable components of the latch mechanism  232  are designed to function in a manner similar to the movable component  700 . 
     The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. Various aspects of the described embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The described embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable code on a non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the non-transitory computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, HDDs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The non-transitory computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.