Patent Publication Number: US-11026529-B2

Title: Apparatus, system, and method for a movable assembly

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus, system, and method for providing an assembly, and more particularly to an apparatus, system, and method for providing a movable assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Beverage containers and similar products are often used in activities such as boating and driving. Due to the motion involved in such activities, beverage containers often fall off of surfaces or out of beverage holders, usually leading to spills, loss, and/or unsafe conditions in trying to locate the fallen containers during activities such as driving and boating. 
     Conventional techniques for maintaining control of beverage containers and similar products typically involve permanent stationary holders located in vehicles. Such conventional techniques are often ergonomically ineffective, nonadjustable to match user&#39;s preferences, and/or ineffective in maintaining a beverage container or similar product in a desired location of a vehicle such as a car, truck, or boat when that vehicle is in motion. 
     The exemplary disclosed apparatus, system, and method are directed to overcoming one or more of the shortcomings set forth above and/or other deficiencies in existing technology. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus. The apparatus includes a first member, a second member that is removably attachable to the first member, a first magnetic member attached to the first member, a second magnetic member attached to the second member, and at least one attachment portion disposed on the second member. When the first member is removably attached to the second member, a surface of the first member bears against a first surface of the second member. The at least one attachment portion is disposed on a second surface of the second member. The first surface and the second surface are disposed on opposite sides of the second member. The second member is removably attachable to the first member via magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic members. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method. The method includes providing a first member including a first magnetic member, and providing a second member including a second magnetic member and at least one attachment portion. The method also includes magnetically attaching the first member and the second member together by contacting a surface of the first member with a first surface of the second member, when the first member and the second member are magnetically attached, pressing the at least one attachment portion, which is disposed on a second surface of the second member that is opposite to the first surface, against an attachment surface, and forming a seal between the at least one attachment portion and the attachment surface based on pressing the at least one attachment portion against the attachment surface. A sealing force sealing the at least one attachment portion to the attachment surface is greater than a magnetic force attaching the first member and the second member together. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of an exemplary member of at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of an exemplary member of at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of an exemplary base member of at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of an exemplary base member of at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of an exemplary base member of at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view of at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view of at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic view of at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic view of at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic view of at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic view of at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The exemplary disclosed apparatus, system, and method may be used in any suitable location or application. For example, the exemplary disclosed assembly (e.g., assembly  100  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 ) may be attached to an attachment surface (e.g., surface  105 ) that may be a surface of a vehicle or other desired surface. For example, surface  105  may be a surface of a waterborne vehicle (e.g., a boat), a ground vehicle (e.g., an RV, car, bus, or truck), or an air vehicle such as a fixed wing aircraft (e.g., a plane) or a rotary wing aircraft (e.g., helicopter). Also for example, surface  105  may be a surface of a residential location (e.g., countertop surface, tabletop surface, appliance surface located in a home, and/or any other suitable surface of a residential location), a commercial location (e.g., desk surface, tabletop surface, or other surface located in an office, retail location, and/or any other suitable surface of a commercial location), an industrial location (e.g., a surface of a factory), and/or any other desired surface in any desired location. In at least some exemplary embodiments, surface  105  may be a surface located in or used at restaurants, bars, sporting events, commercial aircraft, busses, trains, and/or large passenger or cruise ships. In at least some exemplary embodiments, surface  105  may be a smooth, solid surface located in any desired location. Surface  105  may be a surface of any suitable material such as, for example, granite, metal such as stainless steel, fiberglass, plastics such as molded plastics, and any other desired material surface. Surface  105  may be a substantially horizontal surface, a substantial vertical surface, a slanted surface relative to a floor or ground, and/or any other desired surface suitable for attachment to the exemplary disclosed assembly. 
     Components of the exemplary disclosed apparatus may be formed from any suitable material for providing a removably attachable assembly. For example, components of the exemplary disclosed assembly may be formed from polymer material, structural metal (e.g., structural steel), co-polymer material, thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, resin-containing material, polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, Acrylanitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polycarbonate (PC), Mix of ABS and PC, Acetal (POM), Acetate, Acrylic (PMMA), Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP), Mylar, Polyamid-Nylon, Polyamid-Nylon 6, Polyamid-Nylon 11, Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyetherimide (PEI), Polyethylene (PE), Low Density PE (LDPE), High Density PE (HDPE), Ultra High Molecular Weight PE (UHMW PE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), PolPolypropylene (PP), Polyphthalamide (PPA), Polyphenylenesulfide (PPS), Polystyrene (PS), High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS), Polysulfone (PSU), Polyurethane (PU), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Chlorinated Polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), Polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF), Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN), Teflon TFE, Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), and/or Engineered Thermoplastic Polyurethane (ETPU), or any suitable combination thereof. 
     The exemplary disclosed assembly may be any suitable assembly that may be removably attachable to surface  105 . For example as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , assembly  100  may be a container such as a hot or cold beverage container. As illustrated for example in  FIGS. 5 and 6  and described further below, the exemplary disclosed assembly may include a mobile phone holder, a utility basket, a serving tray, and/or any other suitable assembly for use in vehicles, residential locations, commercial locations, and/or industrial locations. 
     Returning to  FIGS. 1 and 2  and in at least some exemplary embodiments, the exemplary disclosed apparatus, system, and method may include assembly  100 . Assembly  100  may be removably attached to a surface such as surface  105  as described for example below. Assembly  100  may include a member  110 , to which a cover member  115  and a base member  120  may be removably attached. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , member  110  may be any suitable container for holding a beverage, food, materials (e.g., chemicals for use in any desired application), and/or any other liquid, gaseous, and/or solid material. For example, member  110  may be a beverage container such as a cup, glass, mug, or tumbler. Member  110  may include one or more portions (e.g., walls)  125  and/or  130  that may form a container such as a container (e.g., an insulated container) for holding a beverage in a cavity  132  of member  110 . For example, one or more portions  125  and  130  may be separated by a spacer member  135 . A cavity  140  (e.g., gap) may be formed between portions  125  and  130 . Cavity  140  may be an empty cavity or partially or substantially filled with any suitable insulating material. Portions  125  and  130  may provide double-walled insulation of contents of member  110 . Member  110  may have substantially smooth exterior surfaces and/or surfaces having protrusions, recesses, and other similar portions for facilitating a secure grip by users and/or other desired feature. Member  110  may include a surface  142  that may be a bottom surface of member  110 . Surface  142  may be a smooth, solid, and/or substantially flat surface having substantially no protrusions, recesses, and/or similar portions. 
     Member  110  may also include a magnetic member  145 . One or more (e.g., a plurality of) magnetic members  145  may be disposed partially in, substantially entirely within, on an exterior surface of, or in any other desired position on and/or in member  110 . For example, magnetic member  145  may be disposed partially or substantially within portion  130  (e.g., a bottom portion of portion  130 ). Magnetic member  145  may have any desired shape or configuration. In at least some exemplary embodiments, magnetic member  145  may be an elongated and/or substantially flat member. Magnetic member  145  may also have a prism shape, a coiled shape, a cubic shape, a spherical shape, or any other desired shape. In at least some exemplary embodiments, magnetic member  145  may include an aperture  150  disposed for example at a central portion of magnetic member  145 . For example, spacer member  135  may be received within aperture  150  to help attach magnetic member  145  to member  110 . Magnetic member  145  may be disposed parallel and near to (e.g., a few millimeters or one or more sixteenths or eighths of an inch from) surface  142 . For example, magnetic member  145  may be an elongated member that is disposed within a surface portion of member  110  adjacent to or close to surface  142  (e.g., just beneath a surface of a portion of member  110 ). In at least some exemplary embodiments, magnetic member  145  may be disposed within member  110  close to and substantially parallel to surface  142  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     Magnetic member  145  may be any suitable magnetic member. Magnetic member  145  may be any suitable permanent magnet including any suitable alloy. Magnetic member  145  may be any suitable magnet for generating a relatively strong magnetic field such as, for example, a magnetic field (e.g., flux density) greater than 1.0 Teslas, between about 1.0 and about 1.5 Teslas, greater than 1.4 Teslas, between about 1.0 and about 2.0 Teslas (e.g., or more), or any other suitable magnetic field strength. For example, magnetic member  145  may be any suitable rare earth magnet. Magnetic member  145  may include neodymium, iron, boron, samarium, cobalt, praseodymium, cerium, gadolinium, copper, and/or zirconium material. In at least some exemplary embodiments, magnetic member  145  may be a samarium-cobalt magnet or a neodymium magnet. Magnetic member  145  may be a powerful NdFeB rare earth magnet. For example, magnetic member  145  may be any suitable grade of Neodymium rare earth magnet such as N35, N40, N42, N45, N48, N50, or N52 grade. Magnetic member  145  may be coated with any suitable coating such as nickel, zinc, tin, copper, epoxy, silver, and/or gold to prevent rusting of magnetic materials. For example, magnetic member  145  may include coated Neodymium, Iron, and Boron material (e.g., and/or coated samarium, cobalt, praseodymium, cerium, and/or gadolinium material). Magnetic member  145  may also be any other suitable type of magnet such as a ferrite magnet, a ceramic magnet, an electromagnet, or an Alnico magnet. Magnetic member  145  may be a permanent magnet or a temporary magnet. Magnetic member  145  may be of any suitable size, shape, and type. In at least some exemplary embodiments, magnetic member  145  may have a diameter of about 50 mm, a thickness of about 2 mm, and/or an inner size of about 20 mm (e.g., or any other suitable dimensions). Additionally in at least some exemplary embodiments, magnetic member  145  may have a magnetic force of N40, 1800-2000 GS (e.g., or any other suitable magnetic force). 
     In addition to the exemplary member  110  illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the exemplary disclosed member may be any other suitable type of member or assembly that may be utilized with the exemplary disclosed base member (e.g., base member  120 ). For example, the exemplary disclosed member may be a member  155  (e.g., a container, a utility basket, a mobile phone holder, an electronic device, or any other suitable member or assembly) as illustrated in  FIG. 5  or a member  160  (e.g., a serving tray, an electronic device such as a tablet, or any other suitable elongated member or assembly) as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Member  155  may also for example include a base such as a magnetized silicone rubber base that may be attached via any suitable technique (e.g., via permanent adhesive, press-fit connection, or rubber boot) to an existing component (e.g., any desired component) so that this component may be used with the exemplary disclosed system. Member  155  may include one or more magnetic members  158  that may be generally similar to magnetic member  145 , and member  160  may include one or more magnetic members  162  that may be generally similar to magnetic member  145 . Members  155  and  160  may be used with assembly  100  similarly to member  110  as described for example herein. 
     Returning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , cover member  115  may be any suitable member for removably or fixedly attaching to member  110 . For example, cover member  115  may be a beverage cover or lid that may be removably attached to member  110  (e.g., that is a beverage container). Cover member  115  may also be any suitable member for attaching to (e.g., covering) any suitable exemplary disclosed member as described for example herein (e.g., member  110 , member  155 , or member  160 ). Cover member  115  may include a movable or adjustable assembly  165  that may selectively allow or prevent access to an interior of the exemplary disclosed member. For example, assembly  165  may include a member that is movable (e.g., slidable) to selectively cover and expose an aperture. For example, assembly  165  may be moved to allow a user to drink or otherwise access contents of the exemplary disclosed member (e.g., member  110 , member  155 , or member  160 ). Cover member  115  may include any suitable recesses, protrusions, and/or other suitable portions to be removably or fixedly attached to the exemplary disclosed member (e.g., member  110 , member  155 , or member  160 ) and/or to provide any other desired feature (e.g., a spout for drinking, an ergonomic grip, and/or any other feature). 
       FIGS. 7-9  illustrate an embodiment of the exemplary disclosed base member.  FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom view of base member  120 ,  FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of base member  120 , and  FIG. 9  illustrates a sectional view of base member  120 . Base member  120  may be any suitable member for being removably attached to surface  105  and/or member  110  (e.g., and/or any other exemplary disclosed member, e.g., member  155  or member  160 ). Base member  120  may include a body member  170 , a magnetic member  175 , and one or more attachment portions  180 . Body member  170  may house and/or be attached to magnetic member  175  and one or more attachment portions  180  as described for example below. 
     Body member  170  may be any suitable member for housing and/or being attached to magnetic member  175  and attachment portions  180 . Body member  170  may include one or more cavities  185  configured to partially or substantially entirely house (e.g., hold in a tight-fit manner) one or more magnetic members  175 . Body member  170  may have any desired shape such as, for example, an elongated shape (e.g., flat elliptical or circular, rectangular, polygonal, or any other desired elongated shape), a prism shape, an elliptical (e.g., spherical) shape, and/or any other desired configuration. 
     Body member  170  may include a surface  190  that may be a top surface of body member  170  and a surface  195  that may be bottom surface of body member  170 . Surfaces  190  and  195  may each be a smooth, solid, and/or substantially flat surface having substantially no protrusions recesses, and/or similar portions. In at least some exemplary embodiments, surface  190  may be configured to bear flush against (e.g., be fully in contact when pressed against) some or substantially all of surface  142  of member  110 . 
     Body member  170  may be formed from any suitable material for housing magnetic member  175  and being attached to attachment portions  180 . Body member  170  may be formed from a rubberized material. Body member  170  may be formed from a durable material (e.g., a highly durable material). For example, body member  170  may include natural or synthetic rubber, elastomeric material, and/or any other suitable flexible material. Body member  170  may be formed from silicone rubber material. Body member  170  may be a magnetized material. In at least some exemplary embodiments, body member  170  may be formed from silicone rubber such as a highly durable magnetized silicone rubber. Also for example, body member  170  may be formed from material such as nylon material, neoprene, chloroprene, latex, vinyl material, flexible Polyethylene (PE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic elastomers, and/or any other suitable type of textile, fabric, or material having flexible and/or elastic properties. 
     One or more (e.g., a plurality of) magnetic members  175  may be disposed partially in, substantially entirely within, on an exterior surface of, or in any other desired position on and/or in body member  170 . Magnetic member  175  may be disposed parallel and near to both surface  190  and  195 . For example, magnetic member  175  may be an elongated member that is disposed within a central portion of body member  170 , between and parallel to both surface  190  and surface  195  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
     Magnetic member  175  may be generally similar to magnetic member  145 , and may have a similar configuration and be formed from similar materials to magnetic member  145  as described for example above. For example, magnetic member  175  may have an aperture  200  that may be similar to aperture  150  of magnetic member  145 . When body member  170  is formed from a flexible material, an interior portion  205  of body member  170  disposed at aperture  200  and an exterior portion  210  of body member  170  that may extend past (e.g., hang over or form an overhang from) magnetic member  175  may move flexibly relative to portions  215  of body member  170  disposed at (e.g., above or below) magnetic member  175 . Interior portion  205  and exterior portion  210  may thereby be flexibly moved (e.g., moved up or down during use of assembly  100  by a user) relative to relatively stiffer portions  215  disposed above or below magnetic member  175 . 
     In at least some exemplary embodiments, magnetic member  145  of member  110  and magnetic member  175  of base member  120  may be similar magnets that may act on each other and other material of assembly  100  based on their respective magnetic fields. For example, magnetic member  145  and magnetic member  175  may cause components of assembly  100  to move relative to each other as described for example below. For example, magnetic members  145  and  175  may be configured to have magnetic poles and magnetic fields to magnetically affect each other and other components of assembly  100  as described for example below. In at least some exemplary embodiments, magnetic members  145  and  175  may be configured so that magnetic members  145  and  175  attract each other (e.g., and other portions of assembly  100 ) when surface  142  of member  110  is facing surface  190  of base member  120  (e.g., and magnetic members  145  and  175  may repel each other when surface  142  of member  110  is facing surface  195  of base member  120 ). 
     One or more attachment portions  180  may be attached to base member  120  (e.g., at surface  195 ) by any suitable technique such as via adhesive, heat fusion or welding, mechanical connection, molding, and/or any other suitable technique. One or more attachment portions  180  may also be formed integrally with body member  170  of base member  120 . One or more attachment portions  180  may be formed from similar material as body member  170 . Base member  120  may include any suitable number of attachment portions  180  such as one, a few, or a dozen or more (e.g., up to 20, 30, or more) attachment portions  180 . Attachment portions  180  may be formed in any desired configuration on surface  195  such as at regular or random intervals, concentric ellipses, circles, or other concentric shapes, or any other desired pattern or configuration. Attachment portion  180  may be any suitable member or device for forming a seal or other suitable attachment with a surface such as surface  105 . For example, attachment portion  180  may be any suitable flexible member that may form a seal against surface  105  in order to attach base member  180  to surface  105  via attachment portion  180 . Attachment portion  180  may be any suitable flexible member for deforming when pressed against surface  105  to expel air disposed in a cavity of attachment portion  180  to create a vacuum seal against surface  105  (e.g., which may create a force to hold attachment portion  180  and base member  120  to surface  105 ). Attachment portion  180  may be either dry or wet when pressed against surface  105  to form a desired seal. In at least some exemplary embodiments, attachment portion  180  may be a suction cup such as a flexible suction cup. Attachment portion  180  may also be an adhesive connector, a hook and loop connector, a magnetic connector (e.g., similar to the exemplary magnetic members described herein), or any other suitable attachment component. 
     In at least some exemplary embodiments, the exemplary disclosed apparatus, system, and method may be a movable, magnetic, and secure base and cup system that may be used on any smooth, solid surface. The exemplary disclosed apparatus, system, and method may serve as a portable holder (e.g., cup holder) that may provide a holder (e.g., cup holder) in any desired location. The exemplary disclosed apparatus, system, and method may also be used with existing holding systems (e.g., existing cup holders such as shallow cup holders). The exemplary disclosed apparatus, system, and method may resist motion on vehicles on land, water, and air, and may prevent spills and accidents by providing a secure and stable mounting system. 
     In at least some exemplary embodiments, the exemplary disclosed apparatus may include a first member (e.g., member  110 , member  155 , or member  160 ). a second member (e.g., base member  120 ) that is removably attachable to the first member, a first magnetic member (e.g., magnetic member  145 ) attached to the first member, a second magnetic member (e.g., magnetic member  175 ) attached to the second member, and at least one attachment portion (e.g., attachment portion  180 ) disposed on the second member. When the first member is removably attached to the second member, a surface (e.g., surface  142 ) of the first member may bear against a first surface (e.g., surface  190 ) of the second member. The at least one attachment portion may be disposed on a second surface (e.g., surface  195 ) of the second member. The first surface and the second surface may be disposed on opposite sides of the second member. The second member may be removably attachable to the first member via magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic members. The first and second magnetic members may each be rare earth magnets. The first and second magnetic members may each generate magnetic fields of between 1.0 and 2.0 Teslas. The first and second magnetic members may each be NdFeB rare earth magnets. The second member may include rubberized material. The second member may be a magnetized silicone rubber member. The at least one attachment portion may be a plurality of suction cups. The second magnetic member may be attached to the second member by being entirely disposed within an interior portion of the second member. The first and second magnetic members may be configured to attract each other when the surface of the first member faces the first surface of the second member and may be configured to repel each other when the surface of the first member faces the second surface of the second member. The first member may be a beverage container and the second member may be an elongated base member. 
     In at least some exemplary embodiments, the exemplary disclosed apparatus may include a beverage container (e.g., member  110 ), a beverage container base (e.g., base member  120 ) that is removably attachable to the beverage container, a first rare earth magnet (e.g., magnetic member  145 ) attached to the beverage container, a second rare earth magnet (e.g., magnetic member  175 ) attached to the beverage container base, and a plurality of suction cups (e.g., attachment portions  180 ) disposed on the beverage container base. When the beverage container is removably attached to the beverage container base, a surface (e.g., surface  142 ) of the beverage container bears against a first surface (e.g., surface  190 ) of the beverage container base. The plurality of suction cups may be disposed on a second surface (e.g., surface  195 ) of the beverage container base. The first surface and the second surface may be disposed on opposite sides of the beverage container base. The beverage container base may be removably attachable to the beverage container via magnetic attraction between the first and second rare earth magnets. The first and second rare earth magnets may each be NdFeB rare earth magnets. The beverage container base may be a magnetized silicone rubber member. 
     The exemplary disclosed apparatus, system, and method may be used in any suitable application for maintaining (e.g., in a desired position), accessing, moving, and manipulating any desired assembly in any suitable location. The exemplary disclosed apparatus, system, and method may be used in any application involving motion or travel, such as for example a waterborne vehicle (e.g., a boat), a ground vehicle (e.g., an RV, car, bus, or truck), or an air vehicle such as a fixed wing aircraft (e.g., a plane) or a rotary wing aircraft (e.g., helicopter). The exemplary disclosed apparatus, system, and method may be used in any application involving positioning, moving, and/or replacing an assembly (e.g., a beverage container or other suitable product) in any suitable application such as a residential (e.g., home) setting, a commercial setting (e.g., a business or in retail locations), an industrial application (e.g., in a factory), or any other desired location. In at least some exemplary embodiments, the exemplary disclosed apparatus, system, and method may be used in applications in restaurants, bars, sporting events, commercial aircraft, busses, trains, and/or large passenger or cruise ships. 
     An exemplary operation of the exemplary disclosed apparatus, system, and method will now be described. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , assembly  100  may be configured with cover member  115  removably attached to member  110 . Surface  142  of member  110  may face surface  190  of base member  120  so that magnetic members  145  and  175  attract each other (e.g., via a force F). Based on the attraction of magnetic members  145  and  175  (e.g., via force F), member  110  may abut and be magnetically attached to base member  120  (e.g., surface  142  of member  110  may be pressed so that it is bearing flush against surface  190  of base member  120  based on the magnetic field and forces, e.g., force F, applied between magnetic members  145  and  175 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , assembly  100  may be pushed against surface  105  based on the application of a force F 1  (e.g., applied by a user of assembly  100 ). Based on application of force F 1 , one or more attachment portions  180  may attach base member  120  to surface  105 . For example when attachment portion  180  is a vacuum-creating flexible member such as a suction cup, force F 1  may cause air to be expelled from a cavity of attachment portion  180  to form a vacuum, which may provide a vacuum or sealing force F 2 . For example, force F 2  may be cumulatively created by a sealing of a plurality of attachment portions  180  to surface  105 . Force F 2  may thereby attach base member  120  to surface  105  via one or more attachment portions  180  (e.g., via a sealing or vacuum force, adhesion, mechanical connection, and/or any other suitable technique). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 11-13 , member  110  may be separated (e.g., by a user) from base member  120  while base member  120  remains attached to surface  105  based on force F 2  (e.g., applied based on an operation of one or more attachment portions  180 ). Force F 2  applied by attachment portions  180  may be greater than force F applied by magnetic members  145  and  175 . A force F 3  may be applied (e.g., applied by a user) to remove member  110  from base member  120 . As force F 3  increases in magnitude to remove member  110  from base member  120 , force F 3  may exceed a magnitude of force F, but may not exceed a magnitude of force F 2 . That is, as member  110  is removed from base member  120  via force F 3 , force F may be less than force F 3 , and force F 3  may be less than force F 2  (e.g., F&lt;F 3 &lt;F 2 ). Force F 3  may thereby remove member  110  from base member  120  while force F 2  maintains an attachment of base member  120  to surface  105  (e.g., via attachment portions  180 ). 
     For example when a user desired to securely attach assembly  100  to surface  105  when assembly  100  is not in use, assembly  100  may be in the exemplary configuration illustrated in  FIG. 12  (e.g., following an initial attachment as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11  as described for example above). When in the exemplary configuration of  FIG. 12 , assembly  100  may remain securely attached to surface  105  when subjected to motion such as vehicular motion (e.g., motion due to the exemplary applications such as use with vehicles as described for example herein). Base member  120  may also be attached to surface  105  via forces F 1  and F 2  without member  110  being attached. When the user would like to utilize member  110  while leaving base member  120  attached to surface  105 , that user may remove member  110  from base member  120  and then replace member  110  on base member  120  as many times as desired as described for example above and as illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
     Magnetic members  145  and  175  may be configured to guide a user in correctly attaching member  110  and base member  120 . For example, when surface  142  of member  110  faces surface  190  of base member  120  (e.g., in an exemplary desired configuration of use of assembly  100 ), magnetic members  145  and  175  may attract each other (e.g., via a force F) so that member  110  is attached to base member  120 . Also for example, when surface  142  of member  110  faces surface  195  of base member  120  (e.g., in an exemplary undesired configuration of use of assembly  100 ), magnetic members  145  and  175  may repel each other (e.g., via a magnetic force that may be equal to and opposite to force F) so that member  110  is repelled from base member  120 . A user may thereby be prevented from using assembly  100  in an undesired way based on an operation of magnetic members  145  and  175 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , force F may also serve to urge or move member  110  to a desired position on base member  120 . For example when a user moves surface  142  of member  110  near surface  190  of base member  120  (e.g., when magnetic members  145  and  175  are close enough to have their respective magnetic fields affect each other), force F may urge magnetic members  145  and  175  toward each other (e.g., based on magnetic attraction). For example, when a user may be operating a vehicle or otherwise unable to give full attention to the relative location of member  110  and base member  120 , force F may urge or move member  110  toward and/or into a desired location on base member  120  (e.g., for example a center or other desired location). For example, force F may urge member  110  to be centered on base member  120  (e.g., so that magnetic members  145  and  175  are aligned as illustrated in  FIG. 12 ). This may be helpful for when a user reaches to utilize assembly  100  while not looking at assembly  100  (e.g., reaching down to take a drink of a beverage from member  110  and then replacing member  110  back onto base member  120 ). 
     Also for example as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , force F may serve as a sliding force that may move member  110  to a center (e.g., or other desired location) on base member  120 . For example, magnetic members  145  and  175  may be configured to produce force F that may be greater than a frictional resistance based on sliding surfaces  142  and  190  against each other. Accordingly, force F may cause member  110  to move to a desired location on base member  120  when a user places a portion of surface  142  of member  110  against a portion of surface  190  of base member  120 . 
     A user may remove base member  120  from surface  105  for example by applying a force greater than force F 2  directly to base member  120  (e.g., pulling base member  120  off of surface  105 ). The user may replace base member  120  as desired on any desired surface and continue to use assembly  100  as described for example above. 
     In at least some exemplary embodiments, the exemplary disclosed method may include providing a first member (e.g., member  110 , member  155 , or member  160 ) including a first magnetic member (e.g., magnetic member  145 ), providing a second member (e.g., base member  120 ) including a second magnetic member (e.g., magnetic member  175 ) and at least one attachment portion (e.g., attachment portion  180 ), magnetically attaching the first member and the second member together by contacting a surface (e.g., surface  142 ) of the first member with a first surface (e.g., surface  190 ) of the second member, and when the first member and the second member are magnetically attached, pressing the at least one attachment portion, which is disposed on a second surface (e.g., surface  195 ) of the second member that is opposite to the first surface, against an attachment surface (e.g., surface  105 ). The exemplary disclosed method may also include forming a seal between the at least one attachment portion and the attachment surface based on pressing the at least one attachment portion against the attachment surface. A sealing force sealing the at least one attachment portion to the attachment surface may be greater than a magnetic force attaching the first member and the second member together. The seal may be selected from the group consisting of a vacuum seal and an adhesive seal. The exemplary disclosed method may also include centering the surface of the first member on the first surface of the second member using the magnetic force. The exemplary disclosed method may further include sliding the surface of the first member on the first surface of the second member using the magnetic force. The attachment surface may be a surface of a vehicle. The at least one attachment portion may be a plurality of suction cups. The first and second magnetic members may each be rare earth magnets. 
     The exemplary disclosed apparatus, system, and method may provide an efficient and effective technique for maintaining (e.g., in a desired position), accessing, moving, and manipulating any desired assembly in a desired location such as, for example, a driver or passenger area of a vehicle. For example, the exemplary disclosed apparatus, system, and method may provide a technique for allowing users to place an assembly such as a beverage container in any suitable location of a driver or passenger area of a moving vehicle such as a car, truck, RV, or boat. The exemplary disclosed apparatus, system, and method may provide a ergonomically effective technique for maintaining, utilizing, and replacing a product in a desired location in a moving vehicle in a manner that feels comfortable and natural to a user. 
     While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. The invention is capable of myriad modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
     It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments. 
     Many suitable methods and corresponding materials to make each of the individual parts of embodiment apparatus are known in the art. According to an embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the parts may be formed by machining, 3D printing (also known as “additive” manufacturing), CNC machined parts (also known as “subtractive” manufacturing), and injection molding, as will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Metals, wood, thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, resins and elastomers as described herein-above may be used. Many suitable materials are known and available and can be selected and mixed depending on desired strength and flexibility, preferred manufacturing method and particular use, as will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, advantageous results may be achieved if the steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different sequence, or if components of the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner, or if the components were supplemented with other components. Accordingly, other implementations are contemplated within the scope of the following claims.