Patent Publication Number: US-2007099469-A1

Title: General purpose magnetic connector

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/732,905 filed Nov. 3, 2005, which application is hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as though fully disclosed herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates generally to the field of two-part connectors and hangers, in particular to such connectors and hangers which utilize a magnet in making the connection between the two parts.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Magnetic connectors are known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,437 issued Dec. 31, 2002 to Joseph A. Sorensen; U.S. Pat. No. 2,907,085 issued to J. M. Bosland on Oct. 6, 1959; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,496,691 issued to C. F. Berry on Feb. 7, 1950. Ball and socket type connectors are also well known. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,794 issued to Peter P. Kahn on Apr. 19, 2005; U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,532 issued to James F. Viteretto on Jan. 10, 1976; U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,951 issued to R. McFadyen et al. on Apr. 6, 1965; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,765,509 issued to Brehm on Oct. 9, 1956. All of these are either relatively complex designs and have a relatively narrow range of applications and cannot be released easily, or, if simple and easily released, can be released by normal human movement; thus, they are not useful, for example, for attaching a cell phone to a belt or a carabiner to a back pack. Thus, it would be highly desirable to have a connector system that can easily be connected and disconnected and yet remains securely connected when subjected to shocks such as generated by humans walking, running, or jumping.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention solves the above problems, as well as other problems of the prior art, by providing a general purpose connector system in which almost any small object can be securely connected to another object and yet be manually released instantaneously when desired without using a tool. For example, a cell phone or music player can be securely connected to a belt without being disturbed by normal movements, and yet can instantly be removed when desired. One aspect which permits this is the combination of a head and socket with a magnetic connector.  
      The invention provides a general purpose releasable connector comprising: a first connector part comprising: a head and a first attachment member, a second connector part comprising: a socket for receiving the head and a second attachment member, and a first magnet embedded in one of either the first connector part or the second connector part, the other of the first connector part or the second connector part either having at least a portion that is ferromagnetic or including a second magnet, or both, whereby when the head is placed in the socket, the head is magnetically held in the socket. Preferably, the connector further includes a neck, the neck joining the head to the attachment member, the head having a width that is wider than the neck in at least one dimension; and wherein the socket has a first open end, a base, and a socket wall having opposing sides, the first open end being wider than the head and the base being sufficiently closed to support the head without the head passing through it, the opposing sides sloping inward from the first open end, the socket further including a slot passing through the socket wall, the slot being wider than the neck but narrower than the head. Preferably, the head is substantially ball shaped. Preferably, the first connector part includes a first flat surface and the second connector part includes a second flat surface that is positioned adjacent the first flat surface when the first connector part is connected to the second connector part, and the first magnet is embedded in either the first flat surface or the second flat surface. Preferably, the connector includes a second magnet and the second magnet is embedded in the other of the first flat surface and the second flat surface. Preferably, at least one of the flat surfaces comprises a surface of the magnet. Preferably, the connector further includes a lock for locking the first connector part to the second connector part. Preferably, the lock comprises a lock member pivotably coupled to the second connector part adjacent the slot. Preferably, either the first attachment member or the second attachment member comprises an attachment structure selected from the group consisting of: a webbing slot, a carabiner clip, a belt clip, a key ring, a flat surface suitable for attaching a double-sided sticker, and a through-hole. Preferably, the connector further includes a logo attachment structure. Preferably, the connector further includes a logo advertisement coupled to either the first connector part or the second connector part.  
      The invention also provides a method of connecting a first object to a second object, the method comprising: attaching the first object to a first connector part comprising a head; attaching the second object to a second connector part comprising a socket for receiving the head; placing the head in the socket; and magnetically coupling the first connector part to the second connector part. Preferably, the magnetically coupling comprises magnetically coupling a magnet in one of the first connector part and the second connector part to a ferromagnetic material in the other of the first connector part and the second connector part or magnetically coupling a first magnet in the first connector part to a second magnet in second connector part. Preferably, the magnets lie in parallel planes and the placing includes moving the head in a direction substantially parallel to the planes to lock the head into the socket. Preferably, one of the first object and the second object is a cell phone or a key ring, and the other of the first object and the second object is a belt or a strap. Preferably, the method further comprises integrally forming with the first connector part or the second connector part an attachment structure selected from the group consisting of: a webbing slot, a carabiner clip, a belt clip, a key ring, a flat surface suitable for attaching a double-sided sticker, and a through-hole. Preferably, the method further comprises attaching a logo to one of either the first connector part or the second connector part wherein the logo is selected from the group consisting of: of initials, a name, an emblem, or a picture. Preferably, the attaching the first object comprises attaching the first object to a first connector part comprising the head and a neck, the head having a width that is wider than the neck in at least one dimension; the attaching the second object comprises attaching the second object to a second connector part comprising the socket for receiving the head and a slot in the socket; and the placing further comprises passing the neck through the slot.  
      In another aspect, the invention provides a method of connecting a first object to a second object, the method comprising: attaching the first object to a first connector part including a head; attaching the second object to a second connector part comprising a socket adapted for receiving the head; placing the head near the socket; and automatically guiding the socket into a predetermined position in the socket using magnetism.  
      The invention provides an extremely flexible system that permits ease of connection and disconnection of almost any portal item to a pack, belt, or other human accouterment, yet the connection is not affected by even significant shocks such as caused by a person falling or jumping. Numerous other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3  through the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 5  is plan view of an exemplary embodiment of another embodiment of a second connector member according to the invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a partial cross-section of the connector of  FIG. 5  together with a side view of another embodiment of a first connector member according to the invention connected to a cell phone;  
       FIG. 7  is a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  through the line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIGS. 9-11  illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention;  
       FIGS. 12-15  illustrate a number of ways to integrate various embodiments of the invention with various attachment structures; and  
       FIG. 16  illustrates one embodiment of the combination of a logo with a connector system according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment  10  of the invention is shown. The invention comprises a system  10  for releasably connecting two objects. A first connector part  20  is adapted to be attached to a first object and a second connector part  21  is adapted to be attached to a second object. When part  20  is placed appropriately adjacent part  21 , as shown by arrow  46 , magnetic attraction between the first connector part  20  and second connector part  21  causes them to attract and then connect automatically. A specialized head-and-socket configuration  25 ,  30 , in combination with the magnetic force holds the first connector part  20  securely to the second connector part  21 , yet permits it to be released quickly.  
      Turning now to the details of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , first connecting part  20  includes a head  25 , a neck  26 , and a first attachment member  27 . In this embodiment, neck  26  is the portion of attachment member  27  adjacent head  25 . Head  25  is generally wider than neck  26  in at least one dimension; but in this embodiment, head  25  is a ball, and thus it is wider in two dimensions. A first magnet  28  is embedded in head  25 . Second connecting part  21  comprises a socket  30  for receiving head  25  and second attachment member  42 . Socket  30  has a first open end  37 , a base  31 , and a socket wall  41  with opposing sides  32  and  33 . First open end  37  is wider than head  25 , and base  31  is sufficiently closed to support head  25  without the head passing through it. In this embodiment, base  31  is completely closed; but in other embodiments, it may not be completely closed. Magnet  40  forms part of base  31  in this embodiment. Opposing sides  32  and  33  slope inward from first open end  37 . A slot  36  is formed in socket wall  38 . Slot  36  is wider than neck  26  but narrower than head  25 . A first magnet  28  is embedded in head  25  and a second magnet  40  is embedded in base  31 . When head  25  is placed in socket  30 , head  25  is magnetically held in socket  30 .  
      In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , connecting parts  20  and  21  are preferably made of non-ferrous material such as molded plastic, aluminum, brass, etc., though they also may be made of a ferrous metal. The inner surface  38  of the socket wall  41  follows the curvature of ball  25  except that it is preferably slightly larger so that the ball can rotate in the socket, though the magnets are preferably strong enough so significant force is required to rotate the ball. This allows the relative positions of the objects attached to attachment members  27  and  42  to be rotatably adjusted and remain in place after the adjustment. The placement of the magnets  28  and  40  keeps the ball  25  centered in socket  37 , and the fact that the diameter of ball  25  is larger than the width of slot  36  locks the ball firmly in the socket. That is, the upper tips of walls  32  and  33  curve inward and act as a lock to prevent the ball from being moved in a direction perpendicular to the parallel surfaces of magnets  28  and  40 .  
       FIG. 2  shows another embodiment  48  of the invention. In this embodiment, second connector part  21  is identical to that of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , but first connecting part  34  is made of ferrous material such as steel, iron, etc. Thus, a magnet is not necessary in first connecting part  34 . When first connecting part  34  is brought into close proximity to second connecting part  21 , magnet  40  attracts the ball  35 , which then drops into the socket  30  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Since the ball  35  is the most massive portion of connecting part  34 , it moves to a position opposite the center of the magnet. Thus, the ball is centered within the socket. In both the embodiment of  FIG. 1  and the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , neck  26  lies within slot  36 , thus maintaining a low profile. To engage the two connector parts, connector part  34  is moved in the direction  49  to lock the ball  35  under the upper ends of walls  32  and  33 . To release the connector system  10 ,  48 , second connector part  21  is moved in direction  49  with respect to first connector parts  20 ,  34 , which disengages the magnet from the ball and also disengages the ball from the socket.  
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show another embodiment of the subject invention. System  58  includes first connector part  50  and second connector part  60 . First connector part  50  includes head  51 , neck  52 , and attachment member  53  with attachment structure  54 , which, in this embodiment, is a hole through attachment member  53 . A magnet  56  is embedded in head  51 . Second connector part  60  includes socket  61  having a socket wall  63  divided into a first wall portion  62  and a second wall portion  64  by slot  67 , attachment member  69  having an attachment structure  68 , which, in this embodiment is a bore  68 , and magnet  66 . In this case, the ball has been truncated to produce a flat surface  55  at the bottom, which preferably corresponds to the bottom of magnet  56 . Surface  55  helps the user distinguish the top of connector part  50  from the bottom, and also causes connector part  50  to lie flat against the base  65  with second connector part  60  when they are connected, giving magnets  56  and  66  increased holding power, since they now act against a flat surface rather than a radius. If connector part  50  is upside-down, the magnets  56  and  66  will repel each other. If connector part  50  is right-side up, they will attract. Therefore, this embodiment orients connector parts  50  and  60  automatically. In this embodiment, the connector parts  50  and  60  are preferably made of a non-ferrous material, though they also could be made of a ferrous material. Socket wall  63  is preferably ball-shaped to conform to the surface of ball  51 . As can best be seen in  FIG. 4 , the upper portion of walls  62  and  63  forms a lip that prevents movement of the head  51  in a direction perpendicular to the parallel surfaces  55  and  65 . When connector part  50  is moved in a direction parallel to the surfaces  55  and  65 , opposite to the direction of arrow  59 , connector part is locked in place by shaped surface  57 . The combination of this shaped surface  57  and magnets  56  and  66  with flat surfaces  55  and  65  keeps connector part  50  firmly attached to connector part  60  once they are connected, but also allows them to be released without significant force if the connector  50  is pushed in the direction of arrow  59 .  
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate yet another embodiment  90  of the subject invention, showing a way of releasably attaching an electronic device  94  to a clip  76 . Preferably, the electronic device is a cell phone, but also may be a Blue Tooth™ device, a music electronic device, or other electronic device. Connector part  70  comprises socket  71 , a magnet  75 , the top of which forms a base  74 , and an attachment member  76 . Socket  71  has socket wall  79  divided into a first socket wall portion  77  and a second socket wall portion  78  by slot  73 . Connector part  70  includes a head  81 , a neck  84 , an optional magnet  85 , and an attachment member  96  having an attachment structure  93  comprising a flat surface having a two-sided sticky tape  93  for attaching cell phone  94 . In  FIGS. 5 and 6 , clip  76  is shown clipped to a belt  92 . In the preferred embodiment, magnet  85  is not used, connector part  70  is preferably made of a non-ferrous material, and connector part  80  is made of a ferrous material. This embodiment allows the cell phone to automatically attach to the belt clip, and yet rotate freely to a comfortable position while still attached. Since connector part  80  is made of ferrous material, it attracts to magnet  75  and automatically connects parts  70  and  80 , yet shields the cell phone  94  from magnetic field interference from the magnet  75 .  
      In an alternative embodiment, part  80  includes magnet  85  embedded in head  81 , and both parts  70  and  80  are preferably made of a non-ferrous material. This embodiment keeps the cell phone  94  more rigidly in a preferred position determined by the placement of magnets  75  and  85 . Attachment member  96  may be made of a ferrous material to shield cell phone  94  from any magnetic effect of magnets  75  and  85 , though, because they have opposite poles, the magnetic field of the magnets is very compact and does not appreciably extend out to cell phone  94 .  
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate an embodiment of the invention that is identical to the embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4  except that there is no magnet embedded in first connector part  100 . Since ball  101  is the most massive portion of connecting part  100 , it moves to a position opposite the center of magnet  66 . Thus, ball  101  is centered within socket  61 . However, the absence of a second magnet permits ball  101  to be moved somewhat more freely in socket  61 , though flat surfaces  106  and  65  tend to cause it to return when moved.  
       FIGS. 9, 10 , and  11  illustrate another embodiment of the invention. System  150  includes first connector member  120  and second connector member  130 . First connector member  120  comprises head  121 , neck  123 , attachment member  124 , and magnet  127 . In this embodiment, attachment member  124  includes an attachment structure including a flat surface  124  and a through-hole  125 . Surface  124  is offset from head  121  in a direction away from the flat surface  128  of magnet  127 . Second connector member  130  comprises socket  131 , formed by socket wall  138  and base  148 , and second attachment member  142 . Socket  131  has first open end  137 , and socket wall  128  is divided into opposing sides  132  and  133  by slot  136 . The inner surfaces of sides  132  and  133  slope inward from first open end  137  toward slot  136 . Second connector  130  also includes magnet  140 , the upper surface  149  of which forms part of base  148 . Second attachment member  142  includes attachment structure  144 , which, in this embodiment, is a slot  144  for attaching a strap, preferably made of webbing. The edges  151  and  152  of slot  144  are tapered and/or serrated to better hold the strap. System  150  also includes a lock  160  for locking first connector member  120  to second connector member  130 . In this embodiment, lock  160  includes a locking arm  146 , a pivot pin  147  ( FIG. 10 ) and a detent  145  ( FIG. 9 ), but may comprise other suitable structures. The width of head  121  in the direction parallel to the flat surface  149  of base  148  is wider than the width of neck  123  in the same direction. Slot  136  is just slightly wider than neck  123  and much narrower than head  121 . In this embodiment, connectors  120  and  130  are preferably made of a non-ferrous material.  
      First connector  120  is connected to second connector  130  bypassing neck  123  through slot  136  and placing head  121  in the vicinity of socket  131 , as indicted by arrow  129 . The sloping sides of wall  138  and magnets  127  and  140 , as well as flat surfaces  128  and  149 , cause head  121  to automatically move to the bottom of socket  131 . Lock arm  146  is then pivoted in the direction of arrow  155  ( FIG. 11 ) to close slot  136 . Detent  145  resists the opening of arm  146 .  
       FIGS. 12-14  illustrate a number of ways to integrate the subject invention with various attachment structures. In  FIG. 12 , a connector  170  having a socket  171  of the type shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and a magnet  175  is integrally formed with a carabiner-style clip  156  with a carabiner-style gate member  177 . In  FIG. 13 , this same style of connecting member  190  is integrally formed with a slot  186  suitable for connecting to a strap  197 , preferably one made of webbing.  
      In  FIG. 14 , a first connector  160  having a head  161  and a neck  163  is integrally formed with a slot  165 . In  FIG. 15 , a first connector  180  having head  181  and neck  183  is integrally formed with attachment structure  185  comprising through-hole  185  to which is connected a key ring  186 .  
      Connector  160  can be mated with connector  170  to releasably connect a carabiner to a strap of a pack or to connector  190  to releasably connect two straps. Connector  180  can be mated with connector  170  to releasably connect a ring to a carabiner or to connector  190  to connect a ring to a strap. These are merely exemplary. Any attachment structure discussed above, or any other attachment structures known in the art, may be integrally formed with any of the connectors discussed above. The connector pairs may include two magnets as shown in some embodiments above, or a connector with a magnet and a ferrous metal connector as shown in other embodiments above.  
       FIG. 16  shows a system  200  including a connector  205  having a logo attachment structure  212  to which is attached a logo  214 . Logo attachment structure  212  includes a pair of holes  216  and  217  which mate with a pair of pins  218  and  219  integrally formed with logo plate  210 . The logo attachment structure can be formed in any of the connectors discussed above and the logo attached. With the logo, the invention can become a relatively inexpensive but useful and interesting give-away for advertising purposes. The logo can also be in the form of initials, a name, an emblem, or a picture to make a personalized connector which makes an interesting and useful gift item.  
      There has been described a general purpose releasable connector system. It should be understood that the particular embodiments shown in the drawings and described within this specification are for purposes of example and should not be construed to limit the invention, which will be described in the claims below. Further, it is evident that those skilled in the art may now make numerous uses and modifications of the specific embodiment described, without departing from the inventive concepts. For example, the necks could be bent at ninety degrees and the slot eliminated so long as the magnet/ferrous material position was appropriately changed so they were opposing on the two connector parts. Or the necks could be eliminated entirely so long as there is a head and a socket to receive it, and opposing magnets/ferrous structures formed in the two connector parts. Equivalent structures and processes may be substituted for the various structures and processes described; the subprocesses of the inventive method may, in some instances, be performed in a different order, or a variety of different materials and elements may be used. Consequently, the invention is to be construed as embracing each and every novel feature and novel combination of features present in and/or possessed by the general purpose releasable connector system and methods described.