PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11381892-B1
Application Number: US-201816017835-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Enclosures with flexible magnetic closures and clasps

Abstract:
An enclosure may be provided with a housing. The housing may have an opening that separates and joins along a seam. A magnetic closure may have a pair of mating flexible magnetic members such as flexible rings or strips that run along the seam. Magnetic-field shunts may be provided in the flexible magnetic members. Multiple magnetic elements may be formed along the length of each magnetic member to form a multipole permanent magnet. Magnetic attraction may be varied along the lengths of the magnetic members and may be varied as a function of the separation between opposing magnet members. A magnetic clasp may be provided on the housing. The magnetic clasp may have attracting magnets to help close the opening in the housing. Protruding clasp portions may be formed from flexible material and may have embedded magnets configured to repel each other to facilitate use of the clasp.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An item, comprising:
 a housing having first and second housing portions with respective first and second edges; and 
 first and second flexible magnetic members that run respectively along the first and second edges, wherein the first and second flexible magnetic members are configured to separate to form an opening into an interior of the housing and are configured to join along a seam to close the opening, the first flexible magnetic member having a first magnetic-field shunt layer, the second flexible magnetic member having a second magnetic-field shunt layer, and the first and second magnetic-field shunt layers extending along the seam on opposing sides of the seam. 
 
     
     
       2. The item defined in  claim 1  wherein the first and second flexible magnetic members comprise respective first and second multipole magnets containing magnetized magnetic particles embedded in elastomeric material. 
     
     
       3. The item defined in  claim 1  further comprising a magnetic clasp having a first clasp portion coupled to the first housing portion and a second clasp portion coupled to the second housing portion. 
     
     
       4. The item defined in  claim 3  wherein the magnetic clasp has a first magnet in the first clasp portion and a second magnet in the second clasp portion and wherein the first and second magnets are configured to attract each other. 
     
     
       5. The item defined in  claim 4  wherein the first and second flexible magnetic members comprise elastomeric polymer with embedded magnetic particles. 
     
     
       6. The item defined in  claim 5  wherein the magnetic clasp has a third magnet in the first clasp portion and a fourth magnet in the second clasp portion and wherein the third and fourth magnets are configured to repel each other. 
     
     
       7. The item defined in  claim 1  further comprising a magnetic clasp having:
 a first protruding flexible polymer member coupled to the first housing portion; 
 a second protruding flexible polymer member coupled to the second housing portion; 
 a first permanent magnet in the first protruding flexible polymer member; and 
 a second permanent magnet in the second protruding flexible polymer member that is configured to repel the first permanent magnet. 
 
     
     
       8. The item defined in  claim 1  wherein the first flexible magnetic member comprises an elastomeric ring with embedded magnetic particles. 
     
     
       9. The item defined in  claim 8  wherein the second flexible magnetic member comprises an elastomeric ring with embedded magnetic particles, wherein the first flexible magnetic member has a first magnetic element, and wherein the second flexible magnetic member has a second magnetic element that attracts the first magnetic element. 
     
     
       10. The item defined in  claim 9  wherein the first and second flexible magnetic members are configured to exhibit different magnetic attraction forces at different positions along lengths of the first and second flexible magnetic members. 
     
     
       11. The item defined in  claim 1  wherein the first and second flexible magnetic members are configured to increase magnetic attraction between the first and second flexible magnetic members as a function of increasing distance along the first and second flexible magnetic members from a location on the housing. 
     
     
       12. The item defined in  claim 11  further comprising a clasp at the location. 
     
     
       13. The item defined in  claim 1  wherein the first flexible magnetic member comprises a first series of magnetic elements with polarities that alternate along the first flexible magnetic member and wherein the second flexible magnetic member comprises a second series of magnetic elements with polarities that alternate along the second flexible magnetic member. 
     
     
       14. The item defined in  claim 1  further comprising a first stiffener coupled to the first flexible magnetic member and a second stiffener coupled to the second flexible magnetic member. 
     
     
       15. The item defined in  claim 1  further comprising a spring configured to help force the first and second flexible magnetic members away from each other. 
     
     
       16. The item defined in  claim 1  further comprising a first stiffener coupled to the first flexible magnetic member and a second stiffener coupled to the second flexible magnetic member, wherein the first stiffener has a first gap, wherein the second stiffener has a second gap, and wherein the item further comprises:
 a first elastomeric strip that bridges the first gap and forms a first spring; 
 a second elastomeric strip that bridges the second gap and forms a second spring. 
 
     
     
       17. The item defined in  claim 1  wherein the first magnetic-field shunt layer comprises a first stainless steel member on the first flexible magnetic member, the second magnetic-field shunt layer comprises a second stainless steel member on the second flexible magnetic member, and the first and second stainless steel members serve as stiffeners for the first and second flexible magnetic members. 
     
     
       18. An enclosure configured to receive an electronic device, comprising;
 a housing having first and second housing portions with respective first and second edges; and 
 first and second magnetic structures that run respectively along the first and second edges, wherein the first and second magnetic structures are configured to separate to form an opening into an interior of the housing and are configured to join along a seam to close the opening, and the first magnetic structure has a property that varies along a length of the first magnetic structure and is configured, based at least in part on the varied property, to magnetically attract the second magnetic structure with a force that increases at increasing distances from a position along the seam. 
 
     
     
       19. The enclosure defined in  claim 18  wherein the first and second magnetic structures each comprise elastomeric material with embedded magnetic particles. 
     
     
       20. The enclosure defined in  claim 18  wherein the first and second magnetic structures respectively include first and second magnetic-field shunt layers, and the first and second magnetic-field shunt layers comprise elastomeric material with embedded magnetic particles. 
     
     
       21. The enclosure defined in  claim 18  wherein the varied property of the first magnetic structure is a size, a shape, or a magnetic particle concentration. 
     
     
       22. The enclosure defined in  claim 18  wherein the first magnetic structure comprises a first flexible magnetic structure and the second magnetic structure comprises a second flexible magnetic structure, the enclosure further comprising:
 a first stiffener coupled to the first flexible magnetic structure; and 
 a second stiffener coupled to the second flexible magnetic structure. 
 
     
     
       23. A case, comprising;
 a housing having an opening; and 
 first and second magnetic structures on opposing sides of the opening, wherein the first and second magnetic structures are configured to exhibit a magnetic attraction that attracts the first and second magnetic structures to each other when the first and second magnetic structures are separated by a first distance and that repels the first and second magnetic structures from each other when the first and second magnetic structures are separated by a second distance that is greater than the first distance. 
 
     
     
       24. The case defined in  claim 23  wherein the housing is configured to receive headphones and wherein the first magnetic structure comprises a flexible magnetic ring member with magnetic particles embedded in polymer. 
     
     
       25. The case defined in  claim 24  further comprising a flexible magnetic-field shunt layer in the flexible magnetic ring member.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 62/526,159, filed on Jun. 28, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This relates generally to items with closures, and, more particularly, to magnetic closures. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Magnets may be used as closures in bags, as clasps in watch bands, and in other items where it is desirable to hold structures together. If care is not taken, magnetic structures may be overly rigid, may not provide desired performance during engagement and disengagement, may not be integrable into desired products, or may be bulky and weak. 
     SUMMARY 
     An enclosure such as a case for an electronic device such as a pair of headphones may be provided with a housing. The housing may have an opening into an interior region that receives the headphones. A magnetic closure may be formed along the opening. The magnetic closure may have a pair of mating flexible magnetic members such as flexible rings that can be separated to form the opening or joined along a seam to close the opening. 
     Each flexible magnetic member may be formed from magnetic particles or permanent magnet elements embedded in an elastomeric polymer. Elastomeric magnetic-field shunts may be provided in the flexible magnetic members. Multiple magnetic elements may be formed along the length of each magnetic member to form a multipole permanent magnet. Magnetic attraction force may be varied along the lengths of the magnetic members and may be varied as a function of the separation between opposing magnet members. 
     A magnetic clasp may be provided on the housing. The magnetic clasp may have attracting magnets to help close the opening in the housing. Protruding clasp portions may be formed from flexible polymer material and may have embedded magnets configured to repel each other to facilitate use of the clasp. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of an illustrative item with a magnetic closure in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an illustrative item with a magnetic closure in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative magnetic clasp in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of an illustrative item with a magnetic closure and recessed portions to receive the fingertips of a user in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an illustrative flexible magnetic ring member for use in a magnetic closure in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of an illustrative item with a magnetic closure in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a graph in which magnetic force for an illustrative closure has been plotted as a function of distance along the closure away from a clasp in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side view of a pair of mating flexible magnetic members for a magnetic closure in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative pair of magnets for a closure in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional side view of a pair of magnets with cross-sectional profiles that are curved along the surfaces where the magnets mate in a closure in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional side view of a pair of molded polymer magnets for a magnetic closure in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  are side views of illustrative magnetic structures such as flexible magnetic members for a magnetic closure having a closing force that varies as a function of magnet separation in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a graph showing magnetic force as a function of distance for an illustrative magnetic closure of the type shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of an illustrative Halbach magnet array that may be used in a magnetic closure in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional top view of an illustrative item with magnetic sensors configured to interact with magnetic sensors on an electronic device within the item in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional side view of flexible magnets with stiffener members for a closure in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram of an illustrative hoop-shaped closure formed from flexible magnets with stiffeners in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of an illustrative closure having springs in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Magnets may be used in forming closures for enclosures and other items. For example, a pair of flexible magnets may form a magnetic closure that helps hold portions of a case together. The case may be used to house an electronic device such as a pair of headphones. The case may also be provided with a magnetic clasp. If desired, other types of items may be provided with magnetic closures and clasps such as watchbands, handbags, purses, etc. Illustrative configurations in which an item such as a headphone case is provided with a magnetic closure system and a magnetic clasp may sometimes be described herein as an example. This is, however, merely illustrative. Any suitable items may be provided with magnets that form closures, clasps, and other magnetic structures. 
     An illustrative item such as a case for holding headphones is shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in the illustrative top view of  FIG. 1 , item  10  (e.g., a headphone case or other electronic device case) may include a multipart housing such as housing  12 . Housing  12  may include mating first and second portions such as portions  12 - 1  and  12 - 2 . Housing  12  may be formed from fabric, leather, plastic, metal, glass, ceramic, other materials, and/or combinations of these materials. Housing  12  may be flexible (e.g., soft and deformable) and/or may have rigid portions. 
     Housing portions  12 - 1  and  12 - 2  may have edges that meet along seam  16 . Seam  16  may run along part or all of the periphery of device  10 . A magnetic closure may run along some or all of the length of seam  16  to hold the opposing edges of housing portions  12 - 1  and  12 - 2  together and thereby secure an electronic device or other structures within the interior of case  10 . For example, a magnetic closure may have a magnetic member that runs along an edge of housing portion  12 - 1  and a magnetic member that runs along a mating edge of housing portion  12 - 2 . When it is desired to access the interior of housing  12 , housing portions  12 - 1  and  12 - 2  may be separated along seam  16  to form an opening into the interior of housing  12 . 
     Clasp  14  may have portions such as portions  14 - 1  and  14 - 2 . Clasp  14  may have a mechanical latching structure such as a snap that allows clasp  14  to be engaged and disengaged and/or magnetic structures may be provided in claps  14  to facilitate clasp engagement and disengagement. The inclusion of clasp  14  in case  10  may help secure the contents of case  10 . If desired, clasp  14  may be omitted and case  10  opened and closed exclusively using magnetic attraction from the magnetic closure running along seam  16 . 
     The illustrative perspective view of  FIG. 2  shows how an electronic device such as a pair of headphones  26  may be enclosed within the interior of case  10 . Headphones  26  may have ear cups  28  that rest on opposing sides of internal case separator  24 . Separator  24  may have the shape of a tube and case  10  may have a central opening that is aligned with the tube or separator  24  may have other configurations (e.g., separator  24  may be tubular or solid and housing  12  may be solid without any central openings aligned with separator  24 ). 
     When headphones  26  have been stowed in the interior of case  10 , the magnetic closure running along seam  16  may be closed, so that opening  18  between housing portions  12 - 1  and  12 - 2  is closed. When it is desired to access the interior of case  10 , a user may pull clasp portion  14 - 1  and housing portion  12 - 1  in direction  20  while pulling clasp portion  14 - 2  and housing portion  12 - 2  in direction  22 . This causes magnetic members formed from magnets in the magnetic closure along seam  16  to separate at clasp  14  and, after additional pulling by the user, causes the magnetic members of the magnetic closure to separate along some or all of the rest of the length of seam  16 . 
     As portions  12 - 1  and  12 - 2  separate from each other, opening  18  is formed between housing portions  12 - 1  and  12 - 2  in housing  12  of case  10 , allowing a user to access the interior of housing  12  and case  10 . If desired, the interior of housing  12  need not be fully enclosed by housing  12 . Configurations in which housing  12  fully encloses an interior region in housing  12  may be described herein as an example. 
     To facilitate use of clasp  14 , portions  14 - 1  and  14 - 2  of clasp  14  (sometimes referred to as clasp tabs, protruding clasp portions, or clasp members) may be formed from flexible polymer or other flexible structures that are biased away from each other as shown in  FIG. 3 . As illustrated by the example of  FIG. 3 , clasp portion  14 - 1  may include a lower portion such as lower portion  40 - 1  that is mounted to housing portion  12 - 1  and clasp portion  14 - 2  may include a lower portion such as lower portion  40 - 2  that is mounted to housing portion  12 - 2 . A first magnet such as magnet  42 - 1  may be provided in portion  40 - 1  (e.g., by molding plastic or other material for portion  14 - 1  around magnet  42 - 1 ). A corresponding second magnet such as magnet  42 - 2  may likewise be provided in portion  40 - 2  and may be oriented to attract magnet  40 - 1 . This configuration helps hold clasp  14  together and thereby close item  10  along seam  16 . 
     Portions  14 - 1  and  14 - 2  may also include respective upper portions  34 - 1  and  34 - 2  and respective middle portions  36 - 1  and  36 - 2  that couple upper portions  34 - 1  and  34 - 2  respectively to lower portions  40 - 1  and  40 - 2 . A pair of repelling magnets such as magnet  38 - 1  in portion  34 - 1  and magnet  38 - 2  in portion  34 - 2  may be used to bias upper portions  34 - 1  and  34 - 2  away from each other, thereby enhancing the ability of a user&#39;s fingers to be inserted into the gap between portions  34 - 1  and  34 - 2  and to grasp portions  34 - 1  and  34 - 2 . By making protruding portions of clasp  14  easier to grasp, the inclusion of repelling magnets into clasp  14  may make clasp  14  easier to use. 
     If desired, portions  14 - 1  and  14 - 2  may be formed from rigid materials (e.g., rigid plastic or metal). In this type of arrangement, magnets  38 - 1  and  38 - 2  may be omitted and a user may open clasp  14  by pressing portions  34 - 1  and  34 - 2  together and thereby levering portions  40 - 1  and  40 - 2  away from each other. 
     The magnetic closure of item  10  may be formed from a pair of mating magnetic members such as magnetic members  46  of  FIG. 4 . Magnetic members  46  may each include one or more magnets. The magnets of members  46  and other magnetic structures of item  10  (e.g., the magnets of clasp  14 ) may be formed from rare-earth permanent magnets (e.g., individual permanent magnetic elements formed from rare-earth magnetic material) and/or from magnetic materials such as rare-earth magnetic particles (e.g., magnetic particles embedded in polymer). Magnetic structures may also be formed using magnetic-field shunts of iron, ferrite, and other magnetic materials. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , magnetic members  46  may run along seam  16 . For example, one member  46  may run along an edge of housing portion  12 - 1  adjacent to seam  16  (and adjacent to opening  18  of  FIG. 2 ) and another member  46  may run along an edge of housing portion  12 - 2  adjacent to seam  16  (and adjacent to opening  18  of  FIG. 2 ). Members  46  are configured to join along seam  16  to close opening  18  and are configured to separate along seam  16  to open housing  12  and form opening  18 . 
     Members  46  may be formed from polymer into which magnetic particles have been embedded to form magnets (e.g., magnetic elements, sometimes referred to as magnetic poles). Each magnetic member may, for example, be formed from an elastomeric polymer such as silicone into which magnetic particles have been embedded. In this type of arrangement, members  46  may be flexible magnetic members (flexible magnets) that can be flexed while opening and closing item  10 . 
     Flexible magnetic members  46  may form a magnetic closure for items such as item  10  of  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3  or, if desired, clasp  14  may be omitted from item  10  (e.g., in an arrangement in which housing portion  12 - 1  is provided with finger recess  44 - 1  and in which housing portion  12 - 2  is provided with finger recess  44 - 2  as shown in  FIG. 4  to facilitate opening of clasp  14  by the fingers of a user). If desired, housing portions  12 - 1  and  12 - 2  may be separated by pinching housing  12  between the fingers of a user. As the user squeezes housing  12 , the walls of housing  12  may spread apart and form opening  18 . 
     An illustrative configuration for magnetic member  46  is shown in  FIG. 5 . In the example of  FIG. 5 , magnetic member  46  has a ring shape. Magnetic member  46  may be, for example, a flexible elastomeric magnetic ring. The cross-sectional profile of magnetic member  46  may be rectangular, oval, circular, U-shaped, or may have other suitable cross-sectional shapes. If desired, magnetic member  46  may be a partial ring (e.g., a curved flexible magnetic strip) or other suitable magnetic structure. The example of  FIG. 5  is merely illustrative. 
     To facilitate smooth opening of housing  12  of item  10 , the magnetic strength of the magnetic closure (e.g., the magnetic attractive force between opposing members  46  on opposing sides of seam  16 ) may be varied as a function of distance d along the periphery of item  10 . For example, the closing force of the magnetic closure formed from the pair of opposing magnetic members  46  in item  10  may have a minimum value at position  52  of  FIG. 6  (e.g., at clasp  14 , where distance d from position  52  is zero) and may progressively increase at increasing distances d along seam  16  away from position  52 . A graph of this type of graded magnetic closure closing force F as a function of distance along seam d is shown in  FIG. 7 . If desired, other closing force profiles may be used in the magnetic closure for item  10  (e.g., profiles that decrease as a function of increasing distance d, profiles that have both decreasing and increasing portions as functions of increasing distance d, etc.). When force F increases progressively at increasing distances d, excessively rapid opening of item  10  is avoided (e.g., to help prevent a user from spilling the contents of item  10  by opening item  10  too abruptly). 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side view of a pair of mating magnetic members  46 . Each member  46  may be formed from a flexible polymer or other binder material (material  54 ). Material  54  may be, for example, a flexible polymer such as silicone or other elastomeric polymer. Each magnetic member  46  may have multiple magnetic elements (sometimes referred to as poles) such as elements  46 ′ and may therefore sometimes be referred to as a multipole magnet or multiple magnetic member. Magnetic elements  46 ′ may have any suitable polarity pattern. For example, the polarities of magnetic elements  46 ′ may alternate along the length of magnetic member  46  (e.g., elements  46 ′ may have exposed poles that alternate between north and south along the length of magnetic member  46 , etc.). 
     Magnetic elements  46 ′ may be formed from embedded magnets (e.g., permanent magnetics such as rare-earth magnets) such as embedded magnet  56  and/or from magnetized magnetic particles such magnetic particles  58 . Magnetic particles  58  may be formed from rare-earth magnetic materials and/or other magnetic materials. Particles  58  may be magnetically anisotropic and may be aligned by applying an orienting magnetic field during compression molding operations to form member  46 . A matrix of electromagnets may then be used to magnetize particles  58  to form a desired corresponding pattern of poles. 
     Magnetic elements  46 ′ may be arranged along the length (elongated axis) of magnetic element portion  46 M of member  46 . The magnetic elements  46 ′ in a first of members  46  may be configured to attract the corresponding adjacent magnetic members  46 ′ in a second of members  46  (e.g., the north pole of a magnetic element  46 ′ in a first of members  46  may be aligned with the adjacent south pole of a corresponding magnetic element  46 ′ in a second of members  46 , etc.). 
     Optional magnetic-field shunts such as magnetic-field shunt layers  46 P may be formed in each member  46  (e.g., on the side of member  46  facing away from seam  16 ). This helps concentrate magnetic fields towards seam  16 . Shunt layer  46 P may be formed from elastomeric material (e.g., material  54 ) and may include embedded magnetic particles  60  (e.g., ferrite particles, iron particles, or other magnetic particles) and/or may contain embedded pieces of magnetic material (e.g., iron bars and/or other magnetic structures such as magnetic shunt structure  62 ). 
     The thickness TM of magnetic layer  46 M in each member  46  may be at least 1 mm, at least 2 mm, at least 4 mm, less than 5 mm, less than 3.5 mm, 1-3.5 mm, or other suitable thickness. The thickness TH of magnetic-field shunt layer  46 P in each member  46  may be 0.2-1.5 mm, at least 0.3 mm, at least 0.7 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 1.5 mm, or other suitable thickness. Layers  46 M and  46 P may be integral elastomeric portions of a single elastomeric member and/or may be separate elastomeric structures that are attached using adhesive or other attachment mechanisms. The length of each magnetic element  46 ′ in each member  46  may be 5-15 mm, at least 3 mm, at least 7 mm, less than 20 mm, or other suitable length. 
     To adjust the attractive force of magnetic members  46  as a function of distance d along members  46 , members  46  may have properties such as size, shape, magnetic particle concentration, etc. that vary along their lengths. As shown in the cross-sectional view of members  46  in  FIG. 9 , for example, each member  46  may have a lateral size L. To vary the strength of the attractive force F between members  46 , the size of L (and, if desired, other cross-sectional dimensions of member  46 ) may be varied as a function of distance d. 
     As another example, the shape of the cross-sectional profile of members  46  may be varied as a function of distance d. As shown in  FIG. 10 , for example, members  46  may have curved surfaces that face each other. With this type of arrangement, the attractive force F between members  46  can be progressively increased with increasing distance d by flattening the curvature of members  46  as a function of increasing distance d. 
       FIG. 11  shows how members  46  may include magnetic particles  58  (e.g., permanently magnetized rare-earth magnetic particles) in magnetic layers  46 M. To increase force F as a function of increasing distance D, the concentration of magnetic particles  58  in polymer binder  52  may be progressively increased as a function of increasing distance d and/or the properties (size, strength, position, etc.) of optional magnetic-field shunt layers  46 P may be progressively varied as a function of distance d. 
     In the examples of  FIGS. 12 and 13 , magnetic structures have been provided in members  46  that provide the magnetic closure with a closing force that varies as a function of the size of gap G across opening  18  (e.g., the separation between the adjacent surfaces of opposing members  46 ). As shown in  FIG. 12 , for example, left-hand magnetic member  46 L may be formed from a magnet having a north pole facing to the right. Right-hand magnetic member  46 R may have two parts. First part  46 R- 1  may be a permanent magnet with a north pole facing to the left (in opposition to the north pole of member  46 L). Second part  46 R- 2  may be an unmagnetized magnetic structure (e.g., a structure formed from magnetic material such as ferrite, iron, etc.). Structures such as parts  46 R- 1  and  46 -R 2  may be formed from magnetic particles embedded in elastomeric polymer and/or larger pieces of magnetic material embedded in elastomeric polymer. 
     When gap G is relatively large as shown by gap G 1  in  FIG. 12 , the permanent magnet of part  46 R- 1  will have a greater influence on the magnetic state of part  46 R- 2  than magnet  46 L. As a result, part  46 R- 1  will coerce magnetic structure  46 R- 2  so that structure  46 R- 2  develops a north pole facing to the left in opposition to the right-facing north pole of member  46 L. In this type of arrangement (e.g., when the gap G has a relatively large value of G 1 ), magnetic members  46 L and  46 R will repel each other. 
     When the magnitude of gap G is smaller (e.g., gap G 2  of  FIG. 13 ), left-hand magnetic member  46 L will be sufficiently strong to coerce portion  72  of part  46 R- 2 , while part  46 R- 1  coerces part  70 . Parts  72  and  70  will have opposing poles in this type of configuration, but because these opposing poles are confined adjacent to each other in a single structure (part  46 R- 2 ), the amount of repulsive force between member  46 L and member  46 R decreases. Magnetic member  46 L may therefore be attracted by portion  72  (e.g., the attractive force F between elements  46 L and  46 R may be positive). 
     As this example demonstrates, the magnetic closure formed by members  46  may be configured so that members  46  are initially difficult to separate and become easier to separate (and may even spontaneously separate due to magnetic repulsion) once a threshold separation distance has been exceeded. As shown in the graph of  FIG. 14 , there is initially an attractive force F (F is positive) between members  46 L and  46 R (e.g., when gap G is equal to G 2 ). Following further separation of members  46 L and  46 R so that gap G is equal to G 1 , members  46 L and  46 R repel each other (force F is negative) as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     If desired, magnetic forces can be concentrated in the direction facing seam  16  by arranging the magnetic elements  46 ′ in each member  46  using a Halbach array pattern (see, e.g.,  FIG. 15 ). Patterning the poles of member  46  using the Halbach pattern helps concentrate magnetic fields on one side of member  46  (e.g., the top of member  46  in the example of  FIG. 15 ) while decreasing magnetic fields on the opposing side of member  46  (e.g., the bottom of member  46  in the example of  FIG. 15 ). 
     The cross-sectional top view of item  10  of  FIG. 16  shows how ear cups  28  may each be provided with a pair of magnetic sensors (e.g., Hall Effect sensors). For example, one of ear cups  28  may be provided with magnetic sensors H 1  and H 2  and the other of cups  28  may be provided with magnetic sensors H 3  and H 4 . Separator  24  or other structures in item  10  may be provided with permanent magnets such as magnets  74  and  76 . Magnets  74  and  76  establish a magnetic field B in the interior of housing  12  of item  10  that can be detected by the magnetic sensors of headphones  26 . Because each ear cup  28  has a pair of magnetic sensors in the illustrative configuration of  FIG. 16 , at least one of the magnetic sensors on each ear cup will intersect the magnetic field B produced by magnets  74  and  76 , even if one or both ear cups  28  are reversed in their orientation when being stowed in item  10 . 
     Headphones  26  may monitor the magnetic sensors for magnetic field B. When magnetic field B is not present, control circuitry in headphones  26  can conclude that headphones  26  have not been stowed in item  10  and can operate normally. When magnetic field B is detected, control circuitry in headphones  26  can power down headphones  26  to conserve power. 
     If desired, the magnetic closure for item  10  may include stiffeners. As shown in  FIG. 17 , for example, stiffeners  80  may be coupled to magnetic members  46  to form a pair of mating stiffened magnetic closure structures  46 M. Due to magnetic attraction between flexible magnetic structures  46 M, Structures  46 M are drawn towards each other in directions  82 , closing the closure of item  10 . 
     Stiffeners  80  may be formed from metal, polymer, polymer with embedded fibers (e.g., fiberglass, carbon fiber composite material), polymer with other embedded structures, other materials, or combinations of these materials. As an example, stiffeners  80  may be formed from spring steel. Stiffeners  80  may be sufficiently flexible to be bent into a hoop shape while being sufficiently stiff to help hold housing portions  12 - 1  and  12 - 2  in a desired shape (e.g., when housing portions  12 - 1  and  12 - 2  are formed from soft and flexible materials such as fabric). The stiffness of stiffeners  80  also helps hold housing portions  12 - 1  and  12 - 2  in place when the closure is opened (e.g., so that items may be stored in housing  12 ). 
     In arrangements in which stiffeners  80  are formed from magnetic material such as steel, stiffeners  80  may serve as magnetic shunts for magnetic members  46  in addition to serving as mechanical stiffening structures. 
     Magnetic attraction between magnetic members  46  tends to close the closure formed from structures  46 M. If desired, item  10  may be provided with springs that help temporarily hold structures  46 M apart from each other when a user opens the closure by more than a given amount. In this way, a user will be able to removed items from the interior of housing  12  and place items into the interior of housing  12  through the opening formed by the open closure while the springs hold the closure in its temporarily opened position. As shown in  FIG. 18 , springs  84  may be formed near the base of structures  46 M (e.g., where housing portions  12 - 1  and  12 - 2  split apart to form the opening in housing  12 ). 
     The operation of springs  84  is illustrated in  FIG. 19 . In the example of  FIG. 19 , stiffeners  80  have gaps such as gaps  80 G (e.g., stiffeners  80  each have two parts separated by a respective one of gaps  80 G). Elastomeric members  86  bridge gaps  80 G. Members  86  may be attached to stiffeners  80  using adhesive or other suitable attachment mechanisms. Elastomeric members  86  may be formed from elongated strips of elastomeric polymer or other springy substance (sometimes referred to as a tensioned member, spring member, spring, etc.). Members  86  may be tensioned, so that members  86  form springs  84  that end to push structures  46 M away from each other in directions  88 . If desired, springs  84  may be formed from elastomeric material that is molded over gap  80 G (e.g., elastomeric material that is molded over polymer structures forming stiffeners  80 ), may be formed from spring steel (e.g., separate spring steel members, spring steel portions of stiffeners  80  that are configured to push structures  46 M away from each other, etc.) or may be formed from other suitable spring structures. The use of tensioned elastomeric strips of material to form springs  84  is illustrative. 
     When the closure of item  10  is in its closed position, members  46  are adjacent to each other and the force of the magnetic attraction between members  46  in direction  82  is high and exceeds the spring force from springs  84  that is imparted on members  46  in directions  88  by stiffeners  80 . As a result, the closure of item  10  tends to remain in its closed position. 
     When a user forcefully opens the closure (e.g., using a clasp), the opening force imparted by the user in directions  88  overcomes the magnetic attraction between members  46  in directions  82 , so that flexible magnetic members  46  are forced apart. The resulting separation between members  46  reduces the magnetic attraction between members  46 . When the closure is in its open state, the spring forces imparted by springs  84  therefore overcome any magnetic attraction remaining between members  46  and hold magnetic members  46  away from each other.  FIG. 19  shows, in the open state, members  46  are moved to open positions  46 ′ and stiffeners  80  are moved to opening positions  80 ′. Spring members  86  bend into positions  86 ′. When the user desires to close the closure of item  10 , the user may press structures  46 M back together in directions  82 , thereby overcoming the opening force created by springs  84 . 
     The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described embodiments. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20180625
Publication Date: 20220705
Grant Date: 20220705
Priority Date: 20170628
Inventors: SCALES, Timothy W.
BURKE, Kodiak D.
Benavente-Notaro, Linda D.
TRINCIA, NICHOLAS R.
STEVENSON, Benjamin A.
MCCOY, CLAYTON
OLMSTEAD, DONALD L.
ZHU, HAO
Chui, William H.
PICKUP, JACK
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "A45C13/1069", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45C11/001", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2460/17", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/026", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44D2203/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/181", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2201/029", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/181", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2201/029", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44C5/2076", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 82261392