U.S. patent application number 12/507898 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-28 for magnetic mounting apparatus.
Invention is credited to Kenneth J. Shepley.
Application Number | 20100019110 12/507898 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41567783 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100019110 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shepley; Kenneth J. |
January 28, 2010 |
MAGNETIC MOUNTING APPARATUS
Abstract
A magnetic mounting apparatus for mounting objects having a
first support member comprising a receptacle for receiving an
accessory item to be mounted and a first magnet, and a second
support member comprising a second magnet with an unlike polarity
that creates an attractive force between the support members. The
second and first magnets are configured so that placement of the
second support member near the first support member causes the
support members to secure each other in place on a surface via
friction through their magnetic force and hold an object in place
with the surface sandwiched in between the first and second support
members.
Inventors: |
Shepley; Kenneth J.;
(Flourtown, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VOLPE AND KOENIG, P.C.
UNITED PLAZA, SUITE 1600, 30 SOUTH 17TH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
41567783 |
Appl. No.: |
12/507898 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61083318 |
Jul 24, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/206.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 63/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/206.5 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/06 20060101
A47B096/06 |
Claims
1. A magnetic mounting apparatus, comprising: a first support
member, including a receptacle formed in the first support member,
and a first magnet, the receptacle including a first channel having
a first width and a second channel having a second width greater
than the first width, the first and second channels forming a
cavity with an opening at a first surface of the first support
member and proceeding toward a second surface of the first support
member opposite to the first surface; and a second support member,
including a second magnet that is oriented to mate with the first
magnet of the first support member.
2. The magnetic mounting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first
magnet is disposed within the first support member.
3. The magnetic mounting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first
magnet is disposed upon a surface of the magnetic mounting
apparatus.
4. The magnetic mounting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and
second magnets each have a thin, flat shape.
5. The magnetic mounting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and
second magnets are disk-shaped.
6. The magnetic mounting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and
second magnets each have a square or circular shape.
7. The magnetic mounting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first
support member is a substantially cube shape.
8. The magnetic mounting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cavity
terminates proximate to the second surface.
9. The magnetic mounting apparatus of claim 8 wherein the cavity is
T-shaped.
10. A support member, comprising: a first receptacle having a first
channel having a first width and a second channel having a second
width greater than the first width, the first and second channels
forming a cavity with an opening at a first surface of the first
support member and proceeding toward a second surface of the first
support member opposite to the first surface; and a first magnet
having a first polarity.
11. The support member of claim 10 wherein the cavity terminates
proximate to the second surface.
12. The support member of claim 11 wherein the cavity is
T-shaped.
13. The support member of claim 10, further comprising a second
receptacle proximate to the first receptacle, the second receptacle
having a first channel having a first width and a second channel
having a second width greater than the first width, the first and
second channels forming a cavity with an opening at the first
surface of the first support member and proceeding toward the
second surface of the first support member opposite to the first
surface.
14. A modular support member, having an interchangeable first
module and a second module, the first module being configured to
slide onto the second module; the first module comprising: a first
receptacle having a first channel of a first width and a second
channel of a second width greater than the first width, the first
and second channels forming a cavity with an opening at a first
surface of the first support member and proceeding toward a second
surface of the first support member opposite to the first surface;
a keyed housing channel; and a catch; the second module comprising:
a key on the second module adapted to mate with the keyed channel
and the catch of the first module such that the first module
attaches to the second module; and a magnet.
15. The modular support member of claim 14 wherein the second
module further comprises the key extending above the second module
at an oblique angle and away from the second module body.
16. The modular support member of claim 15 wherein the second
module further comprises a rib oriented to mate with the catch of
the first module.
17. The modular support member as in claim 14, further comprising a
third module configured to slide onto the second module, the third
module including: a first receptacle having a first channel of a
first width and a second channel of a second width greater than the
first width, the first and second channels forming a cavity with an
opening at a first surface of the first support member and
proceeding toward a second surface of the first support member
opposite to the first surface; a keyed housing channel; and a
catch; wherein the cavity of the third module is of a different
size than the cavity of the first module.
18. The modular support member as in claim 17 wherein the cavity of
the third module is smaller than the cavity of the first
module.
19. The modular support member as in claim 17 wherein the cavity of
the third module is larger than the cavity of the first module.
20. The modular support member of claim 14 wherein the first module
is positioned vertically to the second module with the key housing
channel facing the key of the second support member and slid down
onto the key and wherein the first module interlocks with the
second by the rib of the second module engaging the catch of the
first module and by vertically aligning the first module and the
second module to prevent separation.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/083,318, filed Jul. 24, 2008, which is
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This application pertains to mounting objects to other
objects by a combination of magnetic attraction and physical
retention.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Suction cups are commonly used in fish tanks or aquariums to
secure various items such as heaters, thermometers, tubing and
decorations, to the tank's walls and floor. When new, suction cups
adhere well to the tank walls or floor. However, due to wear or
deformation over time, suction cups may lose their ability to grip
the tank wall or floor and eventually become detached.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present application is directed to an apparatus that
attaches an accessory item by a combination of physical retention
and magnetic attraction to a surface, such as the wall of a fish
tank. It is also directed to other articles mounted with suction
cups such as decorative items for refrigerators and windows such as
sun-catchers, picture frames, other knick-knack items and the
like.
[0005] The apparatus comprises two parts: a first support member
and a second support member. Both support members contain
synergistic, cooperating magnets that secure the support members
together to a surface disposed between the two support members via
their mutual attraction. Either of the two support members may also
have one or more receptacles, such as a channel or a slot for
accommodating and holding items, such as a heater, thermometer,
tube, or decoration. The attachment side of these is placed into
the receptacle, which retains and supports the items in a fixed
position.
[0006] In one example of the embodiment, the apparatus may be used
to mount a thermometer to a fish tank after the suction cup
mounting mechanism of the thermometer has lost its capacity to
maintain its suction ability. Particularly, the first and second
support members are placed adjacent to each other on opposite sides
of the tank wall. The suction cup of the thermometer is slipped
into a slot in one of the support members to attach the thermometer
to that support member. The support members secure each other in
place on the wall of the fish tank through their magnetic
attractive force.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] A more detailed understanding may be had from the following
description, given by way of example in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is sectional view of a magnetic mounting apparatus
showing first and second support members with synergistic,
cooperating magnets attached to the side wall of a tank;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of the first support member of the
magnetic mounting apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of the second support member of the
magnetic mounting apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example first support
member with one receptacle;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative example of a
first support member including a series of receptacles;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a side view of the first support member having a
suction cup attached to a thermometer;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a side view of the magnetic mounting apparatus of
FIG. 1 shown attached to the floor of a fish tank, with the first
support member having a suction cup attached to an artificial
decorative plant;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative first support
member of FIG. 2 formed of two interchangeable modules;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate version of the
first module of the first support member;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a module of the first
support member that magnetically attaches to the second support
member; and
[0018] FIG. 11 perspective view of the two modules of the first
support member mounted side by side.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to sectional view of the magnetic mounting apparatus
10 is shown. The magnetic mounting apparatus 10 may be attached to
the walls or floor of a fish tank 20. The magnetic mounting
apparatus 10 comprises a first support member 30 having a first
magnet 70 and a second support member 40, having a second magnet 47
oriented such that the polarity of the second magnet 47 that faces
the first magnet 70 is opposite in polarity to the polarity that it
faces in the first magnet 70. Accordingly, the first magnet 70
cooperates with the second magnet 47 and causes the two support
members, 30 and 40, to be magnetically attracted to each other,
thereby sandwiching any surface in-between and causing the two
support members, 30 and 40, to affix to a surface by friction. The
first support member 30 and the second support member 40 are shown
in FIG. 1 as having a generally cubic, or block, shape. However,
the first support member 30 and the second support member 40 may be
of any shape. The magnetic mounting apparatus 10 may be formed of a
non-toxic plastic material or of a material free of heavy metal
substances, such as lead or cadmium. It may also be formed of a
durable material such as metal or plastic. However, other or
additional materials may be used as long as they create a surface
friction sufficient to prevent the mounting apparatus 10 from
sliding off the mounting surface or object.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 2, which is a side view of the first
support member 30 of the magnetic mounting apparatus 10, the first
magnet 70 may be embedded within the first support member 30 or,
alternatively, attached to the front face 31, outside of the first
support member 30, such that the front portion or the first magnet
70 abuts a surface, such as the wall of fish tank 20. As it can be
seen from FIG. 2, in addition to the first magnet 70, the first
support member 30 may also have a front face 31, a back face 32, a
top face 35, a bottom face 36 and a receptacle 50.
[0021] The first magnet 70 may be in the form of a thin, flat
shape. Alternatively, the first magnet 70 may be a series of
spaced-apart magnets disposed within the first support member 30 or
alternatively on the front face 31 (not shown). These spaced-apart
magnets also may be disk-shaped or have a square or circular shape.
The shape of the first support member 30, or the first magnet 70,
should be complimentary to placing upon to a flat surface. The
magnets may comprise permanent magnets and can include ceramic,
ferrite, alnico, injection molded, flexible, rare earth,
superconducting solenoid magnets (SMMs), and/or superconducting
magnets (SCMs). As referred to above, the first support member 30
may include a receptacle 50, channel or other mechanism to hold an
item. In the example depicted in FIG. 2, the first support member
includes one receptacle, 50 for receiving and holding an accessory
item 60.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 3, which is a side view of the second
support member 40 of the magnetic mounting apparatus 10, the second
support member 40 may have a thin, flat shape, or may be
substantially similar to the first support member 30. The second
magnet 47 may be embedded within the second support member 40, or
alternatively attached to the front face 41 of the second support
member 40. In one example, the second magnet 47 may be positioned
in the center of the second support member 40. Where the second
support member 40 is substantially similar to the first support
member 30, the second magnet 47 is positioned on the portion of the
second support member 40 that abuts the tank surface 20B (as shown
in FIG. 1). The second magnet 47 may be any of the type discussed
above with respect to the first magnet 70. As it can be seen from
FIG. 3, in addition to the second magnet 47, the second support
member 40 may also have a front face 42, a back face 41, a top face
45, and bottom face 46.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of an example first
support member 30 with one receptacle 50 is shown. The receptacle
50 includes a first channel 51 and a second channel 52, both of
which form a cavity. The receptacle 50 is open at the top face 35
of the first member 30 to allow for the insertion of an attachment
accessory 60 (examples of which are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). At the
opposite end of the cavity, the receptacle 50 has a back slot 54.
With respect to the first member 30, the back slot 54 on the back
face 32 ends at or near the bottom face 36 of the first member 30.
The receptacle 50 may be generally formed of a durable material
such as metal or plastic; however, other or additional materials
may be used. The receptacle 50 may receive and secure an attachment
accessory 60 by inserting the first attachment member 60A and
second attachment member 60B into the opening of the first channel
51. For the purpose of this example, the cavity is a T-shaped
cavity having a T-shaped opening. It should be noted however that
the cavity may be shaped in any other form. The horizontal portion
of the T-shaped cavity is flat in the middle and turned inwardly at
the ends so as to permit insertion of the first attachment member
60A and second attachment member 60B.
[0024] The diameter of the first attachment member 60A is smaller
than the width of the T-shaped cavity, and smaller than the width
of the first channel 51 of the receptacle 50. The diameter of the
second attachment member 60B is smaller that the general width of
the cavity, to permit insertion. However, the diameter of the
second attachment member 60B is larger than the width of the first
channel 51, to permit anchoring of the second attachment member 60B
inside the first channel 51 of the receptacle 50. Accordingly, the
first channel 51 of the receptacle 50 secures the attachment
accessory 60, and prevents it from sliding out of the first support
member 30. Furthermore, the back slot 54 of the receptacle 50
secures the attachment accessory 60, and prevents it from sliding
downward or outward, depending on the orientation of the first
support member 30.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 5, an alternative example of the first
support member 30', that includes a series of receptacles 50, is
shown. Similar to the first support member 30, the first support
member 30' may have a cube or block shape. However, the first
support member 30' includes multiple receptacles 50 for receiving
multiple attachment accessories 60.
[0026] Referring now again to FIG. 1, the attachment accessory 60
(as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7) may be attached to the tank 20 wall or
floor in the following manner: the first support member 30 or 30'
is placed inside the tank against the first surface 20A of the tank
20, which may be a glass or plastic wall or bottom, or other
relatively thin, flat surface. The second support member 40 is
placed at a corresponding position outside of the tank 20, and
against the second surface 20B of the tank 20. The support members
30/30' and 40 are positioned such that they are in a complimentary
position on opposite sides of the tank wall or bottom 20. The
magnet 70 in the first support member 30/30' is placed to abut the
surface 20A of the tank 20 with the front side 31 of the first
support member 30/30' abutting the tank's surface 20A. The second
support member 40 is positioned outside the tank 20 such that the
pole in the second magnet 47 faces an unlike pole of the first
magnet 70 within the tank 20.
[0027] The force due to the magnetic attraction between the
dissimilar polarities of the first and second magnets 70, 47,
retains the first and second support members 30/30' and 40 in the
desired position on opposite sides of the tank surfaces 20A and
20B. By placing the support members 30/30' and 40 along any surface
in a way that opposite polarities of the magnets, 70 and 47, the
first and second support members, 30/30' and 40 are attracted to
one another through the surface, 20. This magnetic attraction
retains the support members 30/30' and 40 in a fixed position on
the surface 20. The receptacle 50 then mechanically secures the
attachment accessory 60, such as an object with a suction cup (as
seen in FIGS. 6 and 7), against the surface 20A.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 6, a side view of the first support member
30 having a suction cup attached to a thermometer T is shown. In
this example, the attachment accessory 60 is the thermometer T,
having a first attachment member 60A and a second attachment
member, (e.g., a suction cup), 60B inserted into the receptacle 50
of the support member 30. As a result, the receptacle 50, secures
the accessory item 60.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 7, a side view of the magnetic mounting
apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 is shown attached to the floor of the fish
tank 20. In this example, an attachment accessory 60 is depicted as
a decorative plant P attached to the tank 20. The first support
member 30 is placed inside the tank 20 against the first surface
20A. The second support member 40 is placed at a corresponding
position outside of the tank 20, against the second surface 20B of
the tank 20. The support members, 30 and 40, are positioned such
that they are in a complimentary position on opposite sides of the
tank wall or bottom 20. The magnet 70 in the first support member
30 is placed to abut the surface 20A of the tank 20 with the first
support member 30 abutting the tank's surface 20A. The second
support member 40 is positioned outside the tank 20 such that the
pole in the second magnet 47 faces an unlike pole of the first
magnet 70 within the tank 20.
[0030] The force due to the magnetic attraction between the
dissimilar polarities of the first and second magnets 70 and 47
again retains the support members 30 and 40 in a fixed position on
the surface 20. Accordingly, the plant P is secured in the same
manner as described above with regard to the thermometer T of FIG.
6.
[0031] A user may then easily detach or shift the position of an
item placed inside the tank without the need of introducing his or
her hands into the tank or touching the water. For example, a user
may slide the second support member 40 on the surface outside the
tank 20, causing the first support member 30 to move inside the
tank 20 to the desired position because of the magnetic attraction
between their respective magnets 70 and 47.
[0032] In an alternative embodiment, the first support member 30
may be formed from out of two separate modules, where one may
remain attached to the surface and magnetically attracted to the
second support member 40. The other module may be detachable, such
that different types of modules could be used.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative, modular,
first support member 300. The modular first support member 300
includes a first module 305 and a second module 315. The first
module 305 is attachable to the second module 315 by sliding it
onto the second module.
[0034] Continuing to refer to FIG. 8, the first module 305 of the
first support member 300 has a receptacle 500 as previously
described with a keyed housing channel 370 and a catch 585 that
allows it to lock/slide together with the second module 315. The
second module 315 has a key 345 which locks with the keyed channel
360 of the first module 305 and rests against a rib 365 for
vertically aligning the two modules 305, 315. The key 345 has also
a front face 355 and two lateral faces, 320 325.
[0035] Additionally, the first module 305 of the modular first
support member 300 includes a front face 310, a top face 350, a
receptacle, 500, a bottom face 360 and a back face 320. The
receptacle 500 includes a first channel 510 and a second channel
520, both of which form a cavity. The receptacle 500 is open at the
top face 350 of the first module 305 to allow for the insertion of
an attachment accessory such as the attachment accessories
described above. At the opposite end of the cavity, the receptacle
500 has a back slot 540. With respect to the first module 305, the
back slot 540 ends at or near the bottom face 360 of the first
member 300. The receptacle 500 may be generally formed of a durable
material such as metal or plastic; however, other or additional
materials may be used. Various sized back slots in the receptacle
500 may allow it to receive and secure attachment accessories with
different sized first attachment members 60A and second attachment
members, (e.g., a suction cup), 60B. The front face 310 of the
first module 305 includes a key housing channel 370 for attachment
with the second module 315.
[0036] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative first module 305' of the
modular first support member 300 in an interchangeable embodiment.
The receptacle 500' includes a first channel 510' and a second
channel 520', both of which form a cavity with a back slot 540'.
The receptacle 500' is open at the top face 350' of the first
member 300 to allow for the insertion of an attachment accessory
60' As shown in FIG. 9, the receptacle 500' is larger than the
receptacle 500 of FIG. 8. In this manner, a different sized
attachment accessory 60 with a different sized first attachment
member and second attachment member, (e.g., a suction cup), can be
slid into the receptacle 500' than the receptacle 500, and the
alternative first module 305' can be slid onto the second module
315 without having to remove the second module 315 from being
attached to a mounting surface. It should be noted however that the
key housing channel 370' and the catch 585' of the alternative
first module 305' is the same shape and dimensions as the key
housing channel 370 and the catch 585 of the first module 305 and
they are shaped to mate with the rib 365 and key 345 of the second
module 315 of the first member 300.
[0037] FIG. 10 illustrates the second module 315 of the first
support member 300. The second module 315 magnetically attaches to
the second support member 40 (not shown). The second module
includes a key 345 shaped on the second module 315. The key 345 is
shaped so as to be able to slide into the key housing channel 370
of the first module 305 or on the key housing channel 370' of the
alternative first module 305'. The key 345 includes a front face
355 and two sidewalls 320 and 325. The key extends above the second
module 315 at an oblique angle, heading away from the second module
body. The key also includes a rib 365 parallel to the top face 335
of the second module 315 which is shaped to mate with the catch 365
of the first module 305, 305' for vertical alignment with the first
module.
[0038] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the two modules
305, 315 of the first support member 300 partially mounted together
side by side with the lock and key engaged. The first module 305 is
positioned vertically to the second module 315 with the key housing
channel 370 facing inwardly towards the key 34 of the second
support member 315. The first module 305 slides down with the key
housing channel 370 facing inwardly onto the key 345 of the second
module 315, and interlocks the first module 305 and the second
module 315. Further, the bottom face 360 of the first module 305
meets the rib 365 of the second module and the catch 585 of the
first module 305 engages the rib 365 of the second module for
vertically aligning the two modules 305, 315 preventing
separation.
[0039] Changes or modifications may be made to the above-described
embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention as set forth in the claims.
* * * * *