The present invention relates to a suspending device and, more specifically, to a magnetic suspending device provided with a temporarily attachable flexible member.
Flexible permanent magnetic materials are often supplied in the form of sheets or rolls and have been commercially available for many years. These materials are typically prepared by mixing a powdered ferrite material with a suitable polymeric or plastic binder into a uniform mixture. The polymeric materials are often elastomers, and the process is therefore typically accomplished through the use of sheet extrusion or calendering. The mixture is converted into strip or sheet form, providing a permanent stable product that is usually somewhat flexible, and that can readily be handled and made into elements of any desired shape by cutting and/or stamping.
The magnetic material is permanently magnetized so that the resulting elements can act individually as permanent magnets, the magnetic field being of sufficient strength that they will adhere to a magnetically attracted surface, such as the surface of an iron or steel sheet, even through a sheet of paper or thin cardboard. Many magnetic materials and the resultant sheet materials are typically inherently dark in color and it is therefore usual to attach these magnets to a printable substrate such as paper or plastic by gluing. It is therefore to the paper or plastic that the decorative pattern and/or other information may be printed. A popular application of such materials is thin, flat magnets having on their outer surface a decorative pattern and/or promotional information, including advertisements in direct mailings, newspaper inserts, and so forth, box toppers, coupons, business cards, calendars, greeting cards, postcards, and so forth.
It should be emphasized that a minimal force Fm of attractive interaction between the magnetizable plate and the magnetic member is defined by the following expression:
where Fg is a force applied to the magnetic member by the hanged object due to gravity; kfr is a coefficient of friction between the magnetizable plate and the magnetic member.
JP2005218487 ('487) discloses a magnetic hook provided with higher handleability which enables the simple removal thereof attracted on the wall surface. The magnetic hook has a magnet mounting body with a magnet mounted thereon, a hook mounting body which is mounted on the magnet mounting body so as to be turned on a pivot while having a hook mounted thereon and a wall pad which is provided on the hook mounting body positioned above the pivot so as to approach the wall surface when attracted thereon. When the hook is raised ahead, the wall pad is pressed onto the wall surface by a prescribed moment force under the principle of leverage on the pivot, eventually causing a force to separate the magnet mounting body from the wall surface. This enables the simple removal of the magnetic hook magnetically attracted onto the wall surface simply from the wall surface.
'487 prescribes to apply a force to the magnet and separate it from the wall surface. If the magnetic hook is designed for hanging the heavy-weight object, the aforesaid force required for magnet separation can reach largeness so that magnet separation becomes difficult and troublesome. Thus, it is a long-felt and unmet need to provide a magnetic hook which is adapted for hanging heavy-weight objects and easy separation from the wall surface in the meantime.
It is one object of the present invention to disclose a magnetic hanger (110) reversibly and effectively fixable to a surface (120), with a thin plane X-Y; said plane's main axis X comprising a first edge X1 and an opposite second edge X2; said hanger (110) characterized by having one or more non-flexible stiffening ribs (130) provided substantially in parallel to said plane's main axis Y, having a width Wx<<(X2−X1), such that said hanger (110) is provided with flexibility along said main axis X, whilst being non-flexible in other directions, ensuring that peeling of said hanger (110) from said surface (120) is restricted to a direction parallel to said main axis X starting from X1 or X2.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the magnetic hanger (110) as defined above, wherein at least one of the following holds true:
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the magnetic hanger (110) as defined above, wherein said surface (120) is made of magnetizable material such as: metallic, paramagnetic and ferromagnetic.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the magnetic hanger (110) as defined above, wherein said surface (120) has a laminar structure comprising at least one layer made of material selected from the group consisting of a magnetizable material, a non-magnetic material, a magnetic coating, a magnetic paint and any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the magnetic hanger (110) as defined above, wherein said surface (120) is mechanically fixable to a surface of interest (150).
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the magnetic hanger (110) as defined above, wherein at least one of the following holds true:
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the magnetic hanger (110) as defined above, wherein said at least one edge of said magnetic hanger (110) is provided with a pull flap (160) configured to assist in pulling for said peeling of said magnetic hanger (110) from said surface (120); said at least one pull flap (160) is either magnetic or at least partially non-magnetic.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose a method of temporarily suspending an object to a surface (120), comprising the steps of:
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, wherein at least one of the following holds true:
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, wherein said surface (120) is made of magnetizable material such as: metallic, paramagnetic and ferromagnetic.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising step of said surface (120) with laminar structure comprising at least one layer made of material selected from the group consisting of a magnetizable material, a non-magnetic material, a magnetic coating, a magnetic paint and any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising step of mechanically fixating said surface (120) to a surface of interest (150).
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, wherein at least one of the following holds true:
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising step of providing said at least one edge of said magnetic hanger (110) with a pull flap (160) configured for assisting in pulling for said peeling of said magnetic hanger (110) from said surface (120); said at least one pull flap (160) is either magnetic or at least partially non-magnetic.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose a magnetic hanger (110) reversibly and effectively fixable to a surface (120), with a thin plane X-Y; said plane's main axis X comprising a first edge X1 and an opposite second edge X2; said plane's main axis Y comprising a first edge Y1 and an opposite second edge Y2;
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the magnetic hanger (110) as defined above, wherein at least one of the following holds true:
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the magnetic hanger (110) as defined above, wherein said surface (120) is made of magnetizable material such as: metallic, paramagnetic and ferromagnetic.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the magnetic hanger (110) as defined above, wherein at least one of the following holds true:
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the magnetic hanger (110) as defined above, wherein said at least one edge of said magnetic hanger (110) is provided with a pull flap (160) configured to assist in pulling for said peeling of said magnetic hanger (110) from said surface (120); said at least one pull flap (160) is either magnetic or at least partially non-magnetic.
It is hence one object of the invention to disclose a device 100 for temporarily attaching an object of interest by means of magnetically fixating the aforesaid object to a surface of interest 10. The aforesaid device comprises (a) a magnetizable member made of a magnetizable metal mechanically fixatable to said surface and (b) a magnetic member made of a magnet sheet material adapted for temporarily attaching to said magnetizable member due to an attractive force exerted by the magnetic member to said magnetizable member. The magnetic member carries an element configured for hanging the object of interest.
It is a core purpose of the invention to provide the said magnetic member at least partially is substantially flexible so as to facilitate easy detachment of said magnetic member from said magnetizable member. The magnetic member is configurable into a first position characterized by flexible peelability from the magnetizable member in at least one direction and a second position characterized by stable attachment of the magnetic member to the magnetizable member such that a ratio between the detachment force in the first position and the detachment force in the second position is between approximately 1:1 and approximately 1:1000.
Another object of this disclosure is to disclose the abovementioned invention, wherein a detachment force of said magnetic member from the magnetizable member such that the detachment force is less than about 60 N.
attached magnetizable member is underlain by a mesh. The mesh is between the surface and the magnetizable member.
A further object of this disclosure is to disclose the abovementioned invention, wherein the magnetic member is made of a flexible plastic provided with magnetic particles nested or embedded therein.
A further object of this disclosure is to disclose the abovementioned invention, wherein contact area between said magnetized and magnetic members is conformable to the shape of a contact surface of the magnetizable member.
A further object of this disclosure is to disclose the abovementioned invention, wherein a shape of said contact surface is selected from the group consisting of cylindrical-like, spherical-like, conical-like, textured surfaces, relief surfaces, planar surfaces and any combination thereof.
A further object of this disclosure is to disclose the abovementioned invention, wherein the magnetizable member has a laminar structure is made of a plate comprising at least one layer made of material selected from the group consisting of a magnetizable material, a non-magnetic material, a magnetic coating, a magnetic paint and any combination thereof.
A further object of this disclosure is to disclose the abovementioned invention, wherein the surface is substantially vertical.
A further object of this disclosure is to disclose the abovementioned invention, wherein a contact area between said magnetized and magnetic members which is flat.
A further object of this disclosure is to disclose the abovementioned invention, wherein the magnetizable member made of a tin-plate.
A further object of the invention is to disclose the hanging element configured in a form selected from the group consisting of a hanger, a peg, a hook, a pintle, a dowel, an agraffe and any combination thereof.
A further object of this disclosure is to disclose the abovementioned invention, wherein the device is provided with a set of substitutable hanging elements.
A further object of this disclosure is to disclose the abovementioned invention, wherein the magnetic member is oblong shaped so that said magnetic has a direction of preferred flexibility along a vertical long and short sides and diagonal of said magnetic member.
A further object of the invention is to disclose a method of suspending of temporarily suspending an object of interest by means of magnetically fixating the aforesaid object to a surface of interest. The aforesaid method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a device for temporarily suspending an object of interest by means of magnetically fixating the aforesaid object to a surface of interest; said device comprising (i) a magnetizable member made of a magnetizable metal mechanically fixatable to said surface and (ii) a magnetic member made of a magnet sheet material adapted for temporarily attaching to said magnetizable member due to an attractive force exerted by said magnet member to said magnetizable member; said member carries an element configured for hanging the object of interest; said magnetic member is at least partially substantially flexible such that said magnetic member is adapted for bending so as to facilitate easy detachment of said magnetic member from said magnetizable member further wherein said magnetic member is configurable into a first position characterized by flexible peelability from said magnetizable member in at least one direction and a second position characterized by stable attachment of said magnetic member to said magnetizable member;
(b) mechanically fixating said magnetizable member to said surface; (c) temporarily attaching said magnetic member to said magnetizable member due to said attractive force exerted by said magnet member to said magnetizable member; (d) hanging said object of interest onto said hanging element; (e) residing said object of interest on said hanging element; (f) getting said object of interest of said element; (g) disengaging said magnetic member from said magnetizable member; and (h) repeating said steps (c) to (g) if and when necessary. The step of disengaging said magnetic member further comprises at least partially bending said magnetic such that a ratio between said detachment force in said first position and said detachment force in said second position is between approximately 1:1 and approximately 1:1000.
A further object of the invention is to disclose the magnetic member is made of an flexible plastic provided with magnetic particles nested or embedded therein.
A further object of the invention is to disclose the step of attaching said magnetic member to said magnetizable member performed between flat surfaces thereof.
A further object of the invention is to disclose a magnetic device for disengageably fixatable on a magnetizable object. The aforesaid device comprises (a) a housing; (b) a magnetic sheet accommodated within said housing and configured for attaching to said object of interest. The disclosed device further comprises mechanical means adapted to flattening said sheet for magnetically fixating on said magnetizable object and bending for disengaging said sheet therefrom.
A further object of the invention is to disclose a method of magnetically fixating a magnetic device on a magnetized object. The aforesaid method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a magnetic device for disengageably fixating on a magnetizable object; said device comprises (i) a housing; (ii) a magnetic sheet accommodated within said housing and configured for attaching to said object of interest;
(b) placing said device close to said magnetizable object; (c) temporarily fixating said magnetic sheet to said magnetizable object due to said attractive force exerted by said magnet sheet to said magnetizable object; (d) hanging said object of interest onto said housing; (e) residing said object of interest on said housing; (f) getting said object of interest of said housing;(g) disengaging said magnetic member from said magnetizable member; and (h) repeating said steps (c) to (g) if and when necessary. The steps of fixating and disengaging said magnetic sheet further comprise at least partially flattening and bending thereof, respectively.
In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be implemented in practice, a plurality of embodiments is adapted to now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
a is a view of a magnetizable surface 120 attached to a surface of interest 150 such as a wall;
b is a view of a magnetic hanger 110;
a is a view of a magnetic hanger 110 fixated on a magnetizable surface 120;
b is a view of a magnetic hanger 110 at a step of disengagement from the magnetizable surface 120;
a and 4b are isometric and cross-sectional views of a magnetizable surface 120 underlain by a mesh 170; and
The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of the present invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of said invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, are adapted to remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide a device 100 for temporarily suspending an object of interest by means of magnetically fixating the aforesaid object on—or to—a surface of interest 150.
It should be emphasized that a minimal force Fm of attractive interaction between the magnetizable surface 120 and the magnetic hanger 110 is defined by the following expression:
where:
Fg is a force applied to the magnetic hanger 110 by the hanged object due to gravity; kfr is a coefficient of friction between the magnetizable surface 120 and the magnetic hanger 110.
A force of magnetic attraction between two substantially flat bodies where one of them is a flat permanent magnet and another is a plate made of a magnetizable material depends on the following parameters:
The force Fm is proportional to each abovementioned parameters.
A conception of a magnet disengageably fixatable on a magnetizable object of interest is a trade-off between a load which can be carried by the magnet and ease of disengagement of the magnet from the magnetizable object.
In accordance with the current invention, magnet disengagement can be significantly facilitated due to gradual separation from each other. The advantage of the proposed technical solution is in opportunity of increase in the load carriable by the fixated magnet.
In accordance with the current invention, a flexible magnet hanger 110 is gradually separatable from the magnetizable surface 120. An edge 115 of the flexible hanger 110 is striped from the magnetizable surface 120 and further other portions of the magnet hanger 110 are separated from the magnetizable surface 120.
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The hanger 110 characterized by comprising two or more non-flexible stiffening ribs 130 provided along—and perpendicular to—a predetermined path 220. The ribs (130) having a width Wr substantially smaller than the plane's dimensions Wr<<(X2−X1), Wr<<(Y2−Y1). Such that the hanger 110 is provided with flexibility along the path 220, whilst being non-flexible in directions other than along the path 220, ensuring that peeling of the hanger 110 from the surface 120 is restricted to a direction parallel to the path 220, starting from at least one edge of the path 220.
The ribs in
The ribs in
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of International Patent Application No. PCT/IL11/00652, filed on Aug. 10, 2011, now pending, and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/344,512, filed on Aug. 12, 2010, now expired, both of which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61344512 | Aug 2010 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/IL2011/000652 | Aug 2011 | US |
Child | 13763939 | US |