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US 10,371,185 B2Granted
Magnetically-controlled connectors and methods of use
OwnerDavid Lynninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A magnetically-controlled connector for attaching a panel to a support member. The connector is configurable between locked and unlocked positions. In the locked position, an arm extends outward to engage with an exterior support member. In the unlocked position, the arm is retracted inward and is disengaged from the support member. The connector is configured to be movable between the positions using a magnetic actuator that is selectively moved into and out of proximity of the connector.
Claims15
A connector to connect a panel to a support member, the connector comprising:
- a housing configured to be attached to the panel;
- a first member movably positioned within the housing, the first member comprising a first ramped contact surface and an outwardly-extending elongated arm that terminates at a distal end, the arm configured to engage the support member when the arm is in an extended position;
- a second member fixed relative to the housing;
- the second member comprising a second ramped contact surface that faces towards the first ramped contact surface;
- a holding space formed between the first and second ramped contact surfaces, the holding space including a width measured between the first and second ramped contact surfaces, the holding space being tapered with a width that is greater at a first section of the holding space and smaller at an opposing second section of the holding space due to arrangement of the first and second ramped contact surfaces;
- a biasing member that biases the first member towards the second member;
- a ferromagnetic wedge positioned in the holding space between the first and second members, the wedge comprising an elongated shape with opposing first and second ends;
- the ferromagnetic wedge sized to move within the housing (LAB) between a first position and a second position;
- the first position comprising the ferromagnetic wedge positioned at the first section of the holding space and in contact with each of the first and second members to space the first member away from the second member a first distance such that the distal end of the arm extends outward beyond the second member to engage the support member defining the extended position of the arm;
- the second position comprising the ferromagnetic wedge positioned at the second section of the holding space and in contact with each of the first and second members to space the second member away from the second member a second greater distance such that the distal end of the arm is positioned in closer proximity to the second member to disengage from the support member against the bias of the biasing member;
- wherein the ferromagnetic wedge is sized to move within the housing from the first position to the second position when acted on by the magnet.
8 more elements
A connector to connect a panel to a support member, the connector comprising:
- a housing configured to be attached to the panel, the housing comprising an opening that extends through an exterior wall of the housing;
- a first member movably positioned relative to the housing, the first member comprising a first ramped contact surface and an outwardly-extending arm that terminates at a distal end, the arm configured to engage the support member when the arm is in an extended position;
- a second member fixedly positioned relative to the housing, the second member comprising a second ramped contact surface that faces towards the first ramped contact surface;
- a biasing member that biases the first member towards the second member;
- a ferromagnetic wedge positioned between the first and second members, the wedge comprising an elongated shape with opposing first and second ends with the first end being ramped and that faces towards the first ramped contact surface of the first member and the second end being ramped and that faces towards the second ramped contact surface of the second member;
- the ferromagnetic wedge sized to move within the housing between a first position when not acted on by a magnet and a second position when acted on by the magnet against the bias of the biasing member;
- the first position comprising the ferromagnetic wedge in contact along a first portion of each of the first and second ramped contact surfaces to space the first member away from the second member a first distance such that the distal end of the arm extends outward through the opening in the housing defining the extended position of the arm;
- the second position comprising the ferromagnetic wedge in contact along a second portion of each of the first and second ramped contact surfaces to space the first member away from the second member a second greater distance such that the distal end of the arm is retracted within the opening in the housing.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.