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US 2002/0153376 A1Published application
Virtual hinge
AssigneeL'Oreal USA, Inc.
InventorDavid Seidler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A magnetic or virtual hinge defining a virtual hinge axis includes first and second plates of non-magnetic material, and first and second magnets disposed in the respective plates adjacent the hinge axis for movement therewith. The first and second members are movable about the hinge axis between closed and open orientations.
Claims29
A magnetic hinge defining a hinge axis, comprising:
- a. a first hinge plate of non-magnetic material;
- b. at least one first magnet disposed in said first plate adjacent the hinge axis for movement therewith;
- c. a second hinge plate of non-magnetic material;
- and
- d. at least one second magnet disposed in said second plate adjacent the hinge axis for movement therewith;
- said first and second plates being movable about the hinge axis between:
- i. a closed orientation wherein said first and second plates are generally parallel and at least partially overlapping, and said first and second magnets are generally parallel, overlapping and in the same magnetic orientation, and
- ii. an open orientation wherein said first and second plates are generally parallel and at least partially non-overlapping, and said first and second magnets are generally parallel, non-overlapping and in opposite magnetic orientations, said first and second magnets being coplanar and aligned along a common axis.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.