Magnetic retaining device for electronic apparatus

A housing for an electronic printer, comprising:

• first and second cases having first and second, parallel and spaced main surfaces of substantially the same rectangular configuration and size and being of a substantially common thickness as defined by the spacing between the respective first and second main surfaces thereof, the first and second cases being pivotally connected along corresponding lateral edges of the respective first main surfaces thereof;
• the first and second cases being selectively pivotable between the open and closed positions relatively to each other, the first and second main surfaces of the first and second cases lying in substantially common and respective first and second parallel planes in the open position of the first and second cases and the respective first main surfaces of the first and second cases being disposed in contiguous relationship and the respective second main surfaces of the first and second cases correspondingly being disposed in parallel relationship and spaced apart by the combined thicknesses of the first and second cases in the closed, operating position thereof;
• the first and second cases respectively containing therewithin corresponding first and second portions of the printer, including respective first and second portions of a sheet feeding means, respectively defining first and second sheet feed path portions, for feeding a sheet through the respective first and second sheet feed path portions for printing on the sheet;
• the first and second cases further having slots defined in the respective first and second main surface portions thereof in alignment with the corresponding first and second sheet feed path portions and the corresponding openings in the first and second main surfaces of the respective first and second cases being aligned in the closed, operating position of the first and second cases and thereby defining a continuous sheet feed path extending from the second main surface of one and to the second main surface of the other of the first and second cases in the closed, operating position thereof;
• a magnet positioned in a recess formed in a surface of the first case so that at least when the first and second cases are in the open position, the magnet can not damage a magnetic recording medium located within the proximity of the surface of the first case;
• and
• a magnetic member provided on the second case in a position complementary to the position of the magnet in the first case, at least one of the magnet and the magnetic member being selectively movable to an operating position when the first and second cases are in the closed position so as to be mutually attracted and thereby to produce a magnetic force which assists in maintaining the first and second cases in the closed, operating position and thereby defining the continuous sheet feed path.