Magnetically secured temporary electrical connector

A magnetically retained, electrical connection system for making secure, temporary electrical contact between a first coupling surface of a portable appliance and a second coupling surface of a base unit for providing electrical communication with said appliance when brought into contact with said base unit, said connection system comprising:

• first electrical contact means electrically coupled to an electrical component of said portable appliance and positioned with respect to said first coupling surface for conducting electrical signals to or from said base unit;
• second electrical contact means electrically coupled to an electrical component of said base unit and positioned with respect to said second coupling surface for conducting said electrical signals to or from said appliance when said first electrical contact means of said portable appliance is brought into electrical contact with said second electrical contact means of said base unit on positioning of said first coupling surface in mating relation against said second coupling surface;
• a magnetically attractive member positioned with respect to said first coupling surface in a predetermined position with respect to said first electrical contact means;
• means for providing a magnetic field within said base unit;
• and
• push operable means for establishing a magnetic circuit between said magnetically attractive member and said magnetic field when said appliance is positioned with respect to said base unit with said first and second coupling surfaces in mating relationship and is subjected to a first push movement of said first coupling surface against said second coupling surface, whereby said magnetic circuit exerts magnetic attractive force between said base unit and said portable appliance to stabilize the electrical connection between said first and second electrical contact means, and for breaking said magnetic circuit when said appliance is subjected to a subsequent, second push movement of said first coupling surface toward said second coupling surface.