Device for magnetically engaging objects having variable surface contours
AssigneeMichael W. Stowe
InventorsMichael W. Stowe, Claire T. Martin
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Abstract
The specification discloses a magnetizable device for engaging articles of varying surface contours. The device is characterized by a number of independently movable magnetizable elements which depend from a slot in the device housing; the elements being retained by element-arresting projections extending from each element's upper-most end. In one embodiment, the slot of the present invention is a bobbin assembly, including first and second halves which join to define a substantially rectangular slot.
Claims21
A device for engaging articles of varying surface contours, comprising:
- a plurality of independently positionable magnetically-conductive elements;
- a bobbin assembly having at least a first pair of plates fixedly connected in parallel-opposed fashion to define a walled slot therebetween for slidingly receiving said magnetically-conductive elements, each of said at least first pair of plates having upper and lower surfaces;
- a selectively magnetizable core member for selectively magnetizing said plurality of magnetically-conductive elements;
- each one of said plurality of magnetically-conductive elements including at least one element-arresting projection extending therefrom and opposing said upper surfaces of at least one of said first pair of plates;
- and
- wherein said upper surfaces of said plates each comprise a plate extending approximately perpendicularly away therefrom.
In a device for engaging articles of varying surface contours, said device including a plurality of independently movable, magnetically-conductive elements, the improvement comprising:
- an essentially "I" shaped bobbin assembly including a first pair of opposing, vertically oriented plates having upper and lower surfaces and defining a walled slot therebetween, and at least one plate extending approximately perpendicularly from each of said upper and lower surfaces of said vertically oriented plates;
- each one of said plurality of magnetically-conductive elements being slidingly received within said at least one walled slot;
- wherein said bobbin assembly further comprises distinct halves;
- and
- wherein said vertically oriented plates each define essentially "L" shaped members disposed in reversed spatial orientation with respect to each other to define said walled slot;
- and
- wherein said housing comprises a box having first and second pairs of opposing sides, a cover surface, and a bottom surface, said bottom surface further including at least one opening for receiving therethrough said plurality of magnetically-conductive elements.
A device for engaging articles of varying surface contours, comprising:
- a plurality of independently moveable magnetically-conductive elements;
- at least one bobbin assembly comprising at least first and second vertically-oriented plates fixedly connected to each other in parallel-opposed fashion to define a walled slot for slidingly receiving said magnetically-conductive elements therein in a linear relationship and having upper and lower surfaces, said bobbin assembly further including at least one plate extending approximately perpendicularly away from each side of said walled slot, at least one of said vertically-oriented plates proximate each of said upper and lower surfaces such that said bobbin assembly is characterized by a generally "I" shaded transverse cross- section;
- means for selectively magnetizing said magnetizing said magnetically-conductive elements.
A device for engaging articles of varying surface contours, comprising:
- at least one bobbin assembly having a walled slot for slidingly receiving therein a plurality of independently moveable magnetically-conductive elements, said walled slot including upper and lower surfaces, said bobbin assembly further including at least one plate extending away from each side of said walled slot, at least one of said plates proximate each of said upper and lower surfaces;
- and
- means for selectively magnetizing said magnetically-conductive elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.