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US 6,961,977 B2Granted
Magnetic hinge
AssigneeConcept Workshop Worldwide, LLC
InventorDavid Seidler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A magnetic hinge defining a hinge axis includes first and second hinge plates of non-magnetic material and first and second magnets disposed therein, respectively, for movement therewith. The plates are generally parallel and independently pivotable about the hinge axis between a closed orientation, wherein the plates are essentially superposed, and an open orientation, wherein the plates are essentially not superposed. The first and second magnets are essentially superposed, generally coaxial with the hinge axis, and in the same magnetic orientation.
Claims42
A cosmetic case having a magnetic hinge defining a hinge axis, comprising:
- (A) as a base of said case, a first hinge plate of non-magnetic material;
- (B) a first magnet disposed in said first plate for movement therewith;
- (C) as a cover of said case, a second hinge plate of non-magnetic material;
- and
- (D) a second magnet disposed in said second plate for movement therewith;
- said first and second plates being generally juxtaposed and independently pivotable about the hinge axis in respective parallel planes transverse to the hinge axis between:
- (i) a closed orientation wherein said first and second plates are essentially superposed, and
- (ii) an open orientation wherein said first and second plates are essentially not superposed;
- said first and second magnets being essentially superposed and in the same magnetic orientation.
6 more elements
A cosmetic case having a magnetic hinge defining a hinge axis, comprising:
- (A) as a base of said case, a first hinge plate of non-magnetic material;
- (B) a first magnet disposed in said first plate for movement therewith;
- (C) as a cover of said case, a second hinge plate of non-magnetic material;
- and
- (D) a second magnet disposed in said second plate for movement therewith;
- said first and second plates being generally juxtaposed and independently pivotable about the hinge axis in respective parallel planes transverse to the hinge axis between:
- (i) a closed orientation wherein said first and second plates are essentially superposed, and
- (ii) an open orientation wherein said first and second plates are essentially not superposed;
- said first and second magnets incorporating means to preclude movement of said first and second magnets transverse to the hinge axis while enabling independent pivotal movement of said first and second plates about the hinge axis;
- said first and second magnets being essentially superposed and in the same magnetic orientation;
- said first plate and said first magnet being readily manually separable from said second plate and said second magnet to deconstruct said hinge, and said first plate and said first magnet being readily manually joinable with said second plate and said second magnet to reconstitute said hinge;
- said first and second magnets being cylindrical and coaxial with the hinge axis such that said first and second plates are relatively pivotable about the hinge axis to a plurality of orientations intermediate said closed and open orientations;
- the hinge axis being disposed inwardly of the peripheries of said first and second plates in both said closed and open orientations.
10 more elements
A cosmetic case having a magnetic hinge defining a hinge axis, comprising:
- (A) as a base of said case, a first hinge plate of non-magnetic material;
- (B) a first magnet disposed in said first plate for movement therewith;
- (C) as a cover of said case, a second hinge plate of non-magnetic material;
- and
- (D) a second magnet disposed in said second plate for movement therewith;
- and
- (E) as a cosmetic carrier, at least one third hinge plate of non-magnetic material disposed at least partially intermediate said first and second plates;
- said first, second and third plates being juxtaposed and independently pivotable about the hinge axis in respective parallel planes transverse to the hinge axis between:
- (i) a closed orientation wherein said first, second and third plates are essentially superposed, and
- (ii) an open orientation wherein at least one of said first, second and third plates is essentially not superposed with the others;
- said first and second magnets being essentially superposed, generally coaxial with the hinge axis, and in the same magnetic orientation.
8 more elements
A cosmetic case having a magnetic hinge defining a hinge axis, comprising:
- (A) as a base of said case, a first hinge plate of non-magnetic material;
- (B) a first magnet disposed in said first plate for movement therewith;
- (C) as a cover of said case, a second hinge plate of non-magnetic material;
- and
- (D) a second magnet disposed in said second plate for movement therewith;
- and
- (E) as a cosmetic carrier, at least one third hinge plate of non-magnetic material disposed at least partially intermediate said first and second plates;
- said first, second and third plates being generally juxtaposed and independently pivotable about the hinge axis in respective parallel planes transverse to the hinge axis between:
- i. a closed orientation wherein said first, second and third plates are essentially superposed, and
- ii. an open orientation wherein at least one of said first, second and third plates is essentially not superposed with the others;
- said first and second magnets being essentially superposed, generally coaxial with the hinge axis, and in the same magnetic orientation;
- each of said first and second magnets projecting outwardly from the plane of its respective plate towards the other of said magnets, and said third plate defines an aperture there through aligned with the hinge axis, each of said first and second magnets having a projecting end in contact with the other magnet within said third plate aperture such that said third plate is pivotable about the hinge axis and the projecting ends of said first and second magnets, said third plate incorporating means to preclude movement of said first and second plates transverse to the hinge axis while enabling pivotal movement of said first, second and third plates about the hinge axis.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.