Magnetic hinge
AssigneeConcept Workshop Worldwide, LLC
InventorDavid Seidler
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims27
A magnetic hinge defining a hinge axis, comprising:
- (A) a first hinge plate of non-magnetic material;
- (B) a first magnet disposed in said first plate for movement therewith;
- (C) 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;
- said first plate defining a first abutment structure projecting from a surface thereof towards said second plate, and said second plate defining a cooperating first stop structure projecting from a surface thereof towards said first plate;
- when said first and second plates are adjacent and in said closed orientation, said first abutment structure impeding relative pivoting of said first plate in a first direction about the hinge axis by lateral abutment thereof with said cooperating first stop structure of said second plate.
A magnetic hinge defining a hinge axis, comprising:
- (A) a first hinge plate of non-magnetic material;
- (B) a first magnet disposed in said first plate for movement therewith;
- (C) 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;
- said first plate defining first and second abutment structures projecting from a surface thereof towards said second plate, and said second plate defining cooperating first and second stop structures projecting from a surface thereof towards said first plate;
- when said first and second plates are adjacent and in said closed orientation, said first abutment structure precluding relative forcible pivoting of said first plate in a first direction about the hinge axis by lateral abutment thereof with said cooperating first stop structure of said second plate, and said second abutment structure precluding forcible relative pivoting of said first plate in a second direction about the hinge axis opposite said first direction by lateral abutment thereof with said cooperating second stop structure of said second plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.