Magnetic safety pushpin

A pushpin device adaptable to affix articles to different surfaces and to improve user safety by reducing the danger of injury being inflicted by an exposed point, the device comprising:

• a head adapted to allow a user to apply pressure to the head without discomfort;
• a longitudinally extending fastening member comprising a point at a distal end and coupled to the head at a proximal end;
• a base comprising an aperture, wherein the aperture is configured to allow the fastening member to pass through the base as the head moves proximate to the base;
• and
• an outer member coupled to the head and the base, wherein the outer member comprises
• a first position in which the head is spaced from the base and the outer member encloses a longitudinal segment of the fastening member;
• and
• a second position wherein the head is proximate to the base and the outer member is deformed, thereby allowing the fastening member to extend through the aperture, and wherein the outer member exerts a countering force on the base and the head;
• wherein one of the head and the base comprises magnetically susceptible material and the other comprises magnetic material, and wherein a magnetic force between the head and the base maintains the outer member in the second position in opposition to the countering force.

A fastening device adapted to increase user safety and to allow articles to be affixed to various types of surfaces by piercing the article or by clamping the article, the device comprising:

• a head comprising a first surface adapted to be safely handled by a user;
• a pin having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the pin coupled to the head and the distal portion of the pin comprising a tip;
• a base configured to allow at least part of the pin to extend therethrough;
• and
• a flexible member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion coupled to the base and the proximal portion coupled to the head, wherein the flexible member is adapted to allow the head to be positioned proximate to the base;
• wherein one of the head and the base comprises magnetic material and the other comprises magnetic material or magnetically susceptible material, and wherein the pin extends through the base when the pin head is positioned proximate to the base.

A fastening device configured to reduce the risk of injury to a user and allow a user to affix articles to various surfaces by piercing or by friction, the fastening device comprising:

• a head configured to allow a user to manually exert pressure on the head without discomfort;
• a fastening member comprising a substantially sharp point adapted to penetrate an article:
• a base comprising an aperture adapted to permit the fastening member to extend therethrough;
• means for enclosing the fastening member in a first configuration when the fastening member is not in use to reduce the risk of user injury caused by the substantially sharp point;
• means for coupling the fastening device to a first user selected surface in the first configuration, thereby allowing the fastening device to clamp an article to be affixed to the first user selected surface;
• means for coupling the fastening device to a second user selected surface in a second configuration, thereby allowing the fastening device to pierce an article to be affixed to a second user selected surface;
• and
• means for holding the head proximate to the base in opposition to a resistive force that urges the base and the head apart, thereby allowing the fastening member to remain extended through the base to pierce an article to be affixed to a second user selected surface in the second configuration.