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US 8,525,626 B2Granted
Interlocking magnetic coupling members
AssigneeTait Towers Manufacturing, LLC
InventorsMichael Tait, Adam Davis, James Fairorth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A magnetic coupling member, method, and system including a housing and a first arrangement of a plurality of magnets housed within the housing is disclosed. The first arrangement of magnets is selectively arranged and disposed to provide alignment and detachable engagement with a second arrangement of a plurality of magnets.
Claims21
A magnetic coupling member comprising:
- a housing;
- and
- a first arrangement of a plurality of magnets housed within the housing;
- and
- wherein the first arrangement magnets are selectively arranged and disposed to provide alignment and detachable engagement with a corresponding arrangement of a second plurality of magnets;
- wherein at least two of the first plurality of magnets are arranged in a position to receive repulsive forces from at most three of the corresponding arrangement of the second plurality of magnets and to receive attractive forces from at most one of the corresponding arrangement of the second plurality of magnets during engagement;
- wherein the arrangement of the magnets permits the magnetic coupling member to attach to a corresponding structure in one specific position;
- wherein the first plurality of magnets and the second plurality of magnets are separated by the housing and are not in direct physical contact during the engagement;
- and
- wherein the magnetic coupling member is rigid and attached to an architectural support structure.
7 more elements
A magnetic coupling member comprising:
- a housing;
- and
- a first arrangement of a plurality of magnets housed within the housing;
- and
- wherein the first arrangement magnets are selectively arranged and disposed to provide alignment and detachable engagement with a corresponding arrangement of a second plurality of magnets;
- wherein the first arrangement of magnets consists of two parallel sets of magnets, wherein a first set is in north-south-north orientation and a second set is in south-north-south orientation;
- wherein the first plurality of magnets and the second plurality of magnets are separated by the housing and are not in direct physical contact during the engagement;
- and
- wherein the magnetic coupling member is rigid and attached to an architectural support structure.
6 more elements
A method of assembling structures comprising:
- providing a magnetic coupling member;
- wherein the magnetic coupling member comprises a first arrangement of a plurality magnets selectively arranged and disposed to provide alignment and detachable engagement with a corresponding arrangement of a second plurality of magnets;
- wherein at least two of the first plurality of magnets are arranged in a position to receive repulsive forces from at most three of the corresponding arrangement of the second plurality of magnets and to receive attractive forces from at most one of the corresponding arrangement of the second plurality of magnets during engagement;
- wherein the arrangement of the magnets permits the magnetic coupling member to attach to a corresponding structure in one specific position;
- providing a corresponding structure having a second arrangement of magnets;
- and
- engaging the magnetic coupling member and the corresponding structure together;
- wherein at least two of the first arrangement of magnets are arranged in a position to receive repulsive forces from only three of the corresponding arrangement of the second plurality of magnets during the engagement, wherein the first arrangement of magnets and second arrangement are separated by at least one housing;
- and
- wherein the corresponding structure is rigid and an architectural support structure.
7 more elements
An attachment system comprising:
- a first housing comprising a first arrangement of magnets;
- and
- a second housing comprising a second arrangement of magnets, detachably engageable to the first housing;
- and
- wherein the first housing is selectively arranged and disposed to provide alignment and detachable engagement with the second housing;
- wherein at least two of the first plurality of magnets are arranged in a position to receive repulsive forces from at most three of the corresponding arrangement of the second plurality of magnets and to receive attractive forces from at most one of the corresponding arrangement of the second plurality of magnets during engagement;
- wherein the arrangement of the magnets permits the magnetic coupling member to attach to a corresponding structure in one specific position;
- wherein the first arrangement of magnets and the second arrangement of magnets are separated by the first housing and the second housing and are not in direct physical contact during the engagement;
- and
- wherein the attachment system is rigid and attached to an architectural support structure.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.