# US 8,570,130 B1 · Multi-level magnetic system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,570,130 B1 - Document ID: US8570130B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/892,246 - Filed: 2013-05-11 - Published: 2013-10-31 - Granted: 2013-10-29 - Earliest claimed: 2012-05-06 - Assignees: Correlated Magnetics Research, LLC - Applicants: Correlated Magnetics Research, LLC. - Inventors: Larry W. Fullerton; Mark D. Roberts - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8570130B1 ## CPC - H01F 7/0231: {Magnetic circuits with PM for power or force generation} - E05C 19/16: Devices holding the wing by magnetic or electromagnetic attraction {(E05C17/56 takes precedence)} - G06F 1/1616: {with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position} - G06F 1/1677: {for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment} - G06F 1/1679: {for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA (G06F1/1681 takes precedence)} - H01F 7/02: Permanent magnets {[PM]} - H01F 7/021: {Construction of PM (H01F7/0278 takes precedence; PM compositions H01F1/032)} - H01F 7/0242: {Magnetic drives, magnetic coupling devices} - H01F 7/0252: {PM holding devices (H01F7/021, H01F7/0215, H01F7/0226 take precedence)} - H01F 7/0263: {Closures, bags, bands, engagement devices with male and female parts} - H01F 7/20: without armatures (cores H01F3/00; coils H01F5/00 {; shaping metal by applying magnetic forces B21D26/14; electromagnets specially adapted for NMR applications G01R33/381}) - E05B 65/006: {for covers or panels (for manholes E02D29/1427; for holes enabling access to installations in buildings E04F19/08; for pressure vessels F16J13/00)} - H01F: MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES - E05C: BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS (latching means for sideboard or tailgate structures for vehicles B62D, {B62D33/02}; fastening devices for constructional or engineering elements E04, F16B; locks, fastening devices structurally or operatively combined or having significant cooperation with locks E05B; means for operating or controlling wing fasteners in conjunction with mechanisms for moving the wing E05F) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS ## Abstract A multilevel magnetic system described herein includes first and second magnetic structures that produce a net force that transitions from an attract force to a repel force as a separation distance between the first and second magnetic structures increases. The multi-level magnetic system is configured to maintain a minimum separation distance between a transition distance where the net force is zero and a separation distance at which a peak repel force is produced. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-level magnetic system, comprising: a first magnetic structure; a second magnetic structure, said first and second magnetic structures producing a net force that transitions from an attractive force to a repel force when a separation distance between said first and second magnetic structures equals a first separation distance, said net force being an attractive force when said separation distance is less than said first separation distance, said net force being a repel force when said separation distance is greater than said first separation distance; and at least one movement constraining structure to maintain at least a second separation distance between said first and second magnetic structures, said second separation distance being greater than or equal to said first separation distance and less than a third separation distance between said first and second magnetic structures at which said first and second magnetic structures produce a peak repel force. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first magnetic structure or said second magnetic structure comprises a plurality of magnetic sources. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of magnetic sources includes a first magnetic source having a first polarity and a second magnetic source having a second polarity opposite said first polarity. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein one of said first magnetic structure or said second magnetic structure is a conventional magnet. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein said first and second magnetic structures each include a first portion where the first portions produce an attractive force curve and wherein said first and second magnetic structures each include a second portion where the second portions produce a repel force curve, said attractive force curve and said repel force curve producing a composite force curve. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one movement constraining structure comprises a spacer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one movement constraining structure constrains movement of at least one of said first magnetic structure or said second magnetic structure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein said at least one movement constraining structure is configured to constrain rotational movement. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein said at least one movement constraining structure is configured to constrain translational movement. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein said multi-level magnetic system is configured to allow movement of at least one of said first magnetic structure or said second magnetic structure that varies a composite force curve associated with the first and second magnetic structures. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein said second magnetic structure is configured to move from a first position to a second position when an external force is applied to said second magnetic structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 11, further comprising: a circuit; a first contact attached to said circuit; and a second contact attached to said second magnetic structure and attached to said circuit, said second contact being movable relative to said first contact to open and close said circuit, said first position corresponding to an open state of said circuit where said first and second contacts are open, said second position corresponding to a closed state of said circuit where said first and second contacts are closed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 12, wherein said circuit is an electrical circuit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 11, wherein said second separation distance equals said first separation distance. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 11, wherein said second magnetic structure moves from said second position to said first position as said external force is reduced. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 15, wherein as said external force is reduced the second magnetic structure remains at said second position until the external force becomes less than said net force at which the second magnetic structure begins to accelerate to said first position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 11, wherein said external force required to move said second magnetic structure from said first position to said second position increases until said separation distance becomes less than said third separation distance at which said second magnetic structure begins to accelerate to said second position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein said multi-level magnetic system is a cushioning device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The multi-level magnetic system of claim 18, wherein said cushioning device is integrated with at least one of a bed, a chair seat, a chair back, a shock absorber, a vehicle bumper, a protective shielding, a knee pad, an elbow pad, or a protective gear. ### Claim 20 A multi-level magnetic system, comprising: a first magnetic structure; a second magnetic structure, said first and second magnetic structures producing a net force that transitions from an attractive force to a repel force as a separation distance between said first and second magnetic structures increases, said net force transitioning from an attractive force to said repel force when said separation distance equals a first separation distance; and at least one movement constraining structure to maintain at least a second separation distance between said first and second magnetic structures, said second separation distance being greater than or equal to said first separation distance and less than a third separation distance between said first and second magnetic structures at which said first and second magnetic structures produce a peak repel force.