Magnetic fasteners
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsDaniel L. McBroom, Michael D. McBroom
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The described embodiments relate generally to magnetic fasteners. In particular a fastening apparatus for engaging and disengaging a fastener disposed within a device housing is described. By designing a fastener with a magnetically coded head that fastener can be both engaged and disengaged to a fastener attachment point within a device housing by a magnetic driver having a magnetically coded driving feature that corresponds to the magnetically coded fastener head. In this way a fastener can be attached at various orientations within a device housing after the device housing has been closed.
Claims20
An electronic device, comprising:
- a non-magnetic housing comprising a first component and a second component;
- a magnetic fastener disposed entirely within the electronic device housing and configured to secure the first and second components together, the magnetic fastener comprising:
- a threaded shaft engaged within an attachment point of the non-magnetic housing, and a magnetic head portion integrally formed with the threaded shaft and having a plurality of permanent magnets disposed radially with respect to the head portion, the plurality of permanent magnets forming a first magnetic polarity pattern, wherein the magnetic fastener is operative to secure the first and second components together and is not accessible through an outside wall of the non-magnetic housing.
A contactless method for remotely securing a magnetic fastener enclosed within a non-magnetic device housing, the method comprising:
- aligning a rotational axis of a magnetic driver with a rotational axis of the magnetic fastener, a first surface of the magnetic driver being in direct contact with an exterior surface of the non-magnetic device housing;
- applying a first magnetic field at the exterior surface of the non-magnetic device housing with the magnetic driver, the first magnetic field having a first polarity pattern that forms a magnetic coupling with a corresponding second magnetic field emanating from the magnetic fastener;
- and
- rotating the magnetic driver such that the first magnetic field rotates, thereby applying a torque on the magnetic fastener by way of the magnetic coupling.
A fixturing device for positioning at least one magnetic driver with respect to an external surface of a non-magnetic electronic device housing, the fixturing device comprising:
- a stage configured to secure the electronic device housing in a predetermined position during a fastening or unfastening operation;
- and
- a positioning arm configured to maneuver a magnetic driver in three dimensional space such that the magnetic driver is in substantially the same rotational axis as a magnetic fastener disposed entirely within the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.