Support system for autonomously controlled mobile devices

A support for a mobile device comprising:

• a polymer body having spaced apart first and second opposite ends;
• a first rare earth magnet attached adjacent the first end and the second end of the body for creating a magnetic field, the first magnet having a first magnetically polarized orientation;
• a second rare earth magnet attached adjacent the first end and the second end of the body in spaced apart relationship to the first rare earth magnet for creating a magnetic field, the second magnet having a second magnetically polarized orientation opposite the first magnetically polarized orientation;
• and
• a first coupling member attached underlying the first end of the body and a second coupling member attached underlying the second end of the body, wherein the first and second coupling members each include a plurality of outwardly projecting members configured to interdigitate with projecting members on another support,
• wherein the coupling members are configured to extend underlying first and second ends of a body of another support.

A method for assembling a plurality of supports for a mobile device comprising:

• arranging a plurality of flexible supports in end to end relationship, each of the supports comprising a flexible body having spaced apart first and second ends, wherein the first and second ends include a plurality of spaced apart projecting members, a first coupling element attached adjacent the first end and the second end of the body, and a second coupling element attached adjacent the first end and the second end of the body in spaced apart relationship to the first coupling element;
• interdigitating the plurality of spaced apart projecting members of one support with a plurality of spaced apart projecting members of an adjacent support;
• and
• releasably coupling the first and second coupling elements to an opposing coupling element of another support by a magnetic attraction force created therebetween, wherein the first coupling element comprises a first magnetic field creating element having a first magnetically polarized orientation.

A support for a mobile device comprising:

• a body having spaced apart first and second ends;
• a magnetic coupling element attached adjacent the first end and the second end of the body;
• and
• a coupling member arranged adjacent to the first end and the second end of the body, the coupling member including a plurality of spaced apart outwardly projecting members configured to interdigitate with a plurality of spaced apart outwardly projecting members of another support;
• wherein the magnetic coupling element is adapted to be releasably coupled to an opposing magnetic coupling element of another support by a magnetic attraction created therebetween with the plurality of projecting members of one support being received interdigitated with a plurality of projecting members of another support, and wherein the projecting members are adapted to support the first and second ends of a body of another support.

A system operative with a mobile computing device comprising:

• at least one mobile device operative by a mobile computing device for controlled movement in a plurality of directions;
• a plurality of bodies having an upper surface and a lower surface, the bodies having spaced apart first and second ends, said plurality of bodies constructed to be assembled in end-to-end relationship to support the mobile device upon movement of the mobile device in the plurality of directions;
• a coupling member arranged adjacent to the first end and the second end of the plurality of bodies, each coupling member having a plurality of outwardly projecting members configured to interdigitate and to extend underlying the lower surface of an adjacent body providing support at an interface between ends of adjacent bodies when assembled;
• a first magnetic coupling element attached adjacent the first end and the second end of the bodies;
• and
• a second magnetic coupling element attached adjacent the first end and the second end of the bodies in spaced apart relationship to the first coupling element;
• wherein the first and second coupling elements are adapted to be releasably coupled to an opposing coupling element of another support when arranged adjacent thereto by a magnetic attraction force created therebetween.