Magnetic latch

A magnetic latch comprising first and second units adapted to interengage in use in latching engagement to hold a moveable structure in a closed position relative to another structure;

• the first unit having:
• a latching structure comprising a housing defining a latching cavity and a central zone adjacent the latching cavity, the latching cavity co-operates in latching engagement with the second unit;
• a displaceable magnet that is displaceable along a first path;
• and
• a second biasing means to bias the displaceable magnet to a latching position within the central zone,
• the displaceable magnet being displaceable from the central zone relative to the housing and the latching cavity against the bias of the second biasing means to a retracted position in operation;
• the second unit having:
• a retractable element having an engagement head to co-operate in latching engagement with the latching cavity of the first unit;
• and
• a first biasing means to bias the retractable element to a retracted position;
• the retractable element being displaceable from the retracted position along a second path transverse to the first path in response to magnetic attracting forces from the magnet and where the bias of the first biasing means is less than the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the retractable element;
• whereby, when the moveable structure and the another structure are in the closed position, the juxtaposition of the displaceable magnet disposed in the central zone of the housing in the latching position and the retractable element causes the retractable element to move against the bias of the first biasing means such that the engagement head is positioned within the latching cavity to establish the latching engagement;
• the magnetic latch further comprising a retraction means selectively operable to retract the displaceable magnet to remove magnetic attraction between the displaceable magnet and the retractable element, thereby permitting the structures to be moved from the closed position to an open position.

A magnetic latch having first and second units adapted to interengage in use in latching engagement to hold a moveable structure in a closed position relative to another structure, the latch having a magnetic arrangement in the first and second units to cause components thereof to be displaced to establish latching engagement under magnetic forces when the components are in juxtaposition for latching at the closed position,

• the first unit having;
• (a) a latching structure comprising a housing having a latching cavity and a central zone adjacent the latching cavity, the latching cavity co-operates in latching engagement with the second unit;
• (b) a displaceable magnet biased towards a latching position wherein the displaceable magnet is positioned in the central zone of the housing and in which magnetic attraction occurs for establishing latching engagement with the second unit;
• (c) an actuator operable to displace the displaceable magnet from the central zone in the latching position relative to the latching cavity of the housing against the bias to cause removal of the magnetic attraction for unlatching;
• the second unit having;
• a retractable element having an engagement head to co-operate in latching engagement with the latching cavity of the first unit, the retractable element being biased towards a retracted position;
• wherein the displaceable magnet is displaceable along a first path, and the retractable element is displaceable along a second path transverse to the first path in response to magnetic attracting forces from the magnet and where the bias of the retractable element is less than the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the retractable element;
• whereby, when the displaceable magnet is displaced to the latching position disposed in the central zone of the housing, magnetic attraction occurs between the displaceable magnet and the retractable element to cause the retractable element to act against its bias to establish engagement of the engagement head within the latching cavity of the housing, and when the magnet is displaced away from the latching position and the central zone, the magnetic attraction is removed such that the retractable element is biased to the retracted position to disengage the engagement head of the retractable element from the latching cavity of the housing in response to the loss of magnetic attraction to allow the moveable structure to be moved from the closed position to an open position.