초록 ▼

A magnetic coupler having various holding device embodiments to be quickly magnetically coupled and uncoupled with an industrial strength magnetic base that is fixedly attached to a desired nonferrous surface, such as a dashboard of an automobile. The magnetic base includes a nonferrous low or soft

A magnetic coupler having various holding device embodiments to be quickly magnetically coupled and uncoupled with an industrial strength magnetic base that is fixedly attached to a desired nonferrous surface, such as a dashboard of an automobile. The magnetic base includes a nonferrous low or soft durometer shell that encases the magnet. Preferably, the shell's outer surface is textured, which provides friction for superior magnetic coupling with a ferrous disk. If the device to be held is relatively heavy or has a high profile, the holding device/object to be held includes a support collar assembly that is fixedly attached to an external portion of the holding device. If the device to be held is light or has a low profile, a ferrous disk having a surface area of not less than 1/10.sup.th the area of the surface area of the device surface to be magnetically coupled with the magnetic base is adhered to the device surface, unless the device has sufficient ferrous content to magnetically couple with the magnetic base. The holding device can be quickly coupled and uncoupled with the magnetic base in either the high profile or low profile embodiments. The high profile holding devices include a beverage cup holder, a clip, a clipboard, a paper/key/coin tray, an envelope holder, and a radar detector base. The low profile holding devices or devices to be held include a hand held computer, a calculator, a cellular phone, and an eyeglass holder.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A magnetic coupler comprising:a magnetic base having an industrial strength magnet where at least the upper portion of the magnet is encased in a low durometer nonferrous shell, said shell including an external surface of a size and shape to engage with acorresponding s

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A magnetic coupler comprising:a magnetic base having an industrial strength magnet where at least the upper portion of the magnet is encased in a low durometer nonferrous shell, said shell including an external surface of a size and shape to engage with acorresponding surface of a holding device, said magnetic base including a lower portion being fixedly-attached to a desired surface;the holding device being of a size and shape to hold at least one personal object; said holding device including an external surface having a ferrous disk of a size and shape to quickly magnetically couple and quickly uncouple the external surface of the holding device via the ferrous disk with the external surface of the magnetic base, wherein the external surface of the holding device further includes a support collar assembly that is fixedly attached to and external of the external surface of the holding device, said support collar assembly includes at least one side wall fixedly attached to the external surface of the holding device, and a lip that projects inwardly of the side wall to form a ledge within the collar assembly, wherein the lip and the side wall below the lip define an opening, and wherein said opening is of a size and shape to mate with the upper portion of the magnetic base;wherein said ferrous disk is of a size and shape to be positioned within the collar assembly with the ferrous disk seated en the ledge within the confines of the side wall between the external surface of the holding device and the ledge;wherein the holding device may be quickly and securely coupled to the fixedly-attached magnetic base by placing the opening of the support collar assembly over the upper portion of the magnetic base, thereby magnetically coupling the ferrous disk to the magnet within the magnetic base; andwherein the holding device may be quickly uncoupled from the fixedly-attached magnetic base by tilting a portion of the holding device connected to the support collar assembly toward the desired surface to which the magnetic base is adhered, thus, breaking the magnetic bond between the ferrous disk held adjacent the holding device and the magnet in the magnetic base.