Magnetic holder

• US 7,322,550 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Issued: 01/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas Killion
• Original Assignee: Thomas Killion
• Inventors: Killion, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman; Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUCKWORTH, BRADLEY
• Application Number:
  US11/139,091
• Publication Number:
  US 20060266914A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 248/467, 248/683, 248/309.4, 248/206.5, 24/671.1, 243/03
• US Class Current: 248/206.5
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/17 using adhesives, suction or magnetism A47G1/168 takes precedence; suction cups for attaching purposes, equivalent means using adhesives F16B47/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 1/10 Supports or holders for show-cards
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/04 the elements being secured or adapted to be secured by magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/32 having magnetic fastener

Abstract

A magnetic holder for holding a non-magnetic sheet against a magnetically attractive surface contains a body having a first end and a second end, an upper surface and a lower surface. The body is formed from a first material having a first co-efficient of friction. The lower surface has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is joined to the second portion at a fulcrum line that defines an obtuse angle between the first portion and the second portion for preventing the first and second portions from engaging the magnetically attractive surface simultaneously. A magnet member is disposed on the second portion for magnetically coupling the holder to the magnetically attractive surface. A first gripping member is disposed on the second portion for frictionally gripping the non-magnetic sheet.

Claims

1. A magnetic holder for holding a non-magnetic sheet against a magnetically attractive surface comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end;

an upper surface and a lower surface, the body being formed from a first material,

the lower surface positioned for engaging the magnetically attractive surface, the lower surface having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being joined to the second portion at a fulcrum line that defines an obtuse angle between the first portion and the second portion for preventing the first and second portions from engaging the magnetically attractive surface simultaneously,

a magnet member disposed on the second portion for magnetically coupling the holder to the magnetically attractive surface, and

a first gripping member comprised of a second material and coupled to the second portion of the lower surface for frictionally gripping the non-magnetic sheet.

2. The magnetic holder of claim 1 further comprising a non-magnetic sheet capable of being engaged by the magnetic holder and a magnetically attractive surface canable of being engaged by the magnetic holder, wherein the static co-efficient of friction between the second material and the non-magnetic sheet is greater than the static co-efficient of friction between the first material and the non-magnetic sheet.

13. The magnetic holder of claim 1 wherein the body includes at least one magnet receiving well for receiving the magnet member.

15. The magnetic holder of claim 1 wherein the second portion includes at least three walls defining at least two wells, and the first gripping member includes at least two legs receivable in the at least two wells for securing the first gripping member to the body.

16. The magnetic holder of claim 1 further comprising a non-magnetic sheet capable of being engaged by the magnetic holder and a magnetically attractive surface capable of being engaged by the magnetic holder, wherein the static co-efficient of friction between the second material and the non-magnetic sheet is greater than the static co-efficient of friction between the first material and the non-magnetic sheet, further comprising a second gripping member disposed adjacent to the first end for frictionally engaging the magnetically attractive surface, the second gripping member comprised of a third material having a static co-efficient of friction between the third material and the magnetically attractive surface that is greater than the static co-efficient of friction between the first material and the magnetically attractive surface.

17. The magnetic holder of claim 16 wherein the first and second gripping members are comprised of the same materials.

19. The magnetic holder of claim 1 wherein the magnetic holder is movable between

a gripping position wherein the second portion of the lower surface engages the magnetically attractive surface and the first end is spatially separated from the magnetically attractive surface;

and

a release position wherein the first portion of the lower surface engages the magnetically attractive surface, and the second end is spatially separated from the magnetically attractive surface

wherein, when the holder is in the gripping position, the first end is spatially separated from the magnetic surface by a sufficient distance to permit a standard-sized pencil to be retained between the first end and the magnetically attractive surface.

20. The magnetic holder of claim 19 wherein the first portion of the lower surface is arcuate in cross section for retaining a writing instrument placed between the first portion and the magnetically attractive surface, when the holder is in the gripping position.

3. A magnetic holder for holding a non-magnetic sheet against a magnetically attractive surface comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end;

an upper surface and a lower surface, the body being formed from a first material,

the lower surface having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being joined to the second portion at a fulcrum line that defines an obtuse angle between the first portion and the second portion for preventing the first and second portions from engaging the magnetically attractive surface simultaneously,

a magnet member disposed on the second portion for magnetically coupling the holder to the magnetically attractive surface, and

a first gripping member comprised of a second material and coupled to the second portion of the lower surface for frictionally gripping the non-magnetic sheet,

wherein the lower surface includes at least one well, and the first gripping member includes at least one leg received within the well for securing the first gripping member to the body.

4. The magnetic holder of claim 3 wherein the at least one well comprises at least three walls defining at least two wells, and the first gripping member includes at least two legs receivable in the at least two wells.

5. The magnetic holder of claim 4 wherein the lower surface includes at least one magnet receiving well for receiving the magnet member.

6. The magnetic holder of claim 5 wherein the magnet member includes first and second disk-shaped magnet members, and the at least one magnet receiving well includes a first magnet receiving well for receiving the first magnet member and a second magnet receiving well for receiving the second magnet member.

7. The magnetic holder of claim 6 wherein the first and second magnet receiving wells are spatially separated, and the at least three walls comprise at least three parallel walls extending between the first and second magnet receiving wells to define at least two wells disposed in parallel planes.

8. The magnetic holder of claim 7 further comprising a second gripping member disposed adjacent to the first end for frictionally gripping the magnetically attractive surface, the second gripping member comprised of a material.

9. The magnetic holder of claim 8 where the body includes a grip receiving aperture disposed adjacent to the first end for receiving the second gripping member, and the second gripping member includes an upper portion disposed above the upper surface, a lower portion disposed below the lower surface, and a middle portion extending through the grip receiving aperture.

10. The magnetic holder of claim 9 wherein the magnetic holder is movable between

a gripping position wherein the second portion of the lower surface engages the magnetically attractive surface and the first end is spatially separated from the magnetically attractive surface;

and

a release position wherein the first portion of the lower surface engages the magnetically attractive surface, and the second end is spatially separated from the magnetically attractive surface

wherein, when the holder is in the gripping position, the first end is spatially separated from the magnetic surface by a sufficient distance to permit a standard-sized pencil to be retained between the first end and the magnetically attractive surface.

11. The magnetic holder of claim 10 wherein the first portion of the lower surface is arcuate in cross section for retaining a writing instrument placed between the first portion and the magnetically attractive surface, when the holder is in the gripping position.

12. A magnetic holder for holding a non-magnetic sheet against a magnetically attractive surface comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end;

an upper surface and a lower surface, the body being formed from a first material,

the lower surface having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being joined to the second portion at a fulcrum line that defines an obtuse angle between the first portion and the second portion for preventing the first and second portions from engaging the magnetically attractive surface simultaneously,

a magnet member disposed adjacent to the portion for magnetically coupling the holder to the magnetically attractive surface, and

a first gripping member coupled to the second portion of the lower surface for frictionally gripping the non-magnetic sheet,

wherein at least one well is disposed adjacent to the second end, and the first gripping member includes at least one leg received within the well for securing the first gripping member to the body.

14. A magnetic holder for holding a non-magnetic sheet against a magnetically attractive surface comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end;

an upper surface and a lower surface, the body being formed from a first material,

the lower surface having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being joined to the second portion at a fulcrum line that defines an obtuse angle between the first portion and the second portion for preventing the first and second portions from engaging the magnetically attractive surface simultaneously,

a magnet member disposed on the second portion for magnetically coupling the holder to the magnetically attractive surface, and

a first gripping member comprised of a second material and coupled to the second portion of the lower surface for frictionally gripping the non-magnetic sheet,

wherein the body includes at least one magnet receiving well for receiving the magnet member, and

wherein the magnet member includes first and second disk-shaped magnet members and the at least one well includes a first magnet receiving well for receiving the first magnet member, and a second magnet receiving well for receiving the second magnet member, the first and second magnet receiving well being spatially separated, and

wherein the body includes one well extending between the first and second magnet receiving wells, and the first gripping member includes at least one leg received within the well for securing the first gripping member to the body.

18. A magnetic holder for holding a non-magnetic sheet against a magnetically attractive surface comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end;

an upper surface and a lower surface, the body being formed from a first material,

the lower surface having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being joined to the second portion at a fulcrum line that defines an obtuse angle between the first portion and the second portion for preventing the first and second portions from engaging the magnetically attractive surface simultaneously,

a magnet member disposed on the second portion for magnetically coupling the holder to the magnetically attractive surface, and

a first gripping member comprised of a second material and coupled to the second portion of the lower surface for frictionally gripping the non-magnetic sheet,

a second gripping member disposed adjacent to the first end for frictionally engaging the magnetically attractive surface, the second gripping member comprised of a third material, wherein the body includes a grip receiving aperture disposed adjacent to the first end for receiving the second gripping member, and the second gripping member includes an upper portion disposed above the upper surface, a lower portion disposed below the lower surface, and a middle portion extending through the grip receiving aperture.

21. A magnetic holder for holding a non-magnetic sheet against a magnetically attractive surface comprising

a body having a first end and a second end;

an upper surface and a lower surface, the body being formed from a first material,

the lower surface being positioned to engage the magnetically attractive surface, the lower surface having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being joined to the second portion at a fulcrum line that defines an obtuse angle between the first portion and the second portion for preventing the first and second portions from engaging the magnetically attractive surface simultaneously,

a magnet member disposed on the second portion for magnetically coupling the holder to the magnetically attractive surface, and

a surface gripping member disposed adjacent to the first end for frictionally engaging the magnetically attractive surface, the surface gripping member being comprised of a surface gripping material.

24. The magnetic holder of claim 21, further comprising a sheet gripping member disposed on the second portion of the lower surface for frictionally gripping the non-magnetic sheet, the sheet gripping member being comprised of a sheet gripping material.

25. The magnetic holder of claim 21 wherein the magnetic holder is movable between

a gripping position wherein the second portion of the lower surface engages the magnetically attractive surface and the first end is spatially separated from the magnetically attractive surface;

and

a release position wherein the first portion of the lower surface engages the magnetically attractive surface, and the second end is spatially separated from the magnetically attractive surface

wherein, when the holder is in the gripping position, the first end is spatially separated from the magnetic surface by a sufficient distance to permit a standard-sized pencil to be retained between the first end and the magnetically attractive surface.

22. A magnetic holder for holding a non-magnetic sheet against a magnetically attractive surface comprising

a body having a first end and a second end;

an upper surface and a lower surface, the body being formed from a first material,

the lower surface having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being joined to the second portion at a fulcrum line that defines an obtuse angle between the first portion and the second portion for preventing the first and second portions from engaging the magnetically attractive surface simultaneously,

a magnet member disposed on the second portion for magnetically coupling the holder to the magnetically attractive surface, and

a surface gripping member disposed adjacent to the first end for frictionally engaging the magnetically attractive surface, the surface gripping member being comprised of a surface gripping material

wherein the body includes a grip receiving aperture disposed adjacent to the first end for receiving the surface gripping member, and the surface gripping member includes an upper portion disposed above the upper surface, and a lower portion disposed below the lower surface, and a middle portion extending through the grip receiving aperture.

23. The magnetic holder of claim 22 wherein the grip receiving aperture has a first diameter, the upper portion of the surface gripping member has a second diameter, and the lower portion of the surface gripping member has a third diameter, wherein the second and third diameters are greater than the first diameter.

26. A magnetic holding system comprising a magnetic holder for holding a non-magnetic sheet against a magnetically attractive surface, a non-magnetic sheet capable of being engaged by the magnetic holder and a magneticallv attractive surface canable of being engaged by the magnetic holder, the magnetic holder comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end;

an upper surface and a lower surface, the body being formed from a first material,

the lower surface positioned for engaging the magnetically attractive surface, the lower surface having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being joined to the second portion at a fulcrum line that defines an obtuse angle between the first portion and the second portion for preventing the first and second portions from engaging the magnetically attractive surface simultaneously,

a magnet member coupled to the body adjacent to the second end for magnetically coupling the holder to the magnetically attractive surface, and

a first gripping member comprised of a second material and coupled to the body adjacent to the second end for frictionally gripping the non-magnetic sheet, wherein a static co-efficient of friction is exhibited between the first material and the non-magnetic sheet that is less than a static co-efficient of friction exhibited between the second material and the non-magnetic sheet.

27. The magnetic holder of claim 26 further comprising a surface gripping member disposed adjacent to the first end for frictionally engaging the magnetically attractive surface, the surface gripping member being comprised of a surface gripping material, the surface gripping material and the magnetically attractive surface exhibiting a static co-efficient of friction greater than a static co-efficient of friction exhibited between the first material and the magnetically attractive surface.