Connection mechanism

• US 9,437,969 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2015
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Original Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Inventors: Robinson, Jonathan Shea, Witter, Kevin W., Fitzgerald, John P., Center, Adam D., Holmes, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): GUSHI, ROSS N
• Application Number:
  US14/714,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20150249302A1
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 292/251.5
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 1/00 Devices for securing together, or preventing relative movement between, constructional elements or machine parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/12 with locking-pins or split-pins thrust into holes
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/83 Use of a magnetic material
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0642 the plates being arranged one on top of the other and in full close contact with each other
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/004 using magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0263 Closures, bags, bands, engagement devices with male and female parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/38 having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/32 having magnetic fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/598 Transversely sliding pin

Abstract

A connection mechanism between two components may use one or more metallic pins that are magnetically extended when the components are engaged, the pins extending into one or more slots. The components are attached in place by the pins extended into the slots during attachment. The connection mechanism may include one or more magnets mounted on either or both components. The magnets may be arranged to attract the components when the components are in the locking orientation and to repel the components when the components are in an unlocked position. The connection mechanism may include electrical connections between the components.

Claims

1. A system for temporarily attaching one object to another object, the system comprising:

a first component comprising a metallic pin that is movable within the first component between a retracted position and an extended position;

a second component comprising a slot that aligns with the metallic pin when the first component is engaged to the second component, the second component further comprising a metallic component positioned near the slot such that magnetic attraction between the metallic pin and the metallic component when the first component is engaged to the second component transitions the metallic pin from the retracted position to the extended position and into the slot thereby mechanically resisting separation of the first component from the second component;

a first electrical contact attached to the first component; and

a second electrical contact attached to the second component, the first electrical contact engaging the second electrical contact to establish an electrical connection between the first component and the second component when the first component is engaged to the second component.

2. The system of claim 1, the second component further comprising a lip formed by the slot, wherein the lip engages the metallic pin and mechanically restricts the first component and the second component from being pulled apart.

3. The system of claim 1, the first component further comprising a second metallic pin, and wherein the second component comprises a second slot that aligns with the second metallic pin when the first component is engaged with the second component.

4. The system of claim 3, the second component further comprising a second metallic component positioned near the second slot, the second metallic component adapted to magnetically attract the second metallic pin into the second slot when the first component is engaged to the second component.

5. A connection mechanism comprising:

a first component having a first engagement face, the first engagement face configured to align with a second engagement face of a second component, the first component and the second component configured to provide an electrical connection when the first component is engaged with the second component;

a metallic pin housed within the first component, wherein the metallic pin is configured to extend from the first engagement face of the first component to an extended position, and wherein the metallic pin is further configured to retract into the first component to a retracted position;

the metallic pin further configured to engage with a slot disposed in the second engagement face of the second component, the metallic pin forced into the extended position by magnetic attraction to a metallic component positioned near the slot of the second component, wherein the metallic pin extends into the slot to mechanically resist the first component from being separated from the second component.

6. The connection mechanism of claim 5, wherein the first component is mountable to a mobile phone case, the mobile phone case being adapted to receive a mobile phone.

7. The connection mechanism of claim 5, wherein the second component is mountable to a stand.

8. The connection mechanism of claim 5, wherein the connection mechanism is adapted to mount a mobile phone to a holder.

9. The connection mechanism of claim 8, wherein the holder is adapted to mount to a bicycle handlebar.

10. The connection mechanism of claim 8, wherein the holder is adapted to mount to an automotive dashboard.

11. An apparatus for attaching objects, the apparatus comprising:

a first component adapted to temporarily attach to a second component, the first component and the second component configured to provide an electrical connection when the first component is attached to the second component, the first component having a slot configured to receive a metallic pin housed in the second component, the metallic pin configured to extend from and retract within the second component; and

a magnet positioned adjacent to the slot of the first component, the magnet configured to attract the metallic pin of the second component when the metallic pin is in proximity to the magnet, thereby causing the metallic pin to extend into the slot to mechanically restrict the first component from separating from the second component.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the electrical connection is an electrical power connection between the first component and the second component when the first component is attached to the second component.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the electrical connection is an electrical data signal connection between the first component and the second component when the first component is attached to the second component.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first component is mountable to a mobile phone case.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second component is mounted to a stand.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second component is mounted to an automobile interior component.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second component is mounted to a bicycle handlebar.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first component comprises a portion of a case for a portable electronic device.