Magnetically connectable device with self-aligning connector
First Claim
1. A magnetically connectable device comprising:
- a generally cuboid-shaped housing having a surface that is either of a sidewall of the housing and a corner adjoining two adjacent faces of the housing, the surface being straight due to the generally cuboid shape of the housing but having a curved transverse cross section and defining a straight rounded edge;
a self-aligning connector at the straight rounded edge of the housing, the self-aligning connector comprising a magnetic cylinder oriented with its axis substantially parallel to the straight rounded edge, the magnetic cylinder for magnetically engaging a magnet of an other connector so as to align and connect the self-aligning connector with the other connector with hinge-like pivoting motion between the self-aligning connector and the other connector at the straight rounded edge of the housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device may comprise a housing having a straight rounded edge. A self-aligning connector at the straight rounded edge may comprise a cylindrical magnet oriented with its axis substantially parallel to the straight rounded edge. The cylindrical magnet is for magnetically engaging a magnet of another connector so as to align and connect the self-aligning connector with the other connector. The self-aligning connector may comprise mounting structure configured to mount the cylindrical magnet at the straight rounded edge of the housing with the axis of the cylindrical magnet being substantially parallel to the straight rounded edge of the housing. The device may include two such self-aligning connectors, spaced apart from one another, along a single straight rounded edge of the device housing.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A magnetically connectable device comprising:
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a generally cuboid-shaped housing having a surface that is either of a sidewall of the housing and a corner adjoining two adjacent faces of the housing, the surface being straight due to the generally cuboid shape of the housing but having a curved transverse cross section and defining a straight rounded edge; a self-aligning connector at the straight rounded edge of the housing, the self-aligning connector comprising a magnetic cylinder oriented with its axis substantially parallel to the straight rounded edge, the magnetic cylinder for magnetically engaging a magnet of an other connector so as to align and connect the self-aligning connector with the other connector with hinge-like pivoting motion between the self-aligning connector and the other connector at the straight rounded edge of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A self-aligning connector of a generally cuboid-shaped magnetically connectable device housing having a surface that is either of a sidewall of the housing and a corner adjoining two adjacent faces of the housing, the surface being straight due to the generally cuboid shape of the housing but having a curved transverse cross section and defining a straight rounded edge, the self-aligning connector comprising:
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a magnetic cylinder for magnetically engaging a magnet of an other connector so as to align and connect the self-aligning connector with the other connector with hinge-like pivoting motion between the self-aligning connector and the other connector at the straight rounded edge of the housing; and mounting structure configured to mount the magnetic cylinder at the straight rounded edge of the device housing with an axis of the magnetic cylinder being substantially parallel to the straight rounded edge of the device housing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A device having a straight rounded edge that is magnetically interconnectable with an other device so as to permit hinge-like movement of the device at the straight rounded edge while maintaining a magnetic interconnection, the device comprising:
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a generally cuboid-shaped housing having a surface that is either of a sidewall of the housing and a corner adjoining two adjacent faces of the housing, the surface being straight due to the generally cuboid shape of the housing but having a curved transverse cross section and defining a straight rounded edge; two self-aligning connectors, spaced apart from one another, along the straight rounded edge of the housing, each of the self-aligning connectors including; a magnetic cylinder for magnetically engaging a magnet of the other device with hinge-like pivoting movement between the devices at the straight rounded edge of the housing; and
mounting structure configured to mount the magnetic cylinder at the straight rounded edge of the housing so that an axis of the magnetic cylinder is substantially parallel to the straight rounded edge of the housing and is coaxial with an axis of the magnetic cylinder of the other self-aligning connector. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification