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Case with magnetic over-center mechanism

  • US 9,967,648 B2
  • Filed: 09/22/2016
  • Issued: 05/08/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A case for a portable listening device, the case comprising:

  • a housing having a cavity to receive the portable listening device;

    a lid attached to the housing with a pivotable joint allowing the lid to rotate between a closed position where the lid is aligned over the cavity and an open position where the lid is angularly displaced allowing the portable listening device to be removed from the cavity;

    a first magnetic element located in the lid and positioned proximate the pivotable joint;

    a second magnetic element located in the housing and positioned proximate the pivotable joint, wherein the first and the second magnetic elements are oriented to repel each other;

    a third magnetic element located in the lid and positioned at a distal end of the lid that is opposite the pivotable joint; and

    a fourth magnetic element located in the housing and positioned at a distal end of the housing that is opposite the pivotable joint, wherein the third and the fourth magnetic elements are oriented to attract each other;

    wherein the first, second, third and fourth magnetic elements cooperate to define an over center position for the lid, the over center position located between the open position and the closed position such that when the lid is in the open position the lid resists moving from the open position to the closed position and when the lid is in the closed position the lid resists moving from the closed position to the open position.

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