Magnetic Attachment Apparatus

• US 20080210835A1
• Filed: 03/02/2007
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoo Med Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Zoo Med Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Bagnall, Gary Wayne
• Granted Patent: US 7,699,277 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/206.5
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/006 Accessories for aquaria or terraria
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/127 and extending away from the attachment surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/13 and engaging it by snap action F16L3/1203 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0252 PM holding devices H01F7/021, H01F7/0215, H01F7/0226 take precedence

Abstract

Provided is, among other things, an attachment apparatus that includes an attachment base, a magnet attached to a first side of the attachment base and a clip structure extending from a second side of the attachment base, the second side being opposite the first side. The clip structure, in turn, includes first and second arms which can be resiliently spread apart in order to receive an item and then released in order to close around the item.

Claims

1. An attachment apparatus, comprising:

(a) an attachment base;

(b) a magnet attached to a first side of the attachment base; and

(c) a clip structure extending from a second side of the attachment base, the second side being opposite the first side,

wherein the clip structure includes first and second arms which can be resiliently spread apart in order to receive an item and then released in order to close around the item.

2. An attachment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clip structure removably attaches to the attachment base.

3. An attachment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the clip structure attaches to the attachment base using mated threaded surfaces.

4. An attachment apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second clip structure having at least one of a different size or a different shape than the clip structure, and wherein the second clip structure also can be removably attached to the attachment base, such that said attachment apparatus has different interchangeable clip structures for different purposes.

5. An attachment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the clip structure and the second clip structure attach to the attachment base using mated threaded surfaces.

6. An attachment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnet has an inner surface attached to the attachment base and a flat outer surface.

7. An attachment apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a magnetic backing component having a first side that includes a grip and a second side having a flat magnetic surface, the flat magnetic surface of the backing component having an opposite magnetic pole than the flat outer surface of the magnet.

8. An attachment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the magnet and the magnetic backing component are magnetically coupled to each other such that (i) an assembly that includes the magnet, attachment base and clip structure is attached to an inner wall of an enclosure, and (ii) the magnetic backing component is attached to an outer wall of the enclosure.

9. An attachment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second arms of the clip structure together define a shape that is at least approximately semicircular.

10. An attachment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second arms have end tips that flare outwardly.

11. An attachment apparatus, comprising:

(a) an attachment structure that includes (i) an attachment means for releasably attaching to, and thereby restraining movement of, a matching component and (ii) a first magnet having an outer surface; and

(b) a backing structure that includes (i) gripping means on a first side of the backing structure for allowing a user to grasp and manipulate the backing structure and (ii) a second magnet having an outer surface,

wherein the outer surface of the first magnet has an opposite magnetic pole than the outer surface of the second magnet.

12. An attachment apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the attachment means removably attaches to the attachment structure.

13. An attachment apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the attachment means attaches to the attachment structure using mated threaded surfaces.

14. An attachment apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a second attachment means having at least one of a different size or a different shape than the attachment means, and wherein the second attachment means also can be removably attached to the attachment structure, such that said attachment structure has different interchangeable attachment means for different purposes.

15. An attachment apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the attachment means and the second attachment means attach to the attachment structure using mated threaded surfaces.

16. An attachment apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the attachment means includes first and second arms which can be resiliently spread apart in order to receive an item and then released in order to close around the item.

17. An attachment apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first and second arms of the attachment means together define a shape that is at least approximately semicircular.

18. An attachment apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first and second arms have end tips that flare outwardly.

19. An attachment apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are magnetically coupled to each other such that the attachment structure is attached to an inner wall of an enclosure and the backing structure is attached to an outer wall of the enclosure.