CA2101837A1

CA2101837A1 - Magnetic releasable fastener

Info

Publication number: CA2101837A1
Application number: CA002101837A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Lawrence Daniel Gadbois
Original assignee: Lawrence Daniel Gadbois
Current assignee: GADBOIS LAWRENCE DANIEL
Priority date: 1993-08-03
Filing date: 1993-08-03
Publication date: 1995-02-04

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A magnetic fastener is commonly known by it's function to solely fasten by an attracting magnetic field. To unfasten it's position must be done manually, mechanically and/or by an electromagnetic type device. Therefore, in a case wherein super, powerful, permanent magnets, each having the capability of 300 pounds of holding force, are used it would be impossible to unfasten this type of fastener manually from its fastened position.
In this invention both attracting and/or opposing magnetic fields are used in an odd and/or even alignment of positive and negative magnetic fields to determine the fastening and/or releasing position. This is accomplished by allowing radial movement between the insertion of a first member into a second member. Each member has a proximal end of which attaches to a first and second object and each having a cylindrical body (ie. Male and Female) enclosing two half cylinder shape permanent magnets symmetrically arranged within their own individual distal ends. Because of their cylindrical nature and the radial movement allowed between them they are able to fasten and/or release from each other by radially turning the first member and/or second member into an attracting and/or opposing field.

Description

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SPE:CIFICATIONS 7 -` This invention is a method and apparatus that relates to a manually, operable, super, powerful, permanent magnetic releasable fastener for connecting first and second objects.

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It i8 commonly known in a heavy duty application for connecting first and second objects to use a nut and bolt type device, electromagnetic type device or permanently affixed by alternative means. These types of fastening devices however, are inefficient should the dismantlement of first and second objects be required.
In terms of labour costs (ie. time and wages) for both assembly and dismantlement the ~avings would be substantial using the magnetic releasable fastener described herein.

I have found the use of permanent magnets, in the invention herein being requested, would revolutionize many disadvantages and inefficiencies commonly known in today~s commercial market relating to scaffolding, tables, stages, concessions, portable structures of any type as well as many new and exciting additional applications.
The magnetic releasable fastener would not only have heavy duty applications but also light weight applicatior.s. Manual operation is all that is required to fasten and/or release hundreds of pounds of holding force in a matter of seconds. It is not limited to manual operation or any specific objects needing to be connected.
The invention, herein being requested for patent approval, comprises of an apparatus and method for releasably connecting first and second objects magnetically. Wherein, two half cylinder shape permanent magnets, each magnet charged having the magnetic lines of forc~ travelling lengthwise (Fig. 1). Magnetically attached flat length side of each(Fig. 2 and Legend F.L.S.) to the flat length side of another (Fig. 2a). Wherein, the North . ~, magnetic field of one magnet faces the opposite (South) direction to that of the other magnet thereby, taking shape of a whole cylinder (Fig. 3). This symmetrical arrangement of said two permanent magnets causes an equal proportion of opposite polarities ; : , `:~<, : ~

SPECIFICATIONS con~ 8 ~ 7 to arise outward from each distal end. A first member (Flg. 4) made of non-magnetic durable material may include a proximal end (Fig. 4 and ~egend P.E. on 1st M.) of which is suitably connected to the first object and a distal end that will include at least one elongated cylindrical shaft. The said two magnets symmetrically arranged are suitably enclosed and/or positioned within the said shaft (refer to Note: dotted line) causing and equal proportion of North and South magnetic fields to arise outward from its distal ., ~, end face (Fig. 4 and Legend D.E.F.). A second member (Fig. 5) made of non-magnetic durable material may include a proximal end (Fig.
, . :
5 and Legend P.E.) of which is suitably connected to the second . ::
object and a distal end including at least one corresponding -~
cylindrical hole for receiving the insertion of said shaft (Fig.
6). The depth of the said shaft and said hole are equal for a precision fit. Said two magnets symmetrically arranged are also enclosed and/or positioned (refer to Note: dotted line) within the inner distal end face (Fig. 5 and ~egend D.E.F.) of second member causing an equal proportion of North and South magnetic fields to arise outward from its said inner distal end face. The cylindrical nature at each distal end of said first and second members is ,~.
provided to allow radial movement between each once the said shaft has been inserted into the said hole. The fastening position between first and second members is accomplished by aligning opposite polarities of North and South magnetic fields when inserting the said shaft into the said corresponding hole. By aligning the North magnetic field arising outward from half of the distal end face of said shaft to the South magnetic field arising outward from half of the inner distal end face of said hole, and each other half the same, causes an attracting magnetic field drawing inward the insertion of said shaft which is then fastened.
Releasing position is accomplished by radially turning the inserted said shaft out of the attracting magnetic field into an opposing magnetic field (For example: North to North, South to South polaritie~) forcing the said shaft outward from within the said hole.

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Claims

1 A magnetic releasable fastener comprising a first and second member, each having a distinct cylindrical nature that allows the insertion of one into the other as well as radial movement between each where they each connect.

2 An apparatus, as defined in Claim 1, enclosing a symmetrical arrangement of any permanent magnets for the purpose of releasably fastening by means of an attracting and/or opposing field between a first and second member.

3 An apparatus, as defined in Claim 1 and 2, in which a first member may have more than one (1) cylindrical shaft and the second member may have more than one (1) cylindrical hole at their distal ends to connect a third or more members.

B In the case of a Method -1 An odd and/or even alignment of at least two North and South magnetic fields provided by at least two sets of two half cylinder shape permanent magnets wherein each set of two, of the said magnets, are enclosed within each a first and second member.
2 A method, as defined in Claim 1, for fastening and/or releasing a first member to (or from) a second member by method of radial movement between an odd or even alignment of two or more North magnetic fields and two or more South magnetic fields.
3 A method, as defined in Claim 1 and 2, wherein any permanent magnet in any number of magnets are used for releasably connecting a first member to (or from) a second member by an attracting and/or opposing field capabilities between a first and second member by the sole method of using the permeability of the magnet.