US 12,133,592 B2
Modular assembly with polymagnets
Charlene Lee, Mercer Island, WA (US)
Assigned to N8madic, Inc., Mercer Island, WA (US)
Filed by N8madic, Inc., Mercer Island, WA (US)
Filed on Oct. 10, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/963,123.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/273,810, filed on Oct. 29, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0138042 A1, May 4, 2023
Int. Cl. A47B 87/02 (2006.01); A47B 87/00 (2006.01)
CPC A47B 87/0292 (2013.01) [A47B 87/008 (2013.01); F16B 2200/83 (2023.08)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A modular interconnection system for assemblies, comprising:
a first modular unit having a first surface and a first magnetic connector at the first surface; and
a second modular unit having a second surface and a second magnetic connector at the second surface, wherein the first surface opposes and is positionable adjacent to the second surface, and wherein the first magnetic connector and the second magnetic connector are aligned and engageable to magnetically hold the first surface and the second surface together;
wherein the first magnetic connector comprises:
a cage with an end cap at a first end portion;
a bridge fixedly connected to the cage, and spaced a first distance apart from the end cap to define a magnet void in the cage between the end cap and the bridge;
a magnet movably positioned within the magnet void in the cage, wherein the magnetic void has a length that is less than a diameter of the magnet; and
a mass fixedly coupled to a second portion of the cage spaced apart from the first end portion with the bridge being between the mass and the magnet;
wherein the magnet is movable within the magnet void between a shielded position and a locked position, wherein the magnet in the shielded position is spaced away from the end cap and held against the bridge by a first magnetic attraction between the magnet and the mass, and wherein the magnet in the locked position is spaced apart from the bridge and positioned adjacent to the end cap by a second magnetic attraction with a second magnet of the second magnetic connector that has substantially the same construction as the first magnetic connector, wherein the second magnetic attraction is greater than the first magnetic attraction to cause the magnet to move from the shielded position to the locked position.