US6182336B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic safety snap locking device and method of fastening the device with manual resetting
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1999-02-18
•
Granted: 2001-02-06
•
Expires: 2019-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A magnetic fastener includes manually separable male and female assemblies, the female assembly including a movable lock member freely slidably positioned thereon and a lock release button movably mounted thereto. The fastener also includes a male assembly including a magnetic member, the male assembly being engageable with the lock release button. The movable lock member has an opening formed therein within which a portion of the male assembly is positionable such that, in a locked position, the movable member is shiftable to a position in proximity with the magnetic member and, upon engagement of the release button with the male assembly, the movable member is shiftable to a position spaced from the magnetic member. A method of fastening the fastener is also described. The location of the magnetic member and movable metal lock member are capable of being switched such that the magnetic member is slidable in a direction towards the metal lock member which is fixed in position within the male assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Irving Bauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:54
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45C; A45C13/00; A45C13/10; A45C13/1069; A41; A41F; A41F1/00; A41F1/002; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/19; Y10T24/1959; Y10T24/32; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A magnetic fastener including manually separable male and female assemblies, which comprises: a female assembly including a movable lock member freely slidably positioned thereon and a lock release button movably mounted thereto; and a male assembly including a magnetic member, said male assembly being engageable with said lock release button; said movable lock member having a cam positioned thereon and wherein at least a portion of said male assembly is positionable such that, in a locked position, said movable member is shiftable to a position in proximity with said ferromagnetic member and, upon engagement of said release button with said lock member, said lock member is shiftable to an unlocked position spaced from said magnetic member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A magnetic fastener including manually separable male and female assemblies, which comprises: a female assembly including a movable lock member freely slidably positioned thereon and a lock release button movably mounted thereto; and a male assembly including a magnetic member, said male assembly being engageable with said lock release button; said movable lock member having a cam positioned thereon and wherein at least a portion of said male assembly is positionable such that, in a locked position, said movable member is shiftable to a position in proximity with said ferromagnetic member and, upon engagement of said release button with said lock member, said lock member is shiftable to an unlocked position spaced from said magnetic member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 1 , wherein said lock release button and said lock member each have cam surfaces that are spaced apart in the unlocked position and are in contact with one another in said locked position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 1 , wherein said female member includes a housing within which said lock release button is movable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 3 , wherein said female assembly includes a first and second set ring which are used to limit movement of said lock release button and said lock member, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 1 , wherein said female assembly includes a housing within which said lock member is movable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 1 , wherein said female assembly includes a first housing within which said lock release button is movable and a second housing within which said lock member is movable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 1 , wherein said female assembly includes a first and second set ring which are used to limit movement of said lock release button and said lock member, respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 7 , which comprises a washer positioned between said second set ring and said lock member and on which said lock member is slidable upon contact of said lock release button with said lock member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 1 , wherein said male member has a locking lip member for engaging a portion of said lock ring in the locked position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A magnetic fastener as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said male assembly comprises a housing and said magnetic member is moveable within said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 10 , wherein said male assembly includes a member which is moveable from a position extending outwardly from said housing to a position retracted within at least part of said housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A magnetic fastener as claimed in claim 10 , wherein said locking ring is moveable from a locked position in proximity with said magnetic member to an unlocked position substantially spaced from said magnetic member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A magnetic fastener as claimed in claim 10 , wherein said locking ring is moveable from a locked position in proximity with said magnetic member to an unlocked position substantially spaced from said magnetic member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A magnetic fastener as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said female assembly comprises a housing and said magnetic member is moveable within said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A magnetic member as claimed in claim 14 , wherein said female assembly includes a member which is moveable from a position extending outward from said housing to a positioning retracted at least partially within said housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
113 words
A magnetic fastener including manually separable male and female assemblies, which comprises: a female assembly including a movable lock means freely slidably positioned thereon and lock release means movably mounted thereto; and a male assembly including a magnetic member, said male assembly being engageable with said lock release means; said movable lock means having a cam positioned thereon wherein a portion of said male assembly is positionable such that, in a locked position, said movable lock means is shiftable to a position in proximity with said magnetic member and, upon engagement of said release button with said male assembly, said movable member is shiftable to an unlocked position spaced from said magnetic member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
113 words
A magnetic fastener including manually separable male and female assemblies, which comprises: a female assembly including a movable lock means freely slidably positioned thereon and lock release means movably mounted thereto; and a male assembly including a magnetic member, said male assembly being engageable with said lock release means; said movable lock means having a cam positioned thereon wherein a portion of said male assembly is positionable such that, in a locked position, said movable lock means is shiftable to a position in proximity with said magnetic member and, upon engagement of said release button with said male assembly, said movable member is shiftable to an unlocked position spaced from said magnetic member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
A magnetic fastener as claimed in claim 16 , wherein said lock release means and said lock means each have cam surfaces that are spaced apart in the locked position and are in contact with one another in said unlocked position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 16 , wherein said female assembly includes a housing within which said lock release means is movable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 18 , wherein said female assembly includes a first and second set means which are used to limit movement of said lock release means and said lock means, respectively.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 16 , wherein said female assembly includes a housing within which said lock member is movable.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 16 , wherein said female assembly includes a first housing within which said lock release means is movable and a second housing within which said lock means is movable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 16 , wherein said female assembly includes a first and second set means which are used to limit movement of said lock release means and said lock means, respectively.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 22 , which comprises a washer positioned between said second set means and said lock means and on which said lock means is slidable upon contact of said lock release means with said lock means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 16 , wherein said male member has locking lip means for engaging a cam face portion of said lock means in the locking position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
A magnetic fastener as claimed in claim 16 , wherein said male assembly comprises a housing and said magnetic member is moveable within said housing.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
115 words
A magnetic fastener including manually separable male and female assemblies, which comprises: a female assembly including a movable magnetic member slidably positioned thereon and a lock release button movably mounted thereto; and a male assembly including a lock member, said male assembly being engageable with said lock release button; said movable magnetic member having a cam positioned thereon wherein at least a portion of said male assembly is positionable such that, in a locked position, said movable magnetic member is shiftable to a position in proximity with said lock member and, upon engagement of said release button with said magnetic member, said magnetic member is shiftable to an unlocked position spaced from said lock member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
115 words
A magnetic fastener including manually separable male and female assemblies, which comprises: a female assembly including a movable magnetic member slidably positioned thereon and a lock release button movably mounted thereto; and a male assembly including a lock member, said male assembly being engageable with said lock release button; said movable magnetic member having a cam positioned thereon wherein at least a portion of said male assembly is positionable such that, in a locked position, said movable magnetic member is shiftable to a position in proximity with said lock member and, upon engagement of said release button with said magnetic member, said magnetic member is shiftable to an unlocked position spaced from said lock member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 26 , wherein said lock release button and said magnetic member each have cam surfaces that are spaced apart in the unlocked position and are in contact with one another in said locked position.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method according to claim 27 , wherein said female assembly includes a housing and which comprises: positioning said lock release button in said housing so as to be movable towards and away from said locking member; and positioning said lock member in said housing so as to have a portion thereof movable towards and away from said magnetic member in the locked and unlocked position of the fastener, respectively.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 26 , wherein said female member includes a housing within which said lock release button is movable.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 29 , wherein said female assembly includes a first and second set ring which are used to limit movement of said lock release button and said magnetic member, respectively.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 26 , wherein said female assembly includes a housing within which said magnetic member is movable.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
35 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 26 , wherein said female assembly includes a first housing within which said lock release button is movable and a second housing within which said magnetic member is movable.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 26 , wherein said female assembly includes a first and second set ring which are used to limit movement of said lock release button and said magnetic member, respectively.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
41 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 33 , which comprises a washer positioned between said second set ring and said lock member and on which said magnetic member is slidable upon contact of said lock release button with said magnetic member.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
A magnetic member as claimed in claim 34 , wherein said male assembly includes a member which is moveable from a position extending outward from said housing to a position retracted at least partially within said housing.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 36 , wherein said male member has a locking lip member for engaging a portion of said magnetic member in the locked position.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as claimed in claim 26 , which comprises forming each of said lock release button and said lock member so as to have a cam face and contacting said cam face of said lock release button and said lock member in the unlocked position of the fastener.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
A magnetic fastener as claimed in claim 26 , wherein said female assembly comprises a housing and said magnetic member is moveable within said housing.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
37 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 38 , wherein said female assembly includes a member which is moveable from a position extending outwardly from said housing to a position retracted within at least part of said housing.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
35 words
A magnetic fastener as claimed in claim 38 , wherein said magnetic member is moveable from a locked position in proximity with said lock member to an unlocked position substantially spaced from said lock member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
35 words
A magnetic fastener as claimed in claim 38 , wherein said locking ring is moveable from a locked position in proximity with said magnetic member to an unlocked position substantially spaced from said magnetic member.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
112 words
A magnetic fastener including manually separable male and female assemblies, which comprises: a female assembly including a movable magnetic means slidably positioned thereon and lock release means movably mounted thereto; and a male assembly including a lock member, said male assembly being engageable with said lock release means; said movable magnetic means having a cam positioned thereon and wherein a portion of said male assembly is positionable such that, in a locked position, said magnetic member is shiftable to a position in proximity with said lock member and, upon engagement of said release button with said male assembly, said magnetic member is shiftable to an unlocked position spaced from said lock member.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
112 words
A magnetic fastener including manually separable male and female assemblies, which comprises: a female assembly including a movable magnetic means slidably positioned thereon and lock release means movably mounted thereto; and a male assembly including a lock member, said male assembly being engageable with said lock release means; said movable magnetic means having a cam positioned thereon and wherein a portion of said male assembly is positionable such that, in a locked position, said magnetic member is shiftable to a position in proximity with said lock member and, upon engagement of said release button with said male assembly, said magnetic member is shiftable to an unlocked position spaced from said lock member.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
41 words
A magnetic fastener as claimed in claim 42 , wherein said lock release means and said magnetic means each have cam surfaces that are spaced apart in the locked position and are in contact with one another in said locked position.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 42 , wherein said female assembly includes a housing within which said lock release means is movable.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
35 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 44 , wherein said female assembly includes a first and second set means which are used to limit movement of said lock release means and said magnetic means, respectively.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 42 , wherein said female assembly includes a housing within which said magnetic means is movable.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
35 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 42 , wherein said female assembly includes a first housing within which said lock release means is movable and a second housing within which said magnetic means is movable.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
35 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 42 , wherein said female assembly includes a first and second set means which are used to limit movement of said lock release means and said magnetic means, respectively.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
41 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 48 , which comprises a washer positioned between said second set means and said lock means and on which said magnetic means is slidable upon contact of said lock release means with said lock means.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
A magnetic fastener according to claim 42 , wherein said male member has locking lip means for engaging a cam face portion of said magnetic means in the locking position.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of fastening a fastener having a female assembly including a lock member, a lock release button and a male assembly having a magnetic member, which comprises: positioning said lock member in said female assembly so as to be freely slidable therein; positioning said lock release button in said female assembly so as to be spaced from said lock member in a locked position of said fastener and to be in contact with said lock member in an unlocked position of said fastener; and engaging said lock release button assembly with said lock member so as to slide said lock member from a position in proximity with said magnetic member in the locked position of the fastener and to be spaced from said magnetic member in the unlocked position of said fastener.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of fastening a fastener having a female assembly including a lock member, a lock release button and a male assembly having a magnetic member, which comprises: positioning said lock member in said female assembly so as to be freely slidable therein; positioning said lock release button in said female assembly so as to be spaced from said lock member in a locked position of said fastener and to be in contact with said lock member in an unlocked position of said fastener; and engaging said lock release button assembly with said lock member so as to slide said lock member from a position in proximity with said magnetic member in the locked position of the fastener and to be spaced from said magnetic member in the unlocked position of said fastener.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
11 words
A fastener made by the process claimed in claim 51 .
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 51 , wherein said male assembly includes a housing and which comprises moving a portion of said male assembly within said housing.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 53 , which comprises moving said member of said male assembly at least partially inwardly into said housing during moving of said member of said male assembly.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 53 , which comprises moving said locked member from a locked position in proximity with said magnetic member to an unlocked position spaced from said magnetic member.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of fastening a fastener having a male assembly including a lock member, a lock release button and a female assembly having a magnetic member, which comprises: positioning said lock member in said female assembly so as to be freely slidable therein; positioning said lock release button in said female assembly so as to be spaced from said lock member in a locked position of said fastener and to be in contact with said lock member in an unlocked position of said fastener; and engaging said lock release button with said magnetic member so as to slide said magnetic member from a position in proximity with said lock member in the locked position of the fastener and to be spaced from said lock member in the unlocked position of said fastener.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of fastening a fastener having a male assembly including a lock member, a lock release button and a female assembly having a magnetic member, which comprises: positioning said lock member in said female assembly so as to be freely slidable therein; positioning said lock release button in said female assembly so as to be spaced from said lock member in a locked position of said fastener and to be in contact with said lock member in an unlocked position of said fastener; and engaging said lock release button with said magnetic member so as to slide said magnetic member from a position in proximity with said lock member in the locked position of the fastener and to be spaced from said lock member in the unlocked position of said fastener.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as claimed in claim 56 , which comprises forming each of said lock release button and said magnetic member so as to have a cam face and contacting said cam face of said lock release button and said magnetic member in the unlocked position of the fastener.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method according to claim 57 , wherein said female assembly includes a housing and which comprises: positioning said lock release button in said housing so as to be movable towards and away from said magnetic member; and positioning said magnetic member in said housing so as to have a portion thereof movable towards and away from said lock member in the locked and unlocked position of the fastener, respectively.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
11 words
A fastener made by the process claimed in claim 56 .
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 56 , wherein said male assembly includes a housing and which comprises moving a portion of said male assembly within said housing.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 60 , which comprises moving said member of said male assembly at least partially inwardly into said housing during moving of said member of said male assembly.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 60 , which comprises moving said locked member from a locked position in proximity with said magnetic member to an unlocked position spaced from said magnetic member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-02-06 | 2004-08-07 | 2005-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-06 | 2008-08-07 | 2009-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-06 | 2012-08-07 | 2013-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |