The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 16, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 14, 2001
Perry J Underwood, Lake Cathie, AU;
Franz Kocijan, Pappinbarra, AU;
The Aussie Kids Toy Company Pty Ltd, New South Wales, AU;
Abstract
A switchable magnetic device includes a first magnet ( ) and a second magnet ( ), both of which are essentially cylindrical. Magnets ( ) are housed in a housing made from pole pieces ( ). Pole pieces ( ) are ferromagnetic. Lower magnet ( ) is fixedly mounted in the housing whilst upper magnet ( ) can rotate within the housing. Upper magnet ( ) is formed with notches or grooves ( ) along its vertical side walls. These notches or grooves ( ) receive downwardly depending arms ( ) of bar ( ). Bar ( ) is received inside a groove ( ) formed on boss ( ). Boss ( ) is connected to a short bar ( ) that, in turn, is fixedly connected to a handle or lever ( ). By this means, rotation of handle or lever ( ) causes rotation of second magnet ( ). When the upper magnet ( ) is positioned such that its north pole substantially overlies the south pole of lower magnet ( ) and the south pole of upper magnet ( ) substantially overlies the north pole of lower magnet ( ), the first and second magnets act as an internal active magnetic shunt and as a result the external magnetic field strength from the device is quite low. Rotating the upper magnet ( ) 180° about its axis of rotation brings the magnets into alignment such that the respective north and south poles of the upper magnet ( ) substantially overlie respective north and south poles of lower magnet ( ). In this alignment, the external magnet field from the device is quite strong and the device can be affixed to surfaces or objects.